If you’ve ever waited on the Sikanderpur platform around 9 in the morning, you’ll know the scene — a Yellow Line train rolls in already half full, and by the time it leaves, it’s packed with people heading the same way: straight into the middle of Delhi. This is one of the busiest single-line stretches on the entire Delhi Metro network, and for good reason. It links Gurugram’s office belt with Connaught Place without asking you to change trains even once.
Whether you’re commuting to work, heading out for a day of shopping at CP, or simply trying to dodge Delhi’s traffic, this route is usually the smartest way to get there. Here’s everything you actually need to know before you tap in.
Quick answer: Sikanderpur to Rajiv Chowk is a direct Yellow Line journey — no interchange needed. It covers around 24 km across 18 stations (16 stops in between), and takes roughly 35–45 minutes depending on traffic-free metro conditions and time of day. A token costs approximately ₹40–₹50, and a smart card usually works out a little cheaper.
Route Snapshot
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| From | Sikanderpur |
| To | Rajiv Chowk |
| Metro Line | Yellow Line |
| Interchange | Not required |
| Total Stations (incl. both ends) | 18 |
| Approx. Distance | ~24 km |
| Approx. Travel Time | 35–45 minutes |
| Approx. Fare | ₹40–₹50 (token) |
| Metro Runs | ~5:30 AM to ~11:30 PM |
Note: Fares, timings, and minor schedule details are revised by DMRC from time to time. Treat the numbers above as a reliable planning estimate, and double-check exact figures on the DMRC app or at the station before you travel.
Why This Stretch of the Yellow Line Matters
The Yellow Line is the spine that holds Gurugram and Delhi together on the metro map. It starts all the way down at Millennium City Centre in Gurugram and runs up to Samaypur Badli in North Delhi, cutting straight through South Delhi and Central Delhi on the way. Sikanderpur to Rajiv Chowk sits right in the busiest part of that corridor.
What makes it convenient isn’t just the distance it covers — it’s that you never have to switch platforms. Board at Sikanderpur, stay seated (or standing, if it’s peak hour), and step off directly at Rajiv Chowk, right under Connaught Place. For a city where road traffic between Gurugram and central Delhi can easily eat up 90 minutes or more, that kind of single-line simplicity is a genuine time-saver.
Full List of Stations Between Sikanderpur and Rajiv Chowk
Here’s every stop you’ll pass through on this journey, in order:
| # | Station | Line |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sikanderpur | Yellow Line |
| 2 | Guru Dronacharya | Yellow Line |
| 3 | Arjan Garh | Yellow Line |
| 4 | Ghitorni | Yellow Line |
| 5 | Sultanpur | Yellow Line |
| 6 | Chhatarpur | Yellow Line |
| 7 | Qutub Minar | Yellow Line |
| 8 | Saket | Yellow Line |
| 9 | Malviya Nagar | Yellow Line |
| 10 | Hauz Khas | Yellow Line |
| 11 | Green Park | Yellow Line |
| 12 | AIIMS | Yellow Line |
| 13 | INA | Yellow Line |
| 14 | Lok Kalyan Marg | Yellow Line |
| 15 | Udyog Bhawan | Yellow Line |
| 16 | Central Secretariat | Yellow Line |
| 17 | Patel Chowk | Yellow Line |
| 18 | Rajiv Chowk | Yellow Line |
A couple of these are worth knowing about even if you’re not getting off there. Hauz Khas and INA are both busy interchange stations (Hauz Khas connects to the Magenta Line, INA to the Pink Line), so expect a bigger crowd boarding and alighting there. Central Secretariat is another interchange point, this time with the Violet Line, and it’s also close to several government buildings — so security checks at that station can occasionally slow things down a touch.
Fare Details
Delhi Metro fares are distance-based, and this route falls into a slab that typically works out as follows:
| Ticket Type | Approximate Fare |
|---|---|
| Token / QR Ticket | ₹40 – ₹50 |
| Smart Card (NCMC) | Slightly lower than token, plus faster entry |
| UPI-based QR Ticket | Same as token fare |
A few practical notes on tickets:
- Smart Card / NCMC card is worth getting if you use this route more than a couple of times a month. Besides being marginally cheaper, it lets you skip the ticket counter queue entirely.
- QR tickets via UPI can be generated straight from your phone at most stations now, which is handy if you’re a one-off traveller and don’t want to carry a physical token.
- Fares are reviewed periodically by DMRC’s Fare Fixation Committee, so treat the numbers above as approximate rather than fixed. The DMRC app shows the exact live fare for any station pair.
How Long Does the Journey Take?
Expect somewhere between 35 and 45 minutes end to end, door to door on the train. That said, a few things can shift this slightly:
- Peak hours (roughly 8:30–10:30 AM and 5:30–7:30 PM) mean more dwell time at each station as crowds get on and off, which can stretch your journey by a few extra minutes.
- Interchange stations like Hauz Khas and INA tend to have longer halts simply because more people are moving through them.
- During off-peak hours, mid-morning or early afternoon, this is usually the fastest and most comfortable time to make the trip.
Trains on this stretch run every 2–5 minutes during peak hours and slightly less frequently outside of that window, so even if you miss one, you’re rarely waiting long for the next.
