Away With The Steiners

Taking the train from Delhi to Agra or back from Agra to Delhi with confidence.

Sarah Steiner

Wondering how to get from Delhi to Agra? Or debating whether to book a train Agra to Delhi? I admit we might be somewhat bias after months of traveling all around India by rail.  But we reckon taking a train journey in India is a must-do experience. 

The following is our very (honest) review and blog about train travel in India including everything you need to know for the train Agra to Delhi and return. 

Options for travel between Delhi and Agra

Delhi and Agra are both cities in India’s famous Golden Triangle itinerary and are two of the most famous destinations for travellers to India.  As well as for travellers, the route from Delhi to Agra is also a busy journey for domestic travellers moving between the two cities. 

For visitors, there are several options to get from Delhi to Agra and return: 

If you have a pre-arranged tour in North India you will likely be assigned a driver for your itinerary on arrival to Delhi airport.  It costs around $100 – 150 per day for a private car and driver for your India travel in and around the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur).  Or it is easy to book a local driver (without guide) through your accommodation for the daytime trip. 

There are local buses and tourist buses from Delhi to Agra.  You can book these through your accommodation provider the day before travel. 

However, we might be bias as we love the adventure and experience of taking a train in India.  We reckon the best way to travel is by train from Delhi to Agra and return by train Agra to Delhi. 

Here is everything you need to know about making the journey by train. 

Train travel between Delhi and Agra

There are in fact around 24 trains that run from Delhi to Agra on a daily basis!

It is a convenient way to travel between the two cities and it is one of the most popular train routes in India.  But there are differing services with some super-fast daytime trains and some that depart during the night and travel very slowly. 

Indian Railways how to book trains in India blog.
Taking the train in India is one for the bucketlist, right? 

Options by train Delhi to Agra

To keep options simple (it is actually easy), these are the fast daytime trains from Delhi to Agra that connect the two cities. 

Note that the Vande Bharat trains and the Gatimaan Express trains operate six days out of seven. 

On board the Vande Bharat Express train in India looks like you could almost be anywhere in the world right?

Options by train Agra to Delhi 

These are the main and fastest daytime options for the train Agra to Delhi.

Note the Vande Bharat does not operate this route on Sunday.  And the Gatimaan Express train Agra to Delhi does not operate on Friday. 

Which train to choose? 

Traveling by train from Delhi to Agra we would recommend either of the seated highspeed trains: 

These trains arrive to Agra at the most convenient time of day.  It is slightly tricky arriving to Agra early in the morning as you will likely be too early to check in to your accommodation.  We recommend the Vande Bharat afternoon train Delhi to Agra. 

For the train Agra to Delhi the most convenient departure time is the afternoon (so you have time to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise!). 

Each of these options from Delhi to Agra and the trains Agra to Delhi cover the distance in less than two hours. 

Our (honest) review of travel by train in India

I reckon that you can’t go to India and not experience train travel at least somewhere in the subcontinent.  It really is an amazing way to see the country!  

I’ve lost count of how many train journeys we have made in all directions around India in the last few years.  It is absolutely one of the highlights of our India Group Trips.  And from Delhi to Agra or return by train Agra to Delhi takes less than two hours.  It is a convenient way to make this part of the journey to either start or complete your India itinerary in the capital. 

And truly?  It isn’t half as bad as you might be imagining or worrying.  Albeit we come from New Zealand and before setting off to travel fulltime over five years ago now, we hardly had ridden trains!  There isn’t a subway in New Zealand and there isn’t really much public transport by railway.  So we find train travel in India extra-exciting! 

But it is nothing like you might be imagining of riding on the roof with crowds of locals.  There are millions of passengers that travel every day in India by train.  And especially the high speed and Express trains make it a comfortable way to travel.   

Give or take a few chapati and potentially any cows congesting the railway stations, and you could – almost – be anywhere in the world!

Buying tickets for the train to Agra 

Trains in India get booked out in advance.  After all, there are literally millions of people traveling on India Railways every day!  If you are booked on a tour and have a travel agent or booking contact in India it will be easier to book through them ahead of time.  

Otherwise there are three options for you to book and buy tickets independently:

With the IRCTC website you really need to have an Indian phone number to log in which is tricky from overseas.  The easiest option is with 12GOAsia. 

Classes of train travel in India

There are eight different classes of train travel in India and each class has a different code.  

