My first day in India turned into more of a rest and relaxation day after fatigue triggered the dreaded midday nap, likely messing up my sleep for the entire trip. But the day wasn’t entirely lost…
India 2026 Day 1 – Metro, Rest, Coffee, Taco Bell?
After weighting another Golden Triangle trip (Delhi – Agra – Jaipur), I decided to save that for when my wife and kids were along and instead just remain in Delhi for three nights, giving each of the city’s three Hyatt hotel properties a try. For my first night, I booked the Hyatt Centric in Janakpuri West, which was only $51/night.
Immigration at Delhi T3 could have been much worse, but it also wasn’t great. Of course I had prepared my visa in advance and I also pre-registered my fingerprints at a kiosk near my arrivals gate. But when I got up to the line I found out I needed to fill out an arrivals form and health declaration. That only took me a few minutes, but the immigration processing line moved at a snail pace. In my experience, Indian people tend to me friendly in general, but the immigration agents were all in a sour mood and a few them were just sitting around and talking instead of helping to process visitors.
But I made it…
For whatever reason, I felt the urge to take public transport after landing in Delhi. I resisted driving far longer than most and swore by public transport in my youth, but as I get older I tend to just use Uber or other ride shares…it’s just easier. In India, Uber is widespread and cheap…it really wasn’t a cost issue, but I just thought I’d try the Delhi Metro, which proved a little more dramatic than I thought.
From Terminal 3, I hopped on the Airport Line to Dwarka Sector 21, where I would have to make a connection to my final stop, which would be Janakpuri West. I had left my Indian rupees at home…foolishly….but tapped my credit card to pay for the segment.
However, when I got Dwarka Sector 21, I faced a dilemma: I entered the transfer area and approached the window to purchase a ticket (43 INR so less than .50 USD). The agent’s credit card reader did not work…and I had no cash and was boxed into an area with no exit (I used my first ticket to get in, but now could not get out).
I don’t get scared in situations like this…it’s not my first rodeo…but I was curious how I was going to solve it and set to downloading the Delhi Metro app on my phone in hopes of purchasing a ticket on my phone. Thankfully, the station attendant did not leave me hanging. He called a colleague who came over with a different credit card reader that thankfully worked…ticket issued and I was on my way.
It was a long journey and I was not impressed by the behavior onboard…a lot of loud people not using headphones, just like anywhere else in the world outside of Japan and Northern Europe. But eventually I made it to my hotel. Google Maps said take gate 3 out, but that was a mistake…. Gate 2 was right outside the hotel.
It was only 10:30 am and I figured my room might not be ready, but thankfully not only was it ready, but I was upgraded to an “Executive Suite” (which was not a suite in a traditional sense, but certainly a spacious room). I’m only a Discoverist these days, so I’ll take what I can get.
And then I made my mistake…fatigue had really set in and I figured I’d take a short nap and then get up work.
#FamousLastWords
I did set multiple alarms, but ended up sleeping for about four hours. Sure, it could have been worse – it was only mid-afternoon, but I pride myself in avoiding these sorts of things when I travel, which I find greatly exacerbate jet lag. Still half asleep, I hydrated and got some work done before heading out in search of coffee…I had not had any yet and it was now after 6:00 pm!
You might ask why I’d possibly want coffee if I was trying to adjust, but I suppose it’s like a cigarette…when you want one, you want one.
I found a place within walking distance of the hotel called Coffeegram that looked good…and it was. A very nice flat white.
While there, I decided to eat some protein and ordered some peri peri chicken, which was not very pretty, but did the job. I also had some beet juice, though when I saw it was served with ice cubes I drank it all in about 10 seconds before the ice could melt.
With my stomach full, I set off back to the hotel.
Back at the hotel, I got some work done and…ordered Taco Bell from a food delivery app called Swiggy (the most popular one, called Zomato, required an Indian number.
Taco Bell in India? But of course…I’m on a quest to sample Taco Bell in every nation. My cheese quesadilla and “protein bowl” hit the spot quite nicely.
By 11:30 pm local time I was in bed and managed to sleep until 5:00 am the next morning, so it seems my body did need the sleep!
