The Golden Triangle links Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, three cities that together hold Mughal tombs, Rajput forts, bazaars and the Taj Mahal. It is the classic first trip to India for Canadians, partly because Delhi has nonstop flights from Toronto and Vancouver, and partly because the three cities sit close enough to connect by road or train without internal flights. Seven to ten days is enough to see the highlights at a comfortable pace and recover from jet lag.
Before you plan the details, sort the paperwork: Canadians need an India e-Visa approved before departure and must file India’s e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before landing. Check travel.gc.ca before you go.
Best season for the Golden Triangle
The cooler, drier months from roughly October to March are the most comfortable time to tour Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, which makes this route a natural escape from the Canadian winter. Mornings and evenings can be cool in December and January, and fog sometimes delays early trains and flights around Delhi. From April to June, temperatures in north India climb very high, and the monsoon brings rain and humidity through the summer months. If you travel in the shoulder months, plan sightseeing for early morning and late afternoon.
Know before you go: Taj Mahal rules
- Closed on Fridays. The Taj Mahal is closed to general visitors every Friday; the mosque inside opens only for prayers. Build your Agra days around this.
- Opening hours: from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset. Sunrise is the most popular slot for light and smaller crowds.
- Tickets: the official site lists the foreign tourist ticket at Rs. 1,100, with an optional Rs. 200 add-on to enter the main mausoleum, and a small discount when you buy online through the official ASI booking channels. Children under 15 enter free.
- Gates: tickets are sold at the Western and Eastern Gates; the Southern Gate is exit only. Foreign and domestic visitors have separate queues.
- Getting close: petrol and diesel vehicles are not allowed within 500 metres of the monument, so you finish the trip on a battery bus, golf cart or on foot.
- Night viewing: available on full-moon nights and the two nights before and after, except Fridays and during Ramzan, with a separate ticket.
7 to 10 day Golden Triangle itinerary
This plan starts and ends in Delhi, where flights from Canada land. The core version takes seven days; days 8 to 10 are optional extensions.
| Day | Base | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delhi | Arrive from Canada, often late at night. Rest, then an easy afternoon at India Gate and Connaught Place. |
| 2 | Delhi | Old Delhi: Red Fort, Jama Masjid and a guided walk or cycle-rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk. |
| 3 | Delhi | New Delhi: Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar and an evening around Hauz Khas or Lodhi Garden. |
| 4 | Agra | Travel to Agra by train or car. Visit Agra Fort, then Mehtab Bagh across the Yamuna at sunset for views of the Taj. |
| 5 | Agra to Jaipur | Taj Mahal at sunrise (not on a Friday), then drive to Jaipur with a stop at Fatehpur Sikri. |
| 6 | Jaipur | Amber Fort early, Jal Mahal on Man Sagar Lake, then Jaigarh or Nahargarh Fort for sunset. |
| 7 | Jaipur | Pink City: City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and Albert Hall Museum, with time in the bazaars. |
| 8 (optional) | Jaipur | Galtaji temple complex, Moti Dungri Ganesh temple and a slower day for shopping or a cooking class. |
| 9 (optional) | Ranthambore or Jaipur | Add a wildlife safari side trip or an extra day of day trips such as Samode village. |
| 10 | Delhi | Return to Delhi, last-minute shopping, and an overnight stay near the airport before the flight home. |
Running the loop Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Delhi keeps the travel days short. If your dates mean you would be in Agra on a Friday, flip the order and go Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Delhi instead.
Getting between the cities
- Train: Delhi and Agra are well linked by fast daytime trains, and Agra Cantt station is about 6 km from the Taj Mahal. Jaipur also has direct rail links to both. Book through Indian Railways’ official channels as early as your plans allow.
- Car with driver: the most popular choice for first-timers. It lets you stop at Fatehpur Sikri between Agra and Jaipur and handles luggage door to door.
- Organised tour: useful if this is your first trip to India and you prefer a guide at each site.
