Golden Triangle Itinerary — Delhi, Agra & Jaipur in 5-6 Days
The Golden Triangle — Delhi, Agra and Jaipur — is India's most famous first-timer route, and for good reason. In five to six unhurried days you cover the Mughal capital, the Taj Mahal at sunrise and the pink-and-amber forts of Rajasthan's capital. Distances are short, roads are good and trains are quick, so you spend more time at monuments than in transit. Budget roughly ₹18,000-₹35,000 per person for mid-range stays, transport and entries. It is history, food and colour, neatly packaged.
The route forms a rough triangle: Delhi to Agra is about 230 km, Agra to Jaipur about 240 km, and Jaipur back to Delhi about 270 km. The Yamuna Expressway and the newer Delhi-Mumbai Expressway spur make road travel smooth, while the Gatimaan and Vande Bharat trains cut Delhi-Agra to under two hours. Hire a car-and-driver for flexibility or mix trains with local cabs to save money.
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Your day-by-day Golden Triangle plan
Delhi — old and new
Days 1-2Start with Red Fort, Jama Masjid and a rickshaw weave through Chandni Chowk, then Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar and India Gate. Eat at Karim's or Paranthe Wali Gali. Two days lets Delhi breathe without rushing.
Photo: Yugank Kulshrestha / Pexels
Agra — the Taj at dawn
Day 3Drive or take the Gatimaan Express early. See the Taj Mahal at sunrise when crowds and heat are lowest, then Agra Fort and the riverside Mehtab Bagh viewpoint. Don't skip the marble-inlay 'Baby Taj'.
Photo: VARAN NM / Pexels
Fatehpur Sikri en route
Day 4 morningBreak the Agra-Jaipur drive at Akbar's abandoned red-sandstone capital, about 40 km from Agra. The Buland Darwaza and Panch Mahal are stunning. It adds two hours but is well worth the stop.
Photo: AXP Photography / Pexels
Jaipur — the Pink City
Days 4-5Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal and the Jantar Mantar observatory fill a packed day and a half. Shop for block-print textiles and gemstones in Johari Bazaar, and watch sunset at Nahargarh Fort.
Return to Delhi
Day 6Drive back via the expressway in about five hours, or catch a fast train. If your flight is late, squeeze in Albert Hall Museum or a Rajasthani thali in Jaipur before leaving.
What to budget for
- ✓Taj Mahal is closed every Friday — plan Agra around that.
- ✓A private car-and-driver for all 6 days runs ₹12,000-₹18,000 total.
- ✓Monument entry fees add up — budget ₹2,500-₹3,500 per person overall.
- ✓Summers (Apr-Jun) are brutally hot — 40°C-plus sightseeing is exhausting.
Figures are realistic ballparks and vary with season, dates and how early you book. Use the planner for live prices.
Best time to visit
October to March is the sweet spot — cool, clear days perfect for fort-climbing and a fog-free Taj most mornings. December and January can bring dense morning fog around Delhi and Agra that delays trains and hides the Taj until mid-morning, so build in buffer. February and March are arguably ideal: mild, sunny and pre-peak-crowd. Avoid April to June, when temperatures cross 40°C and sightseeing becomes a heat-endurance test. The July-September monsoon greens the landscape and thins crowds but brings humidity and occasional travel disruption. Book hotels early for the November-February high season.
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🎯 Build My Golden Triangle TripGood to know before you go
- ›Getting there: fly into Delhi (DEL), then move by train or private car-and-driver; the whole triangle is road-and-rail connected, no flights needed between cities.
- ›Best transport: the Gatimaan and Vande Bharat trains for Delhi-Agra; a hired car-and-driver for Agra-Jaipur-Delhi gives stops like Fatehpur Sikri.
- ›Tickets: buy Taj Mahal and Amber Fort tickets online in advance to skip queues; carry a photo ID for all monument entries.
- ›Practical tip: keep small cash for tips, parking and toilets, and start the Taj and Amber Fort early to beat both crowds and the midday sun.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for the Golden Triangle?
Five to six days is ideal — two in Delhi, one in Agra and one and a half to two in Jaipur, plus travel. You can rush it in four, but six lets you enjoy the Taj at dawn and Jaipur's forts without exhaustion.
What is the best time to visit the Golden Triangle?
October to March, when days are cool and clear. February and March are especially pleasant. Avoid April to June heat, and expect morning fog around Delhi and Agra in December and January.
How much does a Golden Triangle trip cost?
Roughly ₹18,000-₹35,000 per person for five to six days on a mid-range budget, covering hotels, a shared car-and-driver, train tickets, monument entries and meals. Luxury stays push it well above that.
Is the Taj Mahal open every day?
The Taj Mahal is closed every Friday for prayers. Plan your Agra day on any other weekday, ideally arriving at sunrise for the best light and the thinnest crowds.