"Taj Mahal & Agra Fort: The Perfect Two-Stop Day Tour from Delhi" (History, route, timings, ticket info)

Sure! Here's a complete guide for a "Taj Mahal & Agra Fort: Taj Mahal Day Trip from Delhi", including history, route, timings, and ticket info — perfect for first-time visitors or quick travelers.

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🕌 Taj Mahal & Agra Fort: The Perfect Two-Stop Day Tour from Delhi

A day trip from Delhi to Agra offers a rich glimpse into India’s Mughal past, with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort — stealing the spotlight. Here's how to plan your perfect day.

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🕰 Suggested Itinerary & Route

Start Early! To make the most of your day, begin your journey from Delhi by 6:00 AM.

🚗 Travel Options from Delhi to Agra

• By Road: ~3.5 hours via Yamuna Expressway (~230 km)

• By Train: Agra Same Day Tour by Train 

  • Gatimaan Express (fastest): Departs Delhi at 8:10 AM, reaches Agra at 9:50 AM

  • Shatabdi Express: Departs at 6:00 AM

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Stop 1: 🏛 Taj Mahal (Expected Time: 2–3 hours)

📜 History

Commissioned in 1632 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum often hailed as the symbol of eternal love. It took over 20 years and 20,000 artisans to complete.

🕒 Timings

• Opens: 6:00 AM

• Closes: 6:30 PM

• Closed on Fridays

🎟 Ticket Info (2025 Rates)

Visitor Type	Ticket Price
Indian Citizens	₹50
SAARC/BIMSTEC Citizens	₹540
Foreign Tourists	₹1,100
Additional Entry to Main Mausoleum	₹200 extra

Online Booking: ASI official site or on popular platforms like Yatra or MakeMyTrip

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Stop 2: 🏰 Agra Fort (Expected Time: 1.5–2 hours)

📜 History

Built by Emperor Akbar in 1565 and later enhanced by Shah Jahan, Agra Fort is a grand red sandstone fortress. It served as the main residence of the Mughal emperors until Delhi Red Fort was built.

The fort contains numerous palaces, halls, and mosques — notably Jahangir Mahal, Diwan-i-Am, and Musamman Burj, where Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb.

🕒 Timings

• Opens: Sunrise (~6:00 AM)

• Closes: Sunset (~6:00 PM)

• Open every day

🎟 Ticket Info (2025 Rates)

Visitor Type	Ticket Price
Indian Citizens	₹50
SAARC/BIMSTEC Citizens	₹540
Foreign Tourists	₹650

Combo tickets with Taj Mahal are available online and are cheaper when booked together.

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🍴 Lunch Break Suggestion (Optional)

• Pinch of Spice or Esphahan (The Oberoi Amarvilas) – for luxury dining

• Shankara Vegis – rooftop budget-friendly with Taj view

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🗺 Return to Delhi

• Start from Agra by 4:30–5:00 PM

• Expect to reach Delhi by 8:00–9:00 PM

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🔎 Travel Tips

• Wear comfortable shoes – lots of walking involved

• Carry photo ID for ticket verification

• Avoid Fridays if planning to visit Taj Mahal

• Early morning visits mean fewer crowds and better photography light

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✅ Summary

Spot	Duration	Highlight
Taj Mahal	2–3 hrs	World Wonder & Mausoleum
Agra Fort	1.5–2 hrs	Royal Palaces, Mughal History
Travel Time	~7 hrs	Round trip via Yamuna Expressway