How to Visit the Taj Mahal from Goa: My Top Tips

“Is it possible to have a relaxing holiday on the beaches of Goa and also visit the Taj Mahal in one short trip?”

This is a question I’ve been asked many times, and its not surprising because going all the way to India and not seeing the famous Taj Mahal, one of the 7 wonders of the world and one of the most iconic places to visit in India, makes your trip seem kind of incomplete!

When my Mum visited me in Goa even she wanted to do the same so I thought I’d write a quick blog post about how to visit the Taj Mahal from Goa and share all my tips so you don’t have to miss out on this iconic sight.

How to Visit the Taj Mahal from Goa

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Where is the Taj Mahal?

If you’re dreaming of combining visiting the Taj Mahal and Goa into one trip then the first thing you need to know is that India is a HUGE country and getting around takes A LOT of time.

The famous Taj Mahal is located in Agra which is over 1,600 km away from Goa. It would take over 30 hours if you drove straight there without stopping (and you really wouldn’t want to drive on Indian roads if you’re not used to driving in India!)

Luckily, Agra is not too far (230km) from India’s capital New Delhi and it’s relatively easy to travel between the two.

So your first step is to get from Goa to Delhi and then there are plenty of ways to get from Delhi to Agra including trains, buses, taxis and tours. The best way for you will depend on your budget, comfort level and how much time you have – I’ll explain all the options.

The Budget Option – An Epic Train Journey

If you have more time than money (and plenty of patience) then the best way to visit the Taj Mahal from Goa is to take the train from Madgaon/ Margao or Thivim in Goa to Delhi and then to Agra. (Buses are available but trains are so much more comfortable for long distances like this)

Traveling by train in India is a really interesting, quintessentially Indian experience which will allow you to meet local people and see how the countryside changes as you travel through this vast country but you need to have a lot of patience as it takes at least 30 hours on the train and there are often delays.

If you want to travel by train be aware that train tickets sell out well in advance and booking tickets can be complicated, especially from abroad. I recommend using 12 Go Asia to book trains in India and reading my massive guide to train travel in India so you know what to expect! The train will cost between 850 Rupees to 5,000 Rupees depending on which train you get and which class you travel in.

Be aware that public transport in India often runs late, like hours late, so I wouldn’t recommend booking connecting flights within a couple of hours of your train arrival time.

The Quick Option – A Day trip from Goa to Taj Mahal

If you don’t have much time you might be wondering if you can take a day trip from Goa to the Taj Mahal.

Yes, in theory, it could be just about possible to visit the Taj in one day from Goa if you fly to Delhi in the early morning, take the fast train to Agra, see the Taj quickly and then head back to Delhi for a late flight. BUT – it will be a very long day, it would feel super rushed and stressful – not the most enjoyable experience. I wouldn’t recommend it at all.

If you are really short on time then the best, and easiest, way to visit the Taj Mahal from Goa would be to take a 2 day/1 night package where the return flights, private air conditioned car and driver for the transfers, hotel in Agra and a guided tour of the Taj Mahal are all included.

This way you can just relax, enjoy the sights, and not worry about getting scammed – traveling in North India can be quite a culture shock and a challenge – it’s very different from Goa! This is the Goa to Taj Mahal package my friend took and she had a great experience.

If you have more time and would prefer to do it independently then read on and I’ll explain how and give you some more tips.

The Best Option – A Taj Mahal and Golden Triangle Tour

There’s so much more to Agra than just the Taj Mahal – if you have time I really recommend spending 3 days to a week exploring the highlights of northern India – the Golden Triangle!

Here’s how…

Step 1 – Fly from Goa to Delhi

Luckily there are a lot of airports in India. Flying is the quickest way to travel India’s long distances and makes it possible to visit many places in one trip. Take a domestic flight from Goa airport to Delhi,

There are now 2 airports in Goa – Dabolim (GOI) the old airport near Panaji/Panjim and Mopa (GOX) in the very far north.

Step 2 – Travel from Delhi to Agra

Once in Delhi it is not far to Agra. You have 2 options – take a day trip from Delhi to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, or if you have more time it’s worth spend a few days in Agra.

It is possible to visit the Taj Mahal on a day trip from Delhi either independently or with a guided tour. This top rated private Agra day trip from Delhi includes transport in a private air conditioned car, lunch at a 5 star hotel, a knowledgeable local guide and also visits Agra Fort and the Baby Taj.

If you want to go independently the best way is by train. The newest, quickest trains from Delhi to Agra only take between 2 – 3 hours. Agra Cantt is the main railway station but many trains also go to Agra Fort.

You can also reach Agra by taxi in about 3/4 hours drive or bus which takes between 3 – 5 hours. You can find taxis on Uber or if you take the bus I would recommend taking a delux bus not a regular, rickety, old bus.

To save yourself time and hassle I recommend booking your tickets online at 12Go.Asia as trains in India get fully booked in advance very quickly – you can’t turn up and just hop on a train.

