India is vast and travel times are long, so for a short trip, it’s best to focus solely on Delhi and Agra. The two cities are about 200 kilometers apart, with convenient high-speed rail and road connections, making them ideal for first-timers.
Red Fort → View from the minaret of Jama Masjid → Rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk → Evening meal at Connaught Place. The old city is crowded, so watch your belongings.
Humayun’s Tomb (the architectural prototype of the Taj Mahal) → Qutub Minar (the earliest Islamic complex of the Delhi Sultanate) → Lotus Temple → Akshardham Temple. In the evening, enjoy the modern urban scenery along the Delhi Metro.
Take an early morning train or private car to Agra. In the afternoon, visit Agra Fort and the Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah (also called the Baby Taj). In the evening, admire the sunset reflection of the Taj Mahal from across the Yamuna River.
Enter the Taj Mahal at sunrise and spend two to three hours admiring the main mausoleum, mosque, and garden axis. Then return to Delhi for an evening departure or to continue your onward journey. If time allows, consider a side trip to Fatehpur Sikri or Mathura to add depth to this short itinerary.
In Delhi, stay near Connaught Place or the airport for easy access to transport and dining. In Agra, choose a place near the east gate of the Taj Mahal for a convenient morning entry. Don’t overpack a short itinerary—India’s travel and security checks often take longer than expected. Limiting yourself to two or three key sites per day is most comfortable, with time set aside in the afternoon for rest and meals.