Delhi Airport to Taj & Back to Airport in 48 hours, am I mad? |
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Sep 24th, 2007, 22:37
| #1 |
| Member  Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 35
| Delhi Airport to Taj & Back to Airport in 48 hours, am I mad? Hi Folks, I did it again, booked some flights without really looking at a map first. Anyway here goes:  I land in Delhi (Flight from Goa) at 14.05 on Wednesday. I take off from Delhi at 11.20am on Friday. The plan is to see the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. Firstly is it possible? And what would be the first thing you would do stepping off the plane in Delhi? Train? Taxi? ? ? (33 year old male travelling light and alone) |
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Sep 24th, 2007, 22:44
| #2 |
| Infidel Sufi  Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx
Posts: 14,206
| You mean the Agra Red Fort? Or the Red fort in Delhi? Ok, if it is the Delhi red fort: Wednesday: hire taxi, see Delhi red fort, drive to Agra. Thursday: Agra/Fathepur Sikri Friday early am: Drive to Delhi airport. If it is not the Delhi, red fort drive straight to Agra on arrival Delhi. Taxis from the airport are likely to be more expensive. If you can, book it earlier. Indicative rates available on this site in many threads.
__________________ When I look up, I see people cashing in. I don't see heaven, or saints or angels. I see people cashing in on every decent impulse and human tragedy. -Heller, Catch-22 |
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Sep 24th, 2007, 22:49
| #3 |
| Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 35
| Thanks for the speedy reply. Yes I would love to see the Red Fort in Delhi, it looks amazing. So are suggesting I could just hire a taxi for the whole 2 days? |
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Sep 24th, 2007, 22:57
| #4 |
| Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx
Posts: 14,206
| Yes, I would. An airconditioned Indica should cost you about 1300 a day for 200 km, which means you can do 400 km in 2600 rupees. You will probably exceed this, and the rates per km exceeded will be around 6/6.50 rupees per km. It makes sense to take the cab for a round trip. If you take it one way you will be paying for his return anyway. Plus, trains will slow you down on a short trip. Plus, you will need transport in Agra (and Delhi) anyway. Now, if there was a way you could see the sound and light show at Delhi Red Fort... If you want to do this.. what about going straight to Agra on arrival and returning Thursday for overnight stay at Delhi? Check when the English show at the Delhi red fort is. Usually 8/9pm ish. Last edited by capt_mahajan; Sep 25th, 2007 at 00:06.. |
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Sep 24th, 2007, 22:58
| #5 |
| Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx
Posts: 14,206
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Sep 24th, 2007, 23:55
| #6 |
| Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 35
| Captain, Thanks so much for your excellent advice. I can't believe I can hire a taxi for 2 days for only 50 Euros. I think it sounds like a brilliant plan and hopefully whoever the driver turns out to be will have a bit of local knowledge and could be good company as I'll be travelling alone. Is it the done thing to arrange the drivers accomodation? Whatever happens I'll be getting the driver pints on both nights. |
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Sep 25th, 2007, 00:04
| #7 |
| Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx
Posts: 14,206
| No accomodation has to be fixed for the driver. He will curl up somewhere, sometimes in the car. And I would advise against too many pints the night before he has to drive.  Tipping the driver is kind of customary; I would maybe give him a 100 a day. |
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Sep 25th, 2007, 00:10
| #8 |
| Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 35
| I think I'd feel a bit guilty if he had to sleep in the car, especially after a few (not too many) pints. |
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Sep 25th, 2007, 00:20
| #9 |
| Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx
Posts: 14,206
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Sep 25th, 2007, 00:21
| #10 |
| Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 35
| Thanks, your a star |
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Sep 26th, 2007, 17:33
| #11 |
| Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 35
| Here's an update: Okay read the other post and thought about your advice (thanks) and managed to find an Indica to do the whole trip for Rs. 5400 so a bit more than you said but he will be at my disposal for the entire 48 hours so will be able to take me around Agra too. Here's the intinery so far: Day 01 : Delhi Airport - Agra Day 02 : Agra Sightseeing - Delhi ( L&S Show ) Day 03 : Drop at Airport The company is http://www.bhavyaholidays.com/ (I would be very interested to hear if anyone has dealt with this company before, Reliable? Honest? Etc..) They are taking care of my hotel reservations in Agra and Delhi and after checking online it seems they are getting a good rate. I suppose it's a bit of a cop out doing it this way but for a whistlestop trip it seems like it could ensure it all runs smoothly (famous last words). |
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Sep 26th, 2007, 18:25
| #12 |
| Maha Guru Member  Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: you essay
Posts: 2,050
| They also have tours from Delhi that leave in the morning and return late at night that go to Agra Fort, The Taj and a few other places by bus. But if moneys not an object, than a private car is the way to go. |
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Sep 26th, 2007, 18:30
| #13 |
| Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx
Posts: 14,206
| 5400 seems to be high. |
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Sep 26th, 2007, 18:46
| #14 |
| Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mumbai
Posts: 7
| Hey id recently been to agra...travelled wid family.. we also landed one day in delhi and had to catch a flight back 2 days after.. we waited in delhi for the night we landed and started early next mornin.. hired a tata indica.. costed 5.5 rs /km (total arnd 2700) if u want to stay over night in agra, the driver's nite rates are arnd 100 /200 bucks BUT its not all that necessary to wait.. u wud b much better off coming back the same day.. 500km/10 hrs of travel sounds hectic ...but its not... we left for agra arnd 7 in the morning n reached arnd 1130 or 12.. saw agra fort which took arnd an hour.. then off to taj mahal from where we left arnd 4.. If ur not an indian, u will get guides along wid ur entry ticket, but neway u SHUD take a guide for agra fort.. its an amazing place but u wud miss things out if someone doesnt point them out.. taj mahal.. guide not so necessary.. all they say is written on the pedestal plates. |
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Sep 26th, 2007, 20:40
| #15 |
| Senior Member  Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK
Posts: 207
| Agra daytrip This is probably too late if today is the Wednesday that Aran is arriving n Delhi en route to Agra but...... Thursday is totally clear so... Wednesday. On arrival in Delhi book into a hotel in Paharganj. Go on Metro to Chandni Chowk -take scenic walk around Old Delhi. Dine at Karim's near Jama Masjid. Thursday- Daytrip to Agra -Naturally one has prebooked return tickets on the 2002/2001 Bhopal Shatabdi to Agra dep 06.15 arr 08.12. Breakfast is included and served on the train. On arrival at Agra Cantt station there is a prepaid Taxi and Autorickshaw booth with the Fixed rate fares on a one-way or daily charge basis. One way auto fare to the Taj last year was Rs50 for example. Aotorickshaws and taxis can be hired for the day to visit Taj, Agra Fort, and Farephur Sikri. The prices are fixed and depend whether it's an auto or a car with or without A/C the most expensive fare is still under Rs1000. -YOU WILL BE RETURNED TO AGRA CANTT STATION IN PLENTY OF TIME TO GET THE TRAIN BACK TO NEW DELHI. THE TRAIN LEAVES AT 20.30 HRS. Notes- Entry fees to the monuments will be extra. On NO account express an interest in marble, gems or silk to any driver or guide. UP Tourism also runs a daytrip Taj,Fort, Fatephur, which picks up at the railway station. |
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