Best Museums in Delhi 2026: Tickets, Timings & Which to Pick
National Museum, NGMA, Rail Museum, Crafts Museum and more: Delhi's best museums with tickets, timings, how long to spend and the Monday closures.
The best museum in Delhi for a first visit is the National Museum on Janpath: about 2 hours covers the Harappan galleries, Buddhist relics, Mughal miniatures and sculpture. For modern Indian art, go to the National Gallery of Modern Art at Jaipur House; for families, the National Rail Museum in Chanakyapuri; and for crafts, the Crafts Museum near Pragati Maidan. Almost every major Delhi museum is closed on Mondays.
Delhi's museums are inexpensive for Indian visitors (often ₹20–100) and good value for foreign visitors too. They are also the best way to spend a hot afternoon in May or a smoggy one in November.
Delhi's best museums at a glance
| Museum | Area | Best for | Time needed | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Museum | Janpath, near India Gate | Indian history and art from the Harappan era to the Mughals | 2 hours | Monday |
| National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) | Jaipur House, near India Gate | Modern and contemporary Indian art | 90 minutes | Monday |
| Crafts Museum | Bhairon Marg, next to Pragati Maidan | Textiles, folk art and village architecture | 90 minutes | Monday |
| National Rail Museum | Chanakyapuri | Steam engines, royal saloons and a toy train; great with children | 1–2 hours | Monday |
| Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya | Teen Murti, near Lok Kalyan Marg | India's prime ministers and modern history, with interactive galleries | 2 hours | Monday |
| Gandhi Smriti | Tees January Marg | The house where Gandhi spent his last days and was assassinated | 45 minutes | Monday and second Saturday |
| Humayun's Tomb site museum | Humayun's Tomb complex | Mughal architecture and the tomb's restoration | 45–60 minutes | Monday |
Tickets and timings
| Museum | Typical hours | Indian visitors | Foreign visitors |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Museum | 10 AM–6 PM, Tuesday–Sunday | About ₹20 | About ₹500 (more with audio guide) |
| NGMA | About 11 AM–6:30 PM, Tuesday–Sunday | About ₹20 | About ₹500 |
| Crafts Museum | About 10 AM–5 or 6 PM, Tuesday–Sunday | Small fee; free for students and children under 12 | Higher fee |
| National Rail Museum | About 10 AM–5 PM, Tuesday–Sunday | About ₹50, plus a small extra for the toy train | Same or slightly higher |
| Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya | About 10 AM–6 PM, Tuesday–Sunday | About ₹100 online, ₹110 at the counter | About ₹750 |
| Gandhi Smriti | About 10 AM–5 PM | Free | Free |
Prices and hours change, and some museums close early on public holidays. Check each museum's official website the day before you go.
Which museum is right for you?
- One museum only, interested in history: the National Museum. Start with the Harappan gallery (including the famous bronze "Dancing Girl" from Mohenjo-daro) and the Buddhist relics, then pick one or two later galleries.
- Art lovers: NGMA has a deep collection of Amrita Sher-Gil, Raja Ravi Varma and the Bengal School. The privately run Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in Saket shows modern and contemporary work in a mall setting.
- Travelling with children: the National Rail Museum, with its outdoor engines and toy train, is the easiest win.
- Crafts and souvenirs: the Crafts Museum displays traditional crafts from across India, and its shop and the nearby Dilli Haat are good places to buy.
- Modern India and Gandhi: Gandhi Smriti is moving and free; the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya covers every prime minister since independence with multimedia galleries.
Getting there
- National Museum and NGMA: both are near India Gate. The closest metro stations are Udyog Bhawan and Central Secretariat on the Yellow Line. Combine them with India Gate in the evening.
- Crafts Museum: near Pragati Maidan and the Supreme Court; Supreme Court station on the Blue Line is the closest.
- National Rail Museum and Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya: both in the leafy Chanakyapuri and Teen Murti area; take an app cab or auto.
- Gandhi Smriti: on Tees January Marg, a short auto ride from Khan Market or Lok Kalyan Marg.
“I have one rainy afternoon in Delhi and I'm near India Gate. Which museum should I visit and how long will it take?”
FAQ
Which is the best museum in Delhi?
The National Museum on Janpath is the best all-round museum for Indian history and art. NGMA is the best for modern art, and the National Rail Museum is the best for families.
Are Delhi museums closed on Monday?
Yes. Almost all major museums, including the National Museum, NGMA, the Crafts Museum, the National Rail Museum and Gandhi Smriti, are closed on Mondays.
What is the National Museum Delhi ticket price?
About ₹20 for Indian visitors and about ₹500 for foreign visitors, with extra for an audio guide where available. Students up to class 12 can enter free with ID.
Which Delhi museums are free?
Gandhi Smriti is free. Most other government museums charge a small entry fee.
Sources and verification
Checked on 26 October 2026.
- National Museum, New Delhi (official site)
- Delhi Tourism: National Museum and National Crafts Museum – hours and fees
- Tripgurugo: top museums in Delhi with tickets and timings – NGMA, Rail Museum and Gandhi Smriti
- Gowithharry: Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya tickets and timings
- Humayun's Tomb Museum