Agra, India: travel guide

The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and the red sandstone ghost town of Fatehpur Sikri

Home to the Taj Mahal — the world's most iconic monument to love — as well as Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

About Agra

Few journeys in India are as anticipated as the one to Agra, and the Taj Mahal rarely disappoints. The white marble mausoleum is best seen at dawn, when the light softens and the crowds are thinner, and again from across the Yamuna as the day fades.

Agra Fort, a red sandstone Mughal citadel, and the tomb of Salim Chishti at Fatehpur Sikri round out a strong day or two of sightseeing. Between monuments, the old bazaars offer marble inlay work, leather and the city's famous sweet petha.

Agra suits first-time visitors to India and anyone drawn to Mughal architecture. Winter, from November to February, brings the clearest and most comfortable days.

Country
India
Currency
INR
Time zone
Asia/Kolkata

Last updated

Plan a Agra trip

Top places to visit in Agra

  • Taj Mahal

    mausoleum · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · entry ₹1,100

    UNESCO World Heritage ivory-white marble mausoleum built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (1631–1648) for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. One of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

  • Agra Fort

    mughal-fort · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · entry ₹650

    UNESCO World Heritage red-sandstone Mughal fort and former imperial residence until 1638. Contains Jahangir Mahal, Khas Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas and the Musamman Burj where Shah Jahan was imprisoned.

  • Mehtab Bagh

    garden-viewpoint · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · entry ₹300

    Charbagh Mughal garden on the north bank of the Yamuna, perfectly aligned with the Taj Mahal — the premier spot for sunset views and photography of the Taj.

  • Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj)

    tomb · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · entry ₹310

    Exquisite marble tomb of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, often called the "Baby Taj"; first Mughal structure built entirely of marble with pietra dura inlay, a precursor to the Taj Mahal.

  • Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra

    tomb · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · entry ₹310

    Monumental tomb of Mughal emperor Akbar the Great, set in a vast walled garden roamed by deer and blackbuck; blends red sandstone and white marble.

  • Mankameshwar Temple

    temple · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

    One of four ancient Shiva temples in Agra, believed to be over 800 years old; a major local pilgrimage site especially busy during Shivratri, near Agra Fort railway station.

  • Sadar Bazaar

    shopping · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

    Agra's main shopping and dining hub in the Cantonment, lined with leather goods, handicrafts, sweet shops (petha) and restaurants — a lively evening stroll.

  • Jama Masjid, Agra

    mosque · 4.4 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

    Large 17th-century Mughal congregational mosque built by Shah Jahan's daughter Jahanara Begum, opposite Agra Fort, known for its bold red-sandstone facade and marble inlay.

  • Kinari Bazaar

    old-bazaar · 4.2 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

    Bustling old-city wholesale bazaar near Jama Masjid famous for textiles, jewellery, spices, dry fruits and Mughlai street food in a maze of narrow lanes.

  • Dayalbagh Soami Bagh Samadh

    spiritual-complex · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

    Ongoing white-marble mausoleum of the Radhasoami faith's founder at Dayalbagh, hand-carved by artisans for over a century — a serene, intricately inlaid spiritual complex.

  • Taj Nature Walk

    park · 4.1 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

    Landscaped eco-park and forested trails about 500 m east of the Taj Mahal, offering elevated mounds with framed views of the dome away from the crowds.

  • Chini Ka Rauza

    tomb · 4.2 rating · about 0.5 h · free entry

    Riverside funerary monument of Afzal Khan, a Persian scholar-minister of Shah Jahan, notable for its glazed-tile (chini) Persian-style facade — rare in Mughal India.

Things to do

  • Taj Mahal Sunrise Guided Tour Cultural · 3 h · from INR 1,500 per person
  • Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Full-Day Tour Sightseeing Tour · 8 h · from INR 2,500 per person
  • Mughlai Cooking Class Cooking Class · 3 h · from INR 2,000 per person
  • Mohabbat the Taj — Show at Kalakriti Show · 1.3 h · from INR 600 per person
  • Fatehpur Sikri Day Trip from Agra Day Trip · 5 h · from INR 2,000 per person
  • Mathura-Vrindavan Day Trip Cultural · 10 h · from INR 2,500 per person
  • Taj Mahal Moonlight Viewing Sightseeing · 0.5 h · from INR 1,500 per person
  • Old Agra Heritage Walk Walking Tour · 3 h · from INR 900 per person

Day trips and tours

  • Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Baby Taj Full-Day Tour 8 h · from INR 2,500
  • Taj Mahal Sunrise & Fatehpur Sikri Day Tour 9 h · from INR 3,200
  • Agra Mughal Monuments & Old City Tour 7 h · from INR 2,200

