India

India – The Golden Triangle (Travel Guide for Planning Your Trip)


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The Golden Triangle in India is a popular route for tourists who want to get a good taste of the country and see some of the major attractions. The route includes Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. This post will explain a bit more about the Golden Triangle, as well as how to get between each place and a few things to see when you get there. Another option should you prefer is to go on a tour.

Golden Triangle Map
Golden Triangle Map | Screenshot from Google Maps

Delhi

Most people will fly in and out of Delhi so it’s probably the best place to start. Delhi will give a great insight into India’s way of life and is a wonderful start to your journey. Getting around Delhi will take some time as it can get quite busy so we recommend having a look at things to do in the city before you arrive. A few of the highlights include:

Highlights of Delhi

  • The Red Fort
  • Humayun’s Tomb
  • Jama Masjid
  • India Gate

Read Top Experiences and Activities to Enjoy When Visiting Delhi for more ideas of things to do during your trip.


See Tours for Delhi

Exploring the Red Fort in Delhi
Exploring the Red Fort in Delhi
Jama Masjid mosque, Delhi
Jama Masjid mosque, Delhi
India Gate in Delhi
India Gate in Delhi
Humayun's Tomb in Delhi
Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi

Of course, there are lots more things to see and do in Delhi, but those were just a few ideas. Head to tripsavvy.com/top-delhi-attractions for more suggestions.


Jaipur

Next, we have Jaipur. This city is like Delhi in some ways, except it has an impressive architectural style and is called the Pink City. It is also pretty large and busy and we recommend staying as central as possible, such as close to Hawa Mahal as this will make it easier to get around.

Highlights of Jaipur

  • Amer Fort
  • Hawa Mahal
  • Monkey Temple
  • Jantar Mantar
  • Isarlat

See Tours for Jaipur

Amber Fort in Jaipur, India
Amber Fort in Jaipur
Hawa Mahal at night
Hawa Mahal at night
Monkeys at Monkey Temple, Jaipur
Monkeys at Monkey Temple, Jaipur

Agra

Finally, we will finish in Agra. This city is the home of the Taj Mahal and is a must-see for anyone visiting India. It gets busy though so make sure you get there early. The Taj also opens during a full moon if you wanted to see it in a unique light. Read our guide to visiting the Taj Mahal for more tips.

Highlights of Agra

  • Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah
  • Taj Mahal
  • Mehtab Bagh
  • Agra Fort
  • Keoladeo National Park

Read The Best Things to See and Do in and Around Agra for more ideas on what to do when visiting Agra.


See Tours for Agra

Taj Mahal, Agra, India
Taj Mahal, Agra

If you didn’t want to go inside the Taj, you could alternatively view it from across the River at Mehtab Bagh which is a park that is nice to sit down and relax in.

Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh
A View of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh

Slightly up from the Taj Mahal is the Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah which is sometimes called the Baby Taj.

Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah in Agra
Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah in Agra

Golden Triangle Tour Options

You’ll find various tour options through Viator. Here are some suggestions, click the blue button to see lots more or to narrow or to expand your search.


Travel Between Places

A few ways to travel between these different cities are trains, buses or taxis. All of these are fairly cheap with buses and trains being the cheapest options.

  • Delhi to Jaipur: Approx 5 hours (Train), Approx 4.5 hours (Car), Approx 5-6 Hours (Bus)
  • Jaipur to Agra: Approx 4 hours (Train), Approx 3.45 hours (Car), Approx 4 Hours (Bus)
  • Agra to Delhi: Approx 4 hours (Train), Approx 2-3 hours (Car), Approx 4 Hours (Bus)

Where to Stay

You’ll find fantastic accommodation at all these destinations from budget hostels to luxurious hotels. Use the links below to find some options.

You can also use the search tool below to start looking for places to stay. Change your destination using the box top left and use the filters to adjust your search:


Transportation

When visiting India you may need to use a combination of buses, trains and private taxis.

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To learn more about India and to plan your trip you can learn more on the official tourism website www.tourism-of-india.com/.

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Written by

Mike Clegg

Mike is a traveller, photographer, WordPress developer and the creator of TravelAndDestinations.com. He started this website so as to share his experiences and tips with travellers. He is from the UK and has travelled to many places around the world. He loves to shares his pictures and stories through Instagram and this website.

Read full bio | More articles by Mike

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