“They can’t take no for an answer,” Foreign tourist shares his Agra experience and why it is a lesson for everyone |

For many travellers, the Taj Mahal represents a once-in-a-lifetime milestone, which is also one of the most beautiful structures in the world. For many, it also serves as a stop on the journey to completing the New 7 Wonders of the World. The white marble monument often appears serene in photographs, framed by calm reflecting pools and soft morning light. A visit to this iconic place always feels overwhelming!But for one traveller, the road to that iconic view began with an overwhelming arrival.Sharing his experience with regard to his visit to Taj Mahal onReddit, he wrote, “I reached the New Delhi Train Station an hour before my departure time by 6 AM. I chose the Exec. Chair Car (EC) that cost 990.40 INR arriving in Agra Cantt at 7:50 AM. Once I stepped off Agra, I was literally bombarded with a lot of locals who can’t take no for an answer. I even walked 1km away from Agra Cantt and unbelievably the guy was still following me then another guy kept following me after that one guy gave up.”

Continuing the account, the traveller explained that exploring Agra required little bit of firmness and quick thinking. One key lesson was sometimes telling persistent drivers that everything had already been pre-booked. “It was the easiest way to stop the upselling,” the Redditor noted. The travellers eventually reached Hotel Taj Resorts, located near the Taj Mahal complex. At first, their Uber driver insisted he could not drop them directly in front of the property. However, later that evening, another Uber had no issue doing exactly that, a small inconsistency that added to the confusion of the day.Read more: 10 tiger reserves in India with exceptional sighting records The hotel allowed early check-in, which the traveller described as a welcome relief. After breakfast, he took a swim and rested before heading back out to explore. On the way to Agra Fort, another ride-hailing hiccup occurred. The driver accepted the pickup request, but upon arrival claimed he needed to refuel and asked the traveller to cancel the trip. A cancellation fee was charged, though it was later refunded after being reported through customer service. At Agra Fort, the traveller chose to explore independently rather than hiring one of the guides stationed outside. “I think you can explore the area by yourself,” he admitted. Later, he met another tourist and wandered through local markets in search of a specific sweet shop that Google listed as open, though it turned out to be closed. Dinner followed at a nearby restaurant, with Zomato serving as their go-to for recommendations. The following morning was dedicated to the Taj Mahal. A guide was booked through the hotel reception, a decision the traveller later reconsidered. “In my opinion, I didn’t really need a guide,” they shared. They remained until about 9 AM before going back to the hotel to avoid the increasing heat of the sun. After breakfast and preparing to leave, they visited a nearby café with a view of the Taj before proceeding to Agra Fort railway station to take the train to Jaipur. The AC 3 Tier train ticket price was 595.40 INR, and the arrival in Jaipur in the evening resulted in a much more relaxed environment. Other travelers were cordial, with one man asking questions about life back home. The traveler handed out granola bars for the children, describing it as “one of the more authentic interactions of the trip.“

At Jaipur, a mistake in the booking at Moustache Jaipur was corrected upon arrival, despite the hotel being under renovation. That evening ended at a rooftop bar within walking distance, something the traveller noticed quickly became a recurring theme in the Pink City. At Hawa Mahal, a man offered to take their photo but attempted to steer them toward his shop afterward. Recognising the pattern by then, the traveller declined and instead headed to Tattoo Café for lunch with a view of the palace façade.On the final day, he boarded a First AC (1A) train back to Delhi, costing 1,355.40 INR. Only then did they realise there were designated waiting areas based on ticket class, having spent most of their time outside the station. While on the train, news came that their flight had been delayed by three hours, prompting them to book a small room near Delhi railway station to rest before heading to the airport.Read more: 22 countries currently under US ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory: Full list and what travellers should know The trip concluded with dinner in Connaught Place, biryani, fittingly, and a long queue at airport security. Reflecting on the journey, the traveller described India as a significant culture shock , even coming from a busy country themselves. Their primary goal had been to see the Taj Mahal as part of completing the New 7 Wonders of the World. While he acknowledged the challenges, he also emphasised the lessons learned.He says that the Golden Triangle may not be ideal for first-time solo travellers unless arranged through a tour agency. However, the experience, in their words, was unforgettable.Other practical notes shared in the Reddit post included using a 10GB eSIM purchased via Trip.com, relying primarily on cash, expecting tipping requests in many situations, and finding the Delhi Metro safe and convenient for getting around.