Quick links
- WikiTravel article on New Delhi.
- ISI Delhi Guest House
Reaching the Institute
The ISI Delhi camus, along with various other institutions, is located in a part of South Delhi known as the Qutab Institutional Area. Its official address is 7 Shaheed Jeet Singh Sansanwal Marg, more commonly referred to simply as Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg (e.g., on street signs), or as S. J. S. Sansanwal Marg (e.g., on official ISI stationary).
Unfortunately, few taxi or auto drivers have ever heard of Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg. They are however familiar with Katwaria Sarai, the locality in which the campus is situated. In fact, ISI is located right next to the Katwaria Sarai Bus Stand, which they should be able to take you to. Another well-known nearby landmark is the Qutab Hotel (which has actually been renamed to Clarion Collection).
From the airport
The only reasonable option is to take a taxi. Both regular taxis (prepaid) and radio taxis (postpaid) such as Merucabs and Easycabs (see below) are available.
The pre-paid counters (for regular taxis) are located inside the airport. To book a taxi, mention your destination and pay the fare. You will receive two receipts for the amount you pay. The pick-up locations are outside the terminal. You should hand over one copy to the driver only after you are satisfied that you have reached your destination.
Post-paid radio taxis are available just outside the airport. In terminal 1, there is a prominent Easycabs stand where you can ask for the next available cab. They will give you a slip with a cab number, which you should be able to find in the taxi queue. In terminal 3, post-paid taxis are available outside two specific exit gates (see posted signs). Services are provided by Merucabs and Megacabs. Note that in addition to the metered fare and any applicable toll taxes, there will be an additional airport parking fee.
Be warned that even though regular taxis are cheaper, they are more liable to cause you hassle. In particular, the pre-paid counter will give you a designated pick-up location (and not a specific cab as the radio taxis will). It is quite possible that once you reach your pick-up location, you will find several other passengers waiting, and no taxi in sight. If this happens, get in touch with the police on duty nearby.
From (Old) Delhi Railway Station
Pre-paid taxis are not available, but you should be able to pick up a taxi on the street. Pre-paid autos are available.
You can also use Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses. There are no direct buses from Delhi Station to ISI. From outside the station you can take bus no. 502 to Adhchini. From Adhchini bus nos. 605/618/664/680/511/546 come to Katwaria Sarai which is about 1.25 Km away. Alternatively, take an auto or cycle Rickshaw to Mori Gate Terminal, and form there catch bus no. 605 which comes directly to Katwaria Sarai.
From New Delhi Railway Station
The distance to ISI from New Delhi Railway Station is approximately 16km.
Black-and-yellow pre-paid taxis are not available, but you should be able to pick up a taxi on the street. Pre-paid autos are available. Pre-paid radio taxis (Meru cabs) are available, but are more expensive (see below).
There are no direct buses to ISI. Come out of the station on the Ajmeri Gate side, and walk to Kamala Market. From there catch bus no. 505 to Adhchini. From Adhchini bus nos. 605/618/664/680/511/546 come to Katwaria Sarai.
Another option is to use the Metro. Come out on the Ajmeri Gate side, walk to the metro station, and take the yellow line to either the Hauz Khas or Malviya Nagar station. From there, a short auto ride will take you to Katwaria Sarai.
From Hazrat Nizamuddin
Pre-paid taxis are not available, but you should be able to pick up a taxi on the street. Pre-paid autos are available.
There are no direct buses to ISI. From outside the station you can get Bus Nos. 413/427 and get down at PTS stop (Malaviya Nagar). From there take an auto to Katwaria Sarai.
From ISBT
Auto and taxis are Available. There are no direct buses to ISI. Walk or take a cycle Rickshaw to Mori Gate Terminal. And from there catch bus no. 605 which comes directly to Katwaria Sarai.
From Sarai Kale Khan
Auto and taxis are Available. There are no direct buses to ISI. However, you can get many buses for AIIMS (or Medical), from where you can take an auto, or get bus nos. 605/618 to Katwaria Sarai.
Traveling around
Autos and taxis
The Delhi Traffic Police website has the official tariff rates for Taxis and Autos. You an consult it to figure out how much it should cost to travel to your destination.
Autos are ubiquitous within the city limits, and you can usually flag one down on the street. Some will ask exorbitant rates; just ignore them and wait for the next available one. After an increase in the tariff recently, it is much easier to find an auto that will agree to charge the meter rate.
You will not usually find taxis on the street, but the Qutab Hotel Taxi Stand (phone: 011-2696-6650) is located very close to the ISI campus. You can rent regular ("black-and-yellow") taxis from them, or rent cars for longer periods (typically for 4 or 8 hours, with additional charges for going over). They are usually quick, and will come to ISI and pick you up. Note: Most regular taxis in Delhi have their meters tampered with, and these are no exception. It is best to negotiate the fare beforehand.
There are several "radio Taxi" services available in Delhi, with higher tariff fare, but usually more reliable. They can be booked in advance over the phone or through their website. The more popular ones are
Metro
Delhi has a brand-new Metro system. The station nearest to ISI is Hauz Khas, which is actually located below the IIT flyover. You can take an auto to travel from ISI to the Metro station and back.
Bus
The following public buses (run by DTC) stop at Katwaria Sarai: 605 / 618 / 664 / 680 / 511 / 546. DTC has a very rudimentary website that you can use to get further information. In general, buses are not a very good way to travel unless you are familiar with the system.