Delhi to Agra car vs train Qs... and Delhi hotels too.
Mar 28th, 2012, 09:26 PM
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Delhi to Agra car vs train Qs... and Delhi hotels too.
Hello Fodorites! I have decided on doing an overnight in Agra from Delhi and am trying to plan details. I am trying to decide between booking a tour to handle everything (transport, guide, hotel) or going it on our own via train. Only a couple weeks left! 
1) The latter route seems decidedly harder. Has anyone taken the train to Agra themselves and gone to Fatehpur Sikri too? Is the only way by car?
2) Also, I keep hearing about how dirty trains in India are. Does this apply to the Shatabdi Express too? Can anyone give a sense of the Shatabdi Express in this regard, and what class ticket you would recommend? The huge time save via train (vs road) is too great to ignore!
3) In the alternative, can anyone recommend any tour agency they booked for Agra? Our wedding hosts referred a tour proposal from friend of a friend who owns a tour agency, but the hotel included in the package seems rundown (the Pushp Villa Hotel). Maybe I can ask them to customize. I think ideally, we'd take the train down one way, the tour would meet us in Agra, but return by car transport (they offered this for the day trip option, but not for the overnight) the next day with Fatehpur Sikri en route.
4) Last, any opinions on the Imperial ($184 deco room w/ bfast) vs Radisson ($138 w/ bfast) vs Metropolitan ($148 w/ bfast) vs The Park ($134 w/ bfast)? These are all 4-5 star hotels nr Connaught, and similar recs are welcomed. I know MANY are partial to the Imperial -- is the extra $50 or so worth it for old world charm?
Thanks in adv!!!
1) The latter route seems decidedly harder. Has anyone taken the train to Agra themselves and gone to Fatehpur Sikri too? Is the only way by car?
2) Also, I keep hearing about how dirty trains in India are. Does this apply to the Shatabdi Express too? Can anyone give a sense of the Shatabdi Express in this regard, and what class ticket you would recommend? The huge time save via train (vs road) is too great to ignore!
3) In the alternative, can anyone recommend any tour agency they booked for Agra? Our wedding hosts referred a tour proposal from friend of a friend who owns a tour agency, but the hotel included in the package seems rundown (the Pushp Villa Hotel). Maybe I can ask them to customize. I think ideally, we'd take the train down one way, the tour would meet us in Agra, but return by car transport (they offered this for the day trip option, but not for the overnight) the next day with Fatehpur Sikri en route.
4) Last, any opinions on the Imperial ($184 deco room w/ bfast) vs Radisson ($138 w/ bfast) vs Metropolitan ($148 w/ bfast) vs The Park ($134 w/ bfast)? These are all 4-5 star hotels nr Connaught, and similar recs are welcomed. I know MANY are partial to the Imperial -- is the extra $50 or so worth it for old world charm?
Thanks in adv!!!
Mar 28th, 2012, 11:10 PM
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You might want to also consider either the Punjab Mail Express (early morning) or the Grand Trunk Express (evening) both of which contain an AC First Class coach and are quite clean. Another option is the AC chair car in the Taj Express. If time is the primary concern, the Bhopal Shatabdi is good and fast, but also more expensive and hence also cleaner. I'd again recommend the AC First, but this is a sitting class since the commute is short and Shatabdi's are usually only sitting trains.
I've never stayed at the Pushp Villa, so can't comment on it. If you do want to customize that aspect, you can try the Grand Imperial(~100$), or the higher end Clark Shiraz(~135$).
In Delhi, the Imperial is definitely the best among your list, not only for the charm but also the food. I can't comment on the extra 50$ worth since it depends on whether you are fond of such hotels. A good second choice is the Park for its location. If you want a moderately priced old world charm hotel, you can try the Oberoi Maidens which is slightly cheaper than the Imperial but the location is not as good.
I've never stayed at the Pushp Villa, so can't comment on it. If you do want to customize that aspect, you can try the Grand Imperial(~100$), or the higher end Clark Shiraz(~135$).
In Delhi, the Imperial is definitely the best among your list, not only for the charm but also the food. I can't comment on the extra 50$ worth since it depends on whether you are fond of such hotels. A good second choice is the Park for its location. If you want a moderately priced old world charm hotel, you can try the Oberoi Maidens which is slightly cheaper than the Imperial but the location is not as good.
Mar 29th, 2012, 06:14 AM
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i have stayed at the metropolitian and it is very nice and well located.... our room was small but very comfortable...
the train is faster, but i think you miss the local vibe... you will need to drive to FS so why not hire a car r.t.
i use castle and king... google them and i am sure arvind can arrange something for you which is fairly priced..
the train is faster, but i think you miss the local vibe... you will need to drive to FS so why not hire a car r.t.
i use castle and king... google them and i am sure arvind can arrange something for you which is fairly priced..
