Taj Mahal. Trains from Delhi to Agra and Agra to Delhi Distance from Delhi to Agra India

I believe that it is simply impossible to come to India and not see the legendary Taj Mahal, which is located in Agra. I have been to India several times, and on one of my short trips I decided to visit the tomb. I didn’t have much time, since that time I was in Delhi waiting for a plane to my final destination, but I decided to take a risk and try to get to Agra and back in one day

By car

Although I like to travel by car, this is not the case in India. The traffic here (especially in cities) is such that an unprepared driver simply will not be able to get to the final destination. In addition, you need to take into account traffic jams, in which you can stand for 3-4 hours.

By train

The most popular way to get to Agra is by train. When traveling by train, you are guaranteed to have time to get to the Taj Mahal and back. The distance between Agra and Agra is about 200 km, and trains cover it in 2-3 hours.

When buying a ticket to Agra, keep in mind that there are several railway stations in multimillion-dollar Delhi:

central New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS);
H Nizamuddin Railway Station. This station is approximately 20 minutes from the central station.

In Agra, all trains arrive at Cantt station. (AGC).

For most tourists, the morning train 12002 Bhopal Shatabdi is of greatest interest. It departs from NDLS at 06.15 and arrives Agra at 08.12. This train runs every day except Fridays - be sure to take this nuance into account when planning your trip!

There is another train - 2280 Taj Express Superfast. It departs from the central station at 07.10, you will be in Agra at 10.07.

What is the price?

is a country of contrasts, and you will see this more than once. Even the price of a train can differ several dozen times! For example, tickets for train 12002 Bhopal Shatabdi cost 370 Indian rupees (5 euros) per seat in an air-conditioned carriage. Travel in first class will cost 700 rupees (9.5 euros).

The cost of a ticket for the 2280 Taj Express Superfast train is much cheaper. For travel in a comfortable air-conditioned carriage you need to pay 263 rupees (3.5 euros), a seat in a general carriage will cost only 75 rupees (1 euro). I advise you not to save money and under no circumstances travel in the cheapest carriage, as this pleasure is below average.

Where can I buy?

There are several ways to purchase a train ticket to Agra:

at the ticket office of the railway station. It is better to do this a few days before departure, as the trains are very popular among local residents. The disadvantage of this method of purchasing a ticket is the huge queues in front of the ticket office;
at tourist offices. As a rule, the bureau charges a commission for this service;
through the Internet . Almost all Indian websites have an English version, so this is the easiest way to buy the right ticket.

By plane

Both in and in Agra there are airports, but getting to the Taj Mahal in this way is unprofitable either in terms of time or finances.

By bus

There is a regular express train between and Agra that will take you to the Agra bus station in 3 hours.

All buses to Agra depart from the Sarai Kale Bus Stand, which is located next to the H Nizamuddin Railway Station. The movement interval is approximately every 30 minutes. Unfortunately, there is practically no concept of a schedule in India; buses depart not so much according to a schedule, but as the cabin fills up.

Personally, I didn’t go to Agra by bus, but they say it’s quite extreme. If you want to experience all the “delights” of Indian public transport, then come here! But if you miss the train, this will be the only budget way to get back.

What is the price?

The ticket costs 120 rupees (1.6 euros).

Where can I buy?

You can buy a ticket directly from the driver.

By taxi

The most comfortable way is still a taxi. As in all eastern countries, here you need to bargain, bringing down the price to the last. It is advisable to write the final cost on a piece of paper so that the driver at the end of the trip does not say that you misunderstood him or that the price was indicated in dollars rather than rupees.

What is the price?

A one-way trip will cost 2000-2500 rupees (27-34 euros).

Results

The most convenient and fastest way to get to Agra is the morning train 12002 Bhopal Shatabdi, which will get you there in just 2 hours and at a very reasonable price.

You can get from Delhi to Agra by train, bus or taxi. The train journey will take 2 hours 32 minutes, the ticket price will be $6.7. The Delhi-Agra bus will take you in 5 hours, the fare is $7.2. The car trip will last 3 hours 20 minutes, you will pay a minimum of $210 for the trip. The distance from Delhi to Agra is 230 km.

The train from Delhi to Agra runs every day except Friday. Tickets should be purchased in advance as the Delhi-Agra route is popular among locals. The bus runs 24 hours a day, but is often stuck in traffic jams. It is sent when it is full, not on a schedule. Tickets for public transport can only be purchased with cash in the local currency - Indian rupees.

