Category: India

Agra is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and is approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Delhi, India. Agra is a big city in the state of Uttar Pradesh and is home to great monuments including the incredible Taj Mahal. From one the Seven Wonders of the world, Taj Mahal to Agra Fort, each one tells a colorful history with beautiful architecture.

These photos are from our visit to Agra Fort on August 12, 2015.

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Quick Facts and Tips

• Best time to Visit: November to March
  • October to March: Pleasant weather, but expect big crowds and high prices. Be prepared for foggy mornings in December to January.
  • July to September: Humid and hot, expect rain, but less expensive.
• Fly Into: Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. Agra can be visited on a day trip from Delhi by taxi, bus, train, or air.
  • By Taxi: 3 to 5 hours, flexible, private, comfortable, hassle free, but expensive. You can ask for a rental car or taxi from your stay in Delhi
  • By Bus: 3 to 5 hours, shared ride, but less expensive. The pick up points are mainly in north and northwest Delhi like Mori Gate, Kashmiri Gate, Akshardham Temple, Anand Vihar ISBT, and New Ashok Nagar. The drop off points in Agra are Agra Bypass, Rohit Cold Storage in Kuberpur, Bihari Ji Family Restaurant in Kuberpur, Agra Toll Plaza and Agra Fort which are around 10-15 kilometers from Taj Mahal. You can book a bus ticket here.
  • By Train: 2 hours, comfortable, most popular, and least expensive ride. You need to catch a train from New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) near Paharganj to Agra Cantonment (AGC). Upon arriving at Agra Train Station, you can get a prepaid taxi or rickshaw to reach Taj Mahal which is about a 20 mins drive from Agra Railway Station.
  • By Air: 1 hour, but expensive. Taking a flight from Delhi to Agra is the easiest way when compared to other major cities in India including the metros like Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad as they do not have direct flights to Agra.
  • If you plan to reach Agra by Bus, Train or Air, make use of the 24-hour official prepaid auto rickshaw and taxi booths just outside the bus stand, railway station, and airport to reach your hotel.
• Clothing:
  • It’s warm and humid, so wear light and loose clothes. There is no dress code but it is a good idea to wear something that covers your knees and shoulders. Cotton Kurtis, Salwars, Long Skirts, Maxi dresses, Cotton Shirts, Pants, T-shirts, Blouses, and comfortable footwears.
• Accommodations:
  • A one or two nights stay is enough to explore Agra city. There are a number of hotels, resorts, guesthouses, homestays, and serviced apartments in Agra. Book hotels wisely that best suit your budget, your taste of food, and travel distance.  
• The best way to get around Agra is by auto-rickshaw or hire a cab.
• Best Things to Do In Agra
  • Relish and embrace the beauty of Taj Mahal. Take a relaxing walk around the Taj Mahal complex that includes passing through the huge gateway of Taj Mahal – Great Gate (Darwaza-i rauza), the beautiful large garden (Charbagh), a reflecting long pool, a red sandstone Jawab Masjid mosque, and the exquisite white marble mausoleum, Taj Mahal. For more details here.
  • Explore Agra Fort also known as Red Fort. Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was once the lavish residence of the Mughal Emperors of India. This large historical, 16th-century fortress of red sandstone showcases pristine architecture. Walk through this historic fort and explore the Moti Masjid, Musamman Burj, Diwan-i-Khas, Shahjahani Mahal, Jahangiri Mahal, Khas Mahal, and Anguri Bagh. The fort is open year round from 7am to 6pm. There will be an entry fee of Rs 20 for Indians and Rs 300 for Foreigners. Have at least two hours to explore the entire fort. 
  • Watch the Light and Sound Show at Agra Fort.
  • Enjoy the beauty of the Persian-style garden, Mehtab Bagh. It is about 12 kms and takes about half an hour from the Taj Mahal to reach Mehtab Bagh. Taxis and Autos are easily available to visit Mehtab Bagh.
  • Take a boat ride on the Yamuna river for a different  view of the Taj Mahal.
  • Make a short visit to Mughal style of architecture Jama Masjid, the tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daula, the Tomb of Akbar the Great, and the Tomb of Mariam-Uz-Zamani in the outskirts of Agra. All are within 5 to 20 kms from Taj Mahal.
  • Have fun shopping at colorful narrow streets of Sadar Bazar, Kinari Bazar, Raja ki Mandi, and Subhash Bazar for handicrafts, garments, jewelry, glassware, rugs, carpets, and marble products.
  • Take a Trip to Fatehpur Sikri, a complex of monuments and temples with great architecture and is located approximately an hour (45 kms) west of Taj Mahal.