Matt, I thoroughly enjoy that you actually ‘go-there.’ These are exactly the types of trips/reviews (and methods of getting there) that are so exciting to read, watch. Clearly, not ‘your first rodeo’ as you say. I also got a kick reading about “the behavior on bed” (sic) the Delhi metro, assuming you meant ‘on-board,’ but that was a pretty ‘fun’ typo, nonetheless. Hope your jetlag subsides quickly. Can’t wait for more posts!
Excellent trip report, Matt. It’s been years since I have been to Delhi, but planning to visit as a family the next time we are in India.
Discoverist? I guess you’re not traveling that much these days, though it appears otherwise.
As for TB in India, it’s been there for a long time. Back in the mid 2010s you could actually get refills on fountain drinks, which certainly isn’t typical in India.
Not staying in a lot of Hyatt hotels these days…
Taco Bell in India is a great cross cultural experience. The next day you can have Delhi Belly and Montezuma’s revenge all at once.
DOH! (I mean, he did just come from Doha…)
As for Taco Bell, the ones in India are apparently doing better than in the US these days, you know, due to the “explosive” diarrhea from the Cyclospora outbreak.
Since you should not eat taco bell for a while in the states may as well have at!! Anyway you are their mascot
Ticketing on the Delhi metro leaves a lot to be desired.
Nice realistic images of the city. Documenting what you see is much more interesting than overhyped Instagram pictures.
Great little piece. Enjoyed it.
I like Delhi. Need to go back. You should try Sri Lankan airlines and check out Colombo. Great city and country to visit with the family.
Indian here, born, raised and lived in Delhi for most of my life. I couldn’t find Janakpuri without Google Maps if you had a gun to my head, and don’t believe I’ve ever been to that part of town. What in the world were you thinking, Matt? Why for the love of God would you go there (other than for masochistic reasons)?
What’s wrong with it?
It’s not a nice part of town at all. Out of the way for what you would like to do and see. South and Central Delhi are where you would most like to spend your time while in Delhi. That’s where you’ll find the best food (and yes, coffee!), historic sights, and relatively cleaner areas. I would never choose to spend my time in Janakpuri.
No, it’s certainly not a nice part of town, but I appreciated the very cheap $50/night stay at what turned out to be a very decent hotel.
BC What kind of a Dilli wala doesn’t know where Janakpuri is?
Someone who chooses to stay in relatively, clean safe areas, MC. Got it?
Wondering what would be your opinion on Kailash colony
Nice reviews, but…
You are in a country with a world renowned cuisine (Delhi-Belly or not), and you eat Taco Bell? I know in the US you also have a lot of excellent Indian restaurants, but come on. Eat local – and stay local too (Hyatt, oh dear!). You are one of those travellers that we in Europe laugh a little about (although 99% lovingly) because everything has to be so American, even though you are on the other side of the world…
Kenneth, you have to understand that the Taco Bell thing is a shtick at this point – it’s not that I need Taco Bell or any American food, but now I’m on a quest to try Taco Bell at every country in the world that has one because it’s just kind of entertaining…believe it or not, these Taco Bell posts–perhaps because of their quirkiness–are some of my most-trafficked. As for Hyatts, I see Germans at every Hyatt I go to. They recognize good value and a brand that you know you can trust! 😉
Good news, Matthew it is now much easier to get Ireland checked off your list, as Taco Bell has a new location in the outskirts of Dublin. I haven’t been there and have no plans to visit, but I dud get a chuckle looking at their website. All meal deals come with French fries. So authentic.
Except, go to a KFC, Popeyes, McD, or Burger King in France and there’s not a tourist to be found. But, yes, as an American who spends >6 months a year outside the US, I do laugh at the timidity of Americans in restaurant choice.
BTW, the official ETIAS website now says
“The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch,” rather than the previous mention of late 2026. It seems they’ve learned from the spotty record of EES rollout.
Wow. $2 coffee and fruit drink and $3 chicken. Today I learned that India does that which many hate: add tax to posted prices.
Unlike Lucky, I think it’s great that you take local transportation and at least walk through the community and engage with it! Keep it up!