NDLS Exit Guide: Ajmeri Gate vs Paharganj Side — Which to Use?
New Delhi station has two sides: Ajmeri Gate (Platform 16, metro) and Paharganj (Platform 1, hotels). Which exit matches your train and hotel.
New Delhi railway station (NDLS) has 16 platforms with an exit on each side: Ajmeri Gate on the Platform 16 side, Paharganj on the Platform 1 side. Most tourists want Ajmeri Gate — it connects directly to the New Delhi metro station and the prepaid taxi lanes. Use Paharganj only if your hotel is actually in Paharganj within a short walk.
Check your coach position before you get down. Walking the length of the platform inside is far easier than crossing between the two sides outside in traffic.
Know your platform number already? The NDLS platforms 1–16 guide maps every platform to its side — this page covers which exit and transport to pick once you know it.
Full station walkthrough: New Delhi station first-time guide to platforms and exits. For luggage storage, see the NDLS cloakroom guide.
Which side to use#
| Side | Platform end | Metro access | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajmeri Gate | Platform 16 | 2–5 min via covered skywalk to New Delhi metro (Yellow + Airport Express) | Almost everyone — CP, South Delhi, airport connection, prepaid cabs |
| Paharganj | Platform 1 | No direct metro — 600+ m lane walk plus traffic to reach New Delhi metro | Budget hotels inside Paharganj, within 400 m on foot |
The two entrances face opposite directions, so the wrong choice adds 15–20 minutes. If your hotel is anywhere except Paharganj itself — CP, Karol Bagh, South Delhi, Aerocity — exit Ajmeri Gate even if your coach halts nearer Platform 1.
From Ajmeri Gate, follow the signs for New Delhi metro. Gates 1 and 2 of the metro station serve the railway station directly, with escalators and lifts along the skywalk. The Airport Express from the same metro station reaches IGI Airport in about 20 minutes — see NDLS to airport by metro vs cab.
Platform numbers and which side they fall on#
A query that brings many readers here: "platform X, which side?" The rule is simple — low numbers sit toward Paharganj, high numbers toward Ajmeri Gate. Platform 1 opens to Paharganj; Platform 16 opens to Ajmeri Gate. Middle platforms (roughly 5–10) have footbridges to both sides, so follow the overhead signs for your exit rather than the crowd.
Two things help more than memorising numbers:
- Check the coach indicator and platform on the NTES app or station display before arrival — platforms are assigned dynamically.
- If you have heavy luggage, stay inside the station and use the footbridges to reach the Ajmeri Gate end before exiting, instead of dragging bags around the outside roads.
Cloakroom, waiting rooms and food#
- Cloakroom: near the platforms, needs your PNR and ID plus your own lock. Standard charge is around ₹20–30 per bag for 24 hours. Keep the paper receipt — no receipt, no bag.
- Waiting rooms: AC rooms charge hourly (roughly ₹40/hour) and non-AC benches are free. Useful for a 5 AM arrival when the metro has not started — rest inside till about 6, then take the metro.
- Food: the IRCTC Jan Ahaar outlet on the Ajmeri Gate side is the dependable budget pick. Packaged items and station chains beat unmarked stalls for a first-timer's stomach.
Luggage trolleys work on the Ajmeri Gate skywalk to the metro, which is flat with ramps. The Paharganj lane outside is congested and uneven — avoid dragging a trolley there at night.
Early morning and late-night arrivals#
5 AM arrival: stay in the waiting hall, have tea inside, and take the metro once it starts (around 5:30–6 AM depending on line and day — confirm in the Delhi Metro timings guide). Autos before that charge night rates; agree the fare or book in-app.
After 11 PM: use the prepaid taxi booth or app pickup on the main Ajmeri Gate road. Ignore anyone inside the hall claiming your train was cancelled and steering you to an "office" — verify on your IRCTC app or helpline 139. The full scripts are documented in scams around New Delhi station and the station scams guide.
If you are staying near the station, hotels near NDLS that are actually decent shortlists options on both sides. If you arrived late and feel stuck, the late-night arrival playbook covers the inside-hall-first rule.
“Arriving NDLS at 5 AM with bags, hotel near CP metro. Ajmeri Gate or Paharganj exit, and metro or cab?”
Quick answers#
Which exit is better for tourists? Ajmeri Gate for almost everyone — direct metro and organised cab lanes.
Can I take big bags on the metro? Yes, especially off-peak (11 AM–4 PM). Airport Express coaches handle luggage better than Yellow Line at rush hour — see how to reach NDLS by metro with luggage.
Is there luggage storage at the metro station? No. Use the railway cloakroom with your PNR — the metro has no cloakroom.
Sources#
- Wikipedia — New Delhi railway station, platforms and entrances
- SquareYards — nearest metro to NDLS guide, Aug 2026
Last verified: 2026-09-18. Platform allocations change daily — confirm your platform on the station display or NTES app before choosing the exit.