Arriving
Compare Cities, Settling In, Domestic & International Flights. 6 min read.
01Compare Cities
How Delhi compares with other cities
Everyone thinking about Delhi asks the same question: is it worth the winter air? Here is a fair comparison on the things that matter for a move within India in 2026.
| Category | Delhi | Mumbai | Bangalore | Hyderabad |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | High (82) | Very High (100) | High (72) | Moderate (56) |
| 3 BHK Rent (Premium Floor) | ₹1.2L to 3L / month | ₹1.5L to 3.5L / month | ₹80k to 1.8L / month | ₹65k to 1.5L / month |
| Government & Policy | · Only here | · Limited | · Limited | · Limited |
| Legal & Judiciary | · Supreme Court | · Bombay HC | · Karnataka HC | · Telangana HC |
| Media & Journalism | · National HQ | · Bollywood | · Limited | · Limited |
| Tech / Product Sector | · Growing | · Strong | · Dominant | · HITEC City |
| International School Options | 5+ IB / international | 8+ flagship IB | 6+ IB schools | 4+ IB schools |
| Traffic Severity | Severe (Metro saves) | Severe (rail saves) | Severe (no rail) | Moderate |
| Climate | Extreme (45°C+ / 5°C / smog) | Humid, intense monsoon | Best in India (mild) | Hot summers, dry |
| Air Quality (Oct-Feb) | AQI 200-500 (Severe) | AQI 100-200 | AQI 50-150 | AQI 100-200 |
| Cultural / Heritage Depth | · 2,500 years | · 400 years | · Garden city heritage | · Strong Nizami |
| Weekend Escapes | Agra, Jaipur, Shimla, Rishikesh | Goa 1hr, Lonavala 2hr | Coorg 5hr, Goa 10hr | Lakes, Warangal, Hampi |
| Professional Network · Govt | · Deepest in India | · Limited | · Limited | · Limited |
Choose Delhi if...
Delhi Wins
- Your career touches government, policy, law, media or consulting
- You value heritage, cultural calendar, and the IIC/IHC intellectual scene
- You want larger living space and independent floors over apartment towers
- Your sector HQ is in Delhi (PSUs, INGOs, embassies, think tanks)
Consider Mumbai if...
Mumbai Wins
- Your career is in finance, banking, capital markets or PE
- You work in media production, advertising or Bollywood
- You can manage Mumbai's monsoon and tighter apartment sizes
- You value an Arabian-Sea-side urban lifestyle
Consider Bangalore / Hyderabad if...
South India Wins
- Your role is in deep tech, SaaS, or product engineering
- You prioritise climate comfort (Bangalore) or value-for-money (Hyderabad)
- You want a quieter, milder city pace than Delhi
- Your company's India HQ is in Whitefield, Electronic City or HITEC City
02Settling In
Your first 30 days
A move to Delhi from another Indian city has less paperwork than an international move, but the order of the steps matters. IKAN manages that order, so nothing is missed.
1
Update Your Aadhaar Address
YouFor an intra-India move, update your Aadhaar to your new Delhi address, online via myAadhaar (myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in) with a Delhi address proof, or at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra. This underpins your bank KYC, school admissions, and gas and utility connections, so do it first.
2
Bank Account Transfer or New Account
If your existing bank has Delhi branches (HDFC, Axis, ICICI all do), transfer your account to a branch near your new address. Alternatively open a new account at HDFC, HSBC, or Axis Bank with your updated Aadhaar, PAN, and rental agreement. New accounts typically open within 3-5 working days.
3
Air Quality Kit Setup
Before October, ensure HEPA air purifiers (Dyson, Mi, Philips) are installed in every bedroom. Stock N95 masks for outdoor commutes. Download IQAir or AQI India. Replace filters every 6 months. This is non-optional household preparation in Delhi.
4
onDay 1
Utilities & Building Setup
YouSet up your water-treatment system (RO + UV) before move-in. Join your building's WhatsApp group on Day 1, this is where maintenance, security, and Society announcements happen.
5
School Admission Process
CBSE-to-CBSE transfers require the Transfer Certificate (TC) from your previous school, mark sheets, and Aadhaar. Apply to your target school as soon as you have a confirmed Delhi address. Premium ICSE schools may require entrance assessments. IKAN's education team connects you with current admissions contacts.
