full view of Taj Mahal from an able with tree on right side and a cloudy sky

Delhi to Agra Distance and Best Travel Options 2025

disclaimer

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. You can easily buy your train tickets in Delhi.

Front view of Taj Mahal in daylight, with crowds of visitors on left and long pool of water flanked by rows of small trees down the middle
The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site

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.

A man in red shirt walking down the aisle of a train with a big basket of chocolate bars on his shoulder
You’ll never starve on an Indian train

Best Delhi to Agra trains:

  • 12050 Gatiman Express: This is the fastest train, it makes the trip in 1 hr 40 min. It departs Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station (NZM) every morning at 8:10 am and arrives in Agra at 9:50 am. It doesn’t run on Friday when the Taj Mahal is closed.
  • 12002 New Delhi – Rani Kamlapati (HabibGanj) Shatabdi Express: This is a good option if you’re doing Agra as a day trip. The train leaves early at 6:00 am from New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) and pulls into Agra at 7:50 am. You’ll be able to get to the Taj Mahal before it gets crowded.
  • 20172 Hazrat Nizamuddin – Rani Kamlapati (Habibganj) Vande Bharat Express: This is a great train if you want an afternoon departure and plan to stay overnight in Agra. It leaves Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station (NZM) at 2:20 pm and arrives in Agra at 4:20 pm. It doesn’t operate on Saturday.
  • 12156 Shaan-E-Bhopal SF Express: If you want to spend the whole day in Delhi, this train is the best option. It departs Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station (NZM) at 8:40 pm and arrives in Agra at 10:38 pm. It does the trip in just under 2 hours.

👍 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!

Tomb of Itimad-ud-daulah, often called the Baby Taj, in Agra
The tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, known as the Baby Taj, is also in Agra

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).

dog traveling on state bus in India - a bus is the cheapest way to travel the distance from Delhi to Agra
My dog travelling on an Indian state bus – dogs aren’t allowed on the private buses

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.

An Indian girl standing on a bench with Taj Mahal in background and many people around. The distance from Delhi to Agra is not far - you should go early to avoid the crowds like this.
The earlier you can get to the Taj Mahal, the better – it gets busier as the day goes on

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:

Imperal Hotel in Delhi ladies only room with bed with colourful robe laid out, one of the best places to stay in Delhi before travelling the distance to Agra
One of the nice things about the Imperial, Delhi is the dedicated female only rooms (image credit the Imperial, Delhi)

➡️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:

large guest room with yellow accent wall and king size bed, wooden floors at Ekaa Villa in Agra
Ekaa Villa is one of the most loved hotels in Agra (image credit Ekaa Villa)

➡️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

What is the best way to travel to Agra from Delhi?

The best way to get to Agra from Delhi is by train. There are many daily trains, including fast speed trains.

What is the fastest train from Delhi to Agra?

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.

Can you do a day trip from Delhi to Agra?

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.

How much does it cost to travel from Delhi to Agra?

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

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

Share on Social:

Similar Posts