Getting from Jaipur to Agra by Train: Everything You Need to Know

Travelling between Jaipur and Agra by train is one of those simple Indian journeys that look complicated from the outside, but once you’re on the platform, it genuinely couldn’t be easier. Here’s exactly how we did it, step by step, with no fluff.

Jaipur to Agra by Train Booking Your Ticket

We booked through the RedBus App, but there’s a catch: Tom had an IRCTC number which his Indian friend helped him with! You can apply for one online but IT DID NOT WORK FOR ME ... despite paying the 100 rupee and the help desk seems to be none existent! You can apply for one through the IRCTC website (.in) not (.com) but it did not work for me!!!!

Without one, the booking hits a wall.

If you don’t have an IRCTC number, you’ve got two options:

1. Ask a local if they’re happy for you to use theirs (most hostel staff are used to helping travellers with this).

   
   

2. Go to the station in advance and buy the ticket in person. Slower, but guaranteed.

   
   

From Hostel to Station

We grabbed a tuk-tuk from Madpackers Hostel straight to Jaipur Junction. The station is busy but easy to navigate.

Security checks happen at the entrance, metal detectors, bag scan, the usual, but if you have pre booked or have a physical ticket, you can walk straight onto the platforms.

Finding Your Train

Jaipur Junction makes this surprisingly smooth. Overhead electronic boards show exact carriage positions, so you know where to stand long before the train rolls in. This saves the classic last-minute sprint, although there is no queuing to get on ... its always a bit of a free for all situation but that seems to be the same regardless of the situation be it waiting for a ticket, at a bar or to board the train!

On the Train

We booked AC class, comfortable seats, big windows, and almost too cold. Bring a jumper.

The journey is easy: flat Rajasthan landscape, a slow shift from desert warmth to the greener belt around Agra. Vendors wander through, families settle in, and the rhythm of the carriage becomes strangely soothing.

The train arrived on time, a pleasant surprise for anyone who’s travelled long-distance in India.

Arriving in Agra

The moment you step off, the familiar scene unfolds: a small crowd of tuk-tuk drivers offering rides, tours, and promises of “very cheap, sir”.

We paid 350 rupees to get to our hostel (turns out this was still a little steep but between the 2 of us not bad at all!

That’s it. Door to door: easy.

I can recommend the Zostel in Agra which opened in 2025, its clean and comfy. Joeys gets a lot of hype because of the view on the roof which is very good but you can use the cafe at Joeys to check it out. In my opinion Joeys it needs a face lift but if you are staying for one or 2 nights you may be able to put up with the mouldy dorms with no natural light or ventilation!

Why Train Is the Best Way

• No traffic jams on the Jaipur–Agra highway

• Predictable timings

• A glimpse of real India between two royal cities

• Cheap, efficient, and part of the story of travelling across North India

Indian trains are a living, moving slice of the country’s culture, and this route is one of the simplest to tackle.

Hope this was useful you can see our journey unfold below, make sure to subscribe to Backpackers Blueprint youtube channel where we are exploring the world through its architecture with a backpack and a passion!