Getting nervous reading these all posts

tanke360

Hi,

Am on business here in Delhi but obviously don't want to go home before I've seen the Tai Mahal. I'm planning to go next week and been reading up on your fantastic website since I found it yesterday.

Yesterday I read posts concerning people visiting the Taj Mahal, including tips for travelling there by train, tips for avoidings scams and a what best to do when you're visiting by yourself...

Unfortunatly I can't find the particular posts anymore... any clue where I should look for it?

Thanks...of course, please feel free to move this post if it's in the wrong place... which it might well be..

tanke360

You may call me a wimp... and you might even be right to certain extent . I really want to travel to Agra next week to the Tai Mahal.., but the prospect seems a bit daunting to be honest.


Rather than getting a driver, I'd like to take the train there... the 6.15 out of ND sounds good.

So far no real problems I guess... all the talk about touts scares me a bit to be honest. Also traveling back to Delhi on the Shatabdi Express and getting to Delhi at 10.30 pm doesnt sound like the smartest thing to do for a woman on her own.

Does anyone know if it's possible to take the Shatabdi Express in to Agra, but take the Taj Express wich arrives back in Delhi at around 8 pm for the return trip?

Could anyone please shed light on the following questions/presumptions? the trip from the Agra trainstation to the Taj is best covered by rickshaw? And to get a look at sights in Agra you book a driver? which you should cost you about Rs 500?

Thanks for helping to clear my apprehensions!

jyotirmoy

10:30 PM isn't a big worry during summer. You have not mentioned where you will be going to after returning to Delhi. You can always take a pre-paid taxi. If your destination is on the metro route you can take the metro fron New Delhi station.
You can return by the Taj Exp. but you will have less time in Agra & Shatabdi Exp. is a far more comfortable train with dinner thrown in.
Engage an auto at Agra station & do your sight seeing.
Have a nice trip.

cyberhippie

Touts are at worst tiresome, if you feel you might be intimidated by them, they're best just ignored. Just guard your personal space as you would do anywhere else, be firm and don't fall for any of the games of guilt trips and feigned anger displayed by them to knock you out of kilter! It's just that, a game.
Be strong and confident, use your hand to indicate you ain't interested. They will get tired and move on to other prey!

04274108

Great advice! If I can add my 2 rupees...

There may be one tout that is extremely persistent and will follow you until you get into a rickshaw and drive away. The best way to get rid of him is to turn and look him straight in the eye with a very intense glare. He will get very excited because he thinks he will be getting business from you. Don't say a word. Continue to glare at him and let him talk. After 15-20 seconds, he will realize that you're not in the mood. Keep your intense eye-to-eye contact until he backs down, turns and walks away.

Digital Drifter

or IF you feel intimidated by his eturm glare, use your sunglasses. Sunglasses are a good way to retreat under.

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machadinha

I'm not sure how up-to-date this is, but may help to get a sense of finding your bearings at New Delhi Railway Station: How to reach International Tourist Bureau.

Remember many have gone before you.

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mridula

You could try looking for it here:

http://www.indiamike.com/india/forumdisplay.php?f=8

Hope this helps.

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capt_mahajan

Go to Forums, under major destinations, click Agra , what you are looking for should be there.

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machadinha

Try also Touts at Agra - share your experience here ,

Agra gem scam.

camelgirl

Tanke...The Shatabdi is probably the best. And trains are definitely the best most interesting way to get there BUT....

BUT, since you have so little time, you may consider a one day tour organized by a tour company that will bring you there and will include other places, like Fatipur Sikri, which IMHO is as worth seeing as the Taj. I know there are lots of these tours in every price range. The cheapest are government run and the slowest (or at least they used to be).

Or, if you don't mind spending extra money, hire a car and driver (your hotel can even arrange this but you will pay for doing it this way) who will take you to the Taj, Fatipur Sikri and back to Delhi. It won't be as exciting or interesting as a train, but you will get to see two of the most wonderful things within your very short timeframe (1 day) and you won't have to be nervous .

akt

Hi tanke360, if you have the time, I would strongly urge you to stay the night in Agra and return the nest day. Otherwise it either gets very hectic, or you misss things. Also, you'd not be stuck with seeing the Taj under hot sun, but can choose to see it in moonlight or at the dawn.

sirensongs

I've also heard that there really are 2 days' worth of historic sights in Agra, besides the Taj. Unfortunately it is boiling hot right now, so you may only last one day!

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