How to get from Delhi to Agra?

ZaKe

Hello,

This question may have been asked and answered a number of times, but what is the best way to get from Delhi to Agra on a day trip?

I heard there are express trains to and fro.

I'm landing in Delhi 2/Sept, and if possible would ike to visit the Taj by 3/sept or 4/Sept.

I've tried to book a train through the www.irctc.co.in site, but either I am doing something wrong, or there simply aren't any trains available at this late date.

If that is the case, what other recommendable options are there for day trips?

camelgirl

You could still try to book a train after you arrive. You are still out of season, so they shouldn't be full.

You can also hire a car & driver for the day. Your hotel can organize it, you'll pay a bit more but you won't have to waste time doing it yourself.

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bonded

If you want to visit Agra as a day trip from you can check the sight seeing tour organized by ITDC/DTDC.

By the way what is the class that you are trying to book. Check www.erail.in to see what class is available in the train that you are trying to book.

bsprasad

What is your group size...? Based on which you can hire a car and visit Tajmahal, Fatepur Sikhri and Agra Fort.

or

Lots of tour operators including ITDC are operating one day trips.

Check the links below

http://www.delhi-tourism-india.com/t...a-fatehpur.htm

http://www.delhiandtajmahal.com/delh...agra-tour.html

http://www.indiaholidaypackages.com/...elhi-agra.html

Regards

B.S.Prasad

ZaKe

Thank you so much everybody. Taking off in a few hours. INDIA today!!!

ZaKe

I'm sure most of you have already heard about the scams at the Delhi Central Station. I was lucky enough to have read the warnings in the Lonely PLanet guide, but still managed to get convinced to leave the station for another location where the ticket office had supposedly "moved." Twice we were turned away authoritatively and almost violently, resolutely, by 2 different con artists we didn't think were connected to the same scam but were. They stopped us from even entering the train station, told us that we were going by last year's outdated 2008 info about the ticket office upstairs. One guy even put his hand on his heart and cried "I have nothing to gain from this. Don't be afraid!" etc etc... All pure Bullshit of course. To cut a long story short, we went to Connaught Center N-Block where the ticket reservation office had suppsoedly moved, entered the office replete with signs saying INDIA GOVT. TRAIN RESERVATIONS OFFICE, took one look around, and realized it WASN'T a government (I won't give any specifics about why it's obvious to us foreigners, because scammers use the Internet too and might be reading this.) But by the time we took a taxi back to the train station, they knew the game was up and nobody stopped us on our 3rd try to enter the building. We bought our tickets for Agra just fine.

Haylo

Yes, well over 3,000 times so far!

There have been some fairly recent useful discussions about the pros and cons of driving vs train, do a search, and look at the threads with more than a few replies.

You know what makes me REALLY angry? You know about this scam, I know about this scam, all reasonably well informed travellers know about this, and I cannot believe that the police are not aware of this clear fraud that is being perpetrated right in the centre of India's capital.

Why has this operation not been closed down? I cannot think of any explanation whatsoever, other than the police are being paid off.

Given that for many visitors, this might be one of the first transactions they do in India, it certainly gives a piss poor impression of the country...

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ZaKe

Really appreiate a site like this. I've really benefitted from the help and info here. So please don't be offended by my constructive "criticism" here: if there have been more than 3000 queries there is a reason for it. I had trouble finding that info myself. There seems to be a wealth of info available here, but perhaps your search funtion could be streamlined and heirarchical presentation clearer.

Sorry if I offend, I only mean to help.