We are currently planning our second trip to India. This time out we will be going DEL-AGR-HJR-VNS-DEL (last trip was GOI-JAI-UDR-BOM). Most of my arrangements are set, but there are a couple of areas I would appreciate some input on.

DEL-AGR
We arrive in @ DEL around 17:00. Moving directly on to Agra. Rather than dragging our bags to the train station, we would rather be picked up at the airport by a driver (late model car) and taken directly to Agra.

Does anyone have a referral for a good driver to take us DEL-AGR? We won't have the opportunity to ask at the hotel, as we wouldn't have checked in yet.

AGR-HJR
I am excited to see the temples at Khajurao but getting there is a real pain. There is no flight on our travel day. We are considering simply hiring a driver in Agra and taking us there (apparently a 6-ish hour trip).

1. Should we just suck it up and take the 8 hour train trip?
2. Can anyone refer us a driver to take us one way AGR-HJR?
3. If we were driving, is there a place we should stop for sights? Lunch?
4. Not a lot of hotels in HJR - does anyone have a favourite?

VNS
It seems that the hotel scene in Varanasi is split into riverside/business-side camps. We are there to experience the riverside, but it sounds crazy, noisy and polluted down there.

1. Any strongly held opinions for Riverside vs. Business-side?
2. Recommendations for hotels in either camp? (lots seem sold out already)
3. Must see sites?
4. Must eat restaurants?

Flyertalk was super helpful for our last trip to India (Lake Palace in Udaipur remains the most memorable experience in my travelling life). Thanks for your help again!

it may not be a bad idea to hire one driver that can take you from del to agra & then on to khajuraho, instead of different drivers for del-agra & another one for agra-khajuraho....if you are interested then let me know & i can recommend a ta my office uses regularly....

my last trip to khajuraho was almost 7 years ago & i stayed at the radisson which was very good....i recommended it to another friend who went there in 2013 & she liked it as well....

in varanasi i always stay at the gateway hotel & can definitely recommend it....its a taj property....

Thanks - The Gateway was the hotel I was looking at (The Nadesar Palace is sold out, but if a room materializes, should I grab it?)

Riverside, it looks like the best option is the Jukaso Ganges. Does anyone have experience there?

Keyser - I would be happy to take the recommendation for your company's driver service. If you prefer, please send it via pm.

Thanks again!

i've never stayed at the nadesar palace however i've heard its very nice....

pm sent....

Hi there

I'm also looking for a driver. Can someone please recommend a contact for the below itinerary? 15 full days.

17 Apr - Delhi
18 Apr - Agra
19 Apr - Agra
20 Apr - Amanbagh (via Fatehpur Sikri)
21 Apr - Amanbagh
22 Apr - Amanbagh
23 Apr - Jaipur
24 Apr - Jaipur
25 Apr - Jodhpur (via Pushkar)
26 Apr - Jodhpur
27 Apr - Jodhpur
28 Apr - Udaipur (via Kumbalgarh and Ranakpur)
29 Apr - Udaipur
30 Apr - Udaipur
1 May - Udaipur

Thanks

slightly ot, but am I better with a driver from delhi to Jaipur or catching a flight? (and if driver, then any recommendations?) TY.

I would like to have a driver / taxi pick if up at DEL and take it to hotel in Agra.

how would I make arrangements in advance.

I'd also like to do same back to our hotel in Delhi next evening.

we arrive at 4am.

Use deepak kumar I've used his company 3 times for Delhi-Agra-Jaipur and he's arranged cars drivers and guides; all did a fine job.

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