If you’re travelling between Noida and the heart of Delhi, the Botanical Garden to Rajiv Chowk metro route is one of the easiest rides on the entire network. This stretch runs completely on the Blue Line, so there’s no changing trains, no running between platforms, and no second-guessing which line to hop onto next. You board at Botanical Garden and step off directly at Rajiv Chowk, right in the middle of Connaught Place.
Whether you’re commuting for work, heading into CP for a day of shopping, or just passing through Noida on your way further into Delhi, here’s everything worth knowing before you travel, the stations you’ll pass, how long it takes, what it costs, and a few practical tips that make the ride smoother.
Quick Route Summary
- Line: Blue Line (one line, zero interchange)
- Direction to board: Towards Dwarka Sector 21
- Distance: Roughly 13-14 km
- Journey time: About 25-30 minutes
- Total stations covered: 14, including both Botanical Garden and Rajiv Chowk
- Fare: Around ₹40-43 by token, a little cheaper on a smart card
- Interchange required: None
Which Line Connects Botanical Garden and Rajiv Chowk?
Both stations sit on the Blue Line, so this is about as straightforward as Delhi Metro travel gets. Botanical Garden itself is also an interchange station, it connects the Blue Line with the Magenta Line. So if you’re coming in from South Delhi, Kalkaji, Hauz Khas, or even the airport side via Janakpuri West, you can switch onto the Blue Line right there and carry on straight through to Rajiv Chowk without a second change.
Once you’re at Botanical Garden, board the train heading towards Dwarka Sector 21. That’s the direction you want, don’t board one going towards Noida Electronic City or Vaishali, since that heads the opposite way, deeper into Noida.
Full List of Stations Between Botanical Garden and Rajiv Chowk
Here’s every station your train stops at along the way, in order:
- Botanical Garden (start)
- Noida Sector 18
- Noida Sector 16
- Noida Sector 15
- New Ashok Nagar
- Mayur Vihar Extension
- Mayur Vihar-I
- Akshardham
- Yamuna Bank
- Indraprastha
- Supreme Court
- Mandi House
- Barakhamba Road
- Rajiv Chowk (end)
That’s 12 stations in between, with no line change anywhere along the way. You can stay wherever you’re standing or sitting the entire ride and just watch Noida gradually give way to central Delhi outside the window.
How Long Does the Journey Take?
Expect the ride to take somewhere between 25 and 30 minutes under normal conditions. It can stretch slightly during peak hours, roughly 8:30-11 AM and 5:30-8:30 PM, when trains move a touch slower through busier stations like Akshardham and Mandi House, but it rarely adds more than a few extra minutes to your trip.
Blue Line trains on this stretch typically run every 3-5 minutes during peak hours and every 5-8 minutes in the off-peak window, so even if you miss one, the wait for the next isn’t long.
Botanical Garden to Rajiv Chowk Metro Fare
Delhi Metro fares are calculated by distance, and this route falls in the 12-21 km slab. Based on the current fare structure, that works out to approximately:
- Token / QR ticket: Around ₹43
- Smart card: About ₹38-39, since smart card users get a standard discount over token fares
DMRC revises fares from time to time, so treat these as a close estimate rather than the final word. If you want the exact fare for the day you’re travelling, the DMRC app or the station’s ticket counter will always show the current number.
First and Last Metro Timings
Blue Line services on this route generally begin around 5:30-6:00 AM, and the last trains run until roughly 11:30-11:45 PM. The exact minute can shift slightly depending on which direction you’re catching and whether it’s a weekday or a Sunday/holiday, since Sunday services usually start a bit later. If your plans depend on catching the very first or very last train, it’s worth confirming the current schedule on the DMRC app before you head out, timings do get adjusted occasionally.
Facilities at Both Stations
Neither end of this route leaves you short on basic amenities:
- Parking: Paid parking is available at both Botanical Garden and Rajiv Chowk.
- Accessibility: Both stations are equipped with lifts and are wheelchair accessible for Divyang commuters.
- Payment options: Tokens, smart cards, and UPI/QR-based tickets through the DMRC app are all accepted.
What’s Near Botanical Garden Metro Station
There’s more around this station than the name lets on:
- Botanic Garden of the Indian Republic – barely 800 metres away, a genuinely peaceful spot if you need a breather before or after your commute.
- Worlds of Wonder – Noida’s amusement and water park, tucked inside The Great India Place Mall, about 1.2 km from the station.
- The Great India Place Mall – shopping, food court, and a multiplex, right next to Worlds of Wonder.
- Atta Market / Brahmaputra Market – good for everyday shopping and street food if you’re in the area.
- Amity University – reachable through Gate 1, useful if you’re a student on this route regularly.
What’s Near Rajiv Chowk Metro Station
Rajiv Chowk is about as central as Delhi gets. Step out and you’re right at:
- Connaught Place (Inner & Outer Circle) – shopping, cafes, and some of Delhi’s oldest commercial architecture.
- Janpath Market – a few minutes’ walk, popular for clothes, bags, and handicrafts at negotiable prices.
- Palika Bazaar – an underground market right beneath CP, a welcome escape from Delhi’s summer heat or winter fog.
- Central Park, CP – a green break in the middle of all the shopping and traffic.
- India Gate – around 2.5 km away, an easy auto ride, or a longer walk if you’re up for it.
Tips for a Smoother Ride
- Since there’s no interchange on this route, you can board any coach without worrying about repositioning yourself for a platform change midway.
- If you’re using the DMRC app’s QR ticket or an NCMC/smart card, tapping in is faster than queuing at the token counter, especially during office hours.
- Rajiv Chowk is a large, busy station with several exits leading to different parts of CP. Check the signage for your specific gate rather than just following the crowd, it’ll save you an extra walk once you’re up top.
- Carrying heavy luggage? Try to avoid the 9-11 AM and 6-8:30 PM windows, both ends of this route get crowded around those times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any interchange between Botanical Garden and Rajiv Chowk? No. The entire journey runs on the Blue Line, so there’s no need to change trains.
How many stations are there between Botanical Garden and Rajiv Chowk? Twelve stations fall in between, with Botanical Garden and Rajiv Chowk as the two ends, 14 stations in total.
What is the approximate fare for this route? Roughly ₹40-43 by token and slightly less with a smart card, based on the current distance-based fare slab. Always confirm on the DMRC app for the exact fare on your travel day.
Which direction should I board from Botanical Garden? Board the train heading towards Dwarka Sector 21, not the one going to Noida Electronic City or Vaishali.
Can I reach Rajiv Chowk directly from the Magenta Line at Botanical Garden? Yes. Since Botanical Garden is an interchange between the Blue Line and Magenta Line, you can switch onto the Blue Line there and continue straight to Rajiv Chowk without any further changes.
How early should I plan my trip if I need to catch the first train? Services on this stretch typically begin around 5:30-6:00 AM, but check the DMRC app the night before if your plans depend on the very first train, timings can shift slightly.
Final Thoughts
The Botanical Garden to Rajiv Chowk metro route sums up why Delhi Metro works so well for daily commuters and visitors alike, one line, no confusion, and a straight shot from Noida into the centre of Delhi in under half an hour. Whether you’re heading to CP for work, a shopping trip, or just exploring the city, this is one of the more relaxed rides on the whole network.