Step 3 – See the Taj Mahal

Once you arrive in Agra catch a rickshaw or taxi from the station (don’t forget to negotiate on price to avoid being ripped off) and head to the Taj Mahal or your hotel. You could even try catching the brand new Agra metro to the Taj Mahal metro station!

The Taj Mahal ticket price is now 1,000 Rupees for foreigners and there’s several rules about what you can and can’t take in so read these tips for visiting the Taj Mahal before you go to be prepared. Be aware that the Taj Mahal is not open on Fridays – so plan your trip accordingly.

The only downside about doing an independent day trip to see the Taj from Delhi is that you probably won’t get there in time to see the sunrise over the Taj Mahal.

In my opinion sunrise is the best time to visit the Taj Mahal as there aren’t so many crowds and it’s so magical to see the colour of the marble change with the colours of the sky and to see the building appearing out of the early morning mist.

So if you want to see the Taj at it’s best at sunrise then it’s better if you arrive in Agra the night before. You could also stay in Delhi and take this Sunrise Taj Mahal Trip from Delhi – if you don’t mind getting up super early!

Step 4 – Explore the rest of Agra

There is much more to Agra than just the Taj Mahal! Did you know that Agra is the only city in the world that boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Monuments! 

I would recommend spending a few days in Agra (check out my Guide to Agra) because the city’s other UNESCO sites – Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri (just outside the city) are definitely worth seeing too.

Step 5 – See the rest of India’s Golden Triangle

Ok, so hopefully I’ve convinced you to see the rest of Agra but what about Delhi and the rest of the Golden Triangle!?

Agra and the Taj Mahal is just one part of India’s Golden Triangle. The other parts – Delhi and Jaipur are not far away and these cities are home to some of India’s most iconic and famous sites so there so much more to see.

As you’ve come all the way to North India, why stop at just seeing the Taj Mahal!?

My recommendation would be to spend 1 or 2 days sightseeing in each city – Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. You can even add Ranthambore to your Golden Triangle route and try your luck spotting a wild tiger.

You could do the Golden Triangle independently by train or bus and book your own hotels on Booking.com, but it can be quite stressful and time consuming – there are a lot of touts, scammers and hassle in these cities as they are so popular with tourists.

The best way to see the most in a short time and minimize hassle is by hiring a private car and driver or taking a private tour package.

Private tours, guides, and drivers are surprisingly affordable in India (costing from as little as $150 for 3 days.) Just make sure you check reviews first on a trusted platform like Viator or Get your Guide and book a good one – don’t end up in the scam tourist offices in Delhi!

This 4 day Golden Triangle tour is a popular option – it includes airport pick up and drop, transport in a private AC car to all the top sights in New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. You can customise it to include hotels that fit your budget. It’s amazing value for money, just be aware that often entrance fees aren’t includes because the prices are different for Indians and foreigners.

If you have more time I would recommend spending a bit longer to do the Golden Triangle justice. If you are a solo traveler then a great option would be to join a group tour.

My favourite is the Classic 8 day Golden Triangle tour with G Adventures. This trip visits all the most iconic and famous sights of India in a short time. It includes Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and also gives you a taste of Indian village life before returning you safely back to Delhi.

I love G Adventures because they include lots of visits to charitable projects like the ‘Women on Wheels’ and city walk with slum kids in Delhi and include some more off beat sights.

The Full Experience – Traveling from Delhi to Goa Overland

If you have more time and want to see more of India how about traveling all the way from Delhi to Goa via the Taj Mahal and many other amazing sights and unique experiences!

If you want to do this independently check out my ultimate India itinerary or if you are traveling alone you could join a group tour.

I recommend this 15 day tour Delhi to Goa Tour by Intrepid which takes you overland through the highlights of India. You’ll explore Delhi, Agra and the Taj Mahal, the highlights of Rajasthan including the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, the holy city of Pushkar and the beautiful lakeside city of Udaipur. Then you’ll take an overnight train to buzzing Bombay (Mumbai) before finishing on the blissed out beaches of Goa.

I love all these places and Intrepid are one of the best tour companies and this is a great tour for backpackers or younger travellers where you’ll see some of the best places in India and have plenty of free time once you get to Goa with your new friends.

So there you have all the options, I hope I’ve helped you figure out how to visit the Taj Mahal from Goa!

In my experience, the best option is to spend a week in Goa and then fly to Delhi and take a private tour of the Golden Triangle (or vice versa) if you have time.

This way you can have the best of both worlds – enjoying and relaxing on the tropical beaches of Goa AND seeing all the amazing sights of North India in comfort, safety and ease.

Now you know how to combine the beaches of Goa with the famous Taj Mahal there’s no excuse for your Indian holiday to feel incomplete!

You might also want to check out my other blogs:

• The Ultimate Guide to Goa 
• Where to Stay in Goa 
• How to avoid getting scammed in Delhi
• Tips for your first time visiting India
• Tips for solo female travellers in India

Have you combined the Taj Mahal with a Goa holiday? How did you do it?