Delhi, Agra and Jaipur form India’s famous Golden Triangle: three cities, several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and centuries of Mughal and Rajput history, all within a comfortable drive of each other. Doing the Golden Triangle tour by tempo traveller is ideal for families, friends and overseas visitors travelling as a group. Here is a relaxed 5-day plan, with distances and cost.
Golden Triangle route and distances
| Leg | Approx. distance | Drive time | Highlights on the way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi → Agra | ~230 km | 3.5–4.5 hrs | Yamuna Expressway, Mathura–Vrindavan detour |
| Agra → Jaipur | ~240 km | 4.5–5.5 hrs | Fatehpur Sikri, Abhaneri stepwell |
| Jaipur → Delhi | ~280 km | 5–6 hrs | Neemrana Fort Palace |
Including local sightseeing in each city, a 5-day tour usually covers 900–1,000 km.
5-day Golden Triangle itinerary
- Day 1: Delhi sightseeingPick-up from your hotel or the airport. Visit Red Fort (outside view), Jama Masjid and a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, followed by Raj Ghat, India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar.
- Day 2: Delhi to AgraDrive along the Yamuna Expressway. Visit Agra Fort and Itmad-ud-Daulah (the “Baby Taj”), then watch the Taj Mahal at sunset from Mehtab Bagh across the river.
- Day 3: Taj Mahal sunrise, then on to JaipurSee the Taj Mahal at sunrise when it is quietest. After breakfast, drive to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri and the Chand Baori stepwell at Abhaneri.
- Day 4: Jaipur sightseeingAmer Fort in the morning, a photo stop at Jal Mahal, then City Palace, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal. Shop at Johari and Bapu Bazaar, with sunset at Nahargarh Fort.
- Day 5: Jaipur to DelhiMorning at leisure or a visit to Albert Hall Museum, then drive back to Delhi with a lunch stop at Neemrana. Drop at your hotel, home or the airport.
Important: the Taj Mahal is closed every Friday. Plan your Agra day around it.
Golden Triangle tempo traveller cost
| Vehicle | Starting rate | 5-day tour (min. 1,250 km) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Seater Tempo Traveller | ₹30/km | From ₹37,500 |
| 16 Seater Tempo Traveller | ₹35/km | From ₹43,750 |
| 20 Seater Tempo Traveller | ₹40/km | From ₹50,000 |
| 9/12 Seater Maharaja Tempo | ₹35/km | From ₹43,750 |
Toll, the Rajasthan state permit and driver allowance are included; parking, GST and a ₹500 driver night charge (10 PM – 6 AM) are extra. For 12 travellers, a standard 12 seater works out to around ₹3,100 per person for five days of private, door-to-door travel. See full details on our Golden Triangle tempo package page.
Best time for a Golden Triangle tour
- October to March: the best season, with pleasant days and cool evenings.
- April to June: very hot (often above 40°C). Sightsee early morning and late afternoon.
- July to September: monsoon brings fewer tourists and green landscapes, with occasional heavy showers.
Extend your tour
With a few extra days, the Golden Triangle connects easily to more of Rajasthan and North India:
- Ranthambore (from Jaipur) for tiger safaris.
- Pushkar and Ajmer for the lake town and the Ajmer Sharif Dargah.
- Udaipur and Jodhpur on a full Rajasthan tempo traveller tour.
- Varanasi for the Ganga Aarti. See our Delhi to Varanasi tempo traveller page.
Tips for families and foreign travellers
- Hire local guides at the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Amer Fort. The stories make the monuments come alive.
- Carry ID and some cash. Monument tickets can be bought online, but small vendors prefer cash.
- Dress comfortably with covered shoulders for temples and mosques.
- Stay hydrated and keep water in the vehicle. A Maharaja tempo has a built-in fridge.
- Ask about an English-speaking driver when you book, if your group is visiting from abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days are needed for the Golden Triangle tour by tempo traveller?
5 days is ideal for Delhi, Agra and Jaipur at a relaxed pace. It can be done in 3–4 days, but you will rush the sights. With 6–7 days you can add Ranthambore or Pushkar.
What is the cost of a Golden Triangle tour by tempo traveller?
Our Golden Triangle tempo traveller package starts from ₹30/km. A 5-day Delhi–Agra–Jaipur–Delhi loop covers roughly 900–1,000 km including local sightseeing, but billing is a minimum of 250 km per day (1,250 km for 5 days), so a 12 seater starts from about ₹37,500 for the vehicle, including toll, Rajasthan permit and driver allowance (parking and GST extra).
Which is the right order for the Golden Triangle tour?
The most common order is Delhi → Agra → Jaipur → Delhi. It lets you see the Taj Mahal early in the trip and use the Agra–Jaipur leg to visit Fatehpur Sikri and Abhaneri stepwell.
Is the Golden Triangle tour by tempo traveller good for foreign tourists?
Yes. It is the most popular first-time India itinerary. We offer airport pick-up in Delhi and flexible stops for guided tours. Ask us about a driver who speaks English if your group needs one.
Book your tempo traveller in Delhi today
12, 16 & 20 seater AC tempo travellers and luxury Maharaja tempos with experienced drivers. Tell us your dates and route and get a free quote in minutes.
Delhi Tempo Traveller Team
We run tempo traveller trips from Delhi NCR every week, from same-day Agra runs to 12-day Char Dham yatras. These guides are written from what our drivers and customers tell us on the road.