These are the classes listed below in descending order according of price per fare. 

However, the decision of which class to take for the route and trains Agra to Delhi is more straight forward as not all these classes are available on every train.  

It’s easy to know this Sleeper Class (SL) is non-air-conditioned because there are no windows on the carriage. Choose a train class with AC! 
An AC First Class (1A) cabin with fixed doors and even stairs up to the top bunk. 

Classes of travel on the trains between Delhi and Agra

The highspeed (Vande Bharat) and fast trains (Express) between Delhi and Agra have only seated classes of travel: 

There are similar seated classes on the trains Agra to Delhi: 

We always tend to opt for Chair Class (CC) if it is available for short-mid distance train travel.   It is a comfortable way to travel and in all honesty, the allocated chair style of seating means you won’t have to worry about sharing a berth-type seat with someone else. 

The seats in Chair Class (CC) are set out like on an aeroplane with three seats on one side of the aisle and two on the other.

On board in Chair Class (CC). 

About the Delhi and Agra railway stations 

There are five main railway stations in Delhi:

There are two main railway stations in Agra: 

It is IMPORTANT to check the departure station at the station code of your train ticket so you know which Delhi and Agra railway station you are traveling to and from. 

Heading to find our platform for a train at Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM) station in Delhi.

Station facilities in Delhi and Agra 

Most of the Delhi railway stations have air-conditioned waiting-room options for passengers: 

In Agra, both stations also have waiting room facilities: 

The IRCTC Executive Lounge and Premium Lounge are small,  fully air-conditioned waiting areas, for passengers while waiting for their trains. There is a small café and shop as well as lounge chairs, charging points, a TV and toilets. 

The AC Class Waiting Room is also air conditioned with seats for passengers traveling in 1st or 2nd Class or Chair and Executive Class (1A, 2A or CC, EC).  There is no charge for waiting inside, you simply need to show your ticket on entry to the Waiting Room. 

The Premium Lounge at Delhi Junction / Old Delhi Railway Station (DLI). 
Inside the AC Premium Lounge in old Delhi Railway Station (DLI). 

Things to know before taking the train from Delhi to Agra 

If this is your first train journey in India, it’s a good place to start.  The route from Delhi to Agra is a common journey and a short, straightforward trip to make during the daytime. 

The main things to know before taking a train in India is all about the boarding and where to stand on the platform.  

Finding the right platform and waiting spot at Delhi Junction / Old Delhi Railway Station (DLI). 

Boarding the train to Agra or Delhi (or any train in India)

The first thing is to check you eTicket and find these details:

Arriving at the station in Delhi or Agra, look for the large electronic board with the scheduled departure times, expected arrival/departure times and the platform numbers. 

You can confirm the platform number by using your train name or number. 

These are the small, hanging digital boards that display the next arriving train number and carriage number for that spot on the platform.
The corresponding carriage number is displayed on the train carriage and digital sign above the platform. 

Is there food and drinks available for purchase on board? 

Yes.  For the Vande Bharat Express trains Delhi to Agra meals are included in the ticket price.  Food is served in acrylic trays for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and in snack boxes for evening snacks.  Pre-mix tea and coffee are served with a stirrer, paper napkin, and hot water.  

For the other Express trains Agra to Delhi, meals are not included in the ticket price.  However, snacks and drinks are available for purchase on board the train.  

Railway staff will come through the carriages with chai, water, drinks and snacks for sale. 

What are the toilets like on board the train? 

On the highspeed and Express trains to and from Agra and Delhi there is the option of a western toilet or squat toilet in each carriage.  And even the squat has a bio-vacuum style flushing toilet these days.  Quite the luxury! 

A toilet on the train somewhere in India; you will be fine. 

Planning for Agra and Delhi before and after your train 

Planning your itinerary for India and wondering how long you need in Agra and Delhi?

Where to stay in old Delhi, New Delhi and South Delhi or near the airport 

These are the hotels that we stay in Delhi and can recommend for your trip.  Paharganj and Connaught Place are the closest districts to New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS). 

Checking in to our spacious room near the airport at Taurus Sarovar Portico Hotel. 

Where to stay in Agra near the Taj Mahal 

These are the hotels in Agra near the Taj Mahal that we use and recommend for your stay.

Read more about travel in North India

Planning for travel in India and beyond

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

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