Let’s admit it, most travelers head to Agra in India for one thing and one thing only: a visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the 7 new world wonders. And don’t get us wrong, the Taj Mahal is definitely a must-see when you are in Agra. However, a lot of travelers overlook other things Agra has to offer. That’s why we wrote this post! So you can decide for yourself what to do in Agra. With our travel map and this post, you’ll have everything you need to travel to Agra free and independently. We’ll cover the best things to see, where to stay in Agra and how to get around.
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How to get to Agra?
Agra is part of India’s Golden Triangle and is therefore amongst India’s famous travel destinations. That means that getting to Agra is pretty straightforward.
Read more: Discover another city of India’s Golden Triangle: Jaipur
Getting to Agra by train
According to us, getting to Agra by train is the most convenient way. We took the train from Delhi to Agra and were impressed by how well the Indian railway system works. Trains in India turned out to be comfortable, affordable, and efficient, totally different from our expectation to see people sitting on top of overloaded train carriages.
Agra is really well-connected to other major Indian cities. To give you an idea about the travel times by train:
- From Delhi: Expect to need 2 to 3 hours to arrive in Agra by express train
- From Jaipur: You’ll need 4 to 5 hours to get to Agra from Jaipur
Make sure to book your tickets well in advance! We were late booking our tickets, so we didn’t had a lot of choice left. If you book well in advance, you can assure yourself a decent seat with decent departure and arrival times.
There is one railway station in Agra: Agra Cantt. At the entrance of the railway station, there are a lot of taxi drivers and tuktuk drivers available. For the cheapest option, we suggest to walk a little bit further and to book a ride via Uber of Ola. Another option is to ask your hotel for a pick-up.
Getting to Agra by plane
Arriving by plane is an option too. There is a small airport near Agra (Kheria Airport) with limited flights. Nevertheless, we do recommend to check travel times. Considering check-in and transfers, it is often equally fast to choose the most sustainable option: the train.
Getting to Agra with a private transfer
Another option that is often chosen by independent travelers in India is to get to Agra with a private transfer. A private transfer is more expensive than the train, but if gives you more flexibility to stop along the route. Having a private transfer is especially interesting if you’re coming from Jaipur, as there are some great stops in between Agra and Jaipur you definitely shouldn’t miss:
- Fatehpur Sikri – A abandoned Mughal city and UNESCO site.
- Chand Baori – One of India’s most stunning stepwells.
Expect you’ll need around 3,5 to 4 hours driving time if you’re coming from Delhi. Coming from Jaipur, you’ll need around 4 to 5 hours (stops excluded).
How to get around in Agra?
Again, there are several options on how to get around in Agra. One of the big surprises during our time in Agra was the metro system. At the moment we wrote this post, only the yellow line is operating, offering a great connection between the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Another line is planned for the upcoming years, connecting the city center with the railway station. For all the information about Agra Metro, check the official Agra Metro website.
Another way to get around is taking a tuktuk. There are plenty of tuktuk drivers offering you a ride. Make sure to always discuss the price upfront. The tuktuk drivers also offer tours around Agra. This can be interesting for a visit to several attractions in Agra (see below).
If you don’t want the tuktuk driver to take you to several shops, you can ask this upfront, but we can’t guarantee they listen to you. Our tuktuk driver took us to three shops: a marble shop, a clothes shop and a jewelry shop. We didn’t bought anything there, but speaking with the owners of the shop was an interesting experience as well.
Of course you can also ask your hotel to book a tuktuk for you or book a taxi or tuktuk via Uber or Ola. We used Uber several times in Agra, and compared to Delhi, this worked really well.
You can also explore Agra by foot, but keep in mind that attractions are spread far apart from each other. Our recommendation is to find an accommodation close to the Taj Mahal, so you can explore this area by foot.
Where to stay in Agra?
You are looking for accommodation in Agra, stop looking! During our visit, we had the pleasure of staying at Gupta Vilas Homestay and it truly is an amazing place.
This homestay is very close to the Taj Mahal and is therefore very convenient for a visit to this monument. From the moment we arrived, Romil and his sisters welcomed us with open arms. Their warmth set the tone for our entire stay. Make sure to ask upon arrival to have a look at the rooftop terrace, you’ll get amazing views over the Taj Mahal.
Our room was clean and tastefully decorated. There was good and free Wi-Fi and luckily our room had air conditioning. In the morning, we were treated with a delightful breakfast.
We also recommend opting for dinner at Gupta Vilas. The home-cooked Indian meals were flavorful and freshly prepared.
Check prices and availability on BOOKING.COM
How much time do you need in Agra?
Bases on our experience, we would suggest to stay 2 days in Agra. That way, you’ll be able to visit the Taj Mahal during sunrise and you’ll have time to visit some other architectural masterpieces of Agra.
