Delhi Getting There By Road

In principle, driving in Delhi is on the left. Foreign drivers must be over 18 and possess an International Driving Permit. It's far safer to use taxis or hire a car with a driver, particularly for longer journeys.

Those taking their own car must obtain a Carnet de Passage from an international motoring associations (ie RAC) before entering India. This document guarantees that if the vehicle fails to be re-exported, then the issuing body will pay all duties liable. Motorists are advised to seek cover from an Indian insurer, as insurance is compulsory.

Emergency breakdown service
The Automobile Association of Upper India (tel: (011) 2696 5397; www.aaui.org) provides a 24-hour breakdown service.

Routes to the city
Five National Highways pass through Delhi. National Highway 1 links Delhi to Wagah near the India-Pakistan border; National Highway 2 from Kolkata (Calcutta) in the east travels through Agra, and the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, part of National Highway 8, passes through Jaipur in the west.

Approximate driving times to the city
From Agra - 4 hours 30 minutes; Jaipur - 5 hours; Amritsar - 10 hours.

Coach services
Delhi is linked by bus services (from air conditioned to bone-jarring 'ordinary' buses) to six states. It's worth travelling by the more expensive state government bus companies; these tend to be more reliable (and safer).

The chaotic Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) (tel: (011) 2386 0290), at Kashmiri Gate, near Old Delhi railway station, is the terminus for all intercity bus services. It has a left-luggage service. There are two other ISBTs in Delhi. State operators based here include Delhi Transport Corporation (tel: (011) 2386 5181; http://dtc.nic.in), Haryana Roadways (tel: (011) 2386 1262; www.hartrans.gov.in), Himachal Roadways (tel: (011) 2386 8654), Punjab Roadways (tel: (011) 2386 7842; www.punjabroadways.gov.in), Rajasthan Roadways (tel: (011) 2338 6658) and Uttar Pradesh Roadways (tel: (011) 2386 8709).