Delhi Metro Rules 2026: Luggage, Food, Fines & Etiquette
The Delhi Metro rules that catch visitors out: luggage limits, eating and drinking, the women's coach, fines and the unwritten etiquette locals expect.
Delhi Metro rules are simple and enforced: no eating, no smoking, luggage within limits, first coach for women, and queue at the door. Break the first three and you pay a fine on the spot; break the fourth and staff will move you.
See payment at payment guide, safety at is metro safe, timings at timings.
The Written Rules (DMRC Fines)
| Rule | Detail | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| No eating/drinking | Includes water sips at gate only — not inside coach | ₹200 |
| No smoking / no alcohol | Entire premises | ₹200+ |
| Luggage | City metro: one bag ~15 kg, within frame; Airport Express allows ~32 kg with racks — see Express guide | Extra luggage refused at gate |
| No sitting on floor | Staff warning | |
| No photography for commercial without permit | Phone photos allowed, tripod/pro not | Warning/confiscation |
| Women's coach | First coach, pink markings — enforced peak, requested off-peak | Men asked to move |
The Unwritten Rules That Save You Trouble
- Queue at the floor arrows — don't crowd doors; boarding passengers exit left, you enter after them.
- Move to centre — backpack front, not back — peak Yellow/Blue needs it.
- Offer priority seats — marked near doors — but tourists are not expected to spot them instantly; staff appreciate it.
- No loud calls/speaker — phone okay, speaker not — coach quiet is real.
- Interchange = follow colour, not name — signs say "Yellow Line → HUDA City Centre" — colour is the map per lines guide.
- Token/card: tap in, keep until tap out — lost token = max fare fine.
“Can I carry a backpack and a small suitcase on Delhi Metro city lines, or will I be stopped at the gate?”
FAQ
Can I eat inside Delhi Metro? No — fines apply. Finish outside gate.
Can I carry alcohol/food packets? Sealed packets in bag are fine; open consumption is not.
Is there a women's coach on every line? Yes — first coach, every train, every line — see safety guide.
Can tourists pay with foreign cards? Yes at TVMs for tokens — see payment guide.
What if I lose my token? Pay max-fare equivalent at exit counter — keep token after entry.