Independent Day Trip to Taj Mahal & Agra Fort from Delhi by Train

There are several train stations in Delhi operate trains to Agra. Make sure which station you will get to avoid any trouble when travelling. Hereunder we would like to offer some train schedules for your reference:

► How to buy the train tickets:
Book online: It is better to book the tickets in advance to guarantee the availability, especially for long journeys. Search online and find a big website to do it. The official booking website is not recommended since the procedure is rather complicated and you also need an Indian telephone No. for the verification code. Book through an agency with a small fee is acceptable and will be convenient for your possible change. You may contact your hotel for help with the train tickets bookings. They may charge a service fee.

The short-distance tickets can be bought when you are at the train station. Tell the staff where you want to go and they will issue the tickets for you on the correct date. If just in case the tickets are sold out, you can try to find the International Tourist Bureau at New Delhi railway station, they may have some vacancies for foreigners even the tickets are sold out for Indians.

► How to find the International Tourist Bureau:

Enter the train station from Paharganj side, turn left a little bit and climb up the stairs, you can see it. It located somewhere between the first and the second floor.

► How to take a train:
New Delhi railway station is the busiest railway station in India. About 400 trains start, end or pass through the station every day, handling 500000 passengers through 16 platforms every day. So we suggest you get to the train station at least 1 hours in advance to find the correct platform.

Indian Railways provide display boards on the platforms, they are small digital screens over your heads, show the train number and coach position. Please find the correct waiting area based on the coach number on your ticket, and then get your seat after boarding.

Take the earliest train from New Delhi if you prefer to finish the tour in one day. And there are many tuktuk cars available outside of the Agra train station.

Agra is an old city that has always been prosperous because it served as the capital of the Mughal Empire for centuries and it is a popular tourist destination in India now. Start your visit by visiting two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Taj Mahal and Agra Fort as well as the Tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah.

Visit Taj Mahal firstly, which is the most popular attraction of India. The main mausoleum was built by white marbles entirely, making it looks pure and holy. The Koran on the wall was carved skillfully as the scripts become smaller gradually from top to the bottom, so that you can see it in the same size for the visual effect. Taj Mahal is a world wonder known for not only the excellent architectural marvel, but also the beautiful love legend of its owner, Mughal Emperor Shan Jahan and his empress. Its natural beauty is charming as well, especially the reflection of the architecture on the pool. At different times of the day, you may witness the varying images.

Agra Fort, once the royal palace of Mughal Empire, is wholly in red on the lush hill, highlighted and magnificent. The Taj Mahal is glorious, but the Agra Fort is antique with more than 500 remarkable buildings. You will certainly be impressed for both the outer appearance and the inner decorations. It began to be constructed when the Great Akbar was on power, who made a significant contribution to the development of the country, thus he was regarded as the greatest Mughal emperor in history. Since then, several successors extended Agra Fort continuously. The unfading murals and stone carvings make the archaic palace seem to be completely new.

At last, you will visit Tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah, the mausoleum for Mirza Ghiyas Be who was awarded the title of "Pillar of the states". When you step into the main gate, you will see the white marble tomb stands on a square pedestal, looks similar with the Taj Mahal, which makes it nicknamed as Baby Taj. Although similar in the outer appearance and smaller in size, Tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah is much more dedicate. Less crowded, you can appreciate this masterpiece at ease.

After the visits, take the tuktul once again to Agra Cantt back to New Delhi. There are several trains can fit your schedule: 12137 18:05/ 20:55, 12687 18:10/ 21:35, 12279 08:20/ 21:05, the last one is 11057 23:55/ 03:19 +1. Those trains all leave from Agra Cantt and arrive at New Delhi station.