Agra Travel Forum

Hello, All!

I’m going to be in Bombay for a couple of weeks starting next Monday, and I’m planning a small side trip to see the Taj Mahal! I found a flight that leaves from Bombay to Delhi at around 6am on the 16th, arriving around 8-8.30am. I plan to proceed straight to Agra, without spending any time in Delhi. I hope to spend some time at the Taj that afternoon, stay overnight in Agra, visit the Taj again the next morning, and leave late morning back to Delhi to catch the evening flight back to Bombay.
My questions are:
1. I arrive in Delhi too late to catch the Shatabdi Express to Agra, and I was wondering if anyone knows of any other trains going to Agra from Delhi. If there aren’t, where in Delhi can I catch a bus to Agra. (Don’t have the budget for a private taxi.)
2. Can anyone recommend a nice 3-4 star hotel (budget less than Rs. 3000), close to the Taj Mahal, and preferably with an in-house restaurant. Rooms with a view of the Taj would be great, but not neccesary.
3. Are there any trains that leave Agra for Delhi late morning? If not, are there buses that leave around that time?

Thanks.

Can someone suggest a restaurant with a view of the Taj Mahal?
We will be in Agra on our wedding anniversary and would like to go some place special for dinner.

Hello!


Someone can answer my questions about the Itmad-ud-Daullah's tomb, I have some questions.

How to get there?
Is there any type of fee to visit the great place of Baby Taj???


Thanks for your replies.

Hi fellow travellers, Has anyone stayed in the Hotel Crystal Inn, in Agra? Apparently it is a newly opened hotel - opened last month - according to my travel agent - who offered to "upgrade" us free of charge to this hotel. I will appreciate ANY information - as there is nothing on the www!

Dear all,

I am travelling this summer to India, and we were considering Khajuraho. I have read somewhere about a new train service from Delhi, stopping in Agra, that stops just by KHAJURAHO, when it seems there used to be no station.

Does anybody know something raleted to this new station or train service from Agra to Khajuraho?

otherwise, is it easy to reach from Agra?

Thanks!

Hi All,

My wife and I will be in traveling from Delhi to Agra for a one day exploration of Agra on May 7th. I recently found out that this is the polling day in Agra and I wanted to see how much of an effect you think this will have on the area? Any chance the Taj could be closed that day? That would be very sad as this is our only day in Agra. I am getting very worried as I have heard from others that it could be closed this day.

Thanks so much for your help.

Where can I buy antique textiles in Agra? Or really amazing modern textiles?

Hi folks,

It seems like everyone is saying that the Shanti Lodge has a wonderful view of the Taj. I wonder what are the rates for a double rooms at the place. It would be nice to stay right there and enjoy the view in the morning, afternoon and the late evening. Any feedback would be highly appreciated.

Hello,

has anyone ever visited the Taj Mahal at night during a full Moon? Is it worth while? What are the times and Prices?

Thanks,

Michael

Six month India trip (based on weather)

I am considering an India trip (lasting up to 6 months) based on clarity/visibility, and light (weather). This is a natural/landscape photography tour of India. I need to avoid downpours that limit visibility of shots, and also I don't want to be too hot, and humid (as to make day trips unbearable). To give you an idea, I found walking around during the middle of summer in the Balkans too hot.

Before entering India, this is how/where I am going to travel:

-Iran (March-June)
-After Iran, fly to Tajikistan, overland to Kyrgyzstan (June/July)
-cross only border into China at Kyrgyztan and go down via Kashgar to Pakistani frontier (July)
-Pakistan, down to Islamabad (July)

After that, there are two options, or directions to take:

There are two ways this trip can happen

1) After Pakistan, Enter India at the Lahore/Amritsar borer crossing. Arrival is expected in mid-summer, therefore an immediate shift north to Kashmir would be a logical 2nd stop in India, after Amritsar, Jammu, and Srinigar are the next major towns north. After Kashmir, Himchal Pradesh, and Uttarchand are next up (due to high altitude), and mountains make sense in summer when everywhere else in India is hot, and flat. One worry is the monsoon. I know Kashmir is safe from it, but what about the other mountain states in India? How do I plan the route if arriving in India mid-summer?

note: It's pretty sure that Canadians get six month tourist visas at Indian missions abroad, right? 3 months would be the minimum I need, six months preferable.

2) The second option takes me to India in autumn, after a trip to China, Tibet, and Nepal. The difference with option 2 is that after entering Pakistan on the Karakorom highway, instead of crossing the border to Amritsar, I go back on the highway, back to the Chinese frontier, in a sense backtracking, re-enter China (extra visa cost, I know), and go to Xinjiang, Qinqhai provinces, or the Chinese desert, arrange a Tibet permit in Xining, take the train to Lhasa, and work down to Kathmandu arriving in Nepal in late September, avoiding the monsoon, and entering India in October.