The best things to do in Agra
Definitely number one: the Taj Mahal
Of course no trip would be complete without visiting the beauty of the Taj Mahal. This monument symbolizing eternal love, was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The construction of this monument began in 1632 AD and it was completed in 1648 AD. The Taj Mahal is famous for its symmetry and intricate inlay work. We were amazed how large the entire site is. The surrounding gardens cover nearly 17 hectares and there are different buildings to discover.
We highly recommend to plan your visit at sunrise. There are different reasons for that. First of all, you’ll be able to see the different colors when the sun touches the marble. With arriving early will also help you to avoid the crowds that arrive later in the day. A third advantage of starting early is that you will avoid the heat. In the morning, the temperatures are still doable, making your visit enjoyable.
The Taj Mahal is open from sunrise to sunset every day except on Friday. We highly recommend to buy your tickets online, so you don’t have to queue in the morning.You can book your tickets online via the official website of the Taj Mahal. Also keep in mind that you are not allowed to take any bags with you. So leave everything, besides your camera and a bottle of water, at your room.
The entrance fee for the Taj Mahal is 1100 INR ( ~12,15 EUR / 12,7 USD). Because we stayed close to the Taj Mahal, we could visit the Taj Mahal on foot. We entered the site via the East gate.
Agra Fort
Of course we were highly impressed by the Taj Mahal, but Agra Fort impressed us equally. So make sure you don’t miss this UNESCO World Heritage site that offers a view into India’s Mughal history. Built in the 16th century, Agra Fort was the main residence of the Mughal emperors, until Delhi became the capital. The fort is built in massive red sandstone and houses palaces, courtyards, grand halls, and even mosques.
Because Agra Fort is less crowded than the Taj Mahal, you can visit Agra Fort anytime during the day. Of course, to avoid the heat, a visit in the morning or late afternoon is preferred: the fort is huge, so there is some walking involved.
You can visit the fort daily from sunrise to sunset. Entrance fee to the fort is 650 INR (~7,2 EUR/ 7,50 USD) for foreigners. You can easily reach Agra Fort by taking the metro. There is a metro stop right opposite the main entrance of the fort.
Baby Taj (Itmat-Ud Daulah tomb)
Of course the Taj Mahal gets all the attention, but did you know there is another marble monument in Agra that you shouldn’t miss. It’s the Baby Taj! Baby Taj is however the nickname of this monument, the official name is the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah. Although it is lesser-known, this tomb served as a draft version of the Taj Mahal. You can see clearly the resemblance between both buildings and the Baby Taj was built first and influenced the final design of the Taj Mahal.
Just like the Taj Mahal, this monument is a mausoleum. It was built between 1622 and 1628. It is a small, intimate, and very detailed monument and we loved it! This places was definitely less crowded than the other monuments in Agra and you can visit this place anytime of the day. Opening hours are between sunrise and sunset. The entrance fee for the Baby Taj is 310 INR (~3,40 EUR/ 3,60 USD) for foreigners. The place also turned out to be a great place for photography.
To get to the Baby Taj, it’s best to take a tuktuk. A visit to the Baby Taj was included in our one-day itinerary we booked with a tuktuk driver.
Mehtab Bagh
This Mughal garden is known as a great viewpoint for the Taj Mahal. It is located on the opposite side of the Yamuna river. This garden was designed as a four-part garden and seen from above, it aligns perfectly with the Taj Mahal. It is said that there were once plans to build a Black Taj Mahal in this garden. To get to the garden, it’s best to arrange a tuktuk driver who can take you there. Like the other attractions in Agra, the garden is open from sunrise to sunset. The entrance fee for the garden is 300 INR (~3,3 EUR/3,45 USD) for foreigners.
However, let’s give you a pro tip and more budget-friendly option. Right near Mehtab Bagh, you have another viewpoint, indicated on our map. The entrance fee for this viewpoint is only 50 INR (~0,55 EUR/0,60 USD) and the views are equally spectacular.
Chini Ka Rauza
This mausoleum is often overlooked by tourists. It was built in 1635 as the final resting place of Afzal Khan Shirazi, a Persian poet and the Prime Minister during Emperor Shah Jahan’s reign. Fun fact: Afzal Khan supervised the construction of his own tomb.
The term “Chini” refers to the glazed Persian-style tiles that used to adorn the exterior of this building. Inside the tomb, you’ll find the graves of Afzal Khan and his wife, with walls and ceilings that were painted in the brightest colors. To get to this mausoleum, it’s best to take a tuktuk. Chini Ka Rauza is open from sunrise to sunset and it’s free of charge.
With this post we wanted to show you that Agra is so much more than just the Taj Mahal. We hope we convinced you to spend some time in Agra to discover the other architecture and culture this city has to offer.
If you’ve been to Agra, we’d love to hear about your favorite spots! If you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out on our social media.
Happy travels!
Matthias & Mieke
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