If you are planning your first visit in India, this Agra itinerary is for you. With just one or two days in Agra you have enough time to visit the highlights of the city and of course the Taj Mahal. Visit the Agra Fort, experience sunrise at the Taj Mahal and see the ‘Baby Taj’ and Emperor Akbar’s Mausoleum.
Here are all the details to plan a perfect two day visit to Agra including the sights to see, how to get around Agra, where to stay and how to plan your time.
- About Agra
- What is it like visiting?
- How long do you need?
- What is the best time to visit?
- Do you recommend a guide?
- Summary – 2-Day Agra Itinerary
- Details – 2-Day Agra Itinerary
– Day 1 – in Agra
– Day 2 – in Agra - Best way to get to Agra?
- Getting around in Agra
- Where to stay in Agra
About Agra
Agra is the one place that every traveller inevitably makes it to at some stage during their journey in the subcontinent.
Obviously for most, it is the iconic wonder of the Taj Mahal that is the main draw. However, as fabulous as it is in person there is more to this city of the Taj than just the hype of the one site…
- Read about the other best things to do in Agra (besides the Taj Mahal).
What is it like visiting Agra? Is it over-touristy?
It is a fabulously historic part of India with an iconic Wonder of the World, a magnificent fort and other legacies of the Mughal empire. It’s assumed (fairly) that it is a busy city in India to visit. But if you have time to take a rickshaw and dodge the enthusiastic touts beelining any tourist in sight outside the Taj Mahal, there are some unique and lesser-visited other things to do in Agra.
The Baby Taj is one of our favourite spots and every time it’s a surprisingly quiet place in Agra to wander and wonder and just take it all in.
It is extremely busy at the Taj Mahal and even when you try to beat the crowds and visit at sunrise. But still, the wonder is undeniable and the crowds genuinely don’t dampen any of that awe!
How long do you need? Is a 1- or 2- day Agra itinerary enough?
I would say yes. Absolutely. With one day in Agra and one night you can arrive, see the Agra Fort and wake up to sunrise at the Taj Mahal before checking out and heading onwards.
However, we recommend the best Agra itinerary is for two days and two nights which means no time is wasted and you can truly see everything this city has to offer.
With a two-day Agra itinerary, you can see the fort, Jama Masjid, Taj Mahal and viewpoint, Baby Taj, Akbar’s Tomb and the bustling bazaars too.
What is the best time of year to plan your Agra itinerary?
In north India, the summer months of May and June can be unbearably hot during the day to travel. Weather-wise though, for clear skies, air quality and photographs with lesser tourist numbers at the Taj Mahal, this is the best time to visit.
July and August are also hot for travel to Agra, and it is notoriously the monsoon (wet) season in India. But at this time of year there is often afternoon downpours of rain.
The winter months from November to February are the coolest temperature for travel anywhere in India. Accordingly, this is the main tourist season.
The winter months are considered the best time to visit the Taj Mahal with daytime temperatures ranging from 8°C to 20°C (46°F to 68°F).
However, there is often heavy morning fog at sunrise in winter and I have to honest that the air quality (especially in November) at this time of year can be horrendous.
The months of November and December are the crop burning season for farmers in Uttar Pradesh and this coupled with the heavy pollution in the cities makes the air quality smoggy.
Usually the fog is worse in the mornings though optimistically it does make the Taj Mahal atmospheric in winter.
But despite sog potential this is the most popular time of year to travel in India and so with the cooler weather comes larger crowds. This is a busy time to visit the Taj Mahal.
If you have flexibility, we reckon September and October or in March and April is the best time to plan your Agra itinerary with lighter crowds and reasonable temperatures.
Do you recommend a guide or tour for this Agra itinerary?
No. For this Agra itinerary it is based on getting around by taxi and driver or auto rickshaw (we use rickshaws to get around) independently.
At the Taj Mahal there are registered official guides by the entrance with a set government fee for their services to guide you around the site.
The fees are fixed, and this is definitely the cheapest option for a guided tour if you are not already traveling India on a tour.
Summary – 2- Day Agra Itinerary
First up here is a summary of what to see with 1 – 2 days in Agra.
DAY 1 – Agra
- Arrival
- Agra Fort
- Jama Masjid
- Kinari Bazaar
DAY 2 – Agra
- Taj Mahal (sunrise)
- Breakfast
- Baby Taj
- Akbar’s Tomb
- Taj Yamuna Viewpoint
This is a busy 2-day Agra itinerary, but you can easily slow it down by stretching it to two full days and staying an extra night if you have the time.
In that way, the day of your arrival to Agra would actually not be counted and you could start exploring on the next complete day.
Detailed 2-Day Agra Itinerary
Here is the complete Agra itinerary with details for each day, sites and stops to see.
This itinerary is based on the ‘Golden Triangle’ and starts from your arrival to Agra from either Delhi or Jaipur.
DAY 1 – 2-Day Agra Itinerary
Day 1 of this Agra itinerary starts some time from midday or in the early afternoon with arrival to Agra.
