New Delhi - to Taj Mahal (Agra)

AM going to visit India on 24st of november 2008. I am planning to visit Taj Mahal and therefore will book a flight from GOA to DELHI. However, what's the best way to travel to AGRA (to see Taj Mahal) from New Delhi? Would that be by train or cab? And how long would travelling approx be?

Please inform me on this!

Thankx

Best option (if you have the $$$) is to get a car to take you around. The driver can often get rid of touts for you and, you don't have to rely on anyone to take you around to the various locations (ie. Agra Fort; Taj Mahal; Fatephur Sikri).

There are a couple of trains but the best would certainly be the early morning (around 6:15am) that gets you there around 10-ish.

Driving distance is ~200km. According to www.mapmyindia.com it will take 5 hours to drive.

Make sure you don't go there on a Friday, because it's closed.

Cheers
Zoltan

Hiya
OMG 5 hours!! hmmm would you also happen to know the train rates for delhi-agra?

The train is two hours there and two hours back. The fare in AC Chair Class is 370. That's the Bhopal Express.

Look it up:

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/inet_metro_trns.html

Hey Chintz...taking a cab to Agra is a bad option as the road is not in great condition. I think taking a train is a good and cheap option. The Taj Express runs daily from Nizamuddin railway station in delhi at 6.45 am and reaches Agra by 9.45 am and leaves Agra around 7 pm and reaches delhi by 10.30 pm. The price of a AC III tier seat is some 400 rs for a round trip.

Let me know if you need any help with the train tickets as the reservation office is right outside my office.

Happy travels.

Harsha

The road to Agra is in excellent condition, it takes around 3 hours from Delhi to Agra, Depending on the time of the day and your starting point in Delhi.

Check out this recent thread - I think you'll find all you need here:
Day Trip to Taj Mahal from Delhi

Not only that but if it's your first time in India there are plenty of really interesting things to see on the road, especially when driving going through the villages. Okay so I already knew women carried water pots and massive bundles on their heads, but there's nothing like SEEING it first hand. Also a good driver will tell you a lot about the things you're seeing.

I have not gone by train so I don't know how much you see but if it's just fields it might not be nearly as visually interesting a journey, though of course you would get to chat to fellow passengers.

Well I stand corrected with Haylo and Sashank's comments. If it takes only 3 hours by road then its better to take a cab as you can stop where ever you want and also visit Brindavan on the way.

It is better to take a car. As said by earlier IMers the road is in excellent condition. I have been to Agra via Delhi on road just 7 months before. Ideally try to have a night stopover at Agra. Then you can also visit Fatehpur Sikri as well as Mathura, Vrindavan on your way back. If you can spend one more day, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is also nearby. It is a nice place to spend a night there and catch glimpses of various types of birds early morning. In that case you can visit Mathura, Virndavan and Fatehpur Sikri on day 2 and have a night halt at Bharatpur. Day 3 back to Delhi

planning my trip ahead, have not even booked a flight from GOA-Delhi and a hotel in Delhi as yet so not sure what my starting point would be. Any recommendations on what place/area to book hotel/guesthouse wise in New Delhi. I would like to stay in central area nearby shops/markets and stuff and not to travel far to e.g. railway.

Also I would like to have your advise on the costs of train to Agra (taj mahal) and approx costs if I would travel by taxi based on 2 persons.

I am thinking of planning my trip for new delhi - Agra for 3 days. Would that be enough to visit New delhi (not sure what to do/see in new delhi and Agra (taj mahal) ???

Awaiting your kind advise! Cheers!!

Hey Chintz...here is my two cents worth advice...
Day 1 - Leave in the morning for Agra - visit Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Sleep overnight in Agra.
Day 2 - Leave Agra and cover Matura and Vrindavan on the way back to Delhi. You will arrive in Delhi by evening so have a good relaxed dinner and sleep overnight in Delhi.
Day 3 - local sightseeing in Delhi. Sleep overnight in Delhi.
Day 4 - More sightseeing and you can leave in the evening.
There are lot of places to visit in Delhi: (Humayun's tomb, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, Red Fort, Chandni Chowk and Jama Masjid, India Gate, Rashtrapathi Bhawan and if you are into shopping you must pay a visit to CP and Janpath area..just for the experience)

If you travel by train to Agra and back then its just 800 rs for 2 people but if you want to go to Mathura, Vrindavan and Fathehpur Sikri then you need a car. A car for two days for Delhi-Agra-Delhi trip will cost you around 5500 Rs. (Distance is 600 KM so 8 rs per KM and 600 rs for driver)

Entry into Taj Mahal for Indians is very cheap and they charge a different rate for foreigners. http://www.up-tourism.com/destination/agra/toll_tax.htm

What price range are you looking for hotels. If you are ok with spending 1500-2000 rs then there are lot of nice places in Karol Bagh and in CP area. If you are looking for cheaper options then there are a lot of nice budget places in Pahargunj area.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Harsha

Agree with Harsha. Also do not miss light and sound show in the evening in Red fort. There is one show in English. You may find out the timing once you visit red fort during day time. Also you may try out Delhi Hut for window shopping. If you have time you may also visit Delhi Museum.

Hi there,which is the station in Agra for the Taj Mahal:City,Fort or Cantt?? Also coming for a daytrip from Delhi and enjoying my foreign trainfetish. Cheers,Ron

Agra Cantt is closer for Taj Mahal...this I am saying from memory