Golden Triangle India: An Ultimate Budget Travel Plan

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Golden Triangle India: An Ultimate Budget Travel Itinerary

The Golden Triangle in India refers to the popular tourist circuit that connects three major cities in Northern India. This triangular route forms a roughly equilateral triangle on the map, hence the name "Golden Triangle". The golden triangle of India includes 3 major cities

1. Delhi
2. Agra
3. Jaipur

The starting point maybe in anyone of the above cities.

Buget travel guide from Tamilnadu to golden triangle of India:

First book your train to Agra from chennai. The best train is the famous " Tamilnadu Expres" which will start from central at 10:00 PM daily. The sleeper fair be arround 850 INR and 3rd AC will arround 2200 INR. You can book even sleeper because there won't be any difficulties like north trains.
Note: Install irctc catering for food order where if you order your food through irctc catering which will be little bit costly but tasty.

Budget Hotels in Golden Triangle Trip

If you're planning a trip on a budget, there are plenty of affordable hotel options in each city that offer comfortable stays without breaking the bank.

• Hotel Areeba, Agra- It is a budget hotel in Agra which is located near to Taj Mahal.
Location: Hotel Areeba
• Hotel Rashika Palace, Jaipur
Location: Hotel Rashika Palace
• Hotel Lals haveli, Delhi
Location: Hotel Lals Haveli

Golden Triangle Travel Guide

Day 1

You will reach Agra between 3.30 AM-4:00 AM. Take a rest at the hotel for some time.

Taj Mahal
First place in the Golden Triangle covers the most famous and one of the 7th wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Start early between 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM for an uncrowded, peaceful visit. Book your Taj Mahal entry tickets online to avoid standing in the long queue.

Enter through the West gate of the Taj Mahal, where you'll encounter fewer crowds. Get a Shoe cover for RS:10/each pair if you are visiting inside the Taj Mahal (Which will be charged extra).

It is a must-visit spot in India. If you are visiting for the first time it will be the picture-perfect spot, especially for couples.

• Location: Taj Mahal
• Time to visit: 6:00 AM- 7:00 PM(Friday is holiday)
• Entry Fee: 240 INR/Per person (including the monument), 1250 INR for foreigners.

Agra Fort
The next destination in your journey includes Agra Fort. Agra Fort is also one of the most iconic & historic forts to visit in Agra. From Agra Fort, you can see the beautiful view of the Taj Mahal.

It has many rooms if you need to know about the history in detail, you can hire a Guide. Keep in mind that, they will charge you more and make sure to bargain to get a good price.

To enter Agra Fort you can book on the same website where we booked for the Taj Mahal.

• Location: Agra Fort
• Time to visit: 6:00 AM- 6:00 PM
• Entry Fee: 50 INR for Indian citizens, 650 INR for foreigners.

Ud Daulah tomb
Another Destination in Agra is The Itimad Ud Daulah tomb. Queen Noor Jahan built this Tomb which is located in the river of Yamuna. It is also one of the must-visit places in Agra.

• Location: Ud Daulah tomb
• Time to visit: 8 AM to 12 AM
• Entry Fee: 20 INR for Indian Citizens, 550 INR for Foreigners

Mathura & Vridavan
An Ethnic destination in your Golden Triangle journey adds Mathura. Mathura & Vrindavan, 65 KM from Agra, is the birthplace of lord Krishna. Rent a car from Agra (1800 INR for the entire day), inclusive of Agra sightseeing, Mathura, and Vrindavan.

Must visit places in Mathura & Vrindavan

• Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple
• Prem Mandir
• ISKCON Temple
• Govind Devi Temple
• Radha Raman Temple

Note: Must Try Lassi & sweets made in milk which is famous in Mathura & Vrindavan.

