Agra Travel Guide for Inbound Travellers

Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal, a white marble tomb.

He built it in honour of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

It is known by people through its beauty, symmetry and art.

It is ideal to visit in the morning when the sun is up.

The place is less crowded and the temperature is cooler.

Ask a guide to narrate to you what the actual version of the Taj is.

Taking snapshots is permitted, but a tripod will require special authorisation.

It is open every day (except on Fridays) in the morning till evening.

Indians will be required to pay 50 INR, whereas foreigners will be paying 11,000 INR.

“There are many beautiful sights around this world yet the Taj Mahal is a poem in marble.”

Agra Fort encloses red sandstone walls, and these walls are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It had many emperors belonging to the Mughal dynasty.

You can see:

• • Khas Mahal
• • Diwan-i-Aam
• • Jahangir's Palace

The Musamman Burj has a great view of the Taj Mahal.

The fort is only 2.5 km from the Taj Mahal.

You must wear decent shoes since you will do a lot of walking.

• • Time 6:00 AM -6:00 PM
• • Entry Charge: 50- INR (Indian), 600- INR (Foreigners)

This miniature tomb is also described as the Baby Taj.

It appears as a miniature version of the Taj Mahal, constructed of white marble with beautiful colour inlays.

It was built before the Taj Mahal and actually inspired its design.

This place is quiet and calm due to fewer tourists, offering a serene experience.

It is a wonderful place for those interested in art and history.

The gardens here are an ideal spot for relaxation.

• • Timings: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• • Entry Fee: 30 INR (Indian), 310 INR (Foreigners)

A garden located across the Yamuna River is Mehtab Bagh, which is very scenic.

It sees the sunset view of the Taj Mahal, which is the most beautiful.

It is excellent for couples and photographers.

There is free green space to enjoy, as well as the fresh wind.

Be sure to take sunscreen, sunglasses and water.

The garden is well-kept and has walking paths.

• • Hours: 6,00 AM 6,00 PM
• • Entrance fee: Indians-Rs 50, Foreigners 610

It is an ancient Mughal city, and it is just 40 km away from Agra.

Emperor Akbar founded the former capital.

Buland Darwaza is the highest gate in the world.

Visit the Tomb of Salim Chishti, Jama Masjid, Panch Mahal, etc.

Its entire complex is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

By car, it is a one-hour ride.

It is a fairly large area, and shoes have to be very good.

• • Timing: 6.00 AM 6.00 PM
• • Ticket charge: Indians: 50 Rs, Foreigners: Rs 610

It is located at Mathura, which is 50 km from Agra.

It looks after sick or injured elephants.

Leave the elephants be; elephants are at peace.

They are not supposed to ride them, and this is to the advantage of the elephants.

On their site, they demand prior reservations for a tour.

Do not touch the elephants; the elephants are not fighting.

• • Timings: 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM
• • Entrance cost: 2000-3000 per Head

This guide is for people who are coming to Agra from another country.
• The best time to visit is during October to March when weather is very good.
• Agra is reachable by train, car and even a plane; you just travel from large cities, such as Delhi.
• People most often got here by a Yamuna Expressway and Gatimaan Express train.
• Travel by auto-rickshaws or cycle rickshaws or using an app cab.

• Be sure to make the hotel reservation well in advance, and if you are going during the holiday season.
• Take cash to smaller shops and cards to larger shops.
• Just consume bottled water and travel to clean eateries.

• When visiting religious places, make sure you are dressing decently.
• Never talk to unknown guides or strangers who claim to assist you free of charge.

Agra is one of the major tourist attractions sites to India.
It is home to the famous Taj Mahal, which is one of the seven wonders of the world.
There, one can see much of the Mughal constructions, gardens and palaces dating back.
It is a very good reference that one can use or learn the history of the Mughal or the Indian history.
The city is also famously referred to for its best sweets and handicrafts.
Agra is the right place to visit in case one admires art, culture and heritage.
The view of the Taj Mahal at sunset or sunrise is something to be surprised by.
The Mughlai food is also served at the local restaurants.

