train from delhi to agra and info info info!

hi, i will be landing in delhi on april 1st and plan a trip to agra in the 2 days i stay there. reading reviews and forums, i have decided it may be best to travel onwards to agra on the same day i land in delhi. my flight should arrive at the airport at approx 5.30pm - do i have enough time to catch a trian about 8pm? and is there such an express train, and if so, where does it go from? should i pre-book the tickets in advance, or just buy them at the station?. also, i plan to see the taj early morning- do u think it would be foggy first thing on an april morning? dose it get very very crowded there? i have 2 young kids, so dont want to catch a delhi train too late or arrive in agra so late that none of us are able to get up for 6/7am in the morning!
all replies to this will be much appreciated. i plan to leave agra when i have seen the taj mahal and return to delhi for sightseeing there. will a driver do this one way trip, or is it better to catch a train back again? (with a driver i have the option of stopping at fatepur sikri?)
and finally...i cant decide between the ambassador hotel, the metropolitan nikko or the hans plaza hotels, anyone with any advice? and who can i ask to show me around delhi's main sights? go thro a hotel or has anyone any recommendations?!!

Welcome to indiamike.com

I think you've asked too many questions, I certainly haven’t got a few hours spare to try to answer them all.

I suggest you try the search engine, most of the questions have been asked many times.

I stayed at the Nikko a few years ago after it opened and thought it was wonderful. it would not be my choice with young children, however. There didn't seen to be enough there to catch their interest.

Hi kj1234

Excuse me for trying to interpret what information you are after but I think you have two main questions for the limited 2 days you have available - arriving Delhi airport at 5.30pm Saturday 1 April 2006 and travelling with 2 young kids:

a) how best to get from Delhi - Agra (train or driver) and see the Taj in the early morning, Sunday 2nd April and come back via Fatepur Sikri the same day (or do you have another day?).
b) where to stay in Delhi

a) Trains - There are a number of trains to Agra in the evening, which travel at different speeds, but I would suggest you leave more time to provide room for delays. You should check out the India rail website, but from a quick search I note that the Bangalore Rajdhani (one of the fastest trains) leaves Delhi at 20.50 (8.50pm) which would give you more time to make the connection. The timetable says the train arrives at 22.00, but that seems VERY VERY fast to me - Can other IMers comment on the length of the journey. I know that the slower trains take about 3 1/2 hours.

Driver - While I have not done this myself, if you have limited time and with three of you travelling, it might be easier on you and the kids (and remember they will be tired after the flight) if you arranged to have a car with driver collect you at the airport and take you directly to Agra returning to Delhi via Fatepur Sikri the next day. (Dont know the cost or time taken for the journey - comments from experienced IMers please)

b) Delhi Accommodation - I dont have any knowledge of:
- Ambassador Hotel
- Metropolitan Nikko
- Hans Plaza Hotel

Hope this helps

Dear Aussies,
Your observation:-
""I note that the Bangalore Rajdhani (one of the fastest trains) leaves Delhi at 20.50 (8.50pm) which would give you more time to make the connection. The timetable says the train arrives at 22.00,""
-----------------
@@@2430 NZM-SBC Rajadhani does NOT stops in Agra please!!!!
--
""Queried For Train No Train Name Date Runs From Source Runs On
2430 BANGLORE RJDHNI 27/01/2006 H NIZAMUDDIN MON TUE FRI SAT


SNo Stn Code Stn Name Route No. Arrival Time Dep. Time Distance Day Remark
1 NZM H NIZAMUDDIN 1 Source 20:50 0 1
2 AGC AGRA CANTT 1 22:00 22:05 189 1 Train doesn't halt at this station, presently
3 JHS JHANSI JN 1 01:14 01:24 403 2
----------
You Queried For Train No Train Name Date Runs From Source Runs On
2628 KARNATAKA EXP 27/01/2006 NEW DELHI MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN


SNo Stn Code Stn Name Route No. Arrival Time Dep. Time Distance Day Remark
1 NDLS NEW DELHI 1 Source 21:15 0 1
2 MTJ MATHURA JN 1 23:16 23:18 142 1
3 AGC AGRA CANTT 1 00:02 00:05 196 2
..............
(or)
..............
You Queried For Train No Train Name Date Runs From Source Runs On
2622 TAMIL NADU EXP 27/01/2006 NEW DELHI MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN


SNo Stn Code Stn Name Route No. Arrival Time Dep. Time Distance Day Remark
1 NDLS NEW DELHI 1 Source 22:30 0 1
2 AGC AGRA CANTT 1 01:07 01:10 198 2
============================== =====
..........perhaps, should suit the convenience of Mr.kj1234. But when Mr.kj1234 has also got the intention of visiting Fatehpur Sikri, perhaps, he could as well hire a car for his Delhi-Agra-Fatehpur-Delhi trip
==========
V.Srinivasa Prasad
27.1.2006/11.00 hrs.

Thanks for that vsp27759 - it can certainly be confusing when a search on the india rail site gives this train as one of a number travelling from Delhi to Agra - only to discover that it may not stop there, or take another route. I now remember that happened to me when I was searching for suitable trains last October.

For anyone wanting to check out trains from Delhi - Agra, it is useful to remember that Delhi has more than one rail station (New Delhi. Old Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin and possibly others?) and and Agra has three (Agra Cantt, Agra Fort and Agra City).

thanks, comments have been v helpful. i am thinking of just hiring a driver from delhi airport to agra as suggested. saves time finding (and possibly missing) a train connection, and will be easier with the kids plus luggage. thanks for replies- most helpful

Definately hire a car abd driver the whole way.. the savings in time and effort for you and 2 children will definately be worth it. Contact RSB Travel andTours in Delhi, they have hundreds of cars and drivers. This is not a commerical endorsement, but all the travel guides rate them well. Ambassador hotel is very old school Lutyens Delhi, but nicely done and conveniently located and don;t worry about the kids anywhere.. India loves children and spoils them outrageously.