Day 2 & 3

Begin your day by backpacking and ready to travel from Agra to Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. Both trains & bus services are available from Agra to Jaipur. We booked a sleeper bus which costs around 500 - 3000 INR.
Note: Book a decent-rated Bus to avoid crowds while you are traveling. When we were traveling, our Bus stopped in many villages and picked up more people which was larger than the available seats

Jaipur is also called as Pink City of India. It is famous for its historical palaces where the royal family lived.
Note: If you are a group of 4-5 then hire a taxi with a full Jaipur package which is cheaper than other transport modes.

Top Places to visit in Jaipur

City Palace
The City Palace is a major tourist attraction and a symbol of Jaipur's rich cultural heritage. It is one of the famous palaces in Jaipur and was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur. It is famous for its iconic sculpture. It is one of the must-visit palaces in Jaipur.

• Location: City Palace
• Time to Visit: 9:30 AM - 7:30 PM
• Entry Fee: 300 INR(Adults), 150(Child :5-12), 150(Senior citizen)

Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar comprises a collection of 19 astronomical instruments. It is near the City Palace and one of the best places for kids.

• Location: Jantar Mantar
• Time to Visit: 9:00 - 4:30 PM
• Entry Fee: 50 INR

Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal is also called "Water Palace" and is in Sagar Lake, Jaipur city. Jaipur Maharaja Madho Singh I built this palace in the 18th century. It was used for royal duck hunting parties. Here you can try the local culture dress of Rajasthan and take memorable pictures.

• Location: Jal Mahal
• Time to Visit: 24 Hrs
• Entry Fee: Free

Nahargarh Fort
"Nahargarh Fort" is a historic fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur, constructed this fort in 1734. It was built as a defense fort on the Aravalli hills surrounding the city.

It is located on the hilltop where you can witness the panoramic view of Jaipur. The best time to visit is during sunset.

• Location: Nahargarh Fort
• Time to Visit: 10:00 AM- 10:00 PM
• Entry Fee: 50 INR(Indians), 200 INR(Foreigners)

Note: Some of the best shopping markets include

• Johri Bazaar
• Chandpole Bazaar
• Nehru Bazaar
• Bapu Bazaar

End your day by shopping in any of the shopping markets

Day 4

Patrika Gate
The "Patrika Gate" is an intricately designed entrance gate in Jaipur. It is known for its colorful architectural style, featuring hand-painted motifs, frescoes, and patterns. It depicts various aspects of Rajasthani culture, heritage, and traditions.

It is a grand entrance to the Jawahar Circle Garden. The best time to visit is early morning around 7:00 AM.

• Location: Patrika Gate
• Time to visit: 24 Hrs
• Entry: Free

World Trade Park
World Trade Park is a shopping mall near Patrika Gate. It is optional to visit.

• Location: World Trade Park
• Time to visit: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
• Entry: Free

Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal, also known as the "Palace of Winds", is one of the must-visit palaces in Jaipur. It is a unique architectural palace that has 953 windows. You can take pictures from Wind View Cafe, just opposite Hawa Mahal. It's an ideal spot for capturing picture-perfect moments.

• Location: Hawa Mahal
• Time to visit: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Entry: 50 INR (Indians), 200 INR(Foreigners)

Amber Fort
Amber Fort is located 14 KM from Jaipur. It is located in the Aravalli Hill Range. It is a main tourist attraction in Jaipur. The fort is renowned for its intricate artwork, stunning mirror work, and beautiful frescoes depicting legendary themes

Note: Only jeeps and heavy vehicles will go to the top of Amer Palace. So book a jeep & Guide at cheaper at the base of the fort. (Our opinion is to hire a Guide to know the deep history of the palace)

• Location: Amber Fort
• Time to visit: 8:00 AM- 9:00 PM
• Entry: 100 INR (Indians), 500 INR(Foreigners)

Birla Mandir
Birla Mandir is a stunning Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. This modern temple is a marvel of contemporary Indian architecture, built entirely from white marble.

