If you’ve just stepped off a train at Old Delhi Railway Station and need to get to AIIMS — for a hospital appointment, to meet someone, or simply to cross over to that side of the city — the metro is genuinely your easiest option. No fighting traffic near Chandni Chowk, no bargaining with an auto driver, and no guessing how long it’ll take. Here’s the route worked out step by step, with everything you need before you travel.
The Nearest Metro Station to Old Delhi Railway Station
A lot of first-time visitors don’t realize this, but Old Delhi Railway Station (also called Delhi Junction) doesn’t sit directly under a metro station of the same name. The metro station here is called Chandni Chowk, and it’s close enough that DMRC has built an underground subway linking the two directly. Step out of the railway station, follow the signage, and you can walk straight into the metro premises without crossing a single road or dealing with Chandni Chowk’s famously chaotic street traffic outside.
Chandni Chowk metro station sits on the Yellow Line (Line 2) — the same line that runs from Samaypur Badli in north Delhi all the way to HUDA City Centre in Gurugram. And here’s the convenient part: AIIMS is on that exact same line, so this trip needs zero line changes.
Route at a Glance
- Line: Yellow Line — direct, no interchange needed
- Board at: Chandni Chowk
- Direction: Towards HUDA City Centre / Millennium City Centre Gurugram (Platform 1)
- Alight at: AIIMS
- Total stations covered: 11 (including Chandni Chowk and AIIMS)
- Approximate distance: around 10.5 km
- Approximate journey time: 20–25 minutes
- Approximate fare: around ₹30 by token, slightly less on a smart card
Step-by-Step: How to Get from Old Delhi Railway Station to AIIMS
- Exit the railway station and follow the signs for the Chandni Chowk metro subway link — you won’t need to step onto the main road.
- At the metro station, get your token, tap your smart card, or scan a QR ticket bought through the DMRC app at the entry gate.
- Head to the platform and board from Platform 1, which runs towards HUDA City Centre / Millennium City Centre Gurugram — this is the direction you want.
- Sit back for the ride. There’s no interchange on this route, so you don’t need to keep track of stops until your own.
- Get off at AIIMS and take Gate 1, 2, 3, or 4 depending on exactly where you’re headed (details below).
Stations You’ll Pass Along the Way
Between Chandni Chowk and AIIMS, the train halts at nine stations before reaching AIIMS as the tenth stop:
- Chawri Bazar
- New Delhi — interchange with the Airport Express Line, useful if you’re ever routing to/from IGI Airport
- Rajiv Chowk — interchange with the Blue Line, one of Delhi’s busiest hubs
- Patel Chowk
- Central Secretariat — interchange with the Violet Line
- Seva Teerth — this station was called Udyog Bhawan for years, but was officially renamed in February 2026 after the new government office complex built nearby. Some maps and older signage may still show the old name for a while, so don’t be confused if you see both.
- Lok Kalyan Marg
- Jor Bagh
- Dilli Haat – INA — interchange with the Pink Line
First and Last Metro Timings
The Yellow Line typically starts running a little before 6 AM, and the last trains from Chandni Chowk towards AIIMS wrap up close to midnight — though exact timings shift slightly by day, with Sundays usually starting a touch later. DMRC revises schedules from time to time, so if you’re planning a very early morning or late-night trip, it’s worth a quick check on the DMRC app or the station notice board before you head out.
Fare and Ticket Options
A single token from Chandni Chowk to AIIMS costs approximately ₹30. If you’re using a metro smart card, you’ll typically pay a little less thanks to DMRC’s standard card discount, and the entry is faster too since you just tap and go. These days, you can also skip the queue entirely by buying a QR-code ticket on the DMRC app or the Namma/One Delhi type ticketing options rolled out at select stations, including this one. Fares get reviewed periodically, so treat the number above as a ballpark and confirm the current fare at the counter or app before you travel.
Which Gate Should You Use at AIIMS?
AIIMS metro station has four gates, and picking the right one saves a fair bit of walking once you’re above ground:
- Gate 1 — opens towards the AIIMS main OPD block; usually the busiest exit through the day.
- Gate 2 — leads towards Ansari Nagar.
- Gate 3 — opens near Safdarjung Hospital.
- Gate 4 — towards Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and the other Safdarjung Hospital wing.
If your visit is for an AIIMS appointment, Gate 1 is generally the one to head for, though hospital signage inside the station concourse makes it easy to double-check once you’re there.
A Few Practical Tips
- Traveling with an elderly or unwell family member? Both Chandni Chowk and AIIMS stations have lifts, so stairs and escalators aren’t your only option.
- Carrying luggage straight off the train? The subway link between the railway station and Chandni Chowk metro means you can wheel bags in without tackling stairs right at the start, though you will encounter escalators and stairs further along the journey.
- Traveling during peak hours (roughly 8–11 AM and 5–8 PM)? This stretch, especially around Rajiv Chowk, gets genuinely crowded. If your schedule allows, an off-peak trip is a lot more comfortable, particularly if you’re managing luggage or traveling with someone unwell.
- Unsure about fares or card recharge? Customer care booths at both stations can help, and most stations now also have automatic top-up machines that take UPI.
Alternative Option: DTC Bus
If the metro doesn’t work for you for some reason, DTC buses also connect the Old Delhi area to AIIMS. That said, the road journey usually takes closer to 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic, and central Delhi’s roads near Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place are rarely predictable. Unless you have a specific reason to take the bus, the metro is the faster and far more reliable choice for this particular route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a direct metro from Old Delhi Railway Station to AIIMS? Yes. Board at Chandni Chowk (linked to Old Delhi Railway Station by an underground subway) and ride the Yellow Line straight to AIIMS — no line change required.
How many stations are there between Chandni Chowk and AIIMS? Nine stations in between, with AIIMS as the tenth stop after Chandni Chowk.
Is Udyog Bhawan station still called that? No — it was officially renamed Seva Teerth in February 2026, though you may still spot the old name on some older maps for a while.
Can I use the same token for the return journey? No, tokens are valid for a single one-way trip only. You’ll need a fresh token, or simply tap your smart card again, for the return leg.
Is this route wheelchair or elderly-friendly? Yes — both Chandni Chowk and AIIMS stations are equipped with lifts, making the journey manageable for elderly travelers or anyone who can’t use stairs and escalators.
Final Thoughts
This has to be one of the more straightforward metro routes Delhi has to offer — a clean subway connection right from the railway station, zero interchanges, and a travel time that beats any road route through central Delhi by a wide margin. Whether you’re rushing to an AIIMS appointment or just passing through the city, the Yellow Line takes you there smoothly, end to end.
