Originally Posted by
gspurr
The "first class" train that leaves early in the morning and returns in the evening from Delhi to Agra is very safe and is worth taking for the experience. I took it to Agra and was driven back, which is not a bad way to go as you can leave Agra when you want on your own schedule.
I have been to both Delhi and Mumbai and would choose Mumbai over Delhi as a tourist destination. I haven't been to Goa, but if you want to cut that a bit short you could easily add a couple days in Mumbai as they are fairly close.
My biggest recommendation is to avoid taxis and arrange for a car and driver for the days you want to go sightseeing. For 8 hours/80KM it shouldn't cost you much more than $40 US.
Any recommendations on how to book a car and driver (New Delhi or Jaipur to Agra and back)? I know that this could be sorted out by the hotel concierge but when they charge 600 USD for a 1way Delhi-Agra (like I just have read in another thread)
.
I would love to explore the train option, but I'm having a hard time to find anything about schedule and costs on
http://www.indianrail.gov.in/ ? How long does it take from Delhi to Agra? And it seems you consider the first class train safe, but what about travelling as a female with an 11 year old child? I'm quite worried at that point, given the recent trends in India
.