• Location: Birla Mandir
• Time to visit: 6:00 AM- 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM- 9:00 PM
• Entry: Free

Must Try Food in Jaipur

• Lassi
• Pyaaz Kachori at Rawat Mishthan Bhandar
• Sweets
• Kaathi Roll

End your day by shopping in any of the shopping markets

Day 5 & 6

Jaipur - Delhi

We can commute from Jaipur to Delhi by various transport means. The best budget transport from Jaipur to Delhi is by train or Bus. We booked a bus which is pretty good and comfortable. Bus ticket starts from 500 -3000 INR.

Delhi, the capital city of India, is a bustling metropolis that seamlessly blends ancient history with modernity. Here we listed some of the historical places, shopping markets to explore

India Gate
India Gate is a prominent war memorial located in the heart of New Delhi, India. It is a memory of Indian soldiers who died between 1914-1921.

• Location: India Gate
• Time to visit: 24 Hrs
• Entry: Free

Humayun's Tomb
Humayun Tomb looks similar to the Taj Mahal which was built in 1570. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. You can witness the beautiful architecture of the Muhal garden

• Location: Humayun's Tomb
• Time to visit: 6:00 AM- 6:00 PM
• Entry: 35 INR(Indians), 550 INR(foreigners)

Red Fort
Red Fort is located in old Delhi. The walls are Red and it has 60 Red stone pillars. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, recognizing its cultural and historical significance

• Location: Red Fort
• Time to visit: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
• Entry: 35 INR(Indians), 500 INR(foreigners)

Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid is one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in India. It is also famous for its street foods & cheapest markets near Masjid.

Note: The street foods start from Gate no-1 in Jama Masjid

• Location: Jama Masjid
• Time to visit: 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:30-6:30 PM
• Entry: Free

Karol Bagh Market
Karol Bagh Market is one of the most popular and bustling shopping districts in New Delhi, India. End your day by purchasing at one of the cheapest markets in Delhi. The Bargain skill will help you to do the shopping at the lowest price.

• Location: Karol Bagh Market
• Time to visit: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
• Entry: Free

Day 7

Qutab Minar
Qutub Minar is one of the most iconic monuments and a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Delhi. This magnificent minaret is a fine example of Indo-Islamic Afghan architecture and holds significant historical importance. It is also a must-visit place in Delhi. We can apply to tourist places through online websites to avoid the crowd.

• Location: India Gate
• Time to visit: 24 Hrs
• Entry: Free

Sarojini Nagar Market
Sarojini Nagar market is known for its affordable prices and wide variety of products. It is a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike, especially those looking for trendy fashion at bargain prices.

• Location: Sarojini Nagar Market
• Time to visit: 12:00 PM-10:00 PM
• Entry: Free

Akshardham Temple
While visiting Delhi for the first time, you should visit the unmissable Akshardham temple. It is famous for its architecture. It is a modern architectural marvel showcasing rich cultural and spiritual heritage. The best time to visit is Evening.

One of the must-see things in Akshardham temple is the laser light which starts at 7:00 pm. This spectacular show combines water, light, sound, and laser effects to narrate a timeless story from ancient Indian scriptures

Note: The luggage, camera, and mobile phones aren't allowed inside the temple. You can lend a separate & safe locker to keep your belongings.

• Location: Akshardham Temple
• Time to visit: 10:00 AM- 6:30 PM (Monday alone closed)
• Entry: Free

In conclusion, Exploring the Golden Triangle is a journey through the heart of India's heritage. Each city offers its own unique flavor and experiences, creating a diverse and enriching adventure. Whether marveling at the intricate designs of Mughal monuments, wandering through bustling markets, or enjoying the local cuisine, travelers are treated to a comprehensive taste of India's remarkable history and vibrant culture.

With this, we have covered most of the travel guidance to Golden Triangle including budget stays, places to visit, and many more. To know more about budget travel itinerary, please visit our India(Domestic) Travel blogs and International Travel blogs for more details. I hope you enjoyed it and will see you in the next blog