Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > West and South Asia
Delhi - Agra question? Delhi - Agra question?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12 Dec 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Vienna
Posts: 19
Delhi - Agra question?
Hi there,
I was wondering if anybody has driven from Delhi to Agra (Taj mahal location) in India by motorbike and how long does it take? Road condition? Is it possible to have a delhi-agra-delhi in one day and have time to visit the taj mahal?
thank you for your answers
ciao
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12 Dec 2011
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bucks, UK
Posts: 642
I rode it in a day but don't think you'd do the round trip in a day! Road condition is good ( well for India)
__________________
Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand 2016
Buenos Aires to NYC 2012-2013: www.facebook.com/curryhunt
India and back 2009-2010:
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London
Posts: 621
If you go to Agra, make sure to see Fatehpur Sikri as well - probably best to do that earlier in the day and then Taj later.

Unsure re the road conditions - it's about 200kms according to google - New Delhi, Delhi, India to Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India - Google Maps

Another very daft suggestion - the Shatabdi Express trains do it in 2 hrs. As you are riding a motorbike, is it worth exploring taking it on the train?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
I´d reserve at least 1 day to see Agra & The Taj. The road is two lanes each way, almost like a motorway... very rare for India actually.

But it was kinda scary, too, because some of the drivers clearly didn´t have a clue about what that unusual increase of speed does to your stopping distance, for example, so there were dozens of very badly crashed cars and trucks on the roadside! And they are not used to follow the lanes, even though they might be painted to the tarmac.... so I´d strongly advice as a tourist to drive/ride only during daylight hours, develop a 360° vision, and be extremely alert at all times (which is a good "survival-tip" for most of India, really!)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London
Posts: 621
Quote:
Originally Posted by pecha72 View Post
The road is two lanes each way, almost like a motorway... very rare for India actually.

But it was kinda scary, too, because some of the drivers clearly didn´t have a clue about what that unusual increase of speed does to your stopping distance, for example, so there were dozens of very badly crashed cars and trucks on the roadside! And they are not used to follow the lanes, even though they might be painted to the tarmac.... so I´d strongly advice as a tourist to drive/ride only during daylight hours, develop a 360° vision, and be extremely alert at all times (which is a good "survival-tip" for most of India, really!)
I am aware that India's been building a lot of new roads recently, but wasn't sure whether Delhi-Agra was 1 of them. Kind of makes sense though.

But here's what the road conditions are like
Clockwork Orange Hogs of the Road, Real Harashoo - YouTube

Substitute the Durango 95 with a Tata / Ashok Leyland and this is driving on Indian roads as seen from a truck cab
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 103
Agra
Hi,

We did the trip from Dehli to Agra by train in the morning and came back in the afternoon on the road,left the bikes in Dehli. Went with few blokes from the hostel, so we hired a minibus for the return trip. As far as I remember, there was no afternoon train. But it was still a great trip and absolutely worthwhile.
Road traffic was normal, that means mad,as it is everywhere in India.

Cheers

RM
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London
Posts: 621
Following on from what I put earlier - if you absolutely have to do it in a day then that's that, but if you can spend a bit longer I would think about leaving the bikes in Delhi and doing the Golden Triangle ie Shatabdi Express to Agra in the morning, autorickshaw to Fatehpur as soon as you arrive in Agra, then back to Taj in afternoon (it looks lovely as the sun sets on it!) then sleeper train to Jaipur that night then the next 2 days in/around Jaipur before sleeper train back to Delhi on the 3rd night.
Last edited by ilesmark; 12 Dec 2011 at 17:21.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12 Dec 2011
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Seville (E)
Posts: 561
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilesmark View Post
Following on from what I put earlier - if you absolutely have to do it in a day then that's that, but if you can spend a bit longer I would think about leaving the bikes in Delhi and doing the Golden Triangle ie Shatabdi Express to Agra in the morning, autorickshaw to Fatehpur as soon as you arrive in Agra, then back to Taj in afternoon (it looks lovely as the sun sets on it!) then sleeper train to Jaipur that night then the next 2 days in/around Jaipur before sleeper train back to Delhi on the 3rd night.
+1 for Fatehpur Shikri, wonderful place, and it's only some 30 kms away (went and came back by local bus, took as AGES).
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 13 Dec 2011
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
I stupidly rode from Agra to Chandrigarh in one very long tiring day (didn't stay in Delhi as was heading for the mountains), in between bouts of major poo poo's (I ate at the same place in Agra for 3 days but it was just too damn good to eat anywhere else). It was a really exhausting day when you take into account having both heat stroke and the shits at the same time, not something I did again.

As Pecha says, there is a kind of motorway/dual carriage road between Agra and Delhi however given the locals don't really care which side of the central barrier they drive on, you can't exactly sit back, relax and enjoy the ride so you have to expect vehicles/carts/bicycles/people/animals etc coming towards you in what we normally call the 'overtaking lane'.
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Price and resale question Paulmcintyre Which Bike? 1 7 Feb 2012 15:21
Engine Gaskets Question preppypyro Yamaha Tech 8 6 Jan 2012 10:42
Tajikistan Road Question shu... Northern and Central Asia 20 31 Dec 2011 01:00
Switchable ignition mapping question Chris Scott Tech 7 22 Nov 2011 15:58
Money question for Central West Africa Aidjay sub-Saharan Africa 3 14 Nov 2011 14:30

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:06.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top