Exploring Agra with an Indian Online Visa
Agra is located in the northern part of India in the state of Uttar Pradesh, residing on the banks of the River Yamuna. It is a city offering a discovery of the rich history of the Mughal era, and the home of the ‘Taj Mahal’, one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
Agra is a part of the Golden Triangle Circuit, along with it includes Jaipur and Delhi, the Capital of India.
Tourists planning a visit to Agra, should meet the essential entry requirements like having all the required documents based on your nationality. This article is a short guide to provide foreign tourists with all the necessary information, regarding the documents to carry and other details related to your visit to Agra.
Foreign travelers visiting India, would require the Indian Visa Online or the Indian e-Tourist Visa to explore the enchanting places of India. And if a traveler is visiting India on an Indian e-Business Visa and later has planned to explore the sightseeing places of India and engage in recreational activities, the Indian Authority encourages such visitors to apply for Indian Visa Online, for having a hassle-free application process without a visit to the Indian Consulate.
What are the Visa Requirements for Visiting Agra?
Travelers planning a visit to Agra, should ensure that they have all the requirements to travel to India. Citizens from countries like Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives, require only a passport that's valid to enter India. However, for citizens of other countries they need to have a visa to visit Agra in India.
How to reach Agra? Transportation options available for travelers
Travelers planning a trip to Agra to explore the historical sites, can easily reach by flight, bus, taxi or train.
International Airport Entry Point
Agra has its own domestic airport, called Kheria Airport. For international travelers planning a visit to India by flight, for them the nearest international airport to Agra is Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI Airport) in Delhi. This airport is around 206 km away from Agra, so from here, travelers can either choose to take a domestic flight to Agra airport or take a bus, taxi or train.
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The Taj Mahal is one of the famous stunning man-made wonders, not only in India but around the world. It is designated as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, popular for its spectacular ivory-white marble monument, and is an exquisite example of Mughal architecture, combining elements of Islamic, Persian and Indian styles.
Travel Packages and Independent Arrangements
Foreign tourists, if planning to take a tour package to explore the jewels of India and enjoy a hassle-free travel experience, can choose the Indian Golden Triangle Circuit Tour Package, this tour package covers Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. This tour package comes inclusive of pick and drop facilities, accommodations, meals, sightseeing, etc. It offers comfort and flexibility to let you enjoy your trip in India. It is recommended to book from renowned travel agencies only.
Travel Time and Duration
To reach Agra from Delhi, it will take around 3-4 hours by car and 2-3 hours by train.
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Travelers can leave India by 4 different modes of transportation, i.e. by air, cruise ship, train and bus, but to enter India there are only 2 modes of transportation valid i.e. by sea and cruise ship and you should have the Indian eVisa for Indian Visa Online. Here know more about the entry points of India Airports and Seaports for Indian Visa.
What is the Best Season to Visit Agra? Weather, Temperature & Tourism Considerations
Agra is a world-famous tourist destination, and choosing the right time to visit is an important decision to enjoy a wonderful tour experience.
March to May: Low Season
March to May is the low season, during these months the prices of the hotels are less. But it is the summer season, the temperature here rises to around 46 degree Celsius in May in the daytime. March to April has a bearable temperature that is the maximum temperature reaches up to 36 degree Celsius. For budget conscious they can travel in March and April.
June to September: Monsoon Season
June to September is the monsoon season, which means you are going to enjoy the rain and cool weather conditions. However in the first two weeks of June do not expect any rainfall, the temperature may be as high as 45 degree Celsius.
However, from the last week of June till September you can expect rainfall which is manageable, also you can expect lower hotel price charge and less crowd.
November to February: High Season
November to February are the winter months in Agra and the best season to visit. The weather is simply pleasant during these months, you can enjoy exploring Agra. However, since it is the peak season, hotel prices are high and more crowded.
Other factors to consider:
Aside from the weather and crowd, travelers should also check for other factors like festivals, and holidays, which can help you make your travel plans.
For example:
There is a 10-day cultural festival organized in Agra, called Taj Mahotsav in the month of February. Tourists can experience art, culture, music, and dance, which adds an excitement to the travel plans.
