Because the Taj Mahal is located in Agra, it is one of the most visited cities in India. There are many ways to travel from Delhi to Agra, and the distance between the two cities is only 220 km. In fact, so many people travel to Agra from Delhi, it’s one of the busiest routes in India.
I’ve done this trip by train, car and bus. I’ve stayed overnight and done it as a day trip. In my experience, these are the best travel options.
If you specifically want to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise, you can easily do a Taj Mahal sunrise tour independently.
How To Get From Delhi To Agra
There are many ways to get to Agra from Delhi. You can take a train, go by bus, or travel by private car. I’ve done them all, and these are the best options in my opinion. Keep in mind the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
By Train – The Best Way
The best way to cover the distance from Delhi to Agra is by train. There are over 20 daily trains between Delhi and Agra, and the fastest ones make the trip in less than 2 hours. For the complete list, check the Indian Railways schedule.
Trying to book anything online in India can be a test of patience, but tickets can be booked on the Indian Railways booking website.
You can also book train tickets on MakeMyTrip, but they charge a service fee and don’t list all the options.
❗Important: Most Agra bound trains depart from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, but some leave from New Delhi Railway Station (Delhi has 4 train stations). Make sure you check which station your train departs from.
Prices vary depending on train and class of seat, but executive class on the Gatiman Express, the fastest train, is INR 1485 ($18.00 USD). You can get seats for much less in the lower classes on slower trains.
Best Delhi to Agra trains:
👍 Insider Tip: Do not let a porter grab your suitcase or ‘show’ you to your train and seat. He will expect an exorbitant tip. Also ignore any official looking (but fake) rail official that may tell you your ticket is not authentic and you cannot board the train (these touts often set up outside the rail station beside security).
By Hired Car – The Easiest Way
Hiring a driver and car is the easiest way to cover the distance from Delhi to Agra. I do not recommend renting a car and driving yourself, unless you have a lot of experience driving in India. Driving in India is nuts!
You will get door to door service with this option, and it really is less stressful. Just don’t let your driver take you to restaurants or shops he recommends. He will undoubtedly earn a commission for this.
If You’re Staying Overnight in Agra
If you are planning to stay overnight in Agra, the most cost effective and reliable way is to hire a car and driver through Uber. Depending on time of day and traffic the fare will vary, but I’ve seen this ride for as low as INR 2885 ($35.00 USD). Uber in Delhi has intercity options.
If You’re Doing Agra as a Day Trip
If you are doing Agra as a day trip, hire a car and driver for the return trip. The driver will wait for you at the Taj Mahal, take you to the other famous sites of Agra, then drive you back to Delhi.
The going rate, including stopping at Agra Fort and the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, is INR 10,000 ($120.00 USD). Your accommodation can arrange this for you (but they may inflate the price), or you can join a Delhi expat FB group and get recommendations for drivers (or email me – I have contacts too).
By Bus – The Cheapest Way
The cheapest way to get to Agra from Delhi is by bus. Buses leave all day, so you will have plenty of choice. Fares are generally between 286-1000 INR ($3.45 – 12.00 USD).
The bus ride takes between 4 and 6 hours, depending on traffic and how many stops the bus makes.
Make sure you verify the departure and arrival locations. Many of these buses leave form Kashmiri Gate ISBT in Delhi, which is a busy, slightly chaotic bus terminal. Some buses drop off just outside of Agra, so you would have to take an uber or auto rickshaw the rest of the way.
I’m an experienced Indian bus rider. The state buses are cheaper than the private ones, but not as nice. Make sure you book a bus with AC, which also means heat in winter. The easiest way to book a bus ticket is on the MakeMyTrip website.
Why Flying from Delhi to Agra is not a Good Option
Currently there are no direct flights from Delhi to Agra. The distance from Delhi to Agra is only 220 km, not making it a good flight option. Even if there were direct flights, by the time you arrive at the Delhi airport 2 hours in advance for security, you won’t save much time.
If you are flying into Delhi and want to immediately fly onto Agra, Air India Express is the best option. It has a flight that goes through Jaipur and the total travel time is less than 4 hours. Cost is about INR 11,500 ($140 USD).
Where To Stay in Delhi and Agra
There are plenty of wonderful hotels and guest houses in Delhi and Agra. I have stayed at many Delhi hotels and guesthouses, and several different hotels in Agra. These are my favourites and the ones I always recommend.
Delhi Accommodations
South Delhi is the best area to stay in for exploring the city. It’s also a safer, greener and more affluent part of Delhi. For more options, read best areas and hotels in Delhi for every budget, but these are my top picks:
➡️Prakash Kutir Bed & Breakfast (budget) – This is one of Delhi’s favourite guest houses and with good reason. It’s in a fantastic neighbourhood, super clean, family run, and comes with a home-cooked breakfast. Restaurants, shops, historic sites and the Delhi metro are all within walking distance. Make your reservation asap because Prakash Kutir gets booked up.
➡️Imperial Hotel (luxury) – The Imperial is Delhi’s most charming heritage hotel. It’s luxurious, beautiful and has a superb location, within walking distance of many popular attractions, shops, restaurants and the Delhi metro. There’s a fantastic, spa, outdoor pool, fitness centre and one of Delhi’s most famous restaurants, the Spice Route.
Agra Accommodations
Agra is a one of the top tourist destinations in India and has hundreds of hotels and guest houses. These are some of the very best in terms of value for money, location and customer service:
➡️Ekaa Villa (mid-price) – One of Agra’s loveliest boutique hotels, guests rave about Ekaa Villa. Rooms are spacious, comfortable and super clean. It’s just 4 km to the Taj Mahal, you can get there in a few minutes by auto rickshaw.
➡️ The Oberoi Amarvilas (luxury) – Every guest room has a view of the Taj Mahal from the Oberoi Amarvilas. This is the very best hotel in Agra, and it’s only 600 metres away from the Taj Mahal. If you want to see the Taj Mahal in all its splendour, changing colours from morning to night, this is where to stay.
FAQs on Delhi to Agra Distance and Best Travel Options
The best way to get to Agra from Delhi is by train. There are many daily trains, including fast speed trains.
The fastest train from Delhi to Agra is the Gatiman Express. It makes the trip in 1 hr 40 minutes. Trains depart every day except Fridays from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station (NZM) at 8:10 am.
Yes, you can do a day trip from Delhi to Agra. They are only 220 km apart. It’s best to take a high speed train or hire a car and driver for this.
The cost to travel from Delhi to Agra varies depending on the mode of transport. It can cost as little as INR 286 ($3.45) for a bus, and as much as INR 2885 ($35.00 USD) for an Uber intercity transfer.
The Wrap-up on Delhi to Agra Distance and Best Travel Options 2024
With Delhi so close to Agra, it’s easy to travel the distance between the two cities. Whether you want to see the Taj Mahal, do some shopping or see Agra’s other famous sites, there are many ways to get there from Delhi.
Don’t forget travel insurance! It’s always a good idea to carry travel insurance just in case something goes wrong. I really like and use SafetyWing
