Delhi Metro Timings 2026: First & Last Train by Line
Check Delhi Metro first and last train timings by line, including opening and closing times. Updated for 2026 with quick tables and route links.
Delhi Metro's opening time is usually around 6:00 AM and its closing time around 11:00 PM, but there is no single first or last train for the whole network. Your exact first or last train depends on your station, line, direction, branch and day of travel, so use the summary below and check your route before leaving.
The main exception is the Airport Express (Orange Line), which starts much earlier. Current scheduled terminal departures begin at about 4:40 AM from Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25 and 5:00 AM from New Delhi.
On Sundays, most Delhi Metro corridors begin around 6:00 AM, while the Pink, Magenta and Grey lines normally begin around 7:00 AM.
If you are planning a late-night journey, airport transfer or early-morning train, always check the exact first or last train for your station and direction before leaving.
See also: Delhi Metro payment guide and Delhi Airport Express Metro guide.
Delhi Metro Timings at a Glance#
| Information | Timing |
|---|---|
| Metro opening time (most lines) | Around 6:00 AM |
| Metro closing time (most lines) | Around 11:00 PM terminal departures; some trains reach stations later |
| First train | Varies by station and direction |
| Last train | Varies by station and direction; check your full route after 10:30 PM |
| Sunday service | Most lines from around 6:00 AM; Pink, Magenta and Grey from around 7:00 AM |
| Airport Express | First around 4:40 AM (Yashobhoomi) / 5:00 AM (New Delhi); last around 11:15 PM / 11:40 PM |
These are useful network-level planning times, not guaranteed departures from every station.
For example, the last train passing Rajiv Chowk, Hauz Khas or Kashmere Gate may be later than the last departure time shown for a terminal.
Delhi Metro timings by line#
| Metro Line | Typical First Service | Sunday First Service | Last-Train Planning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Line | Around 6:00 AM | Around 6:00 AM | Usually around 11 PM from terminals; station-specific |
| Yellow Line | Around 6:00 AM | Around 6:00 AM | Station and direction-specific |
| Blue Line | Around 6:00 AM | Around 6:00 AM | Check Noida/Vaishali branch carefully (see note below) |
| Green Line | Around 6:00 AM | Around 6:00 AM | Station and branch-specific |
| Violet Line | Around 6:00 AM | Around 6:00 AM | Station and direction-specific |
| Pink Line | Around 6:00 AM | Around 7:00 AM | Station-specific |
| Magenta Line | Around 6:00 AM | Around 7:00 AM | Station-specific |
| Grey Line | Around 6:00 AM | Around 7:00 AM | Station-specific |
| Airport Express | 4:40 AM Yashobhoomi / 5:00 AM New Delhi | Similar daily schedule | About 11:15 PM Yashobhoomi / 11:40 PM New Delhi |
Blue Line last metro time#
The Blue Line splits into two branches east of Yamuna Bank — one towards Noida Electronic City and one towards Vaishali — so the last usable train depends on your branch as well as your station and direction. We do not publish invented branch-wise last-train times here; check the Blue Line and your exact station on the day of travel, especially after 10:30 PM.
Plan by metro line#
Open your line for the full station list in network order, interchange stations and links to every station guide: Red Line, Yellow Line, Blue Line, Green Line, Violet Line, Pink Line, Magenta Line, Grey Line, Aqua Line and Airport Express. For the busiest interchanges, start with Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, New Delhi and Hauz Khas.
Delhi Metro Opening Time#
For most travelers, the opening time answer is simple:
Delhi Metro opens at around 6:00 AM on most lines, and the first train reaches your station shortly after.
But trains do not all leave every station at exactly 6 AM. A train may start from a terminal before or around 6 AM and reach your station several minutes later.
Some services can also begin earlier from selected stations or depots.
So if you need the metro for something time-sensitive — such as a flight, railway train or exam — do not plan using only the general 6 AM starting time.
Check the first train for your exact:
- starting station
- destination
- direction
- interchange
- day of travel
New to the system? Read our Delhi Metro first-time guide and the metro rules every tourist should know before your first early-morning ride. Coming from the railway station? The NDLS exit guide shows the 2-minute skywalk from Ajmeri Gate to New Delhi metro.
Delhi Metro Closing Time#
Most regular Delhi Metro services wind down around 11:00 PM, but saying "Delhi Metro closes at 11 PM" is too simple — the last train for your station and direction is what matters.