6
inWeek 1
Transport Setup · First Week
YouDownload Uber, Ola, Delhi Metro DMRC, and IRCTC apps. Get a metro smart card at any major station. Set up Uber Corporate / Ola Corporate via employer travel desk. Engage an English-speaking chauffeur if your role involves frequent meetings or school runs.
Address Updates
Document Transfers
Vehicle RC transfer: obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from your previous state's RTO, re-register the vehicle with the Delhi RTO (new registration number and RC), pay Delhi road tax, and claim a refund of the unused road tax from your origin state, then update your insurance to the new address. IKAN can coordinate the RTO paperwork. Start this in the first 30 days, it unlocks everything else downstream.
Air Quality
Pollution Prep
HEPA air purifier in every bedroom (₹40,000 to 70,000 each) · N95 masks for outdoor commutes · IQAir / AQI India app · Replace filters every 6 months · Avoid outdoor exercise on AQI 300+ days · Plan a winter break somewhere coastal in Jan/Feb.
Community
Get Connected Fast
Join your building / colony WhatsApp group Day 1 · Introduce yourself to the Society Secretary with sweets · Connect with hometown alumni in Delhi · IIC / IHC membership routes (employer or alumni sponsorship) · Lodhi Gardens morning walks build local friendships.
Keep Your Number
Mobile Number Porting
Keep your existing mobile number when you move: SMS PORT <your number> to 1900, get the Unique Porting Code (UPC), and submit it with ID and address proof at a local store. Porting within the same telecom circle is quick; changing circle (e.g. to the Delhi NCR circle) is also supported.
Women's Safety
Staying Safe
Delhi rewards sensible caution, especially after dark. Use app-based cabs (Uber/Ola) or your building's trusted drivers rather than hailing on the street, share trip details, and save the helplines, 112 (all emergencies), 1091 (women) and 1098 (child). Many residents avoid isolated areas late at night.
Key Portals
Essential Links
Aadhaar: myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in · PAN: onlineservices.proteantech.in · Delhi RTO: transport.delhi.gov.in · BSES: bsesdelhi.com · Tata Power-DDL: tatapower-ddl.com · DMRC: delhimetrorail.com · CPCB AQI: cpcb.nic.in · Delhi government: delhi.gov.in
03Domestic & International Flights
The airport and flights
IGI T3 is India's busiest airport, and no Indian city is better connected. Every major metro is within about 3 hours, and there are direct flights to almost every Tier 2 city in India. Delhi also has more international long-haul routes than anywhere else in South Asia.
Domestic
Delhi → Mumbai
2h 10m
IndiGo, Air India · 30+ daily flights
Domestic
Delhi → Bangalore
2h 45m
IndiGo, Air India · 25+ daily
Domestic
Delhi → Hyderabad
2h 15m
IndiGo, Air India · 15+ daily
Domestic
Delhi → Goa
2h 30m
IndiGo, SpiceJet, multiple daily
Domestic
Delhi → Chennai
2h 50m
IndiGo, Air India · 12+ daily
Domestic
Delhi → Pune
2h 20m
IndiGo, Air India · 10+ daily
Domestic
Delhi → Ahmedabad
1h 30m
IndiGo, Air India · 12+ daily
Domestic
Delhi → Kolkata
2h 15m
IndiGo, Air India · 10+ daily
IGI T3 · Your Airport
Delhi Airport Essentials
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), T3 is among the world's largest single-terminal buildings and consistently ranks in the Skytrax global top 50. Travel time from Dwarka / Vasant Kunj: 20 to 35 min. From South Delhi (GK, Saket): 35 to 60 min. Domestic check-in: arrive 90 minutes early. The Airport Express Metro (Orange Line) from New Delhi Station is the fastest option, 22 minutes for ₹60, bypassing all NH-48 traffic.
Already moving with IKAN?
Your homes, dates and papers are in i-Navigate, IKAN's app for families. It opens with the email address your IKAN consultant has for you, then sends you a six digit code.
Open your move Not moving with IKAN yet? Write to relo@ikan.com and a consultant will reply.