The Ultimate Guide to a Same Day Taj Mahal Tour from Delhi by Car

The Taj Mahal is under the list of most successful monuments in terms of the number of visitors all over the world. For those who live in India and those who would want to visit India, a Taj mahal tour from Delhi by car is probably one of the best and most rewarding tours. If properly planned, a visitor can cover the Taj Mahal and other sites in Agra in the same day Taj Mahal car tour. Here are some tips that should be useful if you’re planning the best kind of road trip with as little stress, discomfort, and trouble as possible.

Why Should you take Delhi to the Taj Mahal Car Tour?

A Taj Mahal tour from Delhi is popular for several reasons:

• Flexibility and Convenience: If you choose to travel by car then it would be pretty easy to adjust your schedule, decide your route and take the break wherever you want on the way. It’s not like traveling by public transport or in large groups where you are held to a certain schedule.

• Comfort: Traveling by car offers you comfort, convenience and more importantly you can enjoy it privately with your family and friends. It is a hassle free means of transport which enables you to enjoy your trip without additional noises resulting from crowded buses or trains.

• Time Efficiency: The car ride from Delhi to Agra takes around 3-4 hours via the Yamuna Expressway so it is a good select same day Taj Mahal tour by car. But you do not have to spend an entire night in Agra, still you can visit Taj Mahal and return back to Delhi before the night.

Best Routes for a Taj Mahal Tour by Car

For your Taj Mahal tour from Delhi by car, there are two primary routes:

• Yamuna Expressway: This is the most used and probably the most accessible path. 165 Kilometer long six lane expressway provides smooth and straight drive from Delhi to Agra. It is also the quickest, it will take about 3 hours depending on traffic jams most likely at the roadside block. As far as the route is concerned, it is very properly black topped and accompanied with beautiful views, making it the perfect option for a fast and smooth drive.

• National Highway 19 (NH19): Well, that would be NH19; though longer and making a few halts, it offers a much better view. This highway is somewhat longer and it will take roughly 4 to 4 and a half  hours or so to arrive in Agra. On the way one can go to destinations such as Mathura and Vrindavan which are holy cities.

 

 Planning Your Same Day Taj Mahal Tour by Car

In order to get the best out of your Taj Mahal tour by car, there are some tips which should be considered. Here's a detailed itinerary for a successful same-day trip:

 

• Start Early for a Smooth Journey:To make the most of your day and avoid traffic, it’s best to leave Delhi early in the morning, around 5:00 AM. This will afford you enough time in Agra to visit the Taj Mahal and many other tourist attraction sites without the feeling that you are rushed. Getting an early start is also useful because during the day – especially in the summer – it can become quite hot.

• Enjoy a Scenic Drive Along the Yamuna Expressway: Once you are on the move, you do not have to wait for long, the journey through the Yamuna Expressway is quite comfortable. It is also easier to drive on well tarred roads as traffic is negligible especially in the morning. Some of the limited amenities which are available along this expressway include a rest area where you can have breakfast or snacks, car refueling stations and beautiful scenery.

•  Arriving in Agra: Go Direct to the Taj Mahal: Taking 3-4 hours to drive, you will see the most imaginative building, the Taj Mahal in Agra. Taj Mahal has its own parking space just near the monument but car services up to the monument are prohibited. You have to evacuate in an electric rickshaw or walk towards the main entrance.

•  The Taj Mahal opens at  around 04:00 AM, so in the event you begin early enough you can arrive just in time for a scenic view of sunrise over the marble tomb. It is advised to take a visit early in the morning because there would be less rush and the lighting is also appropriate for photography.

• It will take at least two hours to make a tour of the Taj  Mahal along with its well maintained garden. You shouldn’t leave without a tour of the mausoleum and viewing the beautiful designs on the marble, a style unique to the Mughals. However, if you find an artistic and historical aspect of the building intriguing, it would be wiser to hire a personal guide, or at least use an audio guide.

 

4. Exploring Agra: Other Must-Visit Attractions

Following your Taj Mahal visit, there are some other attractions in Agra that you should definitely see while on your same day Taj Mahal car tour. Here are a few you shouldn't miss:

• Agra Fort: Situated only thirty kilometers outside Agra, the Agra Fort is another World Heritage site and an excellent illustration of Mughal architecture. This red sandstone fort is a complex encompassing palace, courtyard and mosques. It takes roughly one hour to go through the historical and luxurious aspects best explained here.