If you are traveling by car and driver from Delhi to Agra or getting the train from Jaipur to Agra, the chances are you will arrive at this time of day. Which ultimately means you have really have 1.5 days for your Agra itinerary.
- Read about getting the train from Jaipur to Agra.
Stop 1 – Arrival to Agra
On arrival to Agra head straight to your accommodation and check in, get settled and refreshed for an afternoon out.
Stop 2 – Agra Fort
Get an auto rickshaw from your accommodation and head out to see the famous Agra Fort.
This is a deliberate first stop on your Agra itinerary as from the fort you will not only get an introduction to the Mughal history but also a first glimpse of the Taj Mahal.
The fort was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty till 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. Today the fort is a well preserved and restored masterpiece of Mughal architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From the fort it is only 2.5 km to the Taj Mahal. The emperor, Shah Jahan, who commissioned the construction of the Taj Mahal in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, was later imprisoned in the Fort by his son Aurangzeb.
Stop 3 – Agra Shahi Jama Masjid
Head next to the historic Agra Jama Masjid just near the fort.
It is a 17th-century congregational mosque in the old city and is one of the largest mosques in India.
- Entry Fee: Free. But camera and phone photography is chargeable at 30 INR.
- Timings: 7 AM – 12 PM and 1.30 PM – 6.30 PM
- Distance: Close to city centre – 1.5km (5 minutes)
- Read how to visit Jama Masjid in New Delhi and things to know about visiting a mosque in India.
Stop 4 – Kinari Bazar
Depending on how long you spend at the Fort this afternoon you can opt to head next to the bustling Kinari Bazar for a wander (even a short stroll is plenty to take in the atmosphere) or take a rickshaw back to your accommodation.
Kinari Bazar is one of the oldest and most visited markets in Agra and is a truly local style of Indian market.
Stop 5 – Dinner
Head back to your guesthouse for a homecooked meal to end a busy first afternoon on your Agra itinerary.
- Tip: We always stay at Aman Homestay in Agra every time we visit (we stay here with our Group Trips too) and host Mum, Ranjana makes a delicious local dinner!
DAY 2 – 2-Day Agra Itinerary
Stop 1 – Sunrise at the Taj Mahal
This is hands down the best time of day to visit the Taj Mahal. In real life it truly is breathtaking.
Book an auto rickshaw through your accommodation in Agra and check the time for sunrise the day before. Have your rickshaw pick you up and take you to the Taj and wait while you visit. It generally takes around 2 – 3 hours to visit in the morning.
- Entry Fee: 1300 INR for foreigners. Entry for children below 15 years is FREE.
- Timings: Sunrise – sunset
- Distance: Close to city centre and easy by rickshaw or in walking distance from some hotels.
- Read everything you need to know to plan the best visit to the Taj Mahal.
Stop 2 – Breakfast
The timing after sunrise at the Taj Mahal is perfect for a homecooked breakfast back at your guesthouse.
Stop 3 – I’timad-ud-Daulah / The Baby Taj
Once you have enjoyed a relaxing breakfast back at your accommodation take some time to relax before heading out by auto rickshaw again for the afternoon.
This time take the rickshaw to see the famous Baby Taj, I’timad-ud-Daulah.
The exquisite tomb of Mizra Ghiyas Beg is nicknamed the Baby Taj. Like the Taj Mahal, it is also a mausoleum.
The Baby Taj was built by Nur Jahan, the wife of emperor Shah Jahangir, for her father, Mizra Ghiyas Beg (later known as I’timad-ud-Daulah) in 1622.
It was built around 10 years prior to the Taj Mahal. Gavin rates this as his favourite site in Agra – aside from the Taj Mahal – because it is so peaceful; and it’s stunning!
The connection between the Baby Taj and the Taj Mahal is well displayed in a small museum just by the entrance.
- Entry Fee: 300 INR per person; children under 15 FREE
- Timings: Sunrise – sunset
- Distance: Close to city centre – 5km (15 minutes by auto rickshaw)
Stop 4 – Akbar’s Tomb
Continue by auto rickshaw further out from the city to see the historic tomb of Emperor Akbar. This is another of the sites that further pieces together the puzzle and love story of the Taj Mahal.
Emperor Akbar reigned from 1556 to 1605 and extended Mughal power over most of the Indian subcontinent. Akbar was the grandfather of Shah Jahan, the emperor who built the Taj Mahal.
Akbar’s Mausoleum is at Sikandra, about 10km northwest of the city.
- Entry Fee: 250 INR per person; children under 15 FREE.
- Timings: Sunrise – Sunset
- Distance: 10 km from city centre
Stop 4 – Taj Yamuna ADA View Point
From Akbar’s tomb head back towards the city for the next stop and to admire the Taj Mahal from a different perspective.
The ADA Taj Yamuna View Point is on the opposite bank of the Yamuna and offers good sunset views of Taj Mahal with a few bench seats above the river.