First and Last Metro Timings
| Station | First Metro (Approx.) | Last Metro (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Sikanderpur | 5:30 AM | 11:15 PM |
| Rajiv Chowk | 5:30 AM | 11:30 PM |
Timings tend to shift slightly on Sundays and public holidays, when services often start a little later. If you’re planning an early morning or late-night trip, it’s worth checking the current schedule on the DMRC app rather than relying purely on memory — this is one detail that genuinely does get revised from time to time.
Boarding Platforms
- At Sikanderpur: Board from the platform heading towards Samaypur Badli (this is the direction that takes you into Delhi and eventually to Rajiv Chowk).
- At Rajiv Chowk (if returning): Board from the platform heading towards HUDA City Centre / Millennium City Centre.
Platform numbers can occasionally be reassigned during maintenance work, so it’s always worth glancing at the digital display boards or listening for the announcement before you walk down to the platform.
Around Sikanderpur
Sikanderpur isn’t just a metro stop — it’s also where the Delhi Metro hands off to the Rapid Metro Rail Gurugram, giving you a direct connection into Gurugram’s corporate core.
| Nearby Place | Approx. Distance |
|---|---|
| DLF Cyber City | ~3 km (via Rapid Metro) |
| MG Road Market | ~2 km |
| Ambience Mall | ~4 km |
| Golf Course Road | ~2 km |
If your office is somewhere in Cyber City, the Rapid Metro interchange right here at Sikanderpur is usually a far better bet than trying to catch an auto or cab in Gurugram’s traffic.
Around Rajiv Chowk
Rajiv Chowk is essentially Delhi Metro’s biggest and busiest hub — and it drops you right at the doorstep of one of the city’s most iconic commercial and social centres.
| Nearby Place | Approx. Distance |
|---|---|
| Connaught Place | Walking distance |
| Janpath Market | ~500 m |
| Palika Bazaar | ~300 m |
| Central Park | Walking distance |
| Jantar Mantar | ~1 km |
| Gurudwara Bangla Sahib | ~2 km |
| India Gate | ~3 km |
Because it’s such a major interchange (Blue Line meets Yellow Line here), Rajiv Chowk can get genuinely crowded, especially in the evenings. Give yourself a few extra minutes to navigate the station if you’re not familiar with it.
Metro vs. Driving: Is It Actually Faster?
On paper, a cab or self-drive trip covering the same distance might look comparable in time — but that’s rarely how it plays out in reality. The NH48 stretch between Gurugram and central Delhi is notorious for unpredictable jams, especially around DLF Cyber City exits and the Dhaula Kuan interchange. A drive that should take 40 minutes can easily balloon to 90 minutes during rush hour, and that’s before you factor in parking near Connaught Place, which is a challenge on its own.
The metro, by contrast, runs on a fixed schedule that traffic can’t touch. If you value predictability — knowing you’ll land at Rajiv Chowk in roughly 40 minutes regardless of what’s happening on the roads — this route on the Yellow Line is usually the better call, particularly on weekdays.
Tips for a Smoother Journey
- Get an NCMC smart card if this is a route you’ll use regularly — it pays for itself quickly in saved time and fare.
- Travel outside peak windows (before 8:30 AM or after 7:30 PM) if your schedule allows it; the difference in comfort is significant.
- Keep your bag ready for the X-ray scanner at entry — Rajiv Chowk in particular can form queues at security during busy hours.
- Use the women’s coach (usually the first coach in the direction of travel) if applicable — it’s clearly marked on the platform.
- Stand clear of the doors and let passengers exit before boarding, especially at Hauz Khas and INA, where a lot of people get on and off.
- Check live train status on the DMRC app if you’re travelling very early or very late, since first/last train timings can shift slightly around holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to change trains between Sikanderpur and Rajiv Chowk? No. This is a direct journey on the Yellow Line from start to finish — no interchange required.
How many stations come in between? There are 16 stations between Sikanderpur and Rajiv Chowk, making 18 in total once you count both ends.
What’s the fare for this route? Expect to pay somewhere between ₹40 and ₹50 for a token or QR ticket. A smart card typically brings the cost down slightly.
How long does the ride actually take? Around 35 to 45 minutes under normal conditions, a little longer during peak office hours.
Can I connect to Gurugram’s Rapid Metro from Sikanderpur? Yes — Sikanderpur is a direct interchange point with the Rapid Metro Rail Gurugram, which is useful if your final destination is Cyber City or Golf Course Road.
What’s worth visiting once I get to Rajiv Chowk? Connaught Place, Janpath Market, Palika Bazaar, and Central Park are all within walking distance. India Gate and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib are a short cab ride away.
Is this route busy at night? It’s generally quieter after 9 PM, though Rajiv Chowk itself tends to stay active later given how many lines converge there.
Is the last train timing the same every day? Roughly, but Sundays and public holidays sometimes see slightly adjusted first and last train timings. Checking the DMRC app before a late-night trip is a good habit.
Final Word
For anyone commuting between Gurugram and central Delhi, Sikanderpur to Rajiv Chowk is about as convenient as the metro gets — one line, no interchanges, a predictable 35–45 minute ride, and a destination that puts you right in the middle of Connaught Place. Whether it’s a daily office commute or a one-off shopping trip, skipping the road traffic in favour of the Yellow Line is usually the easier call. Just keep a smart card handy, avoid the worst of the peak-hour crush where you can, and you’re set.
Disclaimer: Fares, timings, and station details mentioned above are approximate and meant for general trip planning. DMRC revises fares and schedules periodically, so please confirm exact figures via the official DMRC app or at the station before travelling.
