Travel Tips for Agra: Best Time, Things to Know

The impressive city of Agra, with its world-famous Taj Mahal, is a constant magnet for countless visitors. The city boasts excellent Mughal architectural wonders and culture and has great historical value. But before embarking on an Agra tour, it is important to know the ins and outs of the place to avoid unnecessary inconveniences. In this blog, we will focus on the essential travel tips for Agra that every traveller who is about to explore the city must know, including when is the most appropriate time to go, how to get there, what to expect, and local tips to make the journey more pleasant.

Best Time to Visit Agra

Always take note of the time frame in which you plan to visit the Agra tour – it is all in the timing. Ideally, the best time of the year to visit Agra is between October and March. During this period this time of the year, the temperatures are quite gentle, with the highest highs at 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) and the lowest lows at 8 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit). The many visitors are welcomed by a hush of cool winds and clear skies that are favourable for strolling by the heritage sites.

On the other extreme, the summers (April to June) in Agra are nothing short of anti-climatic, with the inconceivable exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). The rainy season from July through September provides constant wet days for Martin Luther King, which can prove to be unbearable when it is too hot to walk outside among the historical buildings. Therefore, the winter months would be the best time to thoroughly enjoy the sights.

For anyone keen on savouring the thrill of cultural fests, Taj Mahotsav is a cultural festival lasting ten days in February focused on celebrating the richness of the Indian cultural heritage involving inter-alia artwork, dance, and food.

Tips:

• Destinations in the Early Morning Hours – When visiting Agra tour during the High Touristic Season, try to visit well-known landmarks such as the Taj Mahal in the early morning hours.
• Evening Views – You may also visit the Taj Mahal in the evening, but note the enticing sunset.

How to Get to Agra

Agra is easily accessible through roads, rails, and airfare to major cities in India. You will find the most efficient options for travelling to Agra tour below:

By Road

Agra can be reached in 3 hours by car from Delhi, hence why it is a common place for alterations on a day out. Those travelling in a group can always get a Tempo Traveller Hire. A tempo traveller hire enables one to see the city of Agra in comfort and even customize a tour of Agra at a convenient speed. Yamuna Expressway is in good shape, and its ease of use from Delhi to Agra makes it easy for users.

By Train

Agra has great Railway facilities, with a lot of Express Trains from New Delhi, Jaipur, and many other places. Some of the quickest trains from Delhi include Gatimaan Express and Shatabdi Express. The major railway stations located in Agra are Agra Cantt and Agra Fort.

By Air

The most commonly used and adjacent to the city is Indira Gandhi International Airport, which is 200 kilometres away from Agra. This enables you to fly in and reach Agra by taxi or bus.

Things to Know Before Visiting Agra

Let us look into some of the things to know before going on the Agra tour:

Entry Fees and Timings

Many people, including tourists on the Agra tour, need help locating and, after reaching, entering certain places, including, but not solely to, the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, and more expensive locations that require an entry fee. The foreign tourist entry fee for the Taj Mahal is approximately ₹1,100; the Indian entry fee is only ₹50. The use of cards is not very reliable at smaller counters, and therefore, it is better to have cash with oneself. These monuments are usually open to the public from dawn to dusk, except in the case of the Taj Mahal, which is closed on Fridays.

Courtesy Towards Local Practices

Culture is a crucial part of almost every corner of India, including Agra. Those who plan to visit religious places on the Agra tour, like the Jama Masjid or Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, should not wear clothes that expose their skin excessively -especially arms and shorts. There is some degree of modernity in Agra, but that does not mean one is free to ignore culture; one becomes more attractive by abiding by it.

Rules Concerning Photography

Primarily, you can take pictures in most places, but a few places are sensitive and require you to be careful. As in, you cannot take photos inside the inner chamber of the Taj Mahal where the cenotaphs are placed. And therefore, the most prudent thing to do is carry on and check.

Local Cuisine

No Agra tour can be completed without having its famous sweet called Petha, a glucose-based delicacy made with ash gourd. Other notable written works include Bedai (A fried bread with spicy potato curry) and Calcutta’s Mughlai food, representing the history of the city through its association with the Mughal empire.

Most Visited Places in Agra

Let’s look into the most visited places on the Agra tour-

Taj Mahal

Without a doubt, the Taj Mahal stands as the most exquisite highlight in Agra, with the claim of being one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is a glorious white marble mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, epitomizing love. To enjoy this overcrowded monument with fewer people, go to the site early morning on your Agra tour. What you should not miss is the fine marble inlay work of the Taj, the mirror ponds, and the selected gardens surrounding the memorial. Stretching just 2.5 km from the Taj Mahal, it is a vast red sandstone monument and a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO.

Agra Fort

The Agra Fort is a hot place for all who travel to Agra because it holds many palaces like the Agra Fort, Jahangir Mahal, Khas Mahal, and the charming Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque). Anyone visiting this historical site on an Agra tour will have an eye-opening experience of the Mughal period and will also be able to view the Taj Mahal from the windows of this fort.

Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri is a magnificent walled city constructed by the Mughal emperor Akbar, lying around 40 km to the southwest of Agra. Its palaces, courtyards, and the grand Buland Darwaza are captivating and well-preserved.

Mehtab Bagh

In search of a perfect place to walk or to be entertained by the view of the Taj Mahal, then one should consider a place called the Mehtab Bagh. Just in front of the Taj Mahal across the Yamuna River, it offers breathtaking views of the Taj Mahal when the sun nestles down the edge of the horizon.

Traveller’s Safety Tips

Generally, Agra is, most of the time, safe for tourists. However, like any other tourist area, some degree of cautiousness is required. Here are a few safety tips for the Agra tour:

• Stay away from lonely places at night, especially vicinity of the riverbank or less busy parts of the city.
• Look out for your valuables, especially when in a crowded place like bazaars or areas around the Taj Mahal.
• When it comes to money, do not be too careless and spend it anyhow; use the official currency exchange services.

Conclusion

Agra is one of the most significant tourist examples for history lovers, architecture lovers, and other travellers willing to see the fabulous sight of the Taj Mahal. Irrespective of that, with proper forethought, such as choosing the best time to visit Agra, knowing the local customs, and readying for the Agra tour with some useful advice, there is a lot of scope to make the trip enjoyable and memorable. No matter the company you have, whether it is alone or on a group tour, the history and beauty of the Agra tour and its significant places will remain with you forever.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)