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Prices & timings for November 2026

Red Fort Delhi (Lal Qila) – Timings, Ticket Price & Entry Guide 2026

Plan your visit to Delhi's Red Fort — current timings, ticket prices, the closed day and practical tips for exploring Shah Jahan's great Mughal fort.

Lahori Gate of the Red Fort (Lal Qila), Delhi

Quick answer

The Red Fort (Lal Qila) in Delhi is open from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Tuesday to Sunday, and is closed every Monday. Foreign tourists pay ₹550 (about US$6) when paying online or by card/UPI, or ₹600 in cash; Indian and SAARC/BIMSTEC visitors pay ₹35 (₹40 cash). Children under 15 enter free. Plan 1.5 to 2 hours.

Opening hours
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed
Every Monday
Foreigner ticket
₹550 ≈ US$6 ₹600 in cash
Indian / SAARC
₹35 ₹40 in cash
Children
Free under 15
Time needed
1.5–2 hours

The Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built by Emperor Shah Jahan between 1639 and 1648 as the palace-fort of his new capital, Shahjahanabad. Its massive red sandstone walls run for over 2 km beside the old course of the Yamuna.

Today it is a symbol of the nation: every Independence Day (15 August) the Prime Minister raises the flag on its ramparts. Inside are marble palaces, audience halls and several museums.

Red Fort entry ticket prices

The Archaeological Survey of India charges less for cashless payment (online, card or UPI) than for cash.

Visitor categoryOnline / card / UPICash
Foreign tourists₹550 ≈ US$6₹600
SAARC & BIMSTEC citizens₹35₹40
Indian citizens₹35₹40
Children below 15 (all nationalities)FreeFree
  • Buy online on the official ASI portal to skip the ticket queue; keep the QR code on your phone.
  • The evening sound & light show is ticketed separately and runs Tuesday to Sunday — show times change with the season, so check at the fort or with us.
  • Video cameras may need an extra fee; still photography is included.
Skip the ticket queue

On our private tours your guide buys the tickets and walks you straight in — choose a package with monument tickets included.

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Red Fort visiting hours

The fort is open six days a week and closed on Mondays.

Visit typeOpensClosesDays
Regular day visit9:30 AM4:30 PMTuesday – Sunday
Sound & light showEvening—Tuesday – Sunday (seasonal times)
MondayClosed——
  • Entry gate: visitors enter through the Lahori Gate (west side, facing Chandni Chowk). Last entry is about 30 minutes before closing.
  • The fort may close at short notice around Republic Day (26 January) and Independence Day (15 August) for security preparations.

Ideal time to visit the Red Fort

SeasonRecommended timeWeather overview
Winter (November – February)Late morning (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)Cool, sometimes foggy early
Summer (April – June)Opening time (9:30 AM)Very hot, avoid afternoon
Monsoon (July – September)MorningHumid with heavy showers

Visitor guide & tips

What to see inside

  1. 1
    Lahori Gate & Chhatta Chowk

    The main gate and the covered bazaar arcade that once sold silks and jewellery to the court.

  2. 2
    Diwan-i-Aam

    The Hall of Public Audience with the marble throne canopy where the emperor met his subjects.

  3. 3
    Diwan-i-Khas

    The Hall of Private Audience, once home to the Peacock Throne, inscribed "If there is paradise on earth, it is this".

  4. 4
    Rang Mahal & Khas Mahal

    The painted palace of the royal women and the emperor's private apartments.

  5. 5
    Hayat Bakhsh Bagh

    The Mughal garden with pavilions and water channels.

  6. 6
    Fort museums

    Museums inside the fort on Indian independence history and Mughal-era objects.

Essential travel guidelines

  • Not on Monday

    The Red Fort is closed every Monday — plan Old Delhi for another day.

  • Bring valid identification

    Passport or government-issued ID may be checked, and is needed for the SAARC/Indian rates.

  • Security check

    There is airport-style security at Lahori Gate; carry only a small bag.

  • Combine with Old Delhi

    Jama Masjid and a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk are a few minutes away.