A train that leaves a terminal around 11 PM may continue through the line for another 30–60 minutes.
That means some stations may still have trains passing through after 11 PM.
However, you cannot assume that you can enter any Delhi Metro station at 11:15 PM and still reach your destination.
Your route may fail because:
- the last train in your direction has already passed;
- your connecting line may already have ended;
- the final train may terminate before your destination.
Delhi Metro Sunday Timings#
Delhi Metro operates on Sundays, but the morning schedule is different on a few corridors.
Normal Sunday starting times#
| Line | Typical Sunday Start |
|---|---|
| Red Line | Around 6:00 AM |
| Yellow Line | Around 6:00 AM |
| Blue Line | Around 6:00 AM |
| Green Line | Around 6:00 AM |
| Violet Line | Around 6:00 AM |
| Pink Line | Around 7:00 AM |
| Magenta Line | Around 7:00 AM |
| Grey Line | Around 7:00 AM |
| Airport Express | Early-morning schedule continues |
The Pink, Magenta and Grey lines previously had later Sunday starts. Their regular Sunday commencement was moved earlier, and they now generally begin around 7 AM.
This is important if you have an early flight, railway departure or Sunday morning event.
Delhi Airport Express Metro Timings#
The Airport Express Line, also called the Orange Line, runs much earlier than the normal Delhi Metro network.
It connects:
New Delhi → Shivaji Stadium → Dhaula Kuan → Delhi Aerocity → IGI Airport (T3) → Dwarka Sector 21 → Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25
Airport Express first and last trains#
| Terminal | First Train | Last Train |
|---|---|---|
| New Delhi → Airport / Yashobhoomi | Around 5:00 AM | Around 11:40 PM |
| Yashobhoomi → Airport / New Delhi | Around 4:40 AM | Around 11:15 PM |
The Airport Express usually runs approximately every 10 minutes during busier periods, with wider gaps during very early morning and late-night periods.
Read the full Delhi Airport Express Metro guide before using it for a flight.
Can You Use Delhi Metro for an Early-Morning Flight?#
It depends heavily on the terminal and departure time.
Flight around 8:00 AM from Terminal 3#
Domestic flight: Usually possible if you can reach New Delhi Airport Express station before the first Airport Express.
The first Airport Express from New Delhi is around 5:00 AM and reaches the airport roughly 20 minutes later.
That can put you at T3 around 5:20–5:30 AM, giving reasonable time for an 8 AM domestic flight.
However, remember that the normal Yellow Line may not be useful for reaching New Delhi that early. If you are staying around Connaught Place, Paharganj or another nearby area, you may need a short cab or auto to the Airport Express station.
International flight around 8:00 AM#
The first Airport Express is much tighter for an international departure because passengers are normally advised to reach the airport about three hours before departure.
For an important international flight, a pre-booked cab gives you more buffer.
See how early to reach Delhi Airport.
Flight around 6:00 AM#
Do not depend on the metro.
You normally need to be at the airport well before the first useful metro service.
Use a prepaid airport taxi, app cab or hotel transfer instead.
Delhi Metro Timings for Late-Night Airport Arrivals#
If your flight lands at 12:30 AM, 1:00 AM or later, the Delhi Metro will normally be closed by the time you collect your bags and leave the terminal.
Do not plan to wait several hours at the metro station unless that is intentionally part of your travel plan.
Better late-night options include:
- prepaid taxi from the airport
- app-based cab
- hotel transfer
- waiting inside the airport until morning, where permitted and practical
Read our Delhi Airport late-night arrival guide for a complete step-by-step plan.
Delhi Metro Frequency: How Long Between Trains?#
Delhi Metro does not use one fixed frequency throughout the day.
As a general guide:
| Time | Typical Waiting Time |
|---|---|
| Morning and evening rush hour | Around 2–5 minutes on busy corridors |
| Normal daytime | Around 5–10 minutes |
| Late evening | Can be 8–15 minutes |
| Airport Express | Roughly 10–20 minutes depending on time |
The Yellow and Blue lines generally have very frequent trains during peak commuter periods.
Less busy corridors and late-night services can have longer gaps.
You should therefore avoid planning a tight railway or flight connection assuming that "another metro will arrive in three minutes."
When Are Delhi Metro Peak Hours?#
The busiest periods are normally weekday commuting hours:
Morning: roughly 8:00 AM–11:00 AM Evening: roughly 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Hauz Khas, Central Secretariat, New Delhi and other major interchange stations can become especially crowded.
