Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₹400–1,000 | ₹2,000–4,000 |
| Food | ₹200–400 | ₹500–1,000 |
| Transport | ₹100–300 | ₹400–800 |
| Activities | ₹600–1,100 | ₹1,200–2,000 |
| Drinks | ₹50–100 | ₹200–400 |
| Daily Total | ₹1,350–2,900 | ₹4,300–8,200 |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Visa & Entry
- Most nationalities need an e-Visa — apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in at least 4 days before travel. Cost: $10–25 USD
- Fly into Delhi (DEL) and take Gatimaan Express to Agra (1h40m). Or fly into Agra (AGR) — limited but growing flight connections
- Keep printouts of e-Visa, hotel bookings, and travel insurance. Agra train station has prepaid auto-rickshaw counters to avoid scams
Health & Safety
- Recommended vaccines: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus. Tap water is NOT safe — always drink bottled (₹20) or filtered water
- Agra has aggressive touts near the Taj — ignore anyone offering "free tours" or claiming monuments are "closed today." Walk past firmly
- Summer (Apr–Jun) exceeds 45°C in Agra — the Taj marble can burn feet. Winter mornings (Dec–Jan) can be foggy with limited visibility
Getting Around
- Delhi–Agra: Gatimaan Express (₹755, 1h40m) or Shatabdi Express (₹550, 2h). Book on IRCTC app weeks ahead
- Within Agra: auto-rickshaws are the main transport. Agree on price first. Typical Taj to Fort: ₹80. Station to Taj: ₹100
- Agra–Jaipur: trains (4–5h, ₹300–700) or buses. Delhi–Jaipur: Vande Bharat Express (3.5h) or Shatabdi Express (4.5h)
Connectivity
- Get a SIM at Delhi airport — Airtel or Jio, ₹500–700 for 28 days with data. Activation can take 24 hours
- Taj Mahal has no WiFi inside. Most Agra hotels and restaurants have WiFi. Delhi has strong 4G/5G coverage everywhere
- Google Maps, IRCTC app (train bookings), Ola/Uber (Delhi), and WhatsApp are essential travel apps
Money
- Cards work at hotels and restaurants. Cash needed for monuments, autos, street food, and markets. Carry ₹1,000–2,000 daily
- ATMs in Agra: SBI near Sadar Bazaar, HDFC on Fatehabad Road. Delhi has ATMs everywhere. Withdraw in ₹500 notes
- Tipping: ₹50–100 at restaurants. ₹100–200 for monument guides. Round up auto fares. Taj Mahal shoe-cover attendants expect ₹20
Packing Tips
- Modest clothing for mosques and temples — cover shoulders and knees. Remove shoes at religious sites. Carry a scarf
- Comfortable walking shoes for fort climbs and cobbled streets. Sandals for easy removal at monuments. Sunhat essential in summer
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, refillable water bottle with filter, and hand sanitiser. Power bank for long days of photography
Cultural tips
Mosque Etiquette
The Taj Mahal is a functioning mosque on Fridays (closed to tourists). Remove shoes at all mosques including Fatehpur Sikri's Jama Masjid. Dress modestly — cover shoulders and knees. Free robes are available at some entrances.
Dealing with Touts
Agra has India's most persistent touts. "The Taj is closed" is always a lie. "I'll show you a shortcut" leads to a shop. Walk past firmly with a polite "no thank you." Never engage in conversation with strangers near monuments.
Photography
Tripods are technically not allowed inside the Taj Mahal complex but phone selfie sticks are fine. Don't photograph military installations. Ask before photographing people. Drone photography is strictly illegal at all monuments.
Food Culture
Eat with your right hand if eating without cutlery. Agra's Mughlai cuisine is its heritage — try seekh kebabs, biryani, and petha sweets. Vegetarian food is widely available. Don't offer beef to Hindus or pork to Muslims.
Bargaining
Expect to haggle at all markets — start at 30% of asking price. Marble inlay souvenirs vary wildly in quality and price. Government emporiums have fixed prices. Never feel pressured — walk away and the price drops.
Sacred Spaces
The Taj Mahal is Mumtaz Mahal's tomb — show respect in the main chamber. Don't shout, play music, or sit on the marble platform. Walk clockwise at Hindu temples. Remove shoes at all Sufi shrines and tie a wish-thread at Salim Chishti's tomb.