- Avoid unlicensed touts at stations and monuments offering “official” guides or tickets. Buy entry tickets at the gate or through official sites.
Where to stay
| City | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Aerocity | First and last nights, next to the international airport |
| Delhi | Connaught Place and central New Delhi | Central location, metro access, restaurants |
| Delhi | South Delhi (Hauz Khas, Defence Colony and nearby) | Quieter streets, cafés, guesthouses |
| Delhi | Paharganj | Budget travellers who want to be near New Delhi railway station |
| Agra | Taj Ganj and Fatehabad Road | Walking distance or a short ride to the Taj Mahal’s gates for sunrise |
| Jaipur | Around the Old City (Pink City) | Heritage havelis and easy access to City Palace and Hawa Mahal |
| Jaipur | C-Scheme and MI Road | Restaurants, shopping and a central base |
| Jaipur | Bani Park | Quieter guesthouses close to the railway station |
In Agra, staying close to the Taj makes a sunrise visit easy, since vehicles must stop 500 metres away and you will be walking or riding the electric shuttle for the final stretch.
Practical tips for Canadian travellers
- Flights: Air Canada and Air India both fly nonstop from Toronto to Delhi, and Air India flies nonstop from Vancouver. From Montreal and Calgary, check Air Canada’s seasonal schedule or connect.
- Jet lag: leave Day 1 light. The time difference from eastern and western Canada is large, and the first full sightseeing day goes better after a night’s sleep.
- Dress: cover shoulders and knees at mosques and temples, and carry socks for sites where you remove your shoes.
- Health: see a travel clinic in Canada before departure, drink bottled or filtered water and buy travel health insurance.
- Cash and cards: cards work in hotels and larger shops, but carry small rupee notes for tips, rickshaws and markets.
Ready to compare prices? Check hotels and flights for your dates on Expedia.
Bottom line
A Golden Triangle trip of seven to ten days, ideally between October and March, covers Delhi’s Mughal monuments, the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, and Jaipur’s forts and Pink City without rushing. Never plan your Taj Mahal visit for a Friday, stay near the Taj in Agra for sunrise, and base yourself in the Old City or C-Scheme in Jaipur. Get your e-Visa first, file the e-Arrival Card, and check travel.gc.ca before you go.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for the Golden Triangle?
Seven days covers Delhi, Agra and Jaipur at a comfortable pace, with three nights in Delhi, one in Agra and two or three in Jaipur. Ten days lets you add slower days in Jaipur, a wildlife side trip, and a buffer night near Delhi airport before flying home.
Is the Taj Mahal open on Fridays?
No. The Taj Mahal is closed to general visitors every Friday, when the mosque inside opens only for prayers. On other days it opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes before sunset. Night viewing around the full moon also excludes Fridays.
What is the best time to visit Delhi, Agra and Jaipur?
The cooler, drier months from roughly October to March are the most comfortable, which suits Canadians escaping winter. December and January can bring chilly mornings and fog around Delhi. April to June is very hot, and the monsoon brings rain and humidity in summer.
Where should I stay in Agra to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise?
Stay in Taj Ganj or along Fatehabad Road, close to the Taj Mahal’s Eastern and Western Gates. Petrol and diesel vehicles cannot go within 500 metres of the monument, so being nearby means a short walk or electric shuttle ride for the sunrise opening.
Related guides
- Bali from Canada: Visa on Arrival, Areas and Tips
- Flights from Canada to India: Routes, Airlines and Tips
- India e-Visa for Canadians: How to Apply in 2026
- Hotel booking mistakes that cost you money
Entry rules, prices and schedules change often. Always check travel.gc.ca and official sources before you go. Sources: Timing and Ticket Price to Visit the Taj Mahal – tajmahal.gov.in, Taj Mahal – District Agra, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Journey through Jaipur’s timeless treasures – Incredible India, Air India expands Canada operations with seasonal Toronto-Mumbai flights – Travel Market Report.
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