Agra Travel Tips
Agra ’s travel tips are your guide to discover unseen adventures in Agra India. While taking you off the beaten track and into the exciting back streets of Agra, they can also help you navigate through the many layered cultural nuances that make India such an exciting holiday destination. After a few times and a couple hours on the ground in Agra, you’ll be buzzing around town like a local.
Animal Performances - roadside performances by various animals are aimed at tourists, often featuring dancing bears and monkeys. These animals are usually poorly treated and watching them only supports this practice
Auto Rickshaws - if an auto rickshaw driver stops at a specific shop, make it clear that you are not interested and have no intention of leaving the vehicle. They are simply expecting to receive commission from the shopkeeper, when you pay their inflated prices
Banks, Cashpoints and Currency Exchange - the main banks are located at Chhipi Tola Road, Fatehabad Road and around the Sadar Bazaar
Children Peddlers - when children approach you in Agra and try to sell you their wares, make it clear that you are not interested. If something does take your eye, buy it when you are leaving, otherwise it is that likely they will follow you around whilst you sightsee
Gem Import Scam - naive tourists in Agra may be persuaded to pay good money for worthless gems, expecting to be able to sell them on for a good profit to non-existent representatives in their home country
Hotels - don't worry if your Agra hotel is not close to the Taj Mahal, since bus transport is good and travel here on a regular basis
Internet Access - Internet cafes can be found on the Taj Road and also along Fatehabad Road, while the main hotels also feature computer access, which is usually charged per hour
Left Luggage - secure lockers are available at the Agra Cantonment Train Station and also at the Yash Cafe at the Taj South Gate, close to the Taj Mahal itself
Photographers - when visiting prominent landmarks in Agra, expect to be bombarded by photographers taking your photo and then trying to sell it to you. Do not feel pressured into buying something that you don't actually want. If you do agree, they will often take many more photos than you agreed an then try to sell you a complete album
Tourist Guides - many unofficial guides and touts around Agra are only after their commission and many will offer to take your photograph outside landmarks, such as the Taj Mahal, and then offer to take you to a workshop, restaurant, marble emporium or gift store, where you often feel obliged to spend your money. Avoid these people at all costs
Visiting the Taj Mahal - if possible, visit Agra's famous Taj Mahal complex as soon as possible after it opens, from 06:00 onwards. This is the time when it is at its least crowded and you will be able to take the best photographs, particularly when there is a good sunrise
Auto Rickshaws - if an auto rickshaw driver stops at a specific shop, make it clear that you are not interested and have no intention of leaving the vehicle. They are simply expecting to receive commission from the shopkeeper, when you pay their inflated prices
Banks, Cashpoints and Currency Exchange - the main banks are located at Chhipi Tola Road, Fatehabad Road and around the Sadar Bazaar
Children Peddlers - when children approach you in Agra and try to sell you their wares, make it clear that you are not interested. If something does take your eye, buy it when you are leaving, otherwise it is that likely they will follow you around whilst you sightsee
Gem Import Scam - naive tourists in Agra may be persuaded to pay good money for worthless gems, expecting to be able to sell them on for a good profit to non-existent representatives in their home country
Hotels - don't worry if your Agra hotel is not close to the Taj Mahal, since bus transport is good and travel here on a regular basis
Internet Access - Internet cafes can be found on the Taj Road and also along Fatehabad Road, while the main hotels also feature computer access, which is usually charged per hour
Left Luggage - secure lockers are available at the Agra Cantonment Train Station and also at the Yash Cafe at the Taj South Gate, close to the Taj Mahal itself
Photographers - when visiting prominent landmarks in Agra, expect to be bombarded by photographers taking your photo and then trying to sell it to you. Do not feel pressured into buying something that you don't actually want. If you do agree, they will often take many more photos than you agreed an then try to sell you a complete album
Tourist Guides - many unofficial guides and touts around Agra are only after their commission and many will offer to take your photograph outside landmarks, such as the Taj Mahal, and then offer to take you to a workshop, restaurant, marble emporium or gift store, where you often feel obliged to spend your money. Avoid these people at all costs
Visiting the Taj Mahal - if possible, visit Agra's famous Taj Mahal complex as soon as possible after it opens, from 06:00 onwards. This is the time when it is at its least crowded and you will be able to take the best photographs, particularly when there is a good sunrise