JC98

A booking agent I'm contacting says (somehow insists) that an AC car is not necessary for the Golden Triangle tour(Jaipur-->Agra->Delhi)in Nov. It will be in the 3rd to 4th week of Nov.

I don't mind paying extra for the AC, but is it really necessary? And not sure why he wants us to get a non-AC one, unless they're more available? Even if the weather is mild enough, is the the drive really dusty that you wouldn't want to bring in fresh air from the outside, so you have to turn on the AC?

Another question is whether it's ok to rent an SUV (Toyota Qualis)? It seems a bit too big and extravagant for just 2 people. But it might make you feel safer on these roads. Are the roads within the city, like Jaipur, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri big enough for these big cars to easily move through? And I'm afraid of feeling uncomfortable to be in a big car moving above the masses below. Would riding in a big car attract more attention from the crowds?

Another option is just to take a taxi or rickshaw for sightseeing in Jaipur. Then start the SUV rental for Amber Fort and onward to Agra and Delhi?

So many questions here! Please share your experience and any advice. Thanks!

Craig

You probably don't need ac in November but you will appreciate having a larger vehicle. On the roads in India, size matters - you will feel safer. There will also be plenty of room for all of your luggage, your guide etc. We did pretty much the same tour and felt the Toyota Qualis was perfect. I believe the Qualis had ac and there were times we kept the windows closed to keep the beggars from reaching in the vehicle. The roads while not super highways were paved so dust was not really a problem. The Qualis is more of a mini van than an SUV. It does not stand out as they are quite common - many of the tour companies use them as well. We found it was more convenient to have a driver we "knew" on call at all times than to hire taxi/rickshaw drivers at different locations.

FanofIndia

You get plenty of leg room in a Qualis. It is not quite as big as the foreign four-wheelers. There are also good medium-sized cars that also cope very well as the Qualis.

thursdaysd

I did a few trips in India in an Ambassador, which certainly blends in, and would have felt an SUV was overkill, but I was traveling solo. I don't think I would have felt any safer in an SUV, and I don't think the Ambassadors had AC - I was in India Nov & Dec. I did all my city sightseeing on foot or by rickshaw, and took trains between cities whenever possible, so I didn't use a car and driver much. The only cities where I might consider a car for sightseeing would be Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

JC98

Thanks, all, for responding.

Craig, even with a car, you still needed to hire an autoricshaw? Required in Jaipur, Agra, or Fatehpur Sikri?

Thanks.

Craig

No, you don't need an autorickshaw at any of those places. You may have to walk the last few yards to the Taj or take some alternate mode of transport for security reasons however. Otherwise its not an issue.