I have read seat61.com. What are you wanting me to know?

If we don't stop at those places between Agra and Jaipur would driving still be a better option? We really love trains and wonder what the point of making that drive is. Is it really scenic? Anyone that has driven please let me know your thoughts.

Just wanted to make sure you knew what you were signing up for. I am a train fan too, and have ridden a lot of trains in India, but I know that many Fodors posters might have problems with the stations and the trains. I have been driven in India too, and which is better depends a great deal on the state of the roads in question. If the drive is going to last more than three or four hours I would take the train.

Okay, here's my two cents worth. We had a car and driver for 10 days or so, and with hindsight that was too much. Of the many days driving we did, the drive from Agra to Jaipur was the most enjoyable. The rural landscape was ever changing and fascinating, the stop at Fatephur Sikri was well worth it.

Just the sheer chaos of driving in rural India was entertaining to us, we saw some amazing things. Lunch at a roadside stop was unbelievably good, a Thali if I recall correctly. Our driver would stop for snacks, bananas, corn, even beer !

I too love trains, and wished we had taken at least one (original plan did have a train ride, but fate changed that for us).

To me, at least one drive would be a great experience.

I agree - add Khajuraho and Orchha...awesome rural/train trip from Varanasi to Agra, or in your case might work in the reverse direction. Also agree with those who say to work with a local agent. We always plan everything ourselves, but appreciated our agents in India. They knew about a new highway with no traffic, the best time to see ruins w/o tourists, top local guides, etc. Ours were set up by Louise Nicholson, a Brit who plans specialty trips for museums. http://www.louisesindia.com/

We loved the long road trips and found domestic air travel easy and efficient.

I just sat down to check out Fodors and saw your question. We had a magnificent trip to India in February, using Legends and Palaces. We took the train from Agra to Ranthambhore as we wanted to see a tiger in the wild, but other than that we had a car and driver for all our "ground travel," and flew south to Kerala then up to Mumbai to return.

Driving in India is quite an adventure. There is a new road from Delhi to Agra, and you can easily make it in time for lunch. We really enjoyed Fatehpur Sikri as well -- if fact, my husband preferred it to the Taj!

You were wise to add an additional day to Jaipur. It is a splendid city.

Let us know how your plans work out!

We also had a magnificent trip to India last summer. Yes, in the summer. We are from Florida so the heat and humidity didn't bother us.

We used Banyan Tours. Lucy was instrumental in our planning even though I did major research. She secured hotel deals that I couldn't!!

We did use a driver and car. We either drove or flew from place to place. We did not take the train. We did not take the metro in Delhi. We did go on the metro in Mumbai with our guide. It was really, really crowded. (My fiancé is from NYC. We are in NYC four times a year. I am used to taking crowded trains at rush hour.).

I agree with thursdaysd, you don't need a driver in Agra unless going to Fatehpur Sikri.

We drove from Agra to Jaipur and have some beautiful pictures. It is a long drive, but for us the comfort of being able to stop to take pictures, eat, etc... was worth it.