India - Not sure if I fully understand the driver part of the Delhi to Agra part...

I'm currently in Bangalore on a long business trip, and since I don't know how often I'll be in India, I wanted to take a trip to North India to hit the Taj and some sights either this weekend or next. My main issue is I have to do this on a weekend, because I have to work. Even worse, I have to do this from Saturday to Monday because I work NY hours, so I can't leave on Friday night.

I think I've pretty much figured out the flying legs (namely, fly Saturday morning, fly back Monday afternoon). My problem is the "getting to Agra" part and back.

Most guidebooks and online groups say the train, however, every single coworker I have who has done the trip says to get a private driver from the airport to take me to Agra. They all overall say it will be a more pleasant experience. My main issues are:
1) I have no idea how to get a driver in Delhi. I was told "Oh, they have desks at the airport", but it was a very vague description.
2) Trains would seem to be to be faster than a car just based on Bangalore to Mysore traffic alone. Am I mistaken?
3) So... if I hire a driver to Agra.... how do I get back? Do I pay for him to stay in Agra. I'm thinking about spending a night in Agra at the highly priced Oberoi just for the experience, then driving back on Sunday and staying in Delhi on Sunday night. So... do I pay for my driver to stay? Or do I get a new driver in Agra? How does that work?

I'm still reading up on all this, so I'm sorry if these questions have been asked in an exact format - I've been searching and reading all of the Agra forums everywhere (including the "How do we get to Taj Mahal from Delhi without driving far?" forum on this page... I guess I could have posted in there)

Yes sure - hertz / avis + some local suppliers all supply cars with drivers rather than self drive cars. Just go there and take your pick or book online

Trains are going to be faster to get to agra but you do need a local driver there - you can again book that online I guess, or through your hotel (which will be glad to charge you an arm and a leg premium for a hotel limo)

If you hire a driver to agra you keep him around at a daily rate you work out with hertz - which includes an allowance for the driver. And you tip him whatever you like when he gets you back to Delhi.

You might find it cheaper to take a train to agra and hire a car there through your hotel / a local vendor.

3) So... if I hire a driver to Agra.... how do I get back? Do I pay for him to stay in Agra. I'm thinking about spending a night in Agra at the highly priced Oberoi just for the experience, then driving back on Sunday and staying in Delhi on Sunday night. So... do I pay for my driver to stay? Or do I get a new driver in Agra? How does that work?

The driver I have used in past (I will look up the company and post it later) is very professional and polite about stops and overnights. He usually asks permission to stop on long drives for himself after offering me a stop. We agree when and where to meet in the morning for the return, and again he usually asks permission to stop at some spot for his prearranged meal packet.

Generally the cost of such a trip will include your transportation to and from the destination.

The drive to Agra is rather slow and can be rather tedious but is interesting in many parts. Time to travel can vary considerably as well.

welcome to ft syzck....kingfisher also has a daily flight from delhi to agra so you may want to explore that option as well....

if you want, i can pm you the details of a good travel agent who can arrange the car & driver for you....so you will have the driver waiting for you when you land at the airport & he will stay with you till you are ready to fly back....

I hired a driver from my hotel in Delhi. I debated whether to hire a driver or take the train. Thank god I hired a driver because after spending one hour at the Taj Mahal, I could not wait to get out of Agra. I was not impressed and I did not have to wait for a train to get out. The driver accompanied me to the Taj and that was nice.

I have no idea what people find so utterly fascinating about the Taj Mahal. I am glad I saw it and would never in a million years go back.....

I have no idea what people find so utterly fascinating about the Taj Mahal. I am glad I saw it and would never in a million years go back.....

care to elaborate????

care to elaborate????

There is an entire thread on TravelBuzz about 'overrated' places around the world. The list contains some rather amazing sites, but I suppose that everyone has their own opinion on the topic.

I would never deter anyone from visiting the Taj Mahal; it isn't just the site but the experience that I recommend.

My impression from my first visit to Agra in December:

Taj Mahal --> Magnificent
Agra --> Filthy cesspool

This seems a not uncommon impression based on posts here on FT and other sites. I really didn't care for Agra. Even the hotel we stayed in, the ITC Mughal, was disappointing; expensive and mediocre.

My impression from my first visit to Agra in December:

Taj Mahal --> Magnificent
Agra --> Filthy cesspool

Sounds about right. It's worth visiting the Red Fort as well, though, not only because it's quite interesting to walk round but because the view of the Taj down the river from the top is itself quite impressive.

As for the train, make sure you book, and you might find you can't get tourist quota using a business visa, so you might have problems there? Unreserved second class is, shall we say, a little overcrowded :)

Neil