Taj Mahal is a mausoleum made with marble stones on the bank of Yamuna river in Agra, India. Taj Mahal is one of the seven man made wonders of the world and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. India’s capital Delhi has the nearest major international airport (DEL) for foreign visitors.
Arranging for private car transportation from the hotel
I highly recommend pre-arranging a private car with a driver by contacting whatever hotel you decide to stay in Delhi or Agra. The price for a private taxi is very reasonably priced in India and saves you a lot of time at the airport. The driver will be holding your name tag at the arrivals hall and can take you to your hotel.
Award booking flights to Delhi
It’s easy to find premium cabin award space on Air India and book with Star Alliance partners like Aeroplan or LifeMiles (see image below).
Qatar Q-Suites
For those who dislike Air India, I recommend booking Qatar’s Q-suites 360 days ahead of time to ensure availability (see image below).
Should you stay in Delhi before driving to Agra?
Both Delhi and Agra are often ranked as the most polluted cities globally. However, if you don’t mind wearing a mask and exploring both cities, there are several hotels that can be booked with points.
Hyatt
Hilton
IHG
Popular Attractions in Delhi
- Qutub Minar
- Red Fort
- Swaminarayan Akshardham
- Lotus Temple
Humayun’s Tomb
Distance from Delhi airport to Agra
It takes around 3 hours to drive from the Delhi international airport to the Agra center (see image below).
Agra Hotels
There are no Hyatt hotels in Agra, but Hilton and IHG have some properties.
From Agra hotel to Taj Mahal day trip
Hilton is located within a two mile distance from Taj Mahal and you should arrange for an English speaking guide with private transportation from the concierge. A good guide will make all the difference in explaining the fascinating history and construction process of Taj Mahal.
Taj Mahal Scenery
Conclusion
A trip to India should not just be to see the Taj Mahal and there are several other temples and places of historic significance. I encourage readers to extend their Taj Mahal trip to explore nearby Jaipur or Bahubali temple in South India (review).