The Taj Mahal, which is located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, is located quite centrally to most big cities in North India. Some of these cities would would be, the national capital New Delhi, which is located about 200 km away, Jaipur, which is 265 km away and Ranthambore, which is 300 km away. Besides these, the historical Khajuraho is 400 km away and the holy city, Varanasi is 607 km away. So, WHERE IS THE TAJ MAHAL LOCATED??!!
Being a part of the Agra- Delhi – Jaipur Golden Triangle, Agra is well connected by road and rail to almost any other location.. If you wish to travel to Agra by air, you will have to make sure about the availability of flights as Agra's Kheria Airport workups on seasonal basis. The flight into Agra on the Delhi Agra Jaipur tourist route should take you about an hour.
You have many more options if you choose to travel by train, as Agra is a station on the main Delhi-Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi-Kolkata and Delhi-Chennai routes. As the entire region is a thick fog region, make note that traveling in late December- early January could take longer than the estimated period,because of reduced visibility. The three rail stations in Agra are Agra Cantt, Agra Fort Station And Raja Ki Mandi. The super fast trains from Delhi to Agra take 2 hours while the normal ones can take upto 5. If at Cantt station, there is prepaid taxi stand, that will take you to any hotel in the city for a fixed rate. These vehicles also go directly to the Taj Mahal.
Many buses ply between Agra and Delhi, most of them taking four and a half hours to reach their destination. The three main interstate bus stands in Agra are the Idgah Bus Stand, the New Bus Stand, and the Bijlighar Bus Stand. All these bus stands also provide intercity travel options.
If traveling by road, from Delhi, you would have to make use of National Highway 2 or NH2, traveling around 200 km for approx. 4 to 5 hours to reach your location. You have the option of having a chauffeured car from Delhi Airport itself, which would cost you INR 3500, and large enough to carry 5 people. Make sure you choose a reliable driver though. If traveling from Jaipur, you would have to access NH11, traveling around 4 hours to cover 255 km. If traveling from Gwalior, you would take about an hour and a half to cover the 120 km stretch on NH3. From Kanpur to Agra, it would take about 5 hours to drive 285 km on the NH2. Besides these options, traveling within Agra to the Taj Mahal can be done via buses, auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, tempos and tongas. Just make sure that you agree on fares in advance so thats you are not fleeced later. Ironically, the best way to get around in Agra is by walking along Mall Road. This way you get a glimpse into the local life and industry as you make your way to the Taj Mahal.
Whatever be you mode of travel, make sure all arrangements are made in advance so that no hassles are met with while discovering this wonderful city. |
