Visit to Agra: How to plan 1day

mahemia

Hi,

We're to brothers who are arriving Agra Cant on 23rd of July at 8,30am. We return Delhi at 20:30.

We would like you to advice us what to do and how. It does make sense to hire an autorickshaw for the whole day, just after arriving Agra, and tell the driver drive us here, now take us there, etc...in case yes, how we should have to pay? about 500inr is ok? It's a good plan? Alternatives?

Our economic resources are weak. Thanks a lot!

zoltan

When you arrive in Agra, you'll be swarmed by touts who will offer you the see Agra in a day tour - all inclusive price (of around rp500+)

It's a rip-off for where you'll be taken & inevitably you'll wind up at some emporium being pressured to buy carpets or marble work.

From someone who has been there, leave the station. Head straight up the road (don't go left or right). Walk for around 3-5 minutes & then flag down either a cycle rickshaw or auto. Pay for a 1-way ride to the Taj.

When you finish at the Taj, get another rickshaw to take you to the Agra fort.

If time permits, get a rickshaw back to the bus depot & take a bus to Fatephur Sikri (or you could hire a taxi to take you there direct).

Cheers
Zoltan

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PeakXV

Yes- those touts/drivers(especially at the train station) are like gum on your shoe and are all in kahoots with the local emporium syndicate. They'll try to book for you the day but tell them to drop you at Taj or Agra Fort and buzz off! You might want to see the Taj first thing in the morning up close & then again from along the Yamuna @ sunset (which is at 7:11pm on July 23rd)- you will have time. The Red Fort, Sikandra(Akbar's tomb), Itmad-Ul-Daulah & Fatehpur Sikri are some other favourites must sees. Enjoy!

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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

nedhopkins

One day is not enough time in Agra. The Taj Mahal rewards visits at different times of the day, to observe how its colors change as the sun moves across the sky.

The "baby Taj" and Agra Fort are also magnificent.

And you should spend all of much of a day going to and exploring Fatehpur Sikri.

Agra is much maligned. But it is one of India's treasures.

mahemia

Thanks a lot, nice ideas! I've a few questions:

1. How long does it take from Cant to Taj? How much should we pay for a a/c taxi? and for a rickshaw? It's worth go right to Taj just after arriving Agra (around 8,30am)?

2. We'd like to know the best way to get into the Taj. We've been told that there are many queues to buy the tickets...there will be problems to buy 2 tickets (it is possible we to ask there and they to say us "all entrance tickets sold out for today")? With 2 normal tickets we can stay there all the time we want?

3. How long does it take and how we should pay to a/c taxi driver for going from Agra to Fatephur Sikri?

4. We have ordered our hotel master (prince polonia) to buy us the Shatabdi tickets to Agra at 6,15(he's going to charge us 35% more...). It's difficult to find the right plattform at New Delhi Station?

5. So definetly the best way to do Agra in one day is to take taxis successively to go wherever we want..?

All advices are welcomed!! And thanks a lot again

mahemia

Thanks a lot! Nice ideas We'we a few questions:

1. Easy to find Shatabdi platform in New Delhi at 6,15am from prince polonia hotel? (note: the hotel master is going to book us the tickets charging 35% more...but we think is the best option)

2. How much should we pay for a/c taxis in Agra, for going everywhere (i.e. Cant to Taj, Taj to Agra Fort, Agra to Fatephur Sikri etc)? Are they honest?

3. It's possible we to arrive Taj ticket offices at 9am and they say to us "sorry all tickets sold out for today". Please tell us NOT!

4. We'd really aprecciate if someone of you purpose us a day route, for example (we have from 8,30am to 8,30pm)

"Just before arrive Cant, go to Taj, then do that, then go to the fort..." Sth reasonable, unfortunately we have only a day..

Thanks a lot again!

Indizen

The shatabdi platform is given on the electronic display boards at the station entrance but check the train number and destination = BHOPAL SHATABDI.
There are many other Shatabdi expresses.
Usually the train to Agra goes from Platform No 1.

I suggest you go see Agra fort first and then Akbar's capital city and tomb. Then have lunch and go see the Taj late afternoon as a grand finale till sunset.

rebellious

keep in mind that it will be pretty hot in july so you might get tired soon and also the taj floor can get pretty hot too.
and don't worry about the tickets, they never sell out.
you can easily do taj, baby taj(itmadulla), sikandra and agra fort in one day. fatehpur sikri is very nice but is a bit far off and you might not be able to fit all of it in one day.

zoltan

Hi again,

Generally, the cost of a taxi is based on distance travelled, not on how many places you are taken to. If you budget for around rp.10-12 per km. you'd be on the mark. But you're going to Agra - prices may well be much more.

And are they honest ? Generally, NO.

The gates open at sunrise - it's extremely unlikely that you would be turned away at 9am, esp. when it's the off-season (ie. summer). Make sure you have some thick socks with you, because when you're walking on the marble near the mausoleum, your feet will need something to protect them from the stored heat.

Tough call... you could consider going to FS first off and then come back to Agra, have lunch, wait until the sun is not directly overhead and then go to the Taj.

But I think it's a personal call and don't want to push your decision one way or the other.

Cheers
Zoltan

rhill1

in a taxi from Delhi leaving say 7.00am, how long is the ride?? 4 hrs??

ferrari

Hi Mahemia from Granada Spain,

I did 1 day Agra tour just 4 weeks ago on 30 April. We where total 3 pax and temperature that day was about 45 deg.C. so we hired a car for whole day from Railway Station. If you need more details how we did it and what we saw, you can email to me at raj2472(at)yahoo(dot)com

Ciao,