Delhi to Agra Distance and Best Travel Options 2026
Because the Taj Mahal is located in Agra, it is one of the most visited cities in India. The distance from Delhi to Agra is 220 km, and it’s one of the busiest routes in the country.
I’ve travelled to Agra from Delhi 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 from Delhi. Keep in mind the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
How To Get From Delhi To Agra
There are several ways to cover the distance from Delhi to Agra. You can take a train, bus, or hire a car and driver. I’ve done them all, and will give you my honest opinion about each one.
Train – The Best Way
The best way to travel 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 buy train tickets on MakeMyTrip, but they charge a service fee and don’t list all the options.
Here’s how to buy train tickets in Delhi.
Prices vary depending on train and class of seat, but executive class on the Gatiman Express, the fastest train, is INR 2300 ($24.00 USD). You can get seats for much less in the lower classes on slower trains.
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.
5 Best Delhi to Agra trains:
- Gatiman Express: The fastest train, it makes the trip in 1 hr 56 min. It departs Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station (NZM) every morning at 8:10 am and arrives in Agra at 10:06 am. It doesn’t run on Friday when the Taj Mahal is closed.
- Hazrat Nizamuddin–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express: Equally as fast as Gatiman Express, but leaves earlier at 6:00 am from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station (NZM) and arrives in Agra at 7:56 am. Less expensive than the Gatiman Express. It doesn’t run on Monday.
- New Delhi – Rani Kamlapati (Habibganj) Shatabdi Express: Good option if you’re doing Agra as a day trip and prefer to leave from Central Delhi. The train leaves early at 6:00 am from New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) and pulls into Agra at 7:57 am.
- 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 2:40 pm and arrives in Agra at 4:36 pm. It doesn’t operate on Saturday.
- 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 10:40 pm.
Scams to Avoid at the Delhi Train Stations
These both happened to me, that’s why I’m telling you. I’m sure there’s more ingenious scammers too. Just give yourself plenty of time so you’re not rushed and can check the status of your train and find the platform on your own.
Do not let a porter grab your suitcase or show you your train and seat. He will demand and expect an exorbitant tip.
Ignore any official looking (but fake) official outside of the train station that demands to see your ticket and then tells you it’s not authentic. These touts set up outside the train stations.
Hired Car & Driver – 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 help with your luggage. Just don’t let your driver take you to restaurants or shops he recommends. He will get a kickback for this.
Hiring a Car 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 ($31.00 USD). Uber in Delhi has intercity options.
Hiring a Car 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).
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 Agra buses leave from Kashmiri Gate ISBT in Delhi, which is a busy, chaotic bus terminal. Some buses drop off 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 You Can’t Fly from Delhi to Agra
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.
What to See in Agra
Besides the Taj Mahal, there are a couple of other sites that are worth seeing in Agra.
Agra is not what I consider an atmospheric or lovely city, so my suggestion is to see the sites and leave. You can shop for in-lay marble work (Agra is famous for this), but prices are inflated for tourists.
You can buy tickets in advance for all of these sites on the Archeological Survey of India website.
- Taj Mahal (UNESCO): India’s most breathtaking monument. The Taj Mahal is not a palace, it is a mausoleum. It was built by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan for his favourite wife in 1648. Go early – it gets very crowded (and hot) in the afternoons. Closed Fridays.
- Agra Fort (UNESCO): The most important historical site after the Taj Mahal. This was the main residence of the Mughal rulers until 1638 when the capital moved to Delhi. Shah Jahan was imprisoned here for the last years of his life.
- Etimad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb: Often called the Baby Taj. It’s a beautiful mausoleum that is meant to look like a jewel box. It was the first tomb in India to be built of white marble. It was completed in 1628.
- Mehtab Bagh: This is park directly across the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan called this a moonlit garden and would come here to gaze at the Taj Mahal.
How to Get Around Agra
Agra is a lot smaller than Delhi, you can easily get around using Uber or auto rickshaws. Uber is reliable and cheap in India. When using auto rickshaws it’s best to agree on the price before you get in.
There is a metro system, but it’s still under construction and only part of it is operational.
Where To Stay in Agra
Agra is the top tourist destination in India and there are lots of hotels. You will pay more to be closer to the Taj Mahal, but for a once in a lifetime trip it might be worth it.
These are my top picks in terms of value for money, proximity to the Taj Mahal and customer service:
- The Oberoi Amarvilas (luxury): The most luxurious hotel in Agra. Fantastic location only 600 metres from the Taj Mahal, and every guest room has a view of it. Oberoi is my favourite Indian luxury hotel chain – they are incredible. Complimentary transfers to the Taj.
- Ekaa Villa (mid-range): A lovely boutique hotel with spacious rooms. It’s just 4 km to the Taj Mahal, so you can get there in a few minutes by auto rickshaw. Restaurant on site.
- Coral Court Homestay (budget): This homestay is excellent value. It’s only 700 metres from the Taj Mahal and has views of the Taj from the rooftop. Rooms are large, comfortable and very clean. A homemade breakfast is included.
Last Words 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.