There is also a garden near the river though the viewpoint offers better views of the Taj for a much cheaper entrance price.
- Entry Fee: 50 INR
- Timings: Sunrise – Sunset
- Distance: Close to city centre – 5.5km (10 – 15 minutes by auto rickshaw)
Stop 5 – Indian Cooking Class
If you have time (and energy) left at the end of this busy Agra itinerary, this is a good opportunity to join in an Indian cooking class and make dinner back at your homestay.
Otherwise relax on the rooftop with views to the Taj before enjoying a homecooked (by someone else!) meal to finish.
Have longer than 1 – 2 days for your Agra itinerary?
There are a few more sites to see if you have longer on your Agra itienarry.
- Metab Bagh Garden
- Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani
- Chini Ka Rauza / Tomb of Persian Scholar
- Sadar Bazar
If you are travelling India with a car and driver on the Golden Triangle it is well worth a stop at Fatehpur Sikri, a small historic city and UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Emperor Akbar.
- Read more about the other things to do in Agra.
How to get to Agra from Delhi
Delhi, Jaipur and Agra – and the Taj Mahal – are part of India’s popular ‘Golden Triangle’ itinerary. These are India’s most visited tourist destinations and hence the city of Agra is well connected by road, rail and air.
To get from Delhi to Agra by road takes around 3.5 hours. It is common and easy to book a driver or tour from Delhi to Agra and the Taj Mahal and onwards to Jaipur. And there are also options to book a day trip from Delhi to visit the Taj Mahal.
- Delhi to Agra: 3 hr 37 min (242.9 km)
- Jaipur to Agra: 4 hr 12 min (238.1 km)
There are daily trains departing regularly from Delhi to Agra. The local trains take between 3 – 4 hours.
The fastest daily train is the Gatimaan Express which departs from Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM) Railway Station in New Delhi arriving to Agra Cantt (AGC) in just 1 hour 40 minutes.
- SUGGESTED TRAIN
Delhi to Agra
#12050 GATIMAAN EXPRESS
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun*
Departs 8:10am from New Delhi (HZM)
Arrives 9:50am to Agra Cantt (AGC)
*Note the Gatimaan Express does not operate on a Friday.
- Read all about taking the train Delhi to Agra or return by train from Agra to Delhi.
- Book the train from Delhi to Agra online with 12GoAsia.
How to get to Agra from Jaipur
There are also daily trains departing regularly from Jaipur to Agra.
- SUGGESTED TRAIN
Jaipur to Agra
#22987 AII AGRA FORT SF EXPRESS
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
Departs 8:10am from Jaipur (JP)
Arrives 12:45pm to Agra Fort (AF)
It is easy to arrange a pick-up from the train station on arrival and transfer to your accommodation.
- Read about trains in India, choosing a train and class of travel and how to book and travel by train from Jaipur to Agra.
- Book the train from Jaipur to Agra online with 12GoAsia.com.
Transport in and getting around within Agra
The easiest way to get to around for your Agra itinerary and to visit the Taj Mahal and other things to do in Agra once you are already here is by auto rickshaw or taxi.
We always stay at Aman Homestay which is just a short ride to the Taj Mahal by rickshaw.
Agra Fort and the Baby Taj are easily doable by rickshaw too. And even Akbar’s Tomb is fine by rickshaw, though more expensive to get to as it is further out of town.
Booking an auto rickshaw and driver for 1 or 2 days for your Agra itinerary is a friendly and convenient way to get around and can easily be booked through your accommodation host.
- Tip: We organised a rickshaw through our accommodation to take us to all the stops on our Agra itinerary and wait for us at each stop.
Where to stay in Agra near the Taj Mahal
These are the hotels in Agra near the Taj Mahal that we use and can recommend for your Agra itinerary.
- Agra / Budget-Mid: Aman Homestay
Very friendly family-run homestay with rooftop views of The Taj Mahal. Great rickshaw driver service and home cooked meals. We stay here with our Group Trips to India.
- Agra / Budget-Mid: The Coral House Homestay by the Taj
Located only 700 metres from Taj Mahal with a relaxing homestay feel and comfortable common areas. A great dinner and breakfast option. We enjoyed staying here.
- Agra / Mid-Luxury: Hotel Taj Resorts
Beautiful resort style accommodation only 600 metres from the Taj. Enjoy the incredible restaurant on-site and refreshing swimming pool.
Read more about travel in North India
- Epic 10 Day Rajasthan Itinerary
- Things to do in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
- What to see in Jaisalmer Fort
- Local desert cuisine and the food to try in Jaisalmer
- Getting the bus from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur or Bikaner
- Overnight train Delhi to Jaisalmer
- Taking the train Jaipur to Jaisalmer
- Leaving Jaisalmer to Jaipur (and Jodhpur too) by overnight train
- Choosing the best camel safari in Jaisalmer
More about planning for travel in India and beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in India.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have insurance before embarking on your Agra itinerary!