  • Metro

    Lal Quila (Violet Line) and Chandni Chowk (Yellow Line) metro stations are close to the fort.

  • Go with an approved guide

    A licensed guide brings the Mughal court and the 1857 and 1947 history to life.

Allowed

  • Mobile phone and camera
  • Water bottle
  • Small bags
  • Passport / ID and ticket

Not allowed

  • Large bags and backpacks
  • Food and alcohol
  • Tobacco, lighters and sharp objects
  • Drones and tripods

Ticket prices for other attractions in Delhi

AttractionVisiting hoursForeignerIndian
Qutub Minar73 m minaret, UNESCO World Heritage SiteSunrise – sunsetOpen daily₹550₹35
Humayun's TombFirst garden-tomb of India, UNESCO World Heritage SiteSunrise – sunsetOpen daily₹550₹35
Akshardham TempleHindu temple complex — free entry, paid exhibitions10:00 AM – 6:30 PMClosed MondayFree (confirm)Free
Lotus TempleBahá'í House of Worship shaped like a lotus9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (winter)Closed MondayFreeFree
India Gate42 m war memorial arch on Kartavya PathOpen 24 hoursOpen dailyFreeFree
Jama MasjidIndia's largest Mughal mosque, Old DelhiTourists: 8:00 AM – sunsetOpen daily₹400 (confirm)Free
National Rail MuseumHeritage locomotives and toy train, Chanakyapuri10:00 AM – 5:00 PMClosed Monday₹50 (confirm)₹50

Foreigner / Indian adult rates. Tap a name for the full guide.

Visit Red Fort (Lal Qila) with a private guide

All packages

Private car from your hotel, approved English-speaking guide, tickets handled for you. Free cancellation up to 24 hours — book now, pay later.

Red Fort (Lal Qila) — frequently asked questions

What are the Red Fort Delhi timings?

The Red Fort is open from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Tuesday to Sunday. It is closed every Monday. Last entry is about 30 minutes before closing.

Is the Red Fort open on Monday?

No. The Red Fort is closed to visitors every Monday.

How much is the Red Fort ticket for foreigners?

Foreign tourists pay ₹550 when paying online or by card/UPI, or ₹600 in cash. Children under 15 enter free.

How much is the Red Fort ticket for Indians and SAARC citizens?

Indian and SAARC/BIMSTEC citizens pay ₹35 for cashless payment or ₹40 in cash.

Can I book Red Fort tickets online?

Yes, on the official ASI online ticketing portal. Online tickets are cheaper than cash and help you skip the ticket counter.

Which gate is used to enter the Red Fort?

Visitors enter through the Lahori Gate on the west side, facing Chandni Chowk. The Delhi Gate on the south side is generally not used for tourist entry.

Is there a light and sound show at the Red Fort?

Yes, an evening sound and light show about the fort's history runs Tuesday to Sunday in Hindi and English with a separate ticket. Show times change with the season, so check before you go.

Who built the Red Fort?

Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built the Red Fort between 1639 and 1648, when he moved his capital from Agra to Delhi. He also built the Taj Mahal and Jama Masjid.

How much time is needed to see the Red Fort?

Plan 1.5 to 2 hours for the main palaces and audience halls, and more if you visit the museums inside.

What is the nearest metro station to the Red Fort?

Lal Quila metro station on the Violet Line is closest; Chandni Chowk on the Yellow Line is also nearby.

What is the difference between the Red Fort in Delhi and Agra Fort?

Both are Mughal red sandstone forts and UNESCO sites. Agra Fort was built mainly by Akbar from 1565; Delhi's Red Fort was built by Shah Jahan in 1639–1648.

Is the Red Fort included in a Delhi sightseeing tour?

Yes. Our Delhi local sightseeing tour and Golden Triangle tours include the Red Fort (from outside on Mondays), Jama Masjid and Old Delhi.

Sources for this page

Ticket prices and timings shown for November 2026, based on the latest notifications from the official authorities below. Authorities can change rates and hours at short notice (for example on public holidays or during VIP visits) — please re-check close to your visit. US$ amounts are approximate (₹94 ≈ US$1).

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