Ajmeri Gate or Paharganj Exit at NDLS: Metro, Cab or Hotel?
Which NDLS exit to take after your train: Ajmeri Gate for the Metro and Airport Express, Paharganj for nearby hotels. Cab pickup and drop-off tips.
Ajmeri Gate is the platform 16 side of New Delhi Railway Station; Paharganj is the platform 1 side. Choose Ajmeri Gate for New Delhi Metro / Airport Express, or Paharganj if your hotel or pickup is on that side. Both sides connect to the platforms by foot overbridges.
Choose your exit in one minute
| Your next stop | Sensible exit | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| New Delhi Metro, Yellow Line or Airport Express | Ajmeri Gate / platform 16 side | Follow Metro signs; check the last train for your destination |
| A hotel in Paharganj | Paharganj / platform 1 side | Confirm the hotel's street and entrance |
| An app cab or someone collecting you | The side agreed with your driver | Match the pin and a named landmark before exiting |
| Another railway platform | Stay inside the station | Use the live display and signed foot overbridge |
A station side is not a numbered gate. Railway gates, Metro gates and taxi pickup lanes are different. Do not tell a driver only "gate 2" without naming which station and side.
Jump to the platform 1-16 guide for a particular platform. This page is about your onward exit, not predicting your train's platform.
How the station fits together
Paharganj entrance → platform 1 → middle platforms → platform 16 → Ajmeri Gate entrance.
This is an orientation sketch, not a detailed map. eRail's NDLS station guide identifies the endpoint platforms and New Delhi Metro approach. Hindustan Times' station reporting describes platforms 1-8 on the Paharganj side and 12-16 on the Ajmeri Gate side.
Use overhead signs and the current display inside. Platforms can change, and the coach position matters too. Never cross tracks or follow a claimed shortcut through a restricted area.
Leaving by Metro
From your platform, follow the signed bridge towards Ajmeri Gate / New Delhi Metro. At the Metro complex, choose Yellow Line for its city corridor or Airport Express for the airport corridor. Check the destination before boarding.
Allow time for walking, lifts and another security check. Your platform, bags, crowds and open access route change the transfer time. Read the first and last train guide before an early or late connection and the NDLS-to-airport comparison for airport plans.
Leaving for Paharganj or a cab
For a nearby hotel, check its full address before going out through platform 1. "Near NDLS" does not tell you which side. With large bags, poor weather or a late arrival, ask the hotel for its entrance and pickup point rather than assuming every lane is easy to walk.
For a cab, use the pickup area shown in the booking app. Confirm the station side and a visible landmark with the driver. Do not accept an unsolicited replacement ride because someone says your booked car cannot enter.
Useful phrases:
- "New Delhi Railway Station, Ajmeri Gate side, platform 16 end."
- "New Delhi Railway Station, Paharganj side, platform 1 end."
Ajmeri Gate is useful for Metro access, but it is not automatically quieter. The cited reporting describes serious crowd pressure there. Follow staff instructions and keep stair landings clear.
If you chose the wrong side
If still inside, follow signs to the foot overbridge. If already outside, ask railway staff for the open crossing route and any re-entry requirements. The entrances are on opposite sides of the tracks; there is no direct walk across them outside.
Keep your ticket accessible. For bag storage, use the NDLS cloakroom checklist, including a secure lock and collection receipt.
FAQ
Is Ajmeri Gate platform 1 or 16?
Ajmeri Gate is the platform 16 end. Platform 1 is at the Paharganj end.
Which NDLS exit is closest to the Metro?
Follow Ajmeri Gate / platform 16 for New Delhi Metro, including Yellow Line and Airport Express. Use current signs rather than a guessed Metro gate number.
Can I reach all platforms from either side?
Foot overbridges connect the platforms. Check current access and diversions with staff; your train platform comes from live railway information, not an entrance rule.
Is Paharganj best for every budget hotel?
No. Check the exact address. A hotel advertised as near the station may require a different exit or vehicle pickup.
Sources and verification
Reviewed 7 October 2026 using the linked eRail guide and Hindustan Times reporting. Neither is a live feed of gate closures or your train's platform. For the full walkthrough, read the NDLS first-time guide.