6 best day trips from Delhi

Day trips compared

The day trips

230 km · About 2 hours by express train

1.Agra and the Taj Mahal

The white marble Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, is best at sunrise. Agra Fort and the 'Baby Taj' (Itimad-ud-Daulah) complete a long day. The Taj Mahal is closed to sightseers on Fridays.

Getting there

Gatimaan or Vande Bharat express, or car via the Yamuna Expressway

Best for

First-timers, Couples, Culture

280 km · About 4.5 hours by train; better overnight

2.Jaipur

Rajasthan's Pink City has the hilltop Amber Fort, the City Palace, the Hawa Mahal facade and the Jantar Mantar observatory. It completes the Golden Triangle and deserves at least one night.

Getting there

Express train or car

Best for

First-timers, Culture, Shopping

160 km · About 3 hours by road

3.Vrindavan and Mathura

The towns associated with the childhood of Krishna are packed with temples, including Banke Bihari in Vrindavan, and celebrate Holi with especially exuberant festivities. They can be combined with Agra.

Getting there

Car with driver or train to Mathura

Best for

Culture

120 km · About 2.5–3 hours by road

4.Neemrana Fort-Palace

A 15th-century hillside fort in Rajasthan converted into a heritage hotel, with terraced courtyards, views over the plains and a zipline tour across the hills. Day visitors can book lunch.

Getting there

Car with driver

Best for

Couples, Quiet stays

50 km · About 1.5 hours by road

5.Sultanpur National Park

A small wetland park in Haryana that hosts migratory birds such as painted storks, flamingos and pelicans in winter, roughly October to March. Walking trails circle the lake.

Getting there

Car with driver

Best for

Quiet stays, Families

240 km · About 6 hours by road; stay overnight

6.Rishikesh

The yoga town on the Ganges at the foot of the Himalaya has ashrams, suspension bridges, riverside evening aarti ceremonies and white-water rafting in season.

Getting there

Car, bus, or train to Haridwar or Dehradun

Best for

Solo travellers, Culture

Day-trip tips

• Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
• DTC buses, including many electric ones, are cheap but routes can be confusing for visitors; the metro is usually easier.
• Allow plenty of time at New Delhi station and ignore anyone directing you to a 'tourist office' outside the station.
• For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.

Questions travellers ask