The Golden Triangle links Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, three cities roughly a few hours apart by road. It is the classic first trip to India, and the most common question we hear is how long to allow.
The distances
- Delhi to Agra: about 230 km, roughly 4 to 5 hours by road.
- Agra to Jaipur (via Fatehpur Sikri): about 250 km, around 5 hours.
- Jaipur to Delhi: about 265 km, around 5 to 6 hours.
4 nights: the essentials
Enough to see Old and New Delhi, the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, and Jaipur’s Amber Fort and City Palace. It is full, with a good deal of time in the car, so it suits travellers who want the highlights without slowing down.
5 to 6 nights: a more relaxed pace
A second day in Delhi, time at Fatehpur Sikri, and an unhurried evening in Jaipur’s bazaars make the trip feel less like a race. This is the length most travellers are happiest with.
7 nights and beyond: add an extension
With a week or more, the Golden Triangle pairs naturally with a second experience: tigers at Ranthambhore, the spiritual ghats of Varanasi, the lakes of Udaipur, or the Himalayan foothills at Rishikesh. See our Golden Triangle tour options, including the Golden Triangle with Varanasi itinerary.
A practical tip
The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays, so plan your Agra day around that. Our planners build this into every itinerary.
