Agra is on the popular tourist route and is well connected by air, road and railways with most parts of India. A normal flight reaches Agra from New Delhi in about 30 minutes. The road from Delhi to Agra is one of the most well constructed highways of India. A journey by road can take about 5 hours. As Agra lies on the main railway line between Delhi and Varanasi a number of trains pass through the city. The fastest train to/from Delhi is the Shatabdi Express, while you can also take the Taj Express, from Delhi both of which provide a daily service from Delhi to Agra and back the same night.

Reaching Taj Mahal By Air

Domestic aircarrier, Indian Airlines runs daily flights connecting Agra to Delhi, Khajuraho and the holy city of Varanasi. Kheria Airport is about 6 km from the Agra city centre and can be reached by taxis and auto-rickshaws at fixed rates, Rs. 75/- for the former and Rs. 52/- for the latter. You can

Indian Airlines has two offices...

• Hotel Clarks Shiraz, Taj Road, Agra
• Kheria Airport

Reaching Taj Mahal By Rail / Train

Agra is well connected by excellent train services to Delhi such as the Shatabdi Express (2 hrs), Taj Express (2.5 hrs), Intercity Express (3 hrs).

Railway Stations...

• Agra Cantt Railway Station
• Raja-ki-Mandi Rly Station
• Agra Fort Railway Station
• Tundla Railway Station on Ferozabad Road (for changing trains)

Reaching Taj Mahal By Road

Express bus services (A/C and non A/C) are available from Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Gwalior, and Jhansi. For those driving to Agra, the distances are...

• Mathura - 58 kms.
• Bharatpur - 60 kms.
• Gwalior - 118 kms.
• Delhi - 203 kms.
• Jaipur - 236 kms.
• Khajuraho - 393 kms.

Local Transport around Taj Mahal

Most hotels conduct sightseeing tours. Auto-rickshaws, tongas, cycle-rickshaws and taxis are available, rates negotiable, depending on distance as they have no meter. Inter-city buses also operate on a point-to-point basis at fixed rates. Both A/C and non A/C Coaches and Tourist taxis can be hired at Agra for local sightseeing.

When to visit Taj

The city of Agra experiences summers during the period between the months of April and June, making it unpleasant to be visited. Similarly the tourists also avoid the monsoon season from July to August. The best time to visit Taj Mahal is winters (from September to March). The weather remains pleasant during this period. Since Agra lies in the plains of Northern India the tourists need the protection of warm clothes during the winters.

It is recommend that at least one full day should be spent in Taj, to enjoy it completely at different times of the day. The location of Taj enhances its beauty manifolds. At dawn Taj is at it's best when it spreads the magic of its beauty in the soft whitish-pink shade. At noon Taj Mahal is a dazzling white monument sparkling like a diamond. At evening the magnificent tomb of Taj Mahal turns into golden from white. However, the beauty of Taj is enchanting under the influence of a full moon. Try arriving just as it opens or few minutes before the closing time spending few moments with Taj in privacy would become the golden moments of your life.

Festival Time

Taj Mahotsava is the best time to visit Taj. Tajmahotsava is celebrated every year in the month of February from 18 to 27. The artists from all over India gather at Agra to give their performances.

Tempreture:   Summer: 21° C - 45° C, Winter: 4.2° C - 31.7° C

Visitng Hours:   6:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Friday Closed)

Entry Fees for Day: Foreigners - Rs. 750/-, Indians - Rs. 20/-
Children below 15 years of age are allowed free entry.

Entry Fees for Moon night: Foreigners - Rs. 750/-, Adult Indians - Rs. 510/-, Minor Indians - Rs. 500/-

Rainfall:   66 cms. Average yearly

Cloths:   Summer: Cotton, Winter: Light Woolens

Photography:   Photography of the histotical monuments with movie cameras of more than 8mm is strictly prohibited.

Taj Mahal View in Moon nights:   Now Taj Mahal can be visited during Full Nights including two days prior to Full Moon night and two days after the Full Moon nights. There is seperate entrance fee for viewing Taj Mahal in Moon nights.

Conducted Tours:   Tours of Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri are conducted by UP State Tourism Development Corporation daily from 10:15 to 18:15 and Fatehpur Sikri (only) daily from 10:15 to 15 hrs. Bookings and Reservations can be get from UPSTDC, Taj Khemka, Near Taj Mahal Eastern Gate, Tourists Information Center. Agra Cantt. Raailway Station and UP Tourism Office, 64, Taj Road, Agra.

Please remember:   Stuffs like camera stand, eatables, any electronic equipment, cigarettes, mobile phones etc. are not allowed in Taj Mahal monument. Belongings can be deposited in the clock room (a free service), outside Taj Mahal entrance gate. IndiaVirtualTour.com recommends carrying binoculars during Taj Mahal visit.