The short answer
- Ideal length
- 6 to 7 days
- Minimum
- 4 to 5 days
- Best months
- October to March
- Popular add-ons
- Ranthambore, Varanasi, Udaipur
The Golden Triangle links India's capital Delhi, the Taj Mahal in Agra and the Pink City of Jaipur. The three cities sit roughly 200 to 250 kilometres apart, making a compact loop that is the classic first trip to India.
Most visitors travel by private car with a driver and local guides in each city, which is good value and far more comfortable than public transport.
Travel times
| Route | By road | By train |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi to Agra | About 3 to 4 hours on the expressway | About 1 hour 45 minutes on the fastest trains |
| Agra to Jaipur | About 4 to 5 hours, via Fatehpur Sikri | About 4 to 6 hours |
| Jaipur to Delhi | About 5 to 6 hours | About 4 to 5 hours |
| Jaipur to Ranthambore | About 3 to 4 hours | About 2 to 3 hours |
Option 1: the classic Golden Triangle in 6 days
Best for: First time visitors with a week or less
Six days is the sweet spot. It gives you a full day in Delhi, sunrise at the Taj Mahal without a 4am start from Delhi, and two nights in Jaipur so the Amber Fort is not a rush.
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Delhi. Evening walk at India Gate or a food tour | Delhi |
| 2 | Old Delhi by rickshaw, Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar | Delhi |
| 3 | Train or drive to Agra. Agra Fort, then sunset at Mehtab Bagh across the river from the Taj | Agra |
| 4 | Taj Mahal at sunrise. Drive to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri and the Chand Baori step well | Jaipur |
| 5 | Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and the bazaars | Jaipur |
| 6 | Drive to Delhi (5 to 6 hours) for an evening or overnight flight |
Want this route as a private tour?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 6 days, built around your dates.
Option 2: Golden Triangle with tigers in 8 days
Best for: Wildlife lovers and families
Ranthambore National Park sits between Jaipur and Agra, so two nights there add tiger safaris with very little extra driving. Book at least three safari drives to give yourself a good chance of a sighting.
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | Delhi: Old Delhi, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar | Delhi |
| 3 | Train or drive to Agra. Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh at sunset | Agra |
| 4 | Taj Mahal at sunrise. Drive or train to Ranthambore | Ranthambore |
| 5 | Morning and afternoon jeep safaris | Ranthambore |
| 6 | Final morning safari, then drive to Jaipur (3 to 4 hours) | Jaipur |
| 7 | Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal | Jaipur |
| 8 | Drive to Delhi for your flight |
Tip: Ranthambore's core zones close from about July to September. Outside those months, book safari permits as early as you can; they are limited and sell out for peak dates.
Want the tiger version made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 8 days, built around your dates.
Option 3: Golden Triangle with Varanasi in 8 days
Best for: Travellers interested in spiritual India
Varanasi, on the Ganges, is the most intense and unforgettable city in India. It is about an hour and a half by air from Delhi, or an overnight train, so add it at the start or end of the loop.
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | Delhi: Old Delhi, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar | Delhi |
| 3 | Fly to Varanasi. Evening Ganga Aarti on the ghats | Varanasi |
| 4 | Dawn boat ride, old city lanes, Sarnath where the Buddha first taught | Varanasi |
| 5 | Fly to Delhi or Agra, or take a train. Agra Fort | Agra |
| 6 | Taj Mahal at sunrise. Drive to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri | Jaipur |
| 7 | Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal | Jaipur |
| 8 | Drive to Delhi for your flight |
Want the Varanasi version made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 8 days, built around your dates.
Opening days and tickets
Most sights are open daily, but two closures catch people out every week. Build your route around them.
| Sight | Closed | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Taj Mahal, Agra | Fridays | Opens about 30 minutes before sunrise. Separate extra ticket to enter the main tomb |
| Red Fort, Delhi | Mondays | Combine with an Old Delhi rickshaw ride |
| Agra Fort | Open daily | Views of the Taj from the fort's white marble pavilions |
| Fatehpur Sikri | Open daily | Easy stop on the Agra to Jaipur drive |
| Amber Fort, Jaipur | Open daily | Go at opening time to beat the heat and the crowds |
| Humayun's Tomb, Delhi | Open daily | Best in late afternoon light |
Opening days can change for holidays and state visits. Check with your tour operator or the official site before you go.
Tip: Foreign visitors pay a higher entrance fee than Indian citizens, and tickets bought online are often a little cheaper. Ask whether your tour includes entrance fees: on this route they add up.
Private tour or group tour?
- Private tour: Your own car, driver and local guides. The most popular way to do the Golden Triangle, and good value for two or more people. You choose the pace and the hotels. Private India tours
- Small group tour: Usually 8 to 16 people with a tour leader. Cheaper for solo travellers and more social, but the schedule is fixed. Small group India tours
- Day trips from Delhi: Same day trips to Agra are possible but long, about 12 hours. Spend at least one night in Agra if you can.
Best add-ons
- Udaipur (+2 or 3 nights): Lakes and palaces in southern Rajasthan, a short flight from Jaipur or Delhi. Udaipur guide
- Amritsar (+2 nights): The Golden Temple and the Wagah border ceremony. Golden Temple guide
- Pushkar and Jodhpur (+3 or 4 nights): Extend into a full Rajasthan itinerary.
- Kerala (+5 to 7 nights): Fly south for backwaters and tea hills. Kerala guide
Rather have a trip to India made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for the Golden Triangle?
Five days covers the highlights, but six or seven is more comfortable and lets you see the Taj Mahal at sunrise without rushing.
Is a Golden Triangle tour worth it?
Yes for a first visit. It packs three very different cities, three UNESCO listed Mughal monuments and the forts of Jaipur into a short, easy route.
Should I do the Golden Triangle by train or car?
A private car with a driver is the most flexible and usually good value. Trains are fast between Delhi and Agra, but you still need transport at each end.
Which day is the Taj Mahal closed?
The Taj Mahal is closed every Friday. Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri and Mehtab Bagh are open that day.
Can you add Ranthambore to the Golden Triangle?
Yes. Ranthambore lies between Jaipur and Agra, so two nights there add three or four tiger safaris with little extra driving. The trip then takes about eight days.
Sources we checked
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