Additionally, Agra is close to easily accessible locations like:
• Mathura
• Vrindavan
• Bharatpur

“The Taj Mahal is just that one place on Earth that depicts the might of love in stone.”

Want to stay close to the legendary Taj Mahal? Agra offers a range of hotels for every budget — all within a few kilometers of this world wonder. Whether you're seeking luxury or affordability, here are the top choices.

Luxury

The Taj is only 0.6 km from Oberoi Amarvilas.

It has nice rooms with views of the Taj Mahal and a fancy spa.

The ITC Mughal is another five-star hotel that looks like a Mughal palace.

Both are great for a high-end stay in Agra with views recommended by the travel experts in India.

Mid-Range

Taj View IHCL Selections is a good hotel that has a pool.

It is just 2 km and some of the rooms face the Taj.

Hotel Atithi is cheaper, hygienic, and it is near the major attractions.

Budget

The hotel Sidhartha is just 0.5 km from the Taj.

It offers easy-clean common rooms and is a very good place to stay for people with a tight budget.

All these hotels are near the main sights.

Best travel agency in Delhi booking: keep the booking time in advance, and in the busy months of October to March.

If you want to be close to the Taj Mahal, stay in Taj Ganj.

The Coral House Homestay is a comfortable place to stay that is only 1 km from the Taj Mahal.
One is able to have meal preparations done at home and feel a part of the family.
It also has a rooftop where one gets a view of the Taj.
Price: ₹2,000 – ₹3,500 per night

Taj Homestay Agra is only 1.5 km away and it offers clean rooms and nice hosts.
They also guide you on how to plan tours and inform you about the places you can visit around.
Price: ₹1,500 – ₹2,500 per night

The Friends Paying Guest House is at a short distance away from the Taj and does not charge a lot of money.
You will get easy rooms, a hospitable environment and breakfast included.
It is good when a couple or a person goes solo at an affordable price, even on group tour packages to Delhi.

If you want to live like a local in Agra, homestays are a great option.
Enquire whether they have Wi-Fi, air conditioning and food.
You can read reviews on Booking.com or Airbnb, or consult your planner for a tour of based in Delhi.

Zostel Agra is a great place for young people and people travelling alone.
It is just 1 km away from the Taj and it has a roof cafe.
Dorm beds: ₹500 – ₹1,200
Private rooms: ₹2,000 – ₹3,000

People know Moustache Hostel Agra for its game nights and clean rooms.
Dorm beds: ₹450 – ₹1,000

Joey's Hostel Agra is cheap and only 0.7 km from the Taj.
Shared kitchens are available, as well as a rooftop where you may relax.
Dorm beds: ₹400 – ₹900

Hostels are good as a way of meeting other travellers and saving money.
Enquire whether they provide lockers, hot water, as well as assistance in travelling by your Award-winning travel agency too .
When making the reservation with your Budget-friendly tour agency in Delhi, be sure to make an early reservation, especially in case it is a busy month.

People know that Pinch of Spice has great Mughlai food like biryani and butter chicken.
It is also 3 km away and a decent place to be.

Esphahan at Oberoi Amarvilas is an upscale restaurant with a view of the Taj.
To have the food there, one would be required to reserve in advance.

ITC Mughal's Peshawri restaurant serves grilled food and the famous dal Bukhara.
You must experience it in case you love North Indian food.

The Dasaprakash restaurant is the best South Indian vegetarian restaurant.
Here they serve dosas and thalis.

Joney Place is located close to the Taj and is one of the sites loved by tourists.
They provide a continental breakfast, lassi and parathas.

To have great views, you can visit rooftop restaurants such as Saniya Palace.
When you are not used to eating Indian food frequently, you have to be sure of the level of spice in it.

If you want to buy local and handmade things, Agra is a great place to do it.
• Mini Taj Mahals
• Marble boxes
• Inlay work
The city is also famous for leather shoes, bags as well and wallets.
Written in gold and silver, Mughal-style jewellery can be purchased.
Textiles such as sarees and the shawl are also preferred by people who have the gold thread.
Don't forget to get Petha, a sweet treat from Agra made from white pumpkin.

