Tips for Agra mini-bus and coach tourism

Useful tips for Agra bus groups with ‘what to see’ and ‘what to do’ items and  ‘bus- friendly’ or must see tourist sites in Agra. Check our list of attractions before planning your bus tour with a stop or departure in Agra. Let us know if your favourite attraction or ‘bus-stop’ is not there and you think we should add it to our list of Agra highlights.

What to expect when renting a car with driver in Agra

On most holidays it's great to hire a car. It gives you freedom, choice, and the ability to follow your own itinerary. So why do you need a driver? In Agra the roads have a very different feel to Europe. Cows roam free, buses undertake tuctucs, and each vehicle bares a large number of scars. Driving licenses are bought, not tested, and pretending to be a formula 1 driver is an essential part of learning to drive. In Agra, almost all rental companies will only rent a car with a driver. A driver's wages are much cheaper than the car's repair bill.

Compare Agra car with driver rental prices:

As the country's tourist capital you've got a huge amount of choice when hiring a car with driver. At the cheapest end you can get an old Tata car with a relatively inexperienced driver for around €20 a day. This will cover you for everything in and around Agra. From this price the quality of car pushes the price up. Air-conditioning is essential in summer and will cost a bit more. Spacious comfort from a larger Toyota also costs more. Agra is also one of the few cities in India where you can hire genuinely luxury vehicles like a Mercedes. In most other cities they claim to have 'luxury' cars, although this just means that the doors aren't hanging off a 30 year old Tata.

Our website lists different companies that provide this service and you can compare Agra’s car with driver rental companies like Savaari Car Rentals near Hotel Taj, Shimla Travels at Sanjay Palace, and Divine Travels on Mahatma Gandhi Road. Prices can go up to around €100 a day. Cars with driver are rented out by travel agencies and car rental companies; both offer the service at similar prices.

The Agra’s private driver's experience:

Private taxi with a driver with affordable prices are available in Agra. Photo credit: Zingonit Blogspot

Obtaining a driving license in India is relatively simple. You take some baksheesh (bribe) to the correct office and get some papers stamped. This step is only required if you don't want to pay the baksheesh each time you're caught driving without a license. However, driving on Agra's streets requires a learned set of skills that can't be taught. For example, predicting which direction a cow will walk or where a bus will stop comes only through experience. Only very experienced drivers are given the best cars. If you pay extra for a top car you can expect a driver that is at the pinnacle of their profession.

Guiding is included in your car rental with driver in Agra:

Car with drivers differ from taxis because the driver is also your guide. To get repeat business these drivers must have excellent English skills, be full of conversation and jokes, and respond to everything you require. Your driver knows a lot more information than your guidebook. Ask them for some local tips. They can show you a hidden side to Agra which many others don't experience.

Your driver is not allowed to enter the main attractions like the Taj Mahal. Only registered guides are allowed to do this and when you're at the attractions the driver will wait in the car outside. But on the streets their fountain of knowledge is worth tapping into.

Tipping and recommending your driver in Agra:

Drivers should be tipped for good service, although how much is completely up to you. Wages in India are not high so even a small tip makes a difference. Rather than think about percentages, think about what the experience was worth to you. It's very important that you tell the rental company as this helps them to keep standards high and use the best drivers. You can also leave feedback about a service on our website. 

What happens if there is a problem?

If there is a problem then you should speak directly to the Rental Company or agency. Either call them yourself or ask your driver to call them. Some people choose to rent the services of a single man with a car. The huge advantage of using a rental company or travel agency is that there is back up in case of a problem.

What to see with your chauffeured rental car in Agra?

Hiring a car with driver in Agra is perfect for two types of visitor. Some people choose to hire a car with driver for 1-3 days to visit all the attractions in and around Agra. Others start in Agra and hire a car with driver to tour Uttar Pradesh province or other parts of India.

Tours within Agra:

Where do you start in Agra? The Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, the many different temples and gardens. We recommend that you plan your trip to visit the Taj Mahal either at sunrise or sunset as this is when this iconic building looks most impressive. From the Taj it's a short journey to the Red Fort, Agra's second UNESCO world heritage site. The 40km trip to Fatehpur Sikri is best during the middle of the day. It's usually quite at this former Mughal Empire complex and there is plenty of space to relax in the shade.

When visiting Agra's other sites like the tombs of Sikandra or Miriam, or the temples of Balkeshwar or Kailash, it's good to go when the heat of the day has cooled. It's more pleasant and there will be lots of locals which make the attractions more authentic. Either way, to see everything in and around Agra at a leisurely pace then you will need at least two days with a car with driver. Many people try and squeeze everything into one day, which can often feel like a hurried charge ticking off a list. Relax, enjoy the attractions, and then save the second day for everything you didn't visit on the first.

Sikandra is a well known tomb of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Photo credit: Wikipedia

Tours with Agra as a starting point:

Agra can be used a base for a longer tour across India. The affordability and convenience of hiring a car with driver make it a very popular choice for people making tours across the country. From Agra you can head east and tour the Uttar Pradesh province, eventually making your way to Varanasi, India's holiest city. It's also just a short journey north to capital city Delhi, which has hundreds of attractions and also, probably the airport you fly home from.

From Agra it's only a short journey to the iconic province of Rajasthan. Jaipur, the Pink City, is less than three hours away and welcomes you to the province with regal pink buildings. Check out our Rajasthan page for the different destinations in this province. If you cross a state line in India then the vehicle will need a special license, which will increase the price slightly.

Compare car with driver rental services

Read more information about travel services in India or transport in Uttar Pradesh on this website. If you want to hire a car with driver in Agra, please use our quote request form. RentAutobus is the one-stop chauffeured services portal for smart travellers, travel agents, travel managers and tour operators!