Red Fort Delhi 2026: Tickets, Timings, Metro Gate & Route
Red Fort is open every day since February 2026. Ticket prices online vs counter, visiting hours, the Lal Quila metro gate to use and a 75-minute route inside.
Red Fort (Lal Qila) is open every day of the week, including Mondays, since an ASI order of 13 February 2026. Entry is ₹35 online for Indian visitors and ₹550 online for most foreign visitors (a little more at the counter), children under 15 go free, and Lal Quila metro station (Violet Line) Gate No. 4 is signed "Red Fort". Plan 60–90 minutes inside, more if you visit the museums properly.
The one closure that still catches people out is the annual shutdown before Independence Day: in 2026 the fort was closed to the public from 15 July to 15 August. If you are visiting in late July or early August, assume it is shut.
Red Fort tickets and timings at a glance
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Open days | Every day, including Monday (ASI order dated 13 February 2026) |
| Annual closure | Roughly mid-July to 15 August for Independence Day preparations (15 July–15 August in 2026) |
| Visiting hours | Most 2026 guides list 9:30 AM–4:30 PM; reports after the February order mention longer hours. Confirm on the ASI booking page on the day |
| Indian, SAARC and BIMSTEC visitors | ₹35 online; the counter price is higher (reported as ₹50) |
| Other foreign visitors | ₹550 online / ₹600 at the counter in most 2026 listings |
| Children under 15 | Free |
| Sound and light show | Separate evening ticket; prices and show times change by season |
| Nearest metro | Lal Quila (Violet Line), Gate No. 4 "Red Fort"; Chandni Chowk (Yellow Line) is a longer walk |
| Time needed | 60–90 minutes |
Prices for foreign visitors are the figure that varies most between websites (₹500, ₹550 and ₹600 all appear). Booking on the ASI e-ticket portal before you go fixes the price and lets you skip the ticket queue.
How to reach Red Fort by metro
The easiest arrival is Lal Quila metro station on the Violet Line. In DMRC's station gate list, Gate No. 4 is the one signed "Red Fort"; the other gates come out on Netaji Subhash Marg and towards Old Lajpat Rai Market. See the Lal Quila station guide for all four exits.
If you are on the Yellow Line, get off at Chandni Chowk and walk east along Chandni Chowk to the fort, or take a cycle-rickshaw for the last stretch. The Jama Masjid station (Violet Line) also works if you plan to visit the mosque first: its Gate No. 3 is signed "Laal Quila".
Coming from Connaught Place, the Violet Line from Mandi House or Central Secretariat to Lal Quila avoids the Old Delhi traffic completely.
A 75-minute route inside the fort
- Lahori Gate and Chhatta Chowk – the main entrance leads into a covered Mughal-era bazaar arcade, now lined with souvenir stalls. 10 minutes.
- Museums on the way in – the fort's museum buildings near the entrance cover the 1857 uprising and the freedom struggle. Give them 20 minutes if history interests you; skip them on a tight day.
- Naubat Khana and Diwan-i-Aam – the drum house and the hall of public audience, with the marble throne canopy where the emperor sat. 10–15 minutes.
- Rang Mahal, Khas Mahal and Diwan-i-Khas – the private palace pavilions along the river side. Most interiors are roped off, but the carved marble and inlay are close enough to see. 15–20 minutes.
- Hayat Bakhsh Bagh and the Moti Masjid view – the garden area at the north end is the quietest part of the fort and a good place to rest before leaving. 10 minutes.
Leave by the same Lahori Gate if you are continuing to Chandni Chowk or Jama Masjid.
Practical tips
- Security: expect airport-style bag screening at the entrance. Travel light; large bags slow you down.
- Shoes and water: the site is mostly open ground and stone paths. Carry water, especially from April to September.
- Guides: only use guides with a visible government licence badge. Unofficial "guides" at the gate often push shopping stops afterwards; see our common tourist scams guide.
- Sound and light show: the evening show is a separate ticket bought for a specific slot. Times shift with sunset, so check before planning dinner around it.
- Accessibility: the main paths are level but long, with some steps into buildings. Wheelchair users should ask at the ticket gate about the most accessible route.
Combine Red Fort with Old Delhi
Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk fit easily into one half-day: the mosque is about a 10-minute walk away, and the self-guided Old Delhi heritage walk links all three. For getting between them, see how to get around Old Delhi.
Planning a full day? The 1-day Delhi itinerary pairs Old Delhi in the morning with Humayun's Tomb in the afternoon.
“Is Red Fort open tomorrow and what tickets should I book for 2 foreign adults online tonight?”
FAQ
Is Red Fort open on Monday?
Yes. The Archaeological Survey of India ended the weekly Monday closure with an order dated 13 February 2026, and the fort has been open on Mondays since then. It can still close for security events and is shut for about a month before Independence Day each year.
What is the Red Fort ticket price in 2026?
Indian, SAARC and BIMSTEC visitors pay ₹35 online, with a higher price at the counter. Most other foreign visitors pay ₹550 online or ₹600 at the counter. Children under 15 are free. The evening sound and light show is a separate ticket.
Which metro station is nearest to Red Fort?
Lal Quila on the Violet Line. Use Gate No. 4, which DMRC lists as the "Red Fort" exit. Chandni Chowk on the Yellow Line is a longer walk.
How long do you need at Red Fort?
60–90 minutes covers the main halls and palace pavilions. Add 20–30 minutes for the museums.
Is Red Fort worth visiting?
For a first visit to Delhi, yes: it is the city's defining Mughal monument and sits at the heart of Old Delhi. If you only have time for one paid monument, see how it compares in which Delhi attractions are worth paying for.
Sources and verification
Checked on 26 October 2026.
- Business Standard: Red Fort to remain open on all days of week, ASI (21 February 2026)
- Business Today: No more Monday closure at Red Fort (22 February 2026)
- All India Radio News: Red Fort closed to public ahead of Independence Day (16 July 2026)
- NativePlanet: Red Fort entry fee and timings 2026 – online vs counter fees
- DMRC station and gate locations workbook (in our metro station data, dated 23 August 2026) – Lal Quila Gate No. 4 "Red Fort"
Ticket prices and hours can change without much notice. Check the ASI e-ticket portal before you travel.