Mar 29th, 2012, 07:09 AM
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Follow-up: in Agra, are drivers available to take you one-way back to Delhi with a stop at FS? How much would such cost?
@ rhkkmk- thx for the thoughts. I was thinking of the Mughal Sheraton if we are able to customize the tour package. How did you like it and is there anything walkable in the immediate area?
I have read that the drive to Agra is not particularly nice, and that taking the train is a quintessential Indian experience. Can you tell me what you enjoyed re: local vibe during the drive?
@galactus - i am leaning more and more towards the imperial. Can anyone tell me if there is free wifi there? My research is yielding mixed answers. thx also for pointing out additional trains. Just checked it out on cleartrip.
@ rhkkmk- thx for the thoughts. I was thinking of the Mughal Sheraton if we are able to customize the tour package. How did you like it and is there anything walkable in the immediate area?
I have read that the drive to Agra is not particularly nice, and that taking the train is a quintessential Indian experience. Can you tell me what you enjoyed re: local vibe during the drive?
@galactus - i am leaning more and more towards the imperial. Can anyone tell me if there is free wifi there? My research is yielding mixed answers. thx also for pointing out additional trains. Just checked it out on cleartrip.
Mar 29th, 2012, 12:09 PM
#6
The problem with driving is that it takes so long. Anywhere from 3.5 to eight hours, depending where you start, traffic, road work, protest marches, etc.
Looks like the prices at the Imperial have dropped since i was last there a few years ago. It is a beautiful hotel and the location is perfect for walking around, but I always found the staff a bit full of themselves.
You can arrange your driver in Delhi, but take the train there as you planned, which is what I'd do. No matter which end you start, you will be paying him for a round trip home. The train is so cheap, and the time savings so great that it it well worth it. You will need a car in Agra and to go to FS.
Castle and King get good reviews from lots of Fodorites. You could also ask your hotel for a recommendation, though if it's the Imperial there will be a price for the convenience!
Looks like the prices at the Imperial have dropped since i was last there a few years ago. It is a beautiful hotel and the location is perfect for walking around, but I always found the staff a bit full of themselves.
You can arrange your driver in Delhi, but take the train there as you planned, which is what I'd do. No matter which end you start, you will be paying him for a round trip home. The train is so cheap, and the time savings so great that it it well worth it. You will need a car in Agra and to go to FS.
Castle and King get good reviews from lots of Fodorites. You could also ask your hotel for a recommendation, though if it's the Imperial there will be a price for the convenience!
Mar 29th, 2012, 02:39 PM
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THe "Sheraton" s are ITC so ITC Mughal (Agra) ITC Maurya (New Delhi) etc.
I loved both
I've been on a bunch of Shatabtis .You want FIRST AC class. But the toilets are no better ( or worse) than other trains in INdia.
YOur plan to do train down and driver back up via FS is fine.
DEFinitely stay at BEST hotel in Agra you can afford. There are a lot of crappy ones there.
For New Del, if the difference is indeed ONY $ 50, YES go to Imperial for its history and charm.
I loved both
I've been on a bunch of Shatabtis .You want FIRST AC class. But the toilets are no better ( or worse) than other trains in INdia.
YOur plan to do train down and driver back up via FS is fine.
DEFinitely stay at BEST hotel in Agra you can afford. There are a lot of crappy ones there.
For New Del, if the difference is indeed ONY $ 50, YES go to Imperial for its history and charm.
Mar 29th, 2012, 02:42 PM
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ps the ITC Mughal is NOT in a location where you just walk out the entry and take off on a stroll. It is away from, for lack of a better word, the "downtown" area of Agra. Luckily, there is a GREAT restaurant in the hotel.
Mar 29th, 2012, 04:51 PM
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First Class seats are the cleanest and most comfortable. The bathrooms are not so clean and comfortable. The train platforms can be tricky, especially in the early morning or after dark because they are not well lit. I keep a small, super bright flashlight with me because sometimes it's just took dark to see where (or in what) you're walking.
Mar 29th, 2012, 10:11 PM
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Good for you about the leaning towards the Imperial. Its a top-notch hotel. The Wifi there however is not free, not in the non-suite rooms anyway. I have no idea about the charges applicable though since I've not used the facility.
I'd also add my nod towards the ITC Mughal. It is a better hotel than the ones I mentioned (and the Navratrna restaurant is awesome), but also more expensive. Plan your budget and go for whatever you feel comfortable with. You can also have a glance at the Gateway Hotel by Taj on the Fatehabad Road, where most of these hotels are located. It is also quite decent but more business like.
I'd also add my nod towards the ITC Mughal. It is a better hotel than the ones I mentioned (and the Navratrna restaurant is awesome), but also more expensive. Plan your budget and go for whatever you feel comfortable with. You can also have a glance at the Gateway Hotel by Taj on the Fatehabad Road, where most of these hotels are located. It is also quite decent but more business like.
