Travel tips · Agra · India
Agra travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Yann ( talk ), CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Agra's identity is bound up with the Mughals, who made it their capital under Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan, and with the crafts their court supported: marble inlay, carpets, zardozi embroidery and leatherwork, which descendants of those artisans still practise. It is a working Hindi-speaking city where Hindu, Muslim and Sikh communities live side by side.
Key facts
- Language
- Hindi and English
- Currency
- INR
- Plugs
- Type C, D and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or filtered water.
- Emergency
- 112 (all-India emergency number)
Things to know
- Remove shoes at mosques, temples and gurdwaras; cover your head at gurdwaras and dress modestly everywhere religious.
- Ask before photographing people, especially women.
- Politely but firmly decline unsolicited guides at the Taj gates; hire licensed guides through the ticket office or your hotel.
- Use your right hand for eating and handing over money.
- Inside the Taj mausoleum, keep quiet and do not touch the inlaid surfaces.
- Book Taj Mahal ahead: Buy tickets online in advance to skip the ticket queue; entering the main mausoleum needs a separate add-on, and limited night-viewing slots around the full moon must be booked ahead.
- Buy Taj Mahal tickets online to avoid queues and touts selling 'skip-the-line' services.
Tipping
Tips are appreciated but not obligatory: around 5–10% in restaurants without a service charge, a small amount for porters, and a tip at the end of the day for a hired driver or guide.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Namaste | Hello |
| Dhanyavaad / Shukriya | Thank you |
| Kitne ka hai? | How much is it? |
| Nahin chahiye | I don't want it |
| Kam mirch | Less chilli |
What to wear
Light, loose clothing covering shoulders and knees is comfortable in the heat and respectful at mosques; wear shoes that are easy to slip off.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C, D and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or filtered water.
- Emergency number
- 112 (all-India emergency number)
- Phone and internet
- 4G and 5G coverage is good; many visitors use an eSIM to avoid local SIM paperwork.
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
Touts, unofficial guides and commission-driven shopping detours are common around the Taj and the stations, and the gem resale scam targets visitors here too. Heat exhaustion is a real risk from April to June, and winter smog can be heavy; check air quality if you have respiratory problems.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check India's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Agra?
Tips are appreciated but not obligatory: around 5–10% in restaurants without a service charge, a small amount for porters, and a tip at the end of the day for a hired driver or guide.
+Can you drink the tap water in Agra?
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or filtered water.
+What plugs are used in Agra?
Type C, D and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Agra?
Hindi and English.