If you’re catching a train from New Delhi Railway Station and starting your journey at Anand Vihar, the Delhi Metro is by far the easiest way to cover that distance. No traffic jams near ISBT, no haggling over auto fares — just hop on at Anand Vihar, switch lines once, and you’re at New Delhi Metro Station in well under 40 minutes.
This guide walks you through the entire journey: which platform to stand on, where to change trains, how much it costs, and a few things regular commuters wish they’d known on their first trip.
The Route in One Glance
| What You Need to Know | Details |
|---|---|
| From | Anand Vihar Metro Station |
| To | New Delhi Metro Station |
| Lines involved | Blue Line, then Yellow Line |
| Where you switch | Rajiv Chowk |
| Number of changes | 1 |
| Stations covered | 12 (including start and end) |
| Distance | Roughly 12–13 km |
| Journey time | About 25–35 minutes, door to door |
| Token fare | Approximately ₹40 (varies slightly by exact fare slab) |
| Smart Card fare | A little cheaper, thanks to the standard DMRC discount |
How the Journey Actually Works
Here’s the trip broken down the way you’ll experience it:
1. Start at Anand Vihar. Enter the station and head for the Blue Line platform heading toward Dwarka Sector 21 — this is the direction you want, not the Noida/Vaishali side. At Anand Vihar, that’s typically Platform 2, but glance at the overhead signage before boarding since platform numbers occasionally get reassigned during maintenance work.
2. Ride the Blue Line to Rajiv Chowk. You’ll pass through Karkarduma, Preet Vihar, Nirman Vihar, Laxmi Nagar, Yamuna Bank, Indraprastha, Pragati Maidan, Mandi House, and Barakhamba Road before reaching Rajiv Chowk. This stretch takes roughly 20–25 minutes depending on the time of day.
3. Change lines at Rajiv Chowk. This is Delhi’s busiest interchange, so budget a few extra minutes here, especially during office hours. Follow the yellow signage toward the Yellow Line platform heading for Samaypur Badli. The walk between platforms takes about 4–5 minutes at a normal pace.
4. Take the Yellow Line to New Delhi. This last leg is short — just one stop, roughly 2–3 minutes of actual travel time.
5. Arrive at New Delhi Metro Station. From here, New Delhi Railway Station is a short walk through a connected passage, so you won’t need to step outside if you’re rushing to catch a train.
Complete Station List
Blue Line (Anand Vihar → Rajiv Chowk)
| # | Station |
|---|---|
| 1 | Anand Vihar |
| 2 | Karkarduma |
| 3 | Preet Vihar |
| 4 | Nirman Vihar |
| 5 | Laxmi Nagar |
| 6 | Yamuna Bank |
| 7 | Indraprastha |
| 8 | Pragati Maidan |
| 9 | Mandi House |
| 10 | Barakhamba Road |
| 11 | Rajiv Chowk |
Yellow Line (Rajiv Chowk → New Delhi)
| # | Station |
|---|---|
| 11 | Rajiv Chowk |
| 12 | New Delhi |
What It Costs
| Ticket Type | Approximate Fare |
|---|---|
| Paper Token (QR-based) | ~₹40 |
| Smart Card (NCMC/DMRC Card) | Slightly lower, plus faster gate entry |
Fares on the Delhi Metro are distance-based and get revised periodically by DMRC, so treat this as a close estimate rather than a fixed number. If you’re a frequent traveler on this stretch, a smart card pays for itself quickly through the automatic discount and skips the token queue entirely.
First and Last Trains
Delhi Metro’s operating hours run roughly from early morning until close to midnight, but exact first and last train timings differ by station, direction, and day of the week (Sundays and holidays usually start later). Rather than relying on possibly outdated numbers, your safest bet is checking the DMRC official app or the “First/Last Train” lookup on delhimetrorail.com right before you travel — it takes ten seconds and saves you from a locked gate at 11 PM.
Boarding Tips at Each Station
- Anand Vihar: Head for the platform signed toward Dwarka Sector 21. If you’re arriving straight off a train with heavy luggage, both lifts and escalators are available — use the lift if you’re carrying a lot.
- Rajiv Chowk: This interchange gets genuinely crowded between 8–10 AM and 6–8 PM. Stick close to the colored floor markings; they lead you directly to the correct platform without backtracking.
- New Delhi: Once you exit, follow signs for “Railway Station” — the connecting walkway takes you straight to the NDLS platforms without needing to cross the main road.
Nearby Landmarks Once You Reach New Delhi
| Place | Approx. Distance from Station |
|---|---|
| New Delhi Railway Station | Connected walkway |
| Paharganj Market | ~500 m |
| Connaught Place | ~1 km |
| India Gate | ~4 km |
| Jama Masjid | ~3 km |
Metro vs. Other Options: Is It Really Worth It?
| Mode | Typical Time | Typical Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro (this route) | 25–35 min | ~₹40 | Predictable timing, avoiding traffic |
| Auto-rickshaw | 45–70 min (traffic dependent) | ₹250–₹400 | Door-to-door, heavy luggage |
| Cab/App-based taxi | 40–60 min (traffic dependent) | ₹300–₹500+ | Comfort, late-night travel |
Unless you’re carrying more luggage than you can comfortably manage on stairs and escalators, the metro wins on both time and cost for this particular route — especially during peak traffic hours when road travel between East and Central Delhi can easily take over an hour.
Practical Tips for a Smoother Ride
- Travel light through the interchange. Rajiv Chowk involves stairs and a fair walk between platforms; a rolling suitcase is easier to manage than a shoulder bag stuffed to capacity.
- Avoid 8–10 AM and 6–8 PM if you can. These are the most crowded windows on both lines.
- Use the DMRC app for real-time updates. It’s more reliable than guessing train frequency, especially on weekends.
- Keep your ticket or card until you exit. Both entry and exit gates require it — losing it mid-journey means a trip to the station office.
- Women travelers: the first coach (as the train faces its direction of travel) is typically reserved and tends to be less crowded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to change trains between Anand Vihar and New Delhi? Yes, once — you switch from the Blue Line to the Yellow Line at Rajiv Chowk.
How long does the whole trip take? Around 25 to 35 minutes total, including the walk between platforms at Rajiv Chowk.
What’s the fare? Roughly ₹40 by token, a bit less if you’re using a smart card.
Is New Delhi Metro Station actually connected to the railway station? Yes — there’s a direct walkway linking the two, so you won’t need to exit onto the street.
Which platform should I board from at Anand Vihar? Look for the platform signed toward Dwarka Sector 21 (commonly Platform 2), and double-check the overhead display since assignments can shift occasionally.
Is this route crowded? Rajiv Chowk, being the interchange, is the busiest stretch of the journey. Traveling outside peak office hours makes a noticeable difference.
Final Word
For anyone heading to or from New Delhi Railway Station, this Blue Line–to–Yellow Line combination via Rajiv Chowk is the fastest and most predictable way to make the crossing. One line change, a dozen stations, and you’ve skipped what would otherwise be a slow, traffic-heavy road trip across the city. Keep a little buffer time for the Rajiv Chowk interchange, especially if you’re catching a train with a fixed departure, and you’ll have a smooth ride from end to end.
Fares, timings, and platform numbers are subject to change by DMRC. Please confirm current details on the official Delhi Metro Rail Corporation app or website before you travel.