Option 2 avoids the summer heat, and rains in India, but costs more because of the Tibet permit, expensive, long trains, often backtracking inside China, and touristy summer season in Lhasa, and the trip down to Kathmandu.

Option 1 cancels out touristy Tibet, and really long rides on buses/trains, but focuses on arriving in India in mid-summer.

So you can see that by late July/early August, I have to make a decision on option 1, or 2

Option 1 takes me into India in mid-summer, and if I get a 6 month visa, that means I need a route for summer, autumn, and early winter.

Option 2 takes me back up to China, around Xinjiang, and Qinghair, into Tibet (by September), then Nepal, and India (by October).

So the question is should I start the India trip in mid-summer, or in October.

Primary concerns are

-cost, especially expensive long-distance trains in China/Tibet, permits/multiple entry visas, etc...
-weather for clear photography

So which option makes more sense, costs less, and delivers more for my purposes in photography.

Thanks

Hi,

Does anyone have ides about how much taxi's cost to visit fatehpur,agra fort and taj in a day...pick up/drop railway station.

My brother and I have started talking about traveling to India together in a couple of years. At this point I just know that Chennai and Varanasi are points I want to visit. I have to choose a few more. My brother wants to visit a whole list of religiously historic sites. So my question is: If we did it in December or January, would that be a good time? Is India like the Caribbean with most people wanting to be there when its snowing in higher latitudes? Is there an "on season" and an "off season" for tourism in India?

Which station is convenient for visiting Taj.
is it Agra Fort Railway station or Agra Cantt. Good and budget hotels are near which station and for a family which location hotels should be preferred. would also appreciate if somebody can advise good budget hotels.

Thanks in advance

Is there any bus or train from AGra India to Kathmandu Nepal?
If there is, how long the travel time?
thanks

Is it possible to arrange for a driver guide to meet me whrn I get off the train in Agra. I will only wish to spend the day there and return to Delhi in the evening.

Thanks

is private car safe to go from delhi int.airport to agra and how long it takes ,what is the cost

I was looking at booking train travel from Agra to Varanasi on the MARUDHAR EXPRES - but when I get to the 'e ticket' options it says I cannot go on waitlist...I guess this means the train is full?

If this is the case...what other options are there for travel to Varanasi to Agra?

Many Thanks

Jules

im going there in nov
is it a good time
how do i get from udaipur to agra
the fastest route?

My sister and me are visiting Agra for one day in March. We will continue from Agra to Jaipur and as would like to continue our trip late morning or early afternoon, I think the bus is our only option. Could you please let me know where are the buses deparing in Agra. At Agra bus station? At some specific bus stop? We would like to get the seats at air conditioned bus and I understand they leave at 10.00 or 11.30 a.m or 2.30 p.m (A/C Goldline, RSRTC). Do you know if it is possible to book seats and / or buy the tickets to the bus in advance? If yes, how could we do it? If no, how early should we be queuing at bus stop? Also, is it safe for two women to travel at daytime in the bus?

Hi,

I am planning for a day trip from Chennai to Agra. Is it possible to cover the Taj mahal alone in a day? I am starting from chennai and would like to cover Taj mahal and return back on same day to chennai(probably late nite flights). Please tell me.

Thanks
Viki

Hi. Mobile phones not allowed in the Taj? Does this mean you need to switch them off, or are you obliged to leave them behind before you enter?

COming to agra for the day. where can i store my luggage?

Hello,

I will dock in Chennai in March, and I have five days to explore India. What is the most efficient and cost-effective way to get to Agra to see the Taj Mahal?

Thank You

Because the train times are so awkward we are thinking of hiring an AC car to get us to Delhi by lunchtime on 4th. Had a quote for Rs 3500 - anyone interested in sharing? Email nigel@laclef.co.uk or phone 0044 7986 784108

Does anyone know if there is a travel desk in the Agra train station that can book you on a reliable tour to Taj Mahal and Agra sights when you arrive in the morning from Delhi? Who is the operator, where can I find this counter, what time does the tour leave, and how much is it?

I read in lonely planet that there is a tour operator, but I have no idea where to find it.

Thanks very much for your help!

Can any one suggest some good restaurant to eat out in Agra. Possibly a view of the Taj Mahal from the restaurant.. Would there be any less crowded place around Taj Mahal to have a good view of it?

Good day,

I would like to know when it is the best time to travel to India?


Thank you,
Muwahhid

Hi! Can anyone recommend a good way to travel from Tibet to Agra? I'll be travelling with 3 other friends and this trip won't be till March next year but we're trying to get everything set early. Thanks!

Apart from Agra fort,taj mahal and fatehpur shikri is there any place in agra which we might be missing,Eg food,village etc...Please require feedback.

Hi there,

I am going to Agra this summer and I am desesperatly looking for the email address of the Shanti Lodge.
Thanks for your reply