Janak626

hi....somewhere amongst 100s of threads here is adiscussion about the cost of a car R/T between Delhi and Agra in one day...but where? Hoping some direct feedback would be available. Have been quoted between 3800 - 4500 rupees for R/T (same day) a "small car" (2 of us), air conditioning in working order. Is this in the ball park? are we expected to buy petrol and lunch for the driver? Want to figure it all out. thanks Jan

Mitch04

Don't know if this is any help. But I have booked a car for 4 days...airport pick-up in Delhi. Delhi to train station next day. Pick up in Agra and taken to hotel..2 days in Agra, and then drive to Jaipur. $99US per person. However, if you only have one day, better to catch the train to Agra and back I suggest, and hire a car when you get there, or simply use a taxi. There are plenty of tour operators who offer a one day trip Delhi to Agra - though it sounds somewhat exhausting and a very long day.

rhkkmk

i paid about $40 a day for 11 days...and that was an suv....i would suggest an suv as a small car would not be comfortable on the rough road and with all the trucks you sort of get lost.....if it is an ambassador, that is fine around town but not for a longer trip, imo....trucks hog the road and a small car might be in some danger especially after dark....
could you possibly consider an overnite in agra and return to delhi early the next morning so as to avoid nite driving??

Cicerone

The price is actually very good for a one-day trip, I have paid much more than that, but for an SUV. However, IMO you don’t need an SUV as the road you are taking is pretty smooth “highway’ (Indian style) and not really any back roads. I agree an SUV would be roomier and more comfortable for 9+ hours in the car, but if you don’t want to pay more, than a small car is probably fine. The suspension on the SUV is usually better and it would probably be a newer car so overall you would be more comfortable I would think, but its your spine... I know your trip is in April/May so the air con is the important issue.

This price should include petrol, you should confirm that, but that is generally always the case; but for that low a price it may not. It should also include tolls, again you should confirm that because for that low a price it may not. Tolls are negligible from a US standpoint, less than US$5 round trip. You are not expected to buy meals for the driver, that is included as well. A tip for the driver would be usual.

The prices for multi-day trips are cheaper and so you can't really compare them to one-day trips between Dehli and Agra.

Janak626

rhkkmk and cicerone: if we wanted tohire a driver with a SUV-type car,where do you suggest I look? I asked the couple who run the Master Paying Guest House (where we have reservations) if they could arrange something and "small car" is the reply I got back. If you can suggest a company that has cars/drivers, someone to take us around Delhi for two days (pretty much following the itinerary rhkkmk wrote about works for me) and to Agra and back that would be the easist for us. An overnight in Agra...a) for what and b) if we did that, we'd not be able to take a 1330 flight to KTM the next day(by far the cheapest flight of all the carriers I found and c) that flight will allow us enough time to make a 1530 flight to the airport closes to Chitwan, I think....thank you for your help. Jan

Cicerone

Kumar Tourist Taxi Service
14/1 K- Block
Connaught Circus
Tel: 91-11-2341-5390
Fax: 91-11-2341-8859
Cell: 91-98-1143-1783
e-mail: [email protected]

Send them an e-mail and they will give you a quote for the Agra trip, I believe it will be probably twice the quote you have for the smaller car. Specify that you want an SUV like a Toyota Qualis. They also do airport pickup, plus car service around Delhi. I think airport pickup is about Rs500 (about US$10), but confirm this as I have not used them for airport pickup. I know they charge Rs600 (about US$13) for an 8-hour day of touring within Delhi.

The Travel Arena
G-31 Jangpura Extension
New Delhi 11014
Tel: 91-112341-4527

My company uses them in Delhi; they do not have e-mail which is a bit more inconvenient for you. They have newer cars. They are a bit more expensive.

rhkkmk

if this doesn't work then i will give you my drivers address...

just easier on you to stay in agra....why not go in the middle of your stay?? it is said to be dangereous to drive at nite time---trucks...

