Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Day Trip by Gatimaan Express Train

Summary

Agra’s marble, red sandstone and the hum of Gatimaan Express

You’ll zip from Delhi to Agra on India’s fastest train, walk through the gates of the Taj Mahal with a local guide, explore Agra Fort’s echoing halls, and enjoy a full lunch at a 5-star hotel—all with pickup and tickets sorted for you. Expect moments that linger long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

We barely had time to finish our tea before our driver showed up right on time in Delhi—7am sharp, which felt early but somehow the city was already alive. He got us to Nizamuddin station without any fuss. I’d never been on the Gatimaan Express before; it’s India’s fastest train, but honestly what I noticed first was the way the chai smelled as soon as we boarded. There’s something about trains here—windows open, people chatting softly in Hindi, that metallic rattle under your feet. The ride to Agra went by in a blur (1 hour 40 minutes, but it felt shorter). Breakfast came out just after we left—simple but hot—and by the time I looked up from my phone, we were pulling into Agra Cantonment.

Our guide, Rajiv, found us right away—he was holding a sign with my name and grinned when he saw us looking lost. We started at the Taj Mahal. I thought I'd be prepared for it—I mean you see it everywhere—but walking through those gates and seeing that white marble glowing in the morning haze? It’s quiet for a second, like everyone forgets to breathe. Rajiv told us how Shah Jahan built it for Mumtaz Mahal, his wife. There were schoolkids posing for photos and an older couple who asked me to take their picture (I hope it turned out). The air smelled faintly of jasmine from somewhere in the gardens. I tried saying “Shukriya” to thank Rajiv for snapping our photos—he laughed and corrected my pronunciation gently.

Lunch was at this 5-star hotel nearby—honestly fancier than anything I’d usually pick myself. The dal makhani was so rich I still think about it (and probably will next time I eat lentils at home). After lunch we explored Agra Fort: red sandstone everywhere, monkeys darting along the walls, echoes bouncing off old courtyards while Rajiv explained which emperor lived where. My shoes got a bit dusty but I didn’t care—it felt like stepping into someone else’s story.

The last stop was the Tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah—the “Baby Taj.” It’s quieter there; you can actually hear birds instead of crowds. The marble work is so delicate you almost want to whisper around it. On the way back to the station Rajiv asked if we wanted chai again (“Always,” I said). Then suddenly we were back on Gatimaan Express heading toward Delhi as dusk crept in outside the window. Funny how fast a day can go when you’re not watching clocks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Train trip and Agra sightseeing

• Pickup from hotel in Delhi at 7:00 AM
• Travel to Delhi Nizamuddin railway station
• Board Gatimaan Express train at 8:10 AM
• Arrive Agra Cantonment station at 9:50 AM
• Visit the Taj Mahal with guide
• Visit Agra Fort
• Lunch at 5-star hotel in Agra
• Visit Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj)
• Return to Agra Cantonment station by 5:30 PM
• Board Gatimaan Express train at 5:45 PM
• Arrive Delhi Nizamuddin station at 7:30 PM
• Driver transfer to hotel or preferred location

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Delhi to Taj Mahal by train?

The tour starts with pickup around 7:00 AM in Delhi and returns by about 7:30 PM.

Is lunch included on this Taj Mahal day trip?

Yes, lunch at a 5-star hotel in Agra is included.

Which train is used between Delhi and Agra?

The Gatimaan Express, India’s fastest train, is used both ways.

Are monument entry tickets included?

Yes, all monument tickets are included in your tour package.

Will there be a guide during visits?

A private local guide accompanies you throughout your time in Agra.

Is hotel pickup & drop-off available?

Pickup and drop-off are included from anywhere in Delhi, Noida or Gurugram.

What sites are visited besides Taj Mahal?

You’ll also visit Agra Fort and Tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah (“Baby Taj”).

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation and all areas visited are wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable pickup from anywhere in Delhi or nearby cities, round-trip tickets on India’s fastest train—the Gatimaan Express—entry fees for all monuments including Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, breakfast and supper served onboard the train, five souvenir photos at the Taj Mahal taken by your guide if you want them, lunch at a top-rated 5-star hotel in Agra (with options for different diets), plus all parking fees and taxes covered before you’re dropped off back at your hotel or airport in the evening.