Where to stay in Agra

  • Taj Ganj about INR 2,000 per night

    Area within walking distance of Taj Mahal with budget hotels and local shops

  • Fatehabad Road about INR 3,500 per night

    Mid-range commercial area with good connectivity and comfortable hotels

  • Sadar Bazar about INR 1,500 per night

    Local market area with authentic experience and budget accommodations

Hotels

  • The Oberoi Amarvilas 5-star · INR 45,000 to INR 120,000 per night
  • Khas Mahal Homestay 3-star · INR 2,240 to INR 3,200 per night
  • Hotel Raaj Palace 3-star · INR 2,249 to INR 3,200 per night
  • Ray of Maya near to taj mahal 2-star · INR 2,066 to INR 3,000 per night
  • Hotel La Serene 2-star · INR 923 to INR 1,800 per night
  • ITC Mughal, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa 5-star · INR 12,000 to INR 30,000 per night

Where to eat

  • Pinch of Spice North Indian, Mughlai, Chinese · about INR 900 per person
  • The Salt Cafe Kitchen & Bar Continental, Italian, Indian · about INR 800 per person
  • Sheroes Hangout Cafe, Indian · about INR 200 per person
  • Dasaprakash South Indian, Vegetarian · about INR 500 per person
  • Mama Franky House Street Food, Fast Food, Chinese · about INR 200 per person
  • Peshawri North Indian, North-West Frontier · about INR 3,500 per person
  • Lakshmi Vilas South Indian, Vegetarian · about INR 250 per person
  • Joney's Place Cafe, Indian, Continental · about INR 250 per person

Getting to Agra

Nearest airport: Delhi (DEL), about 177 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.

How visitors arrive in Agra

  • Train to Agra Cantt By train from Delhi · common

    Agra is on the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai lines with regular trains from Delhi, Jaipur, Gwalior and Jhansi; Agra Cantt is the main station. Source: agra.nic.in

  • Road via Yamuna Expressway or NH2 By road from Delhi · common

    Buses and cars come from Delhi, Jaipur, Gwalior, Lucknow and Kanpur; interstate buses use Idgah and ISBT. Source: agra.nic.in

  • Seasonal flight from Delhi to Kheria By air from Delhi · possible

    Kheria airport is seasonal with limited service from Delhi; most visitors continue overland from Delhi. Source: agra.nic.in

From the airport to the centre

  • Taxi from Kheria airport

    A taxi takes you into the city. Source: agra.nic.in

From the railway station to the centre

  • Pre-paid taxi or rickshaw from Agra Cantt

    Pre-paid taxis, autos and cycle rickshaws wait outside to the Taj and Fort area. Source: agra.nic.in

Getting around

  • Auto Rickshaw

    Rickshaws are part of Agra's local para-transit, alongside city buses run by the state road transport corporation.

  • Taxi
  • Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

  • Pre-paid taxi "broken meter"

    Airports, train stations, popular squares

    Driver insists meter is broken, quotes ~3x the fair price; or detours via "shopping" stops earning commission.

    How to avoid it: Use pre-paid taxi counter at airport, or Uber/Ola/Rapido apps. Insist on meter or agree price upfront.

  • Fake "Taj closed today" diversion

    Taj Mahal approach roads & parking

    Touts or rickshaw drivers tell you the Taj is closed, full, or that your gate is shut, then redirect you to a "government" emporium or a costlier gate for commission.

    How to avoid it: Check official timings; only Fridays are closed. Walk to the actual ticket gate and verify yourself.

  • Overpriced "marble" handicraft emporiums

    Sikandra Rd & near Taj

    Guides/drivers steer tourists to specific marble or carpet showrooms where prices are inflated 3-10x and "antique" or "pure marble" claims are false (often soapstone).

    How to avoid it: Buy from fixed-price government emporiums (UP Handicrafts) or compare prices; never feel obliged because a guide brought you.

  • Unofficial guides at the gates

    Taj Mahal & Agra Fort entrances

    People posing as official guides quote a low rate, then demand far more, rush you, and pressure tips/shopping stops.

    How to avoid it: Hire only ASI/UP Tourism licensed guides (ID card) or pre-book; agree the full price in writing first.

  • Free shoe-cover / photo "help"

    Inside Taj complex

    Strangers offer to take your photo or sell mandatory shoe covers (which are free with your ticket), then demand payment.

    How to avoid it: Shoe covers are included free with the foreigner ticket; politely decline unsolicited photo help.

Best time to visit Agra

  • Jan 24°C
  • Feb 28°C
  • Mar 34°C
  • Apr 40°C
  • May 44°C
  • Jun 43°C
  • Jul 37°C
  • Aug 34°C
  • Sep 34°C
  • Oct 34°C
  • Nov 30°C
  • Dec 25°C

More in India

Frequently asked questions about Agra

What are the top-rated places to visit in Agra?
The highest-rated places in our Agra guide are Taj Mahal, Mankameshwar Temple, Dayalbagh Soami Bagh Samadh, Agra Fort, Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra.
Where should I stay in Agra?
Our guide covers these areas to stay in Agra: Taj Ganj, Fatehabad Road, Sadar Bazar.
How do I get around Agra?
Ways to get around Agra covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Taxi, Walking.
What scams should I watch out for in Agra?
Scams reported to us for Agra include Pre-paid taxi "broken meter"; Fake "Taj closed today" diversion; Overpriced "marble" handicraft emporiums. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
What is the weather like in Agra?
Average daytime highs in Agra run from 24°C in Jan to 44°C in May.
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