Delhi bus fares, tickets & the Pink Saheli Smart Card

Last updated: 16 July 2026

Delhi's buses are among the cheapest ways to move around any big city in the world — but between AC and non-AC fares, paper tickets, mobile tickets, passes and the women's free-travel scheme, it's not always obvious what you should be paying. Here's the whole picture.

Ticket prices on DTC and cluster buses

Fares are distance-based ("fare stages") and identical on DTC and orange cluster buses:

Non-AC buses (green): ₹5, ₹10 or ₹15 depending on how far you travel.
AC buses (red): ₹10, ₹15, ₹20 or ₹25 depending on distance.

Tell the conductor your destination stop and they'll charge the right stage. Fares are set by the Delhi government and have been stable for years, but they can change by notification — the official reference is dtc.delhi.gov.in.

Free travel for women: the big change on 1 August 2026

Paper pink tickets end 31 July 2026

Since 2019, women have travelled free on Delhi buses using paper pink tickets issued by the conductor. Under a DTC circular issued on 10 July 2026, paper pink tickets are issued only until 31 July 2026.

From 1 August 2026, free travel requires the Pink Saheli Smart Card — a personalised NCMC card issued free of cost. Women, girls and transgender persons who are residents of Delhi and at least 5 years old are eligible. If that's you and you don't have the card yet, apply before the deadline.

The card is a National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), the same tap-to-pay standard used on the Delhi Metro — so one card covers your free bus rides and can be topped up for other travel. Application requires proof of Delhi residency; check the current process and pickup points on the official DTC site before travelling for it.

Ways to pay

Cash to the conductor — still the most common way. Carry change; conductors often can't break large notes early in a shift.
One Delhi app — the Delhi government's official app sells mobile bus tickets, so you can buy before boarding and show the QR ticket.
NCMC / smart cards — tap-based cards are being rolled out across the fleet as ticketing machines are upgraded.

Bus passes

If you ride daily, a DTC pass usually pays for itself within a couple of weeks of commuting. Passes are valid on both DTC and cluster buses. There are general passes plus concessional categories (students, senior citizens and others). Prices vary by AC/non-AC validity and category — the official DTC pass price calculator gives the current rates, and dtc.delhi.gov.in explains how to apply online.

Quick answers

Is the fare the same on orange buses? Yes — cluster buses charge identical fares and honour the same passes and the pink scheme.
Do children travel free? Young children accompanying a paying adult customarily travel free; there is no separate half-fare ticket on city buses.
Can I buy a return ticket? No — tickets are single-journey. For multiple trips in a day, a daily pass can be cheaper.
Is Delhi Metro fare different? Completely separate system and fares — bus tickets and passes don't work on the Metro (the NCMC card can carry balance for both).

Once you know your fare, the other half of the problem is knowing when the bus will actually arrive — see our guide to tracking any Delhi bus live, or the difference between DTC and cluster buses.

© BusPe. Fares and schemes are set by DTC/GNCTD and can change — this page reflects public notices as of the date above. BusPe is an independent app and website, not affiliated with DTC or the Delhi Government.