I am from Panipat and will be going to Mathura to visit some of the mandirs there. I know that Agra is somewhere along that line and close by to Mathura, but I need to know what the distance between Agra and Mathura, so I can make plans to take my family to go and visit the Taj Mahal. I would also like to know if a one day visit would be feasible, so we could return back to Mathura after visiting the Taj Mahal and some other famous places in Agra?
Hello, welcome to the forum! (Images from Diego Delso, Rising Citizen and Diego Delso) Overview The distance between Mathura and Agra varies depending on the route you take. If you take the national highway route, the distance is around 58 kilometres or about 1 hour and 30 minutes of driving. If you take the expressway route, the distance is around 73 kilometres or about 1 hour and 40 minutes of driving. Since the distance of Mathura to Agra is not that much, it's certainly possible to make it a one-day trip. However, you might have to leave out Fatehpur Sikri in the itinerary or you can include it, but you won't be able to explore it fully. Distance between Mathura and Agra + Routes to Take There are two routes that you can take to reach Agra from Mathura. The first one is shorter and takes you through the national highway while the second one is longer and passes through the expressway. 1. Route via National Highway 2 - This is the shorter of the two routes, about 58 kilometres long. This route is also less busier as it is not part of the popular Yamuna Expressway. Route No. 1 - Mathura > Dhana Teja > Farah Town > Arsena > Sikandra > Agra This stretch takes you through small localities around Mathura and Agra. Road conditions are good although some patches are under construction due to some lane constructions. Usually, most travellers coming in from Gurgaon takes this route. It's a tolled route too so it's well maintained and is a preferred route when winter sets in and the Yamuna Expressway is covered in fog. From Mathura to Agra, roads are pretty good, with some patchy ones, but overall, an easy drive. If you like the countryside views, then this route would best fit you. 2. Route via Yamuna Expressway - This is the longer of the two routes since you need to go back for about 13 kilometres to reach the entrance to the Yamuna Expressway. This route is about 73 kilometres long or about 1 hour and 40 minutes of driving. Route No. 2 - Mathura > Yamuna Expressway > Manpur Sauj Road > Agra This route passes through the Yamuna Expressway. You need to drive back a few kilometres from Mathura though to reach the entry point for the expressway. Driving in this whole stretch is very smooth and easy, as the roads are well-laid and cared for. If you want an easier drive, then take this route. However, this route also passes through the busier roads of Agra and you need to be prepared for the traffic especially if you reach the city during rush hours. As mentioned above, this route can also get a bit foggy during winter season but for other seasons, it's the best route to take. Mathura to Agra + Agra Sightseeing in One Day The travel time between Mathura and Agra is under 2 hours, considering the traffic and other delays you might encounter. Considering a total travel time of 4 hours for both ways, you are left with a few hours to explore Agra. It's possible to explore the city of Agra in one day, although you need to arrive there early in the morning to fully cover the following places. Itinerary for One-Day Agra Tour 1. Taj Mahal (1 to 2 Hours) - The iconic monument of Agra, the Taj Mahal, is on every traveller's itinerary. The white-marbled mausoleum is a sight to behold, from its pure milky exteriors that reflects the sunlight or the moonlight and up to its well-manicured lawns that attracts families alike. This mausoleum was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan for his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, since she died while giving birth to their offspring. The monument is open every day except Fridays, from sunrise to sunset. The opening time varies depending on what time the sun rises during that day but you can easily fit this attraction into your itinerary since it opens early in the morning. You can spend one to two hours exploring the monument, taking pictures and being mesmerised by its beauty. Opening Hours - 5:30 to 18:00 (Sunrise to Sunset) 2. Agra Fort (2 to 3 Hours) - If you're bringing you car, the Agra Fort is about 6.9 kilometres away from the Taj Mahal. An UNESCO World Heritage Site, this fortress was originally built in the 10th century but most of the exteriors can be attributed to the renovation during the reign of Akbar. However, the grander inner structures can be attributed to his grandson, Shah Jahan, the one who commissioned for the building of the Taj Mahal as well. The fort contains inner structures made of both red sandstone and white marble. Some of the structures that you can explore here are palaces and halls. The Sheesh Mahal deserves a special mention, because its exquisite mirror works can stun the hardcore art lovers. With every nook and corner of the palace fort, you are sure to find great examples of the Mughal architectural style. Ensure that you spend at least two to three hours in the Agra Fort. Opening Hours - 5:30 to 18:00 (Sunrise to Sunset) 3. Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah (1 Hour) - This attraction is about 4.3 kilometres away from the Agra Fort. You cannot miss this place because it even preceded the iconic monument of the city. Built by Noor Jahan for her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg, the uncanny resemblance of the tomb to the Taj Mahal is recognisable, earning it the name Baby Taj. It was also the first ever mausoleum built out of white marble, a legacy that would soon become a trademark of the Mughal empire. An hour would be sufficient to explore this monument, but don't forget to explore the exquisite inlays around the main tomb itself. Opening Hours - 5:30 to 18:00 (Sunrise to Sunset) 4. Mehtab Bagh (30 Minutes to 1 Hour) - This attraction is about 3 kilometres away from the Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah. If you are an avid photographer, this is one of the best places for taking pictures of the Taj Mahal. It is located exactly adjacent to the iconic monument. On a clear day, you can enjoy the view of the Taj Mahal from here. The presence of the lush greenery around the garden adds to the serene atmosphere as well. Opening Hours - 5:30 to 18:00 (Sunrise to Sunset) 5. Tomb of Akbar in Sikandra (1 Hour) - This attraction is located about 10 kilometres away from Agra proper. You can visit it on your way back to Mathura, if you utilise the National Highway 2 route. The tomb was built by the Emperor Akbar before his death and is the perfect blend of Hindu, Muslim and even Buddhist architectural styles. He was not able to finish the tomb though so his son, Jahangir, completed it for him. Surrounded by four gardens, the tomb exudes serenity at the most. The tomb itself has intricate stucco work that is worth exploring. You can allot at least an hour to explore the Tomb of Akbar in Sikandra. Opening Hours - 5:30 to 18:00 (Sunrise to Sunset) 6. (Optional) Fatehpur Sikri (2 to 3 Hours) - If you still have the time, you can visit Fatehpur Sikri as well, about an hour away from Agra. You need to skip the Tomb of Akbar in Sikandra to visit this attraction though. Make sure you plan accordingly, as the attraction closes by sunset so reach it before that time arrives. Once the capital of Akbar, for a short time anyway in the 15th century, you can explore the numerous structures within the abandoned city. There are many legends surrounding the abandonment of the once flourishing city, but according to scholars, it is simply because of water shortage. You can visit the palaces, the halls and even the Tomb of Salim Chishti when in Fatehpur Sikri. Opening Hours - 5:30 to 18:00 (Sunrise to Sunset) Conclusion I hope this route guide and sightseeing guide helps you in exploring Agra from Mathura. Just keep in mind that the attractions in Agra open by sunrise and close by sunset so you need to time your visit around these hours. The Taj Mahal is closed during Fridays so avoid a trip during that day. Further, travel time from Mathura to Agra is around 2 hours, more or less so you can leave early in the morning from Mathura, so you can pack as many attractions in a day. I hope this helps!