• Mehtab Bagh: The ones on the opposite side of the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal are especially nice – Mehtab Bagh presents the tomb perfectly from its perspective. Sunset is particularly lovely; if you are a photographer you can take some shots of the Taj Mahal from here.

• Itimad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb (Baby Taj): Also called the ‘Baby Taj’, this tomb is another architectural wonder of the Mughals which has detailed carvings and engravings in white marble and is surrounded by lush green lawns. This is less congested compared to the Taj Mahal and provides a much better chance of a beautiful session.

 

5. Savor Local Cuisine for Lunch

Agra is known for its delicious food which is the Mughlai food, as well as the monuments there. Depending on the places you want to visit, after visiting some attractions in the morning you will be able to eat in one of the cafés or restaurants of the city. Economically priced restaurants include Pinch of Spice, Joney’s Place or The Mughal Room, the dishes that are recommended for tasting include petha, dal makhani, tandoori chicken, etc.

6. Shopping in Agra: Souvenirs and Local Crafts

Like with all sightseeing trips, no tour by car is complete without at least a cursory look at some souvenirs. There are several trademark products from Agra which include marble handicrafts, leather wear and jewelry. As for arts and crafts, Sadar Bazaar and Kinari Bazaar are good places to visit while buying most of the local products at reasonable prices. Oh yea, don’t forget to negotiate for the best prices on any item you are interested in!

 

7. Drive Back to Delhi

Having spent the whole day in Agra it’s time to go back to Delhi. If you've planned your day well, you should start your return journey around 5:00 PM in order to minimize traffic inconvenience and driver fatigue during the night. The drive back on the Yamuna Expressway should be smooth, and you can expect to reach Delhi by 8:00 or 9:00 PM.

Budget Tips for a Taj Mahal Tour from Delhi by Car

A Taj Mahal tour from Delhi by car can be budget-friendly with a few smart tips:

• Carpooling: When going out with friends of even relatives you could share a car in order to share fuel and toll costs. This can cut down your overhead costs per individual a lot.

• Fuel-Efficient Car: If you are to rent a car, better select a compact one which consumes less fuel. Econoboxes and compact Sedans with high fuel economy will keep your costs of operation down on fuel.

• Toll Costs: Currently, the Yamuna Expressway charges ₹415, for cars traveling in a single direction. If you are in for a same day Taj Mahal tour by car the return toll is ₹ 665. It is advised to carry some cash or have their FASTag card ready when approaching toll booths.

• Affordable Food: You need not be forced to buy overpriced snacks and water at whichever stopover you choose. For lunch, dinner and supper, it is advisable to steer Mughlai joints or eateries or dhaba within Agra.

• Entry Fees: Walking around the Taj Mahal costs 50 rupees to Indians while the foreigners are charged 1100 rupees for the same. It is interesting to visit the main mausoleum which is 3 rupees, however if you want to take a closer look you have to pay 200 rupees. Learn from this so that when planning for a concert, they do not spend most of their money on tickets alone.

 

Best Time for a Taj Mahal Tour from Delhi by Car:

The best time to visit the Taj Mahal should preferably be during the cooler months, that runs from October to March. Nevertheless, traveling to Agra is best done in late September-early December or in March-April because Summers are very hot in Agra with temperatures sometimes reaching 42°C and it is difficult for tourists to wander around the city in summer.

Early morning or late afternoon visits are advised to remain free from the challenge of crowds and the blendering heat. Also Sunni Muslims can move to the Taj Mahal during sunrise or at sunset when the shine of the marble changes and becomes somewhat mystical.

 

Conclusion: This is a memorable Same Day Taj Mahal Tour by Car.

When planning a Taj Mahal tour by car from Delhi, travelers get a unique opportunity to visit one of the most outstanding monuments of world architecture and travel comfortably with no strict schedule. This journey is highly useful for any traveler; if you want to make a same day Taj Mahal tour by car, want to explore other locations of Agra or you are a history lover this journey proves very informative.

However, if you take a few precautions, start early, and take some suggestions, it is possible to make a Taj Mahal car tour enjoyable and economical. Then assemble your travel buddies, pack up the car and bring out the tissues to behold the Taj Mahal!