Also Known As · Delhi Zoo · Chidiya Ghar
New Delhi, Delhi · wildlife
One hundred and seventy-six acres of tigers, lions, elephants and winter birds beside the Old Fort — Delhi's classic family day out.
The National Zoological Park, known to every Delhi family simply as the Delhi Zoo or Chidiya Ghar, is one of the capital's great green day-outs — a 176-acre expanse of enclosures, lawns and old trees laid out in the shadow of the Purana Qila, between Mathura Road and the Yamuna. Opened in 1959 and designed as a modern zoo of moated, open enclosures rather than cages, it is home to well over a thousand animals and birds and draws generations of Delhi children on school trips and weekend outings.
Vegetarian North Indian dal makhani, paneer and breads
Coffee and light vegetarian snacks in the heritage park
Veg-friendly cafés and the famous ice-cream on the lawns
The National Zoological Park, known to every Delhi family simply as the Delhi Zoo or Chidiya Ghar, is one of the capital's great green day-outs — a 176-acre expanse of enclosures, lawns and old trees laid out in the shadow of the Purana Qila, between Mathura Road and the Yamuna.
the zoo is closed on Fridays, and its timings shift with the seasons — earlier and longer in summer, slightly shorter in winter. Tickets are inexpensive and can be booked online to skip the queue on busy weekends. It is a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes, come early to see the animals at their most active, and allow two to three hours; strictly avoid feeding the animals or carrying single-use plastic, both of which are prohibited.
Visiting Hours
Entry Fee: Approx ₹80 Indian adult · ₹40 children (5–12) · ₹400 foreign nationals · ₹200 SAARC · under-5 free. Online booking available.
Verified: July 2026
Address
Mathura Road, near Purana Qila, New Delhi, Delhi, 110003
Beside the Purana Qila (Old Fort)
🚇 Nearest Metro: Pragati Maidan / Supreme Court (Blue Line) — about 1.5 km
🚶 Walking from Metro: From Pragati Maidan metro it is about a 20-minute walk or a short auto ride along Mathura Road.
Distance from
Parking
on-site · ₹20–₹100 (paid)
Parking is available at the main gate on Mathura Road; fills up on weekends.
🚕 Ride Hailing Tip: Uber and Ola drop at the main gate; the zoo shares its surroundings with the Purana Qila.
How to Reach: The zoo is on Mathura Road, beside the Purana Qila. Nearest metro: Pragati Maidan / Supreme Court (Blue Line), about 1.5 km, and JLN Stadium (Violet Line). Autos, Uber and Ola drop at the main gate.
History
The National Zoological Park opened in 1959 on 176 acres beside the Purana Qila.
Significance
The Delhi Zoo is the capital's classic family and wildlife day-out — a large, tree-shaded green space in the heart of the city where generations of Delhi children have met tigers, lions and elephants, set against the walls of the Old Fort.
Family Highlights
💰 Equipment Fees: Free for personal photography; no flash near animals.
📍 The Golden Spot: The tiger and lion enclosures in the early-morning light, and the wetland in winter.
🌅 Best Light Time: Just after opening, when the animals are active and the light is soft.
🌅 Secret View: The wetland at the rear draws migratory birds in winter and is one of the calmest corners of the zoo.
🎯 Crowd Hack: Come at opening on a weekday; weekends and school holidays are very busy.
💎 Secret Fact: The zoo was laid out in the 1950s as a modern zoo of moated, open enclosures rather than cages, in the green setting beside the Old Fort.
⚡ Express Tour
90 minutes — the big cats, elephants and the central loop by battery van.
🔭 Deep Dive Tour
Half day — the zoo, then the adjacent Purana Qila or Sunder Nursery.
👕 Dress Code: No dress code; comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sun protection.
📷 Photography Rules: Personal photography is allowed; do not use flash near the animals, and drones are prohibited.
🏧 Nearest ATM: ATMs on Mathura Road and near Pragati Maidan (within 1.5 km).
It is closed on Fridays. Timings are 8:30 AM–5:30 PM in summer (Apr 1–Oct 15) and 9:00 AM–5:00 PM in winter (Oct 16–Mar 31).
About ₹80 for Indian adults, ₹40 for children aged 5–12, ₹400 for foreign nationals and ₹200 for SAARC nationals, with under-5s free. Tickets can be booked online.
Pragati Maidan / Supreme Court on the Blue Line is the closest, about 1.5 km away; JLN Stadium on the Violet Line is also nearby.
Royal Bengal and white tigers, Asiatic lions, leopards, elephants, hippos, rhinos, deer, primates and a large aviary, plus migratory birds on the wetland in winter.
Very — it is a favourite family outing with open enclosures, flat paths suitable for prams, and a battery van to cover the large grounds. Come early when the animals are most active.
Pandara Road Market, the India Gate eateries and the Sunder Nursery café — all a short ride away — offer good pure-veg and veg-friendly options.
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