Delhi to Agra in late evening

Bruce F.

I will be arriving in Delhi (first time in India) at 1:30 AM after over 36 hours of flights. I plan on spending my first two evenings in Agra. Rather than try to stay awake and maneuver to get to the train station, buy tickets, and take the 6:00 AM express train to Agra having never done it before, is it safe to hire a taxi to leave Dehli airport around 2:00 and just drive me to my hotel in Agra. This seems the least hassle but I don't want to put myself in danger because of condition of roads or drivers. Also, how much should it cost.

Bruce

trvl_in

Sure, you could probably do that and do just fine.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend it. Rather I'd recommend booking a hotel at Delhi for at least two nights and have your hotel arrange to collect you at the airport.

jens

I second that.

bijapuri

here's what makes night driving such a hassle:
It isn't the crazy speeds, but the horns and the lights

Indian night driving involves turning on one's high beams when approaching another vehicle and honking. This means that every few seconds your vehicle is flooded with intense light and a blaring horn. It wears out the best of travelers.
And after a long flight . . . well, you're a better man than I am, Rin-tin-tin

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lookit me!!!: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bijapuri/

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machadinha

Haha reminds me of how I'd get a bus seat up front because I like to see what's going on. Not so in India buddy, you don't wanna see what's coming on at you at night, and try as you might you won't sleep because you'll automatically open your eyes every time those headlights flash at you -- and that's quite often -- and hope that truck doesn't crash into you.

Other than that, sure, why not. As said above, after a flight, I dunno. Get some sleep first. India can be tricky enough at first but then going through the moves of getting to your hotel can be no less of a hassle so I see the idea. I hear Agra is if possible even more stressful than Delhi so...

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Alan D

It could be done, I suppose, but personally I would opt for a hotel taxi from the airport ( 36 hours of flights! - which planet are you arriving from?) and a shower, several hours of sleep, breakfast and a fast train to Agra the next day.

But then I get less and less adventurous with every passing year.

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Bruce F.

Thanks for all of your replies. This is a great site. Apart from the drive being scary (I have driven and have driven highways in Poland which were said to be the worse in Europe), I was concerned about the safety of driving at night. If it is not safe, I won't do it. I figure I would do better getting a good mornings sleep in Agra (begin by sightseeing in the afternoon and I'll have all of the following day as well, including the bird sanctuary at Bharupter), than to sleep for several hours in Delhi and then face the prospect of dealing with the train station.

If the consensus is that I should take the train, please walk me through it. How, where should I get tickets, where do I go. Is it safe waiting at the train station in the wee hours of the morning. What time should I arrive there, etc.

Bruce

Anders

I think the consensus is that you should stay a few days in Delhi to rest after your 36 hours in the air. That is what I would do.

machadinha

New Delhi railway station has a tourist office upstairs, see here for a route description & opening hours. They make it seem more difficult than it is, it's not that hard really.

You'll normally want to book your train at least a day ahead or so. The availability will more or less determine the speed at which you'll be able to leave Delhi. For a short distance like Agra you could opt for a seat in unreserved class which you should be able to get on the spot, can be absolutely jampacked however (or empty for that matter but probably not on this stretch) & how you get on is your problem. Another option is to get a bus, the private ones can be readily booked at any of the travel agents that abound in the hotel areas, can usually be boarded close by too. Again, you may have to book a day ahead.

See also here for everything you ever wanted to know about Indian trains, with many further pointers, also on how to book ahead from abroad, which involves having somewhere to have the tickets delivered though (I believe actually in ND Rlwy Station you can collect your tickets there).

Safety should be no major concern but you might want to keep an extra eye on your gear, the pickpockets and petty thieves know that Delhi-Agra is a popular route.

All of the above is discounting any jetlag and culture shock of course. Things may not go so quickly or easily as you're used to, to put it mildly.