With the presence of world famous, historic monuments like the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort, the city of Agra attracts large numbers of both domestic and international tourists. For most overseas visitors, a trip to Agra, to experience the sublime beauty of the Taj is a must-do. The city is well connected by varied means of transport and this has increased its popularity.
Our Agra transportation guide below will tell you all you need to know about travelling to and getting around Agra. A simple and efficient way of seeing all the major sights is by taking a tour in Agra. We also have general transport information if you want to know more about travelling to and around India.
Agra Transportation Guide
[read more] Getting To Agra
By Road
A good network of roads connects Agra to the principal cities of North India. The neighbouring states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, which are tourist attractions themselves, are not too far away. The temple town of Mathura is 56 km away by road, while New Delhi, the national capital, is only 203 km away. The major tourist hub of Jaipur lies 237 km to the north-west. All these cities are linked to Agra by regular bus services operated by the state as well as private bus companies. The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) operates bus services linking Agra to all the towns in the state. Driving down to Agra from Delhi is a good option. However, while the road is excellent, traffic on the Delhi-Agra sector is heavy and it can take you a little over four hours to cover the distance.
By Train
A comfortable option is to take a train to Agra. Tickets can be booked online. Among the six railway stations in Agra, the largest is the Agra Cantonment station. It has an information centre. Trains from the cities of Gwalior, New Delhi and Jhansi stop here. It is right in the heart of the city, with good hotels close by.
Being on the main broad gauge line connecting Delhi with Mumbai, several long distance trains stop here. Fast trains from Chennai in the south and Calcutta in the east halt at Agra on their way to Delhi and beyond. The Shatabdi Express, departing from New Delhi at 6 am reaches Agra by about 9 am. The return trip takes you back to Delhi by about 8.15 pm.
By Air
Currently, Agra lacks an international flight terminal. However, an international airport project is on the cards, which should be operational in about three years. Until then the nearest international airport is in New Delhi, about 200 kms away. Agra is also connected by air with other cities on the tourist circuit like Varanasi and Khajuraho.Flights from these cities operate four days a week. It is advisable to book ahead during the peak tourist season.
By Boat
Though Agra is situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, boat travel is not an option.
Getting Around Agra
By Taxis and Auto-rickshaws
Within Agra you can use taxis or the ubiquitous auto-rickshaws to get around. Auto-rickshaws rarely charge by the meter, and the normal practice is to bargain and fix the fare before the ride to save any later unpleasantness. Taxis can be hired for a round trip to the historic sites of Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra and back. Auto-rickshaws can be hired for the whole day and will take you to the Taj and other monuments within the city. They're most convenient to negotiate small alleys and lanes in the older parts of the city.
To keep pollution in check, all automobiles are prohibited from getting close to the Taj. Electric buses and tempos run at regular intervals to carry tourists close to the complex. For an old world experience, you can hire a horse carriage or tonga.
By Car
While Delhi is only 200 kms away, driving to Agra will easily take four hours as traffic is often heavy.
By Walking
Walk along the twisting lanes of Agra to imbibe the colours and sounds of this old city. Agra is an eclectic mixture of the old and the new and browsing through the innumerable souvenir shops and inhaling the aroma of street food is a delightful experience.
