Golden Triangle itinerary: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur in 6 days

1. 1Day 1: Delhi. Red Fort, Jama Masjid and an Old Delhi food walk.
2. 2Day 2: Delhi. Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar and India Gate.
3. 3Day 3: Agra. Drive or train to Agra. Agra Fort, then sunset at Mehtab Bagh.
4. 4Day 4: Agra to Jaipur. Taj Mahal at sunrise, then stop at Fatehpur Sikri on the way to Jaipur.
5. 5Day 5: Jaipur. Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal and the bazaars.
6. 6Day 6: Jaipur to Delhi. Nahargarh at sunrise, then return.

A private car with a driver is the most common way, because the roads between the cities are good and you can stop where you like. Trains between Delhi and Agra are fast and cheap, and good for part of the route. Buses are available but slower. For a first-time visitor, a driver is the least stressful.

October to March is the best, with warm days and cool nights. December and January can be foggy in the north, which affects trains and dawn views at the Taj. April to June is extremely hot, and the monsoon (July to September) brings humidity, but lush landscapes and fewer tourists.

Best months

Oct to Mar

Hottest

Apr to Jun

Fog risk

Dec to Jan

Distance

~720 km

Days

5–7

Taj closed

Fridays

• ✔Book hotels in Agra and Jaipur in advance.
• ✔Use official guides at the monuments.
• ✔Dress modestly and cover your shoulders.
• ✔Carry hand sanitiser and bottled water.
• ✔Be polite but firm with touts.

Costs depend on your style. A budget traveller using trains and simple hotels can do the Golden Triangle cheaply, while a luxury trip with a private driver, heritage hotels and a guide in each city costs much more. The main expenses are transport, accommodation and the foreign-visitor entry fees at monuments, which are higher than local prices.

Book your hotels in Agra and Jaipur first, especially in the peak months of October to March. Reserve trains early if you plan to use them, since the most popular services sell out. Arrange your driver, if you want one, through a reputable agency or hotel. Entry to the Taj Mahal and other major sights can be bought online.

If you have ten days or more, add one or two of these. The Golden Triangle can feel rushed in six days, so a fuller trip gives you time to rest between big days.

• ✔Varanasi: the holy city on the Ganges, an intense and unforgettable stop.
• ✔Ranthambore National Park: for a chance to see tigers, between Agra and Jaipur.
• ✔Udaipur: the lake city, a romantic follow-on from Jaipur.
• ✔Jodhpur and Jaisalmer: the Blue City and the golden fort in the desert.
• ✔Rishikesh: yoga and the Himalayas, reached from Delhi.

First-time visitors often struggle with the pace and the intensity. Crowds, noise, touts and heat all take a toll. Build rest days into your itinerary, such as a pool afternoon in Jaipur, and allow time for a good lunch. Drink only bottled or filtered water, and carry hand sanitiser.

Be firm but polite with touts, and agree prices before you begin any service. Use official guides, and avoid being taken to shops by your driver unless you want to go. Finally, keep your expectations flexible: delays happen, and some of the best moments come from unplanned detours. See our Delhi food guide, the Jaipur guide and the Taj Mahal guide.

If you have more days, add Varanasi, Udaipur or Rajasthan's desert cities. For the individual stops, see our guides to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, plus the Taj Mahal sunrise vs sunset guide.