Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin India due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk.”
Updated Mon, 16 Jun 2025
Full advisory →Personalize report nowTailor this report to you.Next: age, gender, group size preference…Next: the latest news and insightsNext: one click, 5 seconds, no costStart now8 districts
Is New Delhi safe? 🇮🇳
India · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, New Delhi scores 70/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. New Delhi is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and follow basic precautions, though petty crime and scams require vigilance. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
New Delhi 🇮🇳
India · Assessed 7 October 2026
70
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime70/100GoodCrime index 44.2 / 100
Sentiment62/100FairMixed
Advisories75Good
Stability63Fair
Health70Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel India-Pakistan border area FCDO advises against all travel within 10km of the India-Pakistan border.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:56:27Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for India: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-09-24T08:53:34.2574299-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Urban scale factor
318k residents
79
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
2.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6India2.8World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
79
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging of tourists is uncommon but motorbike-borne bag snatching occurs, especially in south Delhi and near railway stations
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing is prevalent in Chandni Chowk, Paharganj, New Delhi Railway Station and metro rush hour
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed
62/100
Reported feel65Mixed
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Travelers report feeling safe in upscale and well-touristed areas during daylight but express concern over scams, harassment, and air quality, particularly solo female travelers and those using public transport at night.
Yes. New Delhi is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and follow basic precautions, though petty crime and scams require vigilance.
New Delhi scores 69/100 on safety indices, with violent crime against tourists uncommon but pickpocketing and scams prevalent in crowded areas. Air quality is unhealthy (AQI 170) and poses a health risk, especially for sensitive individuals. Recent protests related to voter roll changes have increased police presence in central Delhi, though they remain largely peaceful.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Police in India blocked voter-roll protest for second day in Delhi— Bloomberg.com
- Oct 2026Rahul Gandhi, Indian opposition lawmakers detained over election chief protest for second day— Reuters
- Oct 2026Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi detained over election chief protest— Al Jazeera
- Oct 2026Police break up Indian opposition protest seeking resignation of election chief— Reuters
Common scams
- Fake tourist information centers around Connaught Place and New Delhi Railway Station offering overpriced tours or tickets
- 'Helpful' men at stations claiming trains are cancelled to redirect travelers to commission-based travel agencies
- Fake prepaid taxi counters at airports and stations charging up to 5x legitimate fares
- Motorbike-borne bag snatching, particularly in south Delhi and near railway stations
Full briefing
New Delhi remains generally safe for prepared visitors, with violent crime against tourists uncommon in tourist zones. However, pickpocketing is a high-risk issue in crowded areas like Chandni Chowk, Paharganj, and the New Delhi Railway Station, especially during metro rush hour. Motorbike-borne bag snatching has been reported in south Delhi and near railway stations, though outright mugging of visitors remains rare. Scams are persistent, particularly around transit hubs and Connaught Place, where fake tourist information centers and commission-driven taxi touts target newcomers. Air quality is a significant concern, with the US AQI at 170 (Unhealthy), posing health risks during prolonged outdoor exposure; carrying a pollution mask and limiting exertion during peak hours is advised. Recent protests over voter roll changes have led to temporary detentions and police blockades in central Delhi, but these have remained non-violent and localized. Travelers should use app-based services like Uber or official prepaid taxis, avoid unmarked cabs, and keep valuables secured in anti-theft bags. While upscale and central districts are safe for daytime exploration, solo female travelers are advised to exercise caution at night and consider using the Delhi Metro, which remains relatively safe even during busy hours. Staying alert in crowded areas and verifying transport options go a long way in ensuring a smooth visit.
Was this New Delhi, India report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 New Delhi districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the New Delhi safety map.
PaharganjavoidBudget traveler zone near New Delhi Railway Station; high incidence of taxi scams, overcharging, and petty theft targeting tourists
New Delhi Railway Station areaavoidMajor transport hub; pervasive scams (fake taxi counters, 'closed hotel' tricks) and pickpocketing; use prepaid or app-based taxis only
Connaught PlacecautionCentral commercial hub; heavy pickpocketing and scam activity in crowds, especially near metro and tourist sites
Chandni ChowkcautionHistoric market; extreme congestion drives pickpocketing and bag snatching; avoid flashing valuables
Karol BaghcautionShopping district with moderate pickpocket risk; exercise caution in crowded lanes and after dark
West Delhi (Rajouri Garden, Punjabi Bagh)cautionMixed residential/commercial; higher reports of robbery and snatch thefts, especially on poorly lit streets at night
Lutyens' DelhisaferDiplomatic and government zone; well-patrolled, lower crime, but avoid protests near Vijay Chowk and Raisina Hill
South Delhi (Hauz Khas, Greater Kailash)saferAffluent residential and nightlife areas; generally safe with standard urban precautions against opportunistic theft
07 · After Dark
Is New Delhi safe at night?
Mugging of tourists is uncommon but motorbike-borne bag snatching occurs, especially in south Delhi and near railway stations
After dark, be most careful around Paharganj, New Delhi Railway Station area, Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
New Delhi safety FAQ (2026)
Is New Delhi safe right now (2026)?
Yes. New Delhi is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and follow basic precautions, though petty crime and scams require vigilance. New Delhi scores 69/100 on safety indices, with violent crime against tourists uncommon but pickpocketing and scams prevalent in crowded areas. Air quality is unhealthy (AQI 170) and poses a health risk, especially for sensitive individuals. Recent protests related to voter roll changes have increased police presence in central Delhi, though they remain largely peaceful. (Assessed 7 October 2026.)
Is New Delhi safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this New Delhi report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of New Delhi should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Paharganj, New Delhi Railway Station area as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in New Delhi (2026)?
- Fake tourist information centers around Connaught Place and New Delhi Railway Station offering overpriced tours or tickets
- 'Helpful' men at stations claiming trains are cancelled to redirect travelers to commission-based travel agencies
- Fake prepaid taxi counters at airports and stations charging up to 5x legitimate fares
- Motorbike-borne bag snatching, particularly in south Delhi and near railway stations
How does New Delhi compare with other places in India (2026)?
New Delhi ranks #9 of 9 India destinations we've assessed, scoring 70/100. See the India safety overview for the full list.
How is this new-delhi safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
More India reports
6 reports
Nearby destinations
4 reports
Similar safety profile
4 reports
Keep exploring
Raw data: new-delhi.json (CC BY 4.0).