There is also a light show organized in Taj Mahal during the evening hours, check out for the ticket prices, and timings. It is a 30 minute show, organized in both Hindi and English.
Another interesting activity in Taj Mahal is the viewing of the monument at night on a full moon night. This activity is available for 5 days in a month i.e. two nights before the full moon, on a full moon night, and two nights after the full moon. Tourists have to purchase tickets in advance,
Also, tourists should check out the holidays that may affect tourist attraction sites, the opening timings, closing days, etc.
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Travelers visiting Delhi will be interested to explore the National Capital of India, merged between modernization and old historical charm. From being ruled by many dynasties to being a modern city, tourists get a taste of both in the air of India’s capital New Delhi.
What about Safety for Tourists in Agra?
Agra is considered safe for tourists, but travelers should be alert and take precautions like while you are traveling to any other city to avoid any mishaps. To know more about the safety check out the following:
Level of Crime
The crime rate in Agra is comparatively low, most incidents relates to pickpocketing. Tourists should be careful with their valuables. When traveling in crowded areas be careful with your belongings, always be alert.
Dealing with Pushy Hawkers
Local hawkers are common outside the monumental areas in Agra and they can be pushy. So tourists should be firm with their answers, if you say ‘no’ directly the moment they ask, they will understand that you are not interested in buying. In case you want to purchase something, you should know the art of bargaining, as the hawkers charge more than the actual price.
Taxi Scams
Taxis are usually overcharged in Agra, tourists are advised to check the price first and then negotiate. Don't just sit in the taxi without deciding the final price. Also, hire from authorized taxi services only.
Traffic and Pollution
Traffic in Agra is one of the most congested and can be chaotic sometimes. Traffic jams are common in Agra and pollution levels are high. Just be careful, and do not take shortcuts to avoid traffic, this could lead to worse, as the traffic in small lanes in Agra doesn't even move for hours.
Safety for Women
As many other cities around the world, it is important to be alert while traveling alone. It is better for females to avoid walking in isolated places alone and avoid stepping out at night. In the daytime you can explore Agra all alone, as the places are usually crowded at the daytime.
As Agra is a tourist friendly place, especially for the foreigners you will love exploring this vibrant city. However, tourists should watch out for some of the do’s and don'ts for their safety and avoid any mishaps.
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If you are planning a visit to India and are confused, you can check out the different visas with their duration and how you can enjoy a long-extended stay in India. Here’s where you can check out the Indian Visa Extension Options.
Discover the Enchanting Tales & History of Agra: From the Rule of the Great Mughals to the British
Agra is the land of history, culture and traditions, it has a history that dates back to ancient times. The most powerful dynasty that ruled Agra was the Mughal Dynasty and then the rule of the British.
The modern city of Agra on the banks of the River Yamuna was founded by Akbar, and was the capital of the Mughal Empire for a century. It was during this Mughal period that Agra was at its peak of cultural, conceptual and technical developments of artmaking.
During this time period, the Great Mughal Emperors like Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan built many monumental buildings such as the Agra Fort, Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri.
The Taj Mahal is designated as one of the Seven Wonders World, when you visit this iconic place, you will know how it truly justifies itself. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Arjumand Banu Begum, popularly known as Mumtaz Mahal, as a symbol of love for her.
This architectural wonder is a UNESCO World Heritage Site is made of red sandstone and then covered with white marble which comprises elegant intricate carvings. And it wasn't built in a year, but it took around 20 years to be built and around 20000 workers worked.
During the world wars, under the instructions of the British officials, bamboo gallows were used to cover the Taj Mahal, from bombardment from enemy planes.
Agra is also famous for its silk and skilled weavers, famous Banarasi silk is produced from silk with great complex designs.
Citizens of many countries including United States, France, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Italy are eligible for India e-Visa(Indian Visa Online). You can apply for the Indian e-Visa Online Application right here.
Should you have any doubts or require assistance for your trip to India or India e-Visa,contact Indian Visa Help Desk for support and guidance.