Back pack storage in Agra

TIANJARA

Does anyone know where I can store my backpack while I visit the Taj Mahal? I'm arriving on the morning train from delhi and want to see the Taj and then head to Fatepur Sikri. I've read that the storage at the Taj is very unreliable so don't want to risk losing my stuff . I'm talking half a day

My friend Goo

There's serveral places to do that, but i did it in a café called Yash Café who also offers a shower. But not a nice one

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TIANJARA

Does anyone know of the Yash cafe and where it's located? Are there any other options. We were thinking of staying at Fatepur Sikri., Getting them to pick us up at the railway station and seeing the Taj first. Would it be safe to leave our packs in the guides car or is that not advisable/

machadinha

Stash your gear at the train station, at the cloak room as left luggage is called. Costs 10 Rs. a piece a day. Your gear needs to be locked; wrap up a backpack in a light chain & lock that with a padlock, these are readily on sale on the ground, often conveniently sold by vendors around train stations. (Which doesn't mean it will hurt to have one at the ready when you need it. To have your gear locked is a regular requirement with e.g. hotel luggage storage as well, btw.)

Enquire about their lunch hours which will be brief; don't pick up your gear 10 minutes before departure, there may be a line and there'll be forms to fill etc.

(So how does one find the cloak room? I don't know, look or ask around for it. Approaching the station master in a courteous way (their office will normally be fairly clearly signposted, as should be the cloak room btw; or one can again just ask around for them, of course. Both will typically be situated not somewhere at the back of the station, so more likely at one of the first platforms, or in the hallway itself) has never failed me on any number of queries, including local transport or accommodation ones. Busy people of quite some authority mind, handle with respect, and try to not waste their time nor approach them in an overheated-tourist-about-to-lose-his-wits kind of fashion. Better to sit down and have a Pepsi or a cigarette outside or something before proceeding if you're reaching that stage.)

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TIANJARA

Thanks for the tip. That idea had allready occurred to me .I was told you could only leave luggage at the station if you had a through train ticket. i hope to take a car to fatepur Sikri So I wonder if they'll let me. Anyone have a clue?

machadinha

Yes, I'm not 100% sure, but I think either an in- or outbound ticket suffices. Pretty sure of it in fact, but not entirely. I am pretty sure I've seen it confirmed here that this is the case -- but, again, not entirely.

In the past it would often not even be asked for, but on my last trip earlier this year it certainly was (far) more often than not. Anyway, if you're a passenger whether in or out I think it should work yes. Just don't quote me on that

I wouldn't have too many qualms about leaving it inside my cab btw (keep your valuables on you, of course; but then you should using any form of luggage storage as well); but then I don't know Agra and/but folks in the business there have something of a reputation, so I simply don't know. Leaving in restaurant, ditto. Could be a hassle in finding a place that will agree, in any case.

The railway cloak rooms are straightforward and generally reliable, so I'd go for that if I could.

machadinha

btw What am I talking about , yes, I've used them on both occasions just a few months ago. Shouldn't be a problem