Old Delhi is well-connected to the Delhi Metro through various routes. The nearest metro station to Old Delhi is Chandni Chowk Metro Station. Old Delhi is also well-connected to other routes like the Violet and Red Lines.
Old Delhi is one of the busiest localities in Delhi and close to Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid, Red Fort, etc. Here you can do shopping at India’s biggest wholesale market, Chandni Chowk, and visit heritage places like Jama Masjid, Red Fort, etc.
In this detailed article, we will learn about the nearest metro stations to Old Delhi, nearby famous places, and more. So, let us start this blog.
Why Old Delhi Does Not Have Just One Metro Station?
Old Delhi, also called Purani Dilli, is spread across narrow lanes and packed markets. It includes the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk market, Old Delhi Railway Station, and Kashmere Gate ISBT.
These places are close to each other but not next to the same metro station. So, the right answer to “nearest metro station to Old Delhi” depends on where exactly you want to go. This guide breaks it down landmark by landmark, with distance, walking time, and the exit gate to use.
Quick Reference Table
| Destination | Nearest Metro Station | Metro Line | Approx. Distance | Walk Time |
| Old Delhi Railway Station | Chandni Chowk | Yellow Line | 600 m | 7-8 min |
| Red Fort (Lal Quila) | Lal Qila | Violet Line | 500 m | 5-7 min |
| Red Fort (alternate) | Chandni Chowk | Yellow Line | 1 km | 12-13 min |
| Jama Masjid | Chawri Bazar | Yellow Line | 700 m-1 km | 10-15 min |
| Chandni Chowk Market | Chandni Chowk | Yellow Line | At the market | – |
| Kashmere Gate ISBT | Kashmere Gate | Red, Yellow, Violet | 700 m | 8-10 min |
Chandni Chowk Metro Station: Yellow Line
Chandni Chowk metro station is located on the Yellow Line. It runs between Samaypur Badli and Millennium City Centre Gurugram. This line also connects to Connaught Place and Delhi University, so it is an easy station to reach from most parts of the city.
The station is linked to Old Delhi Railway Station (also called Delhi Junction) through an underground tunnel. This means you can walk from the metro platform to the railway station without stepping outside, which is useful if you are catching a train or arriving by one.
Exit gates matter here. Gate 3 is the shortest route to Old Delhi Railway Station. Gate 4 is closer to Red Fort and Digambar Jain Lal Mandir. Gate 5 is used by people walking towards Jama Masjid and Red Fort from the Chandni Chowk side.
Once outside, cycle rickshaws are available for the last stretch, which is often quicker than walking through the crowd, especially in the market lanes.
Lal Qila Metro Station: Violet Line
If Red Fort is your only stop, Lal Qila metro station on the Violet Line is the better choice. It is an underground station that opened in 2017 and sits close to Netaji Subhash Marg.
From Lal Qila, take Exit Gate 1 and walk about 500 metres, which takes around 5 to 7 minutes depending on traffic and crowd. This is shorter than walking from Chandni Chowk metro station, which is about 1 kilometre from Red Fort by road.
The trade-off is connectivity. The Violet Line does not run through as many central Delhi points as the Yellow Line, so if you are coming from areas like Connaught Place or Gurugram, you may need to change trains at Kashmere Gate or Central Secretariat to reach the Violet Line.
Chawri Bazar Metro Station: Yellow Line
Chawri Bazar metro station is also on the Yellow Line and it is the closest station to Jama Masjid. It is one of the deepest stations in the Delhi Metro network, built about 25 metres underground.
From here, exit towards Nai Sarak and walk roughly 700 metres to 1 kilometre to reach Jama Masjid. The lanes are narrow and often busy with shops, so walking is usually faster than taking a rickshaw during the day. Locals in the area are used to giving directions if you lose your way near Nai Sarak Chowk.
Kashmere Gate: Yellow Line
Kashmere Gate is one of the largest interchange stations in the Delhi Metro system. It connects the Red Line, Yellow Line, and Violet Line, which makes it useful if you are travelling from East Delhi, West Delhi, or North Delhi.