Agra - know yourself

Agra is, first of all, the Taj Mahal, and only then other attractions. The palace makes you fall in love with it from the first minutes, blinding you with its beauty and luxury. The Taj Mahal is decorated with marble, precious and semi-precious stones. On the territory of the monument there is a garden and park area where everyone can enjoy a walk or relax. Another famous landmark of Agra is the Tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daulah, located in the Persian Park. It is also called “Little Taj” - for its marble walls, reminiscent of lace, decorated with gems and rich decoration of the premises. While in Agra, visit the 16th century Red Fort, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fatehpur Sikri, a city of mosques that was built by Emperor Akbar in honor of his son, deserves special attention. On its territory is the Tomb of Sheikh Salim Shikhti, where Indians from all over the country make a pilgrimage.

Train Delhi – Agra

Expectation

1 time per day

Travel time

Train No. 12002 Bhopal Shatabdi operates once a day. The duration of the trip is 1 hour 57 minutes. The ticket price for a seat in a 2nd class carriage is $5.7 (370 rupees), in a 1st class carriage – $10.8 (700 rupees). The ticket can be purchased at the railway station ticket office or online on the Indian Railways website.
Also, train No. 2280 Taj Express Superfast departs from H Nizamuddin Railway Station at 07:10. The journey takes 2 hours 57 minutes, ticket prices range from $1.2 (75 rupees) to $4 (263 rupees) in a general and comfortable carriage, respectively.

Train Delhi – Agra:

Train No. 12002 Bhopal Shatabdi

Schedule:

one flight at 06:15

Route:

Central Railway Station New Delhi Railway Station – Main Railway Station Agra Cantt

Travel time:

2 hours 32 minutes (35 minutes to the railway station, 1 hour 57 minutes by train to Agra)

Expectation:

Comfort:

Medium: air conditioning, carry-on luggage, free tea and snacks

Price:

From $6.7 ($1 – to the railway station, from $5.7 – train to Agra)

For whom:

For families without children, for young travelers, hand luggage, day arrivals, for single tourists

How to find the train departure station at Delhi Airport:

Exit the airport building and turn right, then follow the signs for Metro. In the metro, get off at New Delhi station and walk 750 meters.

Expectation

Travel time

Clients

Individual tourist

Private and regular buses depart from the bus station to Delhi 24 hours a day. The duration of the trip is at least 4 hours, the cost is from $6 (400 rupees) in an air-conditioned bus. You can purchase a ticket for the Delhi-Agra bus from the driver.

Bus Delhi - Agra:

intercity flights

Schedule:

Around the clock

Route:

Sarai Kale Bus Stand – Idgah Bus Station

Travel time:

From 5 hours (1 hour – road to the bus station, from 4 hours – bus to Agra)

Expectation:

15-30 minutes

Comfort:

Medium: air conditioning, carry-on luggage rack, large number of flights

Price:

From $7.2 ($1.2 – bus to the bus station, from $6 – to Agra)

For whom:

Without children, for young tourists, for those who missed the train, night arrivals

How to find the departure station at Delhi airport:

Take a DTC bus to Sarai Kale Khan. The bus departure station is located at the exit of Terminal 3, opposite the Centaur Hotel.

If you need get from Delhi to Agra, then the most popular way is the railway. Traveling by train from Delhi, you can visit the Taj Mahal and return back in one day. Average road from Delhi to Agra one way takes 2 to 3 hours. Distance Delhi - Agra about 200 kilometers.

If you decide to travel from Delhi to Agra by train, then you should remember a few facts:

Main railway station in Delhi New Delhi Railway Station n (NDLS) is located near Paharganj.

Trains to Agra and Delhi depart from H Nizamuddin Railway Station, which is a 20-minute drive from New Delhi Station.

- Main railway station in Agra- Agra Cantt. (AGC).

Train timetable Delhi - Agra

Morning train Delhi - Agra

The fastest morning train from Delhi to Agra is 12002 Bhopal Shatabdi. The train departs from New Delhi station at 6.15 am and arrives Agra at 8.12. The first class ticket costs 700 rupees. Travel in a regular carriage (seat and air conditioning) costs 370 rupees. The train runs daily except Friday.

- Train 2280 Taj Express Superfast, heading off from Delhi H Nizamuddin Railway Station. Train departs at 7.10 and arrives in Agra at 10.07. First class fare - 263 rupees, second class (without air conditioning) - 75 rupees. The train runs daily.

Evening train Agra - Delhi

Taj Express train 2279 returns from Agra to Delhi daily at 18:55. Arrival at H Nizamuddin Railway Station at 22.00

- Train 12001 NDLS Shatabdi departs Agra at 20.30 and arrives New Delhi at 22.30, every day except Friday.

Where to buy a train ticket from Delhi to Agra

There are several ways to buy a train ticket:

At the station at the ticket office. It is better to do this a few days before departure (if you buy a ticket just before the train departs, there may be no seats available). The downside is that there are long queues at the ticket office at the station.

