There’s more to Agra than just the iconic Taj Mahal. This guide shares not only the best places to visit in Agra in one day, but how to get there, where to stay, and more!
The city of Agra is part of the main tourist culture triangle in India and brings in thousands of tourists every year. Outside of its claim to fame – the Taj Mahal obviously! – you’ll only need about 1 day in Agra to check out the few other things of interest in the area. And it makes for an easy trip from Delhi too!
Since a visit to the Taj Mahal doesn’t require more than three hours, you’re probably wondering what more there is to do in Agra after you visit its
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Best Time to Visit Agra
The best time to visit Agra is typically between November and February. These winter months see lower and more pleasant temperatures for wandering around and visiting the sights, and the temperatures start to get pretty hot as soon as March. This is peak season, but it’s also dry season so while it means crowds it also means less rain. While those are the ideal months, it’s fine to visit anytime of year with a little preparation.
How to Get to Agra
Agra is located in the Indian state, Uttar Pradesh, about 130 miles south of Delhi. Since Agra is such a popular tourist destination, it’s easy to get there via the many trains and buses that go between various Indian cities. It’s about a 4 hour train journey from Delhi and there are three different train stations that you can enter Agra via; Agra Cantt (the most options), Agra Fort, and Agra City.
You can search the train timetables here. You can find the bus timetables and prices at RedBus. Honestly I recommend travel in India via the trains. They seem to be much cheaper, and they end up being quicker than the buses. With only 24 hours in Agra, you don’t want to spend so much time traveling to get there.
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The Perfect Agra Itinerary: Places to Visit in Agra in One Day
This guide is an itinerary for an evening to an evening rather than from morning to morning. It’s best to visit the Taj Mahal early in the morning, so you’ll want to arrive in Agra the night before your planned visit to give you the time to wake up early (5am) and make it to the Taj on time.
Things to do in Agra
1. Sunset Walk for Sunset Views of the Taj
We arrived in Agra on a Friday evening and planned originally to just chill at the hostel to prep for our early morning wake up the next day. But lucky for us right when we arrived our hostel was leading a secret sunset tour that took us to a secluded spot overlooking the glowing sun setting behind the Taj Mahal.
It was a nice little hidden parapet that you can find alongside the river in some secluded farmland to next to the Taj. It was a beautiful sneak peek to our visit. For 100 rupees it was worth it! They even brought along beers for those who wanted a cheeky sunset drink.
2. Taj Mahal
Visiting the Taj Mahal was actually an incredible experience. Sometimes when a tourist attraction is so popular and over-hyped, it’s easy to worry that it’ll be overrated, but that really wasn’t the case with the Taj. We really enjoyed our morning wandering around in awe of this impressive attraction.
A mausoleum built in the 1600s by emperor Shah Jahan in a gesture of love for his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal, the opulence showcased by this Indian dynasty is staggering and stunning.
I don’t want to share too much as I think the fun of visiting a new place is to arrive without too many expectations, but seeing the Taj at sunrise and watching as the changing position of the sun altered the color of the marble was an experience I’ll always remember.
How to visit the Taj Mahal:
- Buy your ticket online in advance to avoid the long ticket lines the day of. You can buy your ticket at the government website.
- The entrance fee is 1250 rupees / $18 USD per person for the Taj + Mausoleum ticket, which is what you’ll want so you can actually step inside the building. Otherwise just to enter the courtyard to see the outside costs 1050 rupees or $15 USD
- You’ll need to bring your passport just in case they want to verify your ticket. We actually didn’t get asked for it, but they say to bring it on the ticket so better safe than sorry
- Book your ticket for the East gate as it opens the earliest and allows you entrance sooner.
- Time slots are booked in three-hour increments, every 30 minutes starting at 6 am. (ie: 6 – 9am, 6:30 – 9:30 am etc).
- Book your ticket for the very first time slot at 6 am to beat the crowds. The line begins forming around 5:30 am so try to get there a bit before to get a place in the front of the line.
- When you arrive, there are three lines; to buy a ticket, to collect shoe covers/water bottle, and entrance. When you book online, skip the very first line and head to the back to collect your complimentary shoe cover and water bottle before heading to the entrance line.
- Leave your tripod and professional camera equipment at home. It’s not allowed in.
- Pack a jacket as it’s chilly in the morning and wear mosquito repellant.
- When they start letting people in, go straight to the front pool before taking photos of the mosque or entrance gate. Many people stop to take photos and if you want pictures of the Taj without anyone in them, run straight there.
- There’s no toilet paper or hose or soap in the Taj bathrooms.
- The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays due to the religious ceremonies in the mosque
- Avoid visiting the Taj on weekends and holidays at all costs. Crazy crowds of both foreign and Indian tourists.
- You’ll need to have your bag checked and searched before entering so don’t bring one if you want to beat the crowds even faster – this is a separate line that takes longer.
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3. Agra Fort
Agra Fort is the other main attraction and is a great place to visit after seeing the Taj. You’ll want to grab an Uber or a tuk tuk as they’re a bit apart from one another.
Built around 1565, Agra fort was constructed by the great Mughal ruler Akbar. It’s been occupied by many Indian rulers as well as the British before becoming a tourist attraction open to the public. A visit to the fort takes the better part of 2 or so hours. It can also become quite busy on weekends or holidays. These attractions are on the most popular travel route in India so it’s difficult to avoid the crowds completely.
Expect to pay 600 rupees entrance as a foreigner. There were actually two prices for foreigners, 600 and 650, but we couldn’t quite figure out the difference. Tripod and professional camera equipment is not allowed.
4. Jahangir Mahal
The Jahangir Mahal is actually a special royal building inside the Agra Fort located at the front of the grounds. It’s the most noteworthy building of the fort, and deserves it’s own spot. Be sure to make time to see and appreciate the beauty.
5. Little Taj
The little Taj, aka Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah, is a Mughal mausoleum in the city of Agra that is sometimes missed by the usual tourists visiting the city. Many people really enjoy visiting this smaller and lesser known architectural gem.
The entrance to the Little Taj is about 300 rupees for foreigners visiting. It’s located about 12 km from the Taj Mahal and can take up to 50 min driving between the two when traffic is crazy. There’s a nice guide about visiting it you can check out here.
6. Sheroes Hangout
A cafe dedicated to helping
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Where to Stay in Agra
Since Agra is a pretty popular travel destination, there are many fantastic places to stay in Agra. Here are a few of the best listings in Agra for travelers of all styles and budgets.
Best Hotel in Agra: The Oberoi Amarvilas Agra
For a luxury stay in Agra, the Oberoi should be your top choice. This five-star hotel features sprawling green grounds, pretty architecture and a swimming pool! They have a pretty good breakfast too.
Best Homestay in Agra: The Coral House Homestay
Homestays and guesthouses are one of the best experiences to have in India, and the Coral House is a beloved pick in Agra. The owners are known to be super friendly and the atmosphere is colorful and social.
Best Hostels in Agra: Zig Zag Hostel or Moustache Agra
Of course for my fellow budget backpackers I had to include some top hostels in Agra. I personally stayed in Zig Zag and enjoyed the quiet hostels grounds and the walking tour they had to a lookout point over the Taj Mahal and the river, although it is a 15-minute walk from the city center. The Moustache Hotel is a fun and clean hostel chain throughout India that I also always recommend because they offer trendy interiors and a social vibe.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!
There you have it! My guide to the best places to visit in Agra in one day. Share any questions or comments below!