If you are a tourist carrying luggage, travelling slightly outside peak hours can make the trip much easier.
How to Check the Exact First or Last Metro#
For an ordinary daytime journey, approximate timings are usually enough.
For an early or late journey, use the official DMRC journey planner/app — or our Delhi metro route planner for station-to-station routes — and enter your actual origin and destination.
This matters because searching:
"Delhi Metro last train 11 PM"
does not tell you whether you can actually travel from Hauz Khas to New Delhi at 11 PM.
You need the last train in your direction plus the last available interchange.
At the station, also check the platform passenger-information display or ask DMRC staff when you are travelling close to the end of service.
“I need to travel from Hauz Khas to New Delhi station at 11 PM. Can I still take the metro and what last train should I catch?”
Special Days: Holi, Diwali, Events and Maintenance#
Do not assume normal Delhi Metro timings on major festivals or special-event days.
DMRC can announce temporary changes because of:
- Holi or other major festivals
- Republic Day or Independence Day security arrangements
- marathons and large public events
- examinations
- planned maintenance work
- operational disruptions
Services may start earlier, start later, terminate early or be temporarily restricted on part of a line.
If your journey falls on a major event or holiday, check DMRC's latest service update on the same day.
What to Do When Delhi Metro Is Closed#
For travel after the final metro, your main options are taxis, app cabs and autos.
For an airport journey, a prepaid airport taxi or app cab is usually the simplest option.
For normal travel inside Delhi, compare your route, time and luggage before choosing between a cab and auto.
See our complete Delhi Metro vs cab vs auto comparison.
FAQ#
What is the Delhi Metro opening time?#
Most Delhi Metro lines open at around 6:00 AM. The exact first-train time depends on the station, direction and line.
What is the Delhi Metro first train time on Sunday?#
Most lines begin around 6:00 AM on Sundays. The Pink, Magenta and Grey lines normally begin around 7:00 AM.
What is the Delhi Metro closing time?#
Most terminal departures are around 11:00 PM, but there is no single Delhi Metro closing or last-train time. Intermediate stations can have trains after 11 PM, and the exact time depends on direction and destination.
Does Delhi Metro run after 11 PM?#
Yes, some trains may pass intermediate stations after 11 PM because they started their journey earlier. However, you should check your station's exact last train before travelling late at night.
Does Delhi Metro run till 12 AM?#
Delhi Metro is not a midnight-to-midnight or 24-hour service. Some final trains may still be completing their journeys close to midnight, but you should not assume you can begin a new journey at 11:30 PM.
Does Delhi Metro run 24 hours?#
No. Delhi Metro does not normally operate 24 hours.
What is the first metro from New Delhi station?#
The Airport Express leaves New Delhi around 5:00 AM toward the airport — the earliest guaranteed way out of the station area. Yellow Line first trains follow around 6 AM depending on direction; check the platform display, since depot workings shift the first departure by a few minutes.
What time does the Airport Express start?#
Around 4:40 AM from Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25 and 5:00 AM from New Delhi — earlier than the rest of the network. Last trains run about 11:15 PM from Yashobhoomi and 11:40 PM from New Delhi.
Does Delhi Metro run on Friday mornings?#
Yes — Friday follows the normal weekday schedule with ~6 AM starts. Only Sunday has the later 7 AM start on Pink, Magenta and Grey lines.
What is the Airport Express last train?#
Current terminal departures are approximately 11:15 PM from Yashobhoomi and 11:40 PM from New Delhi. Always verify the timing on your travel day.
Can I take Delhi Metro for a 6 AM flight?#
Usually no. Even the Airport Express does not give enough time for most 6 AM flights once airport check-in and security time are considered.
Does the Airport Express go to Terminal 1?#
No. The Airport Express directly serves Terminal 3 through IGI Airport station. For Terminal 1, use the Magenta Line's Terminal 1-IGI Airport station.
Where can I check Delhi Metro timings today?#
Use DMRC's official website/app journey planner or check the passenger-information display at the station. For late-night journeys, check your exact origin, destination and direction rather than relying on a general line closing time.
Last verified: 18 September 2026. Delhi Metro schedules can change for maintenance, festivals and special events. For an early flight, railway connection or journey after 10:30 PM, verify the exact train on the day of travel.