At the tourist ticket office (bureau). Tourist ticket offices are located at train stations in cities popular with tourists: New Delhi, Calcutta, Varanasi, Agra, etc. Plus - the absence of long queues.

Buy a ticket online. Plus - no queues. We offer several sites:

cleartrip.com: User-friendly interface, prices are slightly more expensive than on the sites below.

makemytrip.com: Good site, easy search by dates. The downside is that it may not accept non-Indian bank cards for payment.

irctc.co.in: The website is official, but the information on it is often out of date. Minus - you need to have an Indian mobile operator number to order a ticket (you need to register on the website and enter the confirmation code received on your mobile phone).

Sometimes you get the impression that all of India is constantly going somewhere. Every day, millions of people travel from one part of the country to another, and for this they have all the conditions: transport in india very well developed. Someone runs a store in Goa, although they themselves live in Kashmir, someone makes pilgrimages to holy places, someone studies in and lives in. Well, we tourists, of course, don’t sit still. From our ordeals around India, we concluded that traveling independently by train in India is a real pleasure. A developed network of railways, along which you can reach almost every corner of the country, a convenient online booking system, classes of cars with seats for any income.

In this article, we will try to understand ticket purchasing, carriage classes, tourist quotas and what is “Tatkal”, so after reading this article you will have some idea about traveling in India by trains.

1. Indian train at the Agra station

2. Trains at the station in Rishikesh

Car classes in Indian trains

Air-conditioned first class, also known as 1A The highest, first class carriages. It is an air-conditioned compartment with four or two seats. Each compartment has a washbasin. Bedding is provided.

How much does 1A Delhi-Amritsar by Chattisgarh Exp train cost: 1384 rupees.

Air-conditioned 2 tier, also known as 2A Not as advanced as first class, but still quite a comfortable way for a spoiled European to travel by train in India. Similar to our reserved seat (that is, the “compartment” is not fenced) only with air conditioning. There are four seats per “compartment”. Conveniently, lying on your shelf you can isolate yourself from the outside world with a curtain. Bed linen is provided.

How much does 2A Delhi-Amritsar cost by Chattisgarh Exp train: 832 rupees.

Air-conditioned 3 tier, also known as 3A The same as 2AC, only instead of four there are six shelves per “compartment” (the middle shelves are folded down during the day), plus two side seats. In this class, bedding is still presented, but it is no longer possible to isolate yourself with a curtain.

How much does 3A Delhi-Amritsar by Chattisgarh Exp train cost: 608 rupees.

Sleeper Class, also known as SL, is the most numerous and popular way of traveling by train across India among ordinary Indians. Not at all as comfortable as all of the above, but nevertheless quite acceptable. Well, its price is very low. Most similar to 3A: the same six shelves in the “compartment”, two sides. There is no air conditioning, but there are fans and bars on the windows. Bed linen is no longer provided here, so think about what you will use to cover yourself at night. I recommend buying a sheet that you can wrap yourself in. I used a shawl for these purposes - also a good option.

In this class, be prepared for an almost complete lack of personal space: they will look at you all the time (it’s interesting, you’re a European!), they will ask you something, offer you treats, and they will try their best to help. An incredible number of “leftist” characters are packed into these cars: free riders, beggars, food sellers; until the night they will walk around the carriages and shout “Tea-tea-tea!” There is a greater chance of something being stolen from you here. In general, this class of carriages is not for the faint-hearted Europeans.

But the sleeper is not as scary as it is made out to be. On our first trip to India, we looked with horror at these trains with bars (“So that the Indians don’t jump out” - they mocked). But the second time the snobbery disappeared - we tried it and liked it. Indians are generally very friendly people. Just keep an eye on things

How much does SL Delhi-Amritsar cost by Chattisgarh Exp train: 217 rupees.

Air-conditioned Chair Car, aka CC Comfortable, as a rule, daytime intercity train. Walks short distances. It is convenient to travel on it, for example, from Delhi to Agra. They hand out water faster than on the bus, food is included in the price (for example, our breakfast: a bun, coffee, a vegetarian cutlet with a side dish, butter, jam). Don't get fried because there is air conditioning.

How much does CC Delhi-Agra cost by Taj Exp train: 259 rupees.

Second Sitter, aka 2S Something like our electric train, a simple train with inexpensive tickets. Same as CC, only very, very simple. No air conditioning, no water and food included in the price. However, if you are hungry, then dinner of a vegetarian cutlet with a side dish costs 15 rupees. We traveled on this one from Agra to , the carriage was half empty.

How much does 2S Delhi-Agra cost by Taj Exp train: 74 rupees.