Janak626

rhkkmk....I've read the threads here about driving at night and remember the drive from DEL to Agra 20 years ago. sounds like the roads have been maintained at the same level since then! I figured that if we left DEL around 5:30, we'd get to Agra before noon, spend 2 -3 hours and then return thereby avoiding any night driving. As you wrote highly of your driver, please send his email and I will contact him,as well now that I have an idea of cost and what kind of car to ask for. thanks for your help here, as on the SE Asian continent. CICERONE, thank you will follow up and let you know what I find out. Appreciate the time given to helpme out. Jan

Janak626

Cicreone; did contact Kumar TravelTaxi Service who replied that it would cost me $155 for a one day R/T PLUS (!!!) fuel, driver's food and lodging. When I replied that we were not staying over so why would lodging for the driver be included, I got a most nasty email back...that also told me a cost of $35 for airport pick up was reasonable as anything less was not possible for any taxi driver to charge!
So, rhkmkk, I would appreciate the name/email of your driver for further information as Kumar isn't going to cut it in my book. thanks, tho, Cicerone. I realize that you are not representing them but as an India hand, may be better able to negotiate a rate at this distance than I. Jan

Cicerone

I think the $155 is the going price, I have paid more. They were not overcharging you, It's expensive from Delhi to use them for one day or just an overnight. I don't have a response on the nasty e-mail; I have always had good service and response from them, but anyone can have a bad day I suppose. I did think their airport pickup was cheaper, but as I have never used them for that, I could not confirm it, as I indicated in my original message.

rhkkmk

his name is anoop kapoor

his address is:

[email protected]

thursdaysd

If you really only want to do a day trip, why don't you take the train? You'll get more time in Agra, and will spend a lot less money. See http://www.indianrail.gov.in/ for schedules (you want Agra Cantt station).

Janak626

could take the train and I am aware of the express on at 6:30 am leaving DEL. In that case, any suggestions for getting a car in Agra to drive us back to Delhi? OTHER ALTERNATIVE: the least expensive flight to KTM leaves at 1315. (&is on air sahara at $190 --and that took some searching as most sites do not list Air Sahara).WHAT IS THE REALISTIC TIME TO DRIVE FROM AGRA TO DELHI the morning of that flight? Again, suggestions as to how to hire a one way car in Agra? thanks,all.

timsmith

You would still have to pay for fare both sides as the cab will have to go back to Agra . Best option is to take a car/ driver from Delhi & return .
Atleast you would not have to bother changing trains , vehicles etc .

Janak626

tinsmith; your answer was one I was looking for as it narrows the options. If indeed I would have to pay a driver for a R/T (and that DOES make sense) then agreed: take a car both ways. WONDERING: how long it actually takes to drive from Agra to the DEL airport. Want to take a 1o pm flight from DEL to KTM. If we can do that easily after seeing the Taj at dawn (5:30 - 6:30-ish???) then we'll stay over. feedback, from those of you who have done this? thanks for your help. Jan

Craig

We did the drive FROM the airport to Agra. If you allow 4 hours for the drive and arrive 2 hours before your flight, you won't have much time to enjoy the Taj since the sun will barely be up by 7 AM.

rhkkmk

i also do not think you would be happy with an hour or so at the taj...

rhkkmk

jsut the walk in and out of the taj takes quite a bit of time before you even see the grounds and the sturcture itself....that could easily take an hour....

timsmith

I agree it will be very rushed and you would not be able to enjoy + the anxiety of missing the flight . Moreover in India ( esp Delhi) you never know of traffic holdups/ chaos. Play safe rather than missing your flight .........spend the night in Delhi ....

Janak626

thank you, all. will do Agra in one day. Fortunately, I have seen the Taj at both dawn and at dusk.My daughter is young, yet. Hopefully, she will have the opp to return. Any recs for an AIRPORT HOTEL < $100/night. We're staying at the Master Guest House for the first 2 nights. Maybe go back to there as they are willing to arrange a driver? Just don't want to get stuck in traffic all morning before departure. thanks Jan