Which Delhi Attractions Are Worth Paying For? 2026 Tickets
Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Akshardham and the National Museum ranked by value, with 2026 ticket prices and what to do for free instead.
If you pay for only one monument in Delhi, make it Humayun's Tomb: it is beautiful, uncrowded and gives the most for its ticket. Qutub Minar and Red Fort are the other two worth paying for on a first visit. All three are ASI monuments with the same fees: ₹35 online for Indian, SAARC and BIMSTEC visitors and ₹550 online for other foreign visitors (a little more at the counter), with children under 15 free. Many of Delhi's best experiences, from India Gate to Bangla Sahib, cost nothing; see the best free things to do in Delhi.
Delhi's paid attractions, ranked by value
| Attraction | Ticket (Indian / foreign, online) | Worth it? | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humayun's Tomb | ₹35 / ₹550 | Yes, always | The finest Mughal garden tomb in Delhi, with space to enjoy it. 90 minutes |
| Qutub Minar | ₹35 / ₹550 | Yes | The 72.5 m minaret, the Iron Pillar and some of India's earliest Islamic buildings. 60–90 minutes |
| Red Fort | ₹35 / ₹550 | Yes, on a first visit | Delhi's defining monument, now open daily. Interiors are limited, but the scale and museums are worth it. 60–90 minutes |
| Akshardham | Entry free; exhibitions and water show paid | Yes, if you have half a day | Extraordinary carving, but no phones allowed and closed on Mondays |
| National Museum | About ₹20 / ₹500 | Yes, for history lovers | India's best overview of its art and history in one building. 2 hours. Closed Mondays |
| Sunder Nursery | Small fee | Yes | A restored Mughal park next to Humayun's Tomb, at its best in the late afternoon; see Sunder Nursery timings and tickets |
| Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya | About ₹100 / ₹750 | Maybe | Excellent multimedia museum on India's prime ministers, more interesting to Indian visitors |
| Jantar Mantar | Small fee | Maybe | Fascinating 18th-century observatory, but quick (30–45 minutes); check for protest closures |
| Red Fort sound and light show | Separate evening ticket | Only with a free evening | Atmospheric, but it takes a whole evening slot |
Fees are those listed by ASI's online booking and recent 2026 guides. Counter prices are usually ₹5–50 higher; booking online also lets you skip the ticket queue.
How to choose if your time is short
- One day in Delhi: pay for Humayun's Tomb (or Red Fort if you are spending the morning in Old Delhi), and fill the rest with free sights. See the 1-day itinerary.
- Two or three days: add Qutub Minar and Red Fort, plus the National Museum on a hot or smoggy afternoon. See the 3-day itinerary.
- Monday: Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar are open, but Akshardham, the Lotus Temple and most museums are closed. See what's open on Monday.
- Travelling on to Agra: if you will see the Taj Mahal, Humayun's Tomb is still worth it; it is the Taj's direct architectural ancestor and much less crowded. See the Taj Mahal day trip guide.
What's free instead
India Gate and Kartavya Path, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Agrasen ki Baoli, Lodhi Garden, Mehrauli Archaeological Park, the Jama Masjid courtyard, the Lotus Temple and Gandhi Smriti are all free. Several are as memorable as the paid sights. See the free things to do in Delhi and Delhi's hidden gems.
“I have two days in Delhi and a ₹1,500 budget for entry tickets as a foreign visitor. Which paid sights should I choose?”
FAQ
Which Delhi monument is most worth paying for?
Humayun's Tomb. It offers the most beauty and space for its ticket and is far less crowded than Red Fort.
How much are monument tickets in Delhi?
ASI's major monuments, including Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar, charge about ₹35 online for Indian, SAARC and BIMSTEC visitors and ₹550 online for other foreign visitors. Children under 15 are free.
Is Red Fort worth the ticket?
Yes, on a first visit, for its scale, history and museums. If you have already seen Agra Fort or have very little time, Humayun's Tomb is the better choice.
Is Akshardham free?
Entry to the complex and the main temple is free. The exhibitions and the water show have separate tickets.
Sources and verification
Checked on 26 October 2026.
- NativePlanet: Red Fort entry fee and timings 2026 – ASI online vs counter fees
- Business Standard: Red Fort open on all days (February 2026)
- Qutub Minar ticket price 2026 (ticketpricepro.com)
- Delhi Tourism: National Museum
- Gowithharry: Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya tickets
Ticket prices can change. Check the ASI e-ticket portal and each museum's website before you go.