It also sits next to Kashmere Gate ISBT, the interstate bus terminal. So, if you are arriving in Delhi by bus, this is often your entry point before switching to a train that takes you closer to Chandni Chowk, Red Fort, or Jama Masjid.
Which Metro Line Should You Take?
- Yellow Line: It covers Chandni Chowk and Chawri Bazar, and connects to Connaught Place, Delhi University, and Gurugram.
- Violet Line: It covers Lal Qila (Red Fort) and Delhi Gate, and connects towards Central Secretariat and Faridabad.
- Red Line: reaches Kashmere Gate, useful for East and North Delhi and interstate bus travellers.
If you are visiting more than one landmark in a day, it often makes sense to start at Chandni Chowk metro station, explore the market and railway station area on foot, then walk or take a short rickshaw ride to Red Fort and Jama Masjid, rather than switching metro lines for each stop.
Step-by-Step: Getting to Old Delhi by Metro
1. Decide your first stop using the table above, based on which landmark you want to see first.
2. Check the correct metro line and direction before boarding.
3. Get down at the matching station and take the exit gate mentioned for your destination.
4. Use walking, a cycle rickshaw, or an e-rickshaw for the last stretch, since Old Delhi’s lanes are narrow and often jammed with traffic.
Last-Mile Travel Inside Old Delhi
Once you are out of the metro station, cycle rickshaws and e-rickshaws are the easiest way to cover short distances. Fares are usually low, but it helps to confirm the price before you start the ride. During busy hours, walking can actually be quicker than any vehicle, since the lanes around Chandni Chowk and Jama Masjid get congested with shoppers, carts, and traffic.
Best Time to Visit
Mornings between 9 and 11, or evenings between 4 and 6, tend to have smaller crowds than midday or weekend evenings. If you want clearer photos at Red Fort or Jama Masjid, or simply want to avoid the crowd, these windows work better.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Old Delhi does not have one single “nearest” metro station, since it depends on where you are headed. Chandni Chowk metro station is the best starting point for the railway station and the main market.
Lal Qila metro station is the shortest route to Red Fort, and Chawri Bazar metro station is closest to Jama Masjid. If you are arriving from another part of the city or by interstate bus, Kashmere Gate serves as a central hub. Once you know which station matches your destination, the rest of the trip through Old Delhi’s lanes is straightforward.
Also Read – TOP 10 Posh Areas in Delhi
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the nearest metro station to Old Delhi Railway Station?
Ans. Chandni Chowk metro station on the Yellow Line is the nearest metro station to Old Delhi Railway Station. It is about 600 metres away, roughly a 7- to 8-minute walk.
Q2. Which metro station is closest to Red Fort?
Ans. Lal Qila metro station on the Violet Line is closest to the Red Fort. It is about 500 metres from Red Fort. Chandni Chowk metro station on the Yellow Line is a slightly longer alternative, about 1 kilometre away.
Q3. How do I reach Jama Masjid by metro?
Ans. Get down at Chawri Bazar metro station on the Yellow Line, then walk towards Nai Sarak. The distance is around 700 metres to 1 kilometre, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes on foot.
Q4. Is Kashmere Gate close to Old Delhi’s main landmarks?
Ans. Yes. Kashmere Gate is about 700 metres to 1 kilometre from the main Old Delhi landmarks and is the biggest interchange station in the city, connecting the Red, Yellow, and Violet Lines. It is a useful entry point if you are arriving by interstate bus.
Q5. Which metro lines cover Old Delhi?
Ans. Mainly the Yellow Line, which serves Chandni Chowk and Chawri Bazar, and the Violet Line, which serves Lal Qila. Kashmere Gate adds Red Line connectivity for travellers coming from other parts of Delhi.
Q6. Can I walk from Chandni Chowk metro station to Red Fort?
Ans. Yes, it is about 1 kilometre and takes 12 to 13 minutes on foot. A cycle rickshaw is a common alternative, especially in heat or heavy crowds.