3. Breakfast on the train from Delhi to Agra

How to buy train tickets in India

At the ticket office at the station. You can buy a train ticket at the ticket office at the station. Be aware that there are long queues. Also keep in mind that you are unlikely to be able to buy a ticket at the ticket office immediately before the train departs - most likely there will be no seats. So plan your trip in advance and buy train tickets at least a few days in advance.
At the official tourist office (Tourist Reservation Bureaux). Tourists can buy tickets for the Indian train at special tourist ticket offices. There are no huge queues, which is quite convenient. Such travel bureaus are located at railway stations in cities popular with tourists, for example, New Delhi, Kolkata, Varanasi, Agra and others.
Buy online. Probably the most convenient option is to buy a train ticket online. There are several sites for this, we will consider them further.
- cleartrip.com: Most likely, you will book your tickets here. A simple interface, quite convenient search, prices are slightly more expensive than the official ones and on the website, which is described below. On our last trip to India, we booked train tickets only on this website.
- makemytrip.com: my favorite site. But for some reason this year I stopped accepting non-Indian bank cards. It's a pity. There is a very convenient search by dates and classes, so if you don’t understand something on cleartrip, then use the information from makemytrip.
- irctc.co.in: There are recommendations on the Internet to book tickets on this site. It's official, not an agency, and that's a plus. But, unfortunately, the information is a little outdated and now you can place an order on this site only if you have a working number of an Indian cellular operator. You need to go through an intricate registration process and enter the verification code received on your mobile phone. I previously ordered from this site, but my account is no longer valid. I was not able to register again, so we will consider this site unsuitable for purchasing tickets for now. Don't waste your time.

4. Our train to Jaipur

About the ticket status, or what else you need to know before booking a train ticket in India

AVAILABLE (AVL)

That is, “available.” You buy a normal regular ticket with your seat indicated on it. It's okay, you can go.

RESERVATION AGAINST CANCELATION (RAC)

Indicates that all tickets for this train are sold out. They sell you a ticket and you take your place on the list. If someone returns a ticket, the first person on the RAC list gets it. If no one has returned a ticket, you will share the space (shelf) with one more person on the RAC list. We preferred not to deal with this.

WAIT LIST (WL)

This means that tickets for this train are very tight. All normal and RAC tickets are sold out. They start selling tickets and putting you on the waiting list. If you bought such a ticket at your own peril and risk, then you can find out whether you got a seat at the station two hours before the train departs. Where to look, check in the help desk.

5. Police at the station

What to do if you need to leave urgently, but there are no places left

There is a tourist quota. This is a certain number of places that are not booked in the general manner, but are available only to foreign tourists. It is not possible to purchase such tickets online. You can buy them at the travel agencies mentioned above. Moreover, you can buy them for foreign currency or for rupees, if you have a receipt from an exchange office.
Tatkal. Quota available to everyone. Indian trains keep a certain number of free seats, which begin to be sold a few days (2-3 days) before the train departs. They can be purchased at a premium at the ticket office at the station and on the Internet.

For example, let's take a CC ticket from Delhi to Agra on the Taj Exp train. Regular ticket costs 259 rupees, Tatkal ticket costs 334 rupees. Or if a regular 2A ticket from Delhi to Amritsar on Chattisgarh Exp train costs 832 rupees, that Tatkal costs 1051 rupees.

6. Waiting for the train

How to get to... and how much does it cost?

How to get from Delhi to Agra (195 km)?

By train Bhopal Shtbdi No. 12002 New-Delhi (NDLS) - Agra Cantt (AGC), 6.15 - 8.12. Price: CC 370 rupees.

By Taj Express train No. 12280 H Nizamuddin (NZM) - Agra Cantt (AGC), 7.10 - 10.07. Price: CC 259 rupees.

How to get from Delhi to Jaipur (309 km)?

By train Ajmer Shtbdi No. 12015 New-Delhi (NDLS) - Jaipur (JP), 6.05 - 10.30. Price: CC 450 rupees.

By train Dee Jp Sf Spl No. 09722 Delhi S Rohilla (DEE) - Jaipur (JP), 16.10 - 20.40. Price: CC 334 rupees.

How to get from Delhi to Varanasi (758 km)?

By train Shiv Ganga Exp No. 12560 New Delhi (NDLS) - Varanasi Jn (BSB), 18.45 - 7.30. Price: 1A 1835/2A 1095/ 3A 806/ SL 306 rupees.

By train Swatantrta S Ex No. 12562 New Delhi (NDLS) - Varanasi Jn (BSB), 20.40 - 8.36. Price: 1A 1862/2A 1112/ 3A 817/ SL 310 rupees.

Note: the cheapest one-way air ticket for the same date (three days before departure) costs RUB 3,733.