• Kinari Bazaar – clothes, jewellery, souvenirs
• Sadar Bazaar – leather goods and sweets
• Subhash Bazaar – fabrics and bangles
• Shilpgram– fixed-price government craft centre

Never pay full price at a street market, but do it in a kind spirit.
One should not rush to purchase marble because some dealers in the market deal in counterfeits.
To assist you with shopping, call a an tour planner in Delhi.

There are a lot of different flavours in Agra's street food.
For breakfast, try Bedai with Jalebi. It is spicy and sweet.
You can get it from places like Rambabu Paratha close to Agra Fort.

There are many different kinds of Petha, which is the most popular sweet.
Visit the Panchhi Petha store in Sadar Bazaar.

Dalmoth is a fried combination of lentils and spices, salty and crunchy.
You can easily take it around when you are travelling.

You must have Kachori and Chaat, such as pani puri and Aloo tikki.
You can get street food in Taj Ganj, Sadar Bazaar, and Chaat Gali, which are all close to Agra Cantt.

Eat only in stalls which are busy and clean, or enquire with your Deluxe travel agents in Delhi for reliable places to eat.
Raw foods must be avoided, and bottled water is required during the monsoon.

It is recommended that, to get fantastic photographs, a pre-dawn photography tour to the Taj Mahal should be taken.
Lesser group tours: 2000-3000 rupees

Stroll in the gardens and old buildings, and they are the history of the Mughals.
Heritage tours: 1,500 -2,500

Board a boat on the Yamuna River adjoining Mehtab Bagh and visit at sunset.
Ticket price of boat ride: 500-1000

Go to a cooking lesson to understand how parathas/ biryani samples can be cooked.
Lessons: 2,000 - 3,500, normally provided by homestays

See Taj and the city from a hot air balloon.
Balloon ride: 10,000 15,000 (October - March only)

Make use of reputed websites like Viator or GetYourGuide, or do a pre-booking with your visit distributor in Mumbai.

Go to Kinari Bazaar and Sadar Bazaar to see how people live and work.
Taste local sweets like Petha and snacks like Bedai.
At the Kalakriti Cultural Centre, you can see cultural shows like Mohabbat-e-Taj.
This play is about the love story that inspired the Taj Mahal.

Your pictures should be taken in traditional clothes, and this would give you a feel for the area.
Watch at work craftsmen, making leather-work, and inlay.
The group tour packages through Delhi also suggest these as some of the stops.

“It is better to visit India, walk its streets, eating its food and hear its tales, to be able to understand it.”

Best time to visit: October through March (cool and nice)

How to Get There:

• Fly in Delhi, and drive or train to Agra
• Gatimaan Express train only takes 1.5 hours away in Delhi
• The Yamuna Expressway offers a smooth car ride

How to Get Around:

• Rickshaws
• App cabs
• Private cars with drivers
• If you have the money, stay at Zostel or Oberoi Amarvilas.

Travel Tips:

• Bring cash
• Drink plenty of water
• Use sunscreen
• Stay away from touts
• The Award-winning travel agency for also offers combined city and transport bookings.

Safety & Etiquette

• By doing this, you remove your shoes when visiting temples or any other religious venue.
• Avoid the strangers who are attempting to entrap people and sell cheap travels, tickets.
• The women are not supposed to walk alone at night and also dress in a not too revealing manner.
• Be courteous and say excuse me before you take photographs of persons.
• Get the services of trustworthy taxis and guides.
• Your Budget-friendly tour agency located in Delhi will always provide an option on safety-certified guides.

Nearby Destinations

• Mathura and Vrindavan are holy cities that are 60 km from Agra.
• Temples are there and people are informed about Lord Krishna due to them.
• The Bharatpur is 55 km away and it is the home of Keoladeo National Park.
• You will be able to see birds, rickshaws, enjoy nature.
• These are great places to visit for a day trip from Agra.