So this will be the first leg of our second destination in India...Agra.
If you missed our visits in Jaipur, you can read all about it in :
INCREDIBLE INDIA : JAIPUR, HAWA MAHAL
INCREDIBLE INDIA : JAIPUR, ALBERT HALL
INCREDIBLE INDIA : JAIPUR, AMBER FORT
INCREDIBLE INDIA : JAIPUR, ALBERT HALL
INCREDIBLE INDIA : JAIPUR, AMBER FORT
After we explored most of the interesting places in Jaipur, we head to our next destination, Agra. It gives me the excitement knowing that our next destination will be one of the 7 wonders of the world.
We had 2 nights in Agra and we chose Pyrenees Home Stay as our lodging. You can view the Taj Mahal from the rooftop of Pyrenees Home Stay. All rooms are equipped with a satellite TV, shower and toilet. It offers a restaurant and a 24-hour front desk. Free WiFi is available in the public areas of the property. There are also books and magazines to read and do research on places in Agra. You can view the hotel here.
The price of the home stay was very affordable. The total cost was Rs5,600 (RM 330) for 2 rooms, 2 nights which include the food we had at the roof top cafe. You can charge it to your room bill. Yes, most budget hotels in India are dirt cheap, clean with all the amenities, helpful and friendly.
A currency exchange and luggage storage facilities are available. Pyrenees also offers bicycle rentals and laundry facilities at an extra cost.
Our journey from Jaipur to Agra took about 9 hours on an overnight express bus. Our departure time was 6.30pm (from Jaipur) and we arrived Agra around 4.30am the next day. Women of all nationalities are entitle 30% off the bus tickets in Jaipur. Not sure why but why not?
There are 2 types of express bus that you can choose from. The AC and non-AC. Hey, tell you what, air conditioner is a big of a deal in India. The ticket price is around RM 30 per person. They also provide mineral water for each passengers on board.
There are 2 types of express bus that you can choose from. The AC and non-AC. Hey, tell you what, air conditioner is a big of a deal in India. The ticket price is around RM 30 per person. They also provide mineral water for each passengers on board.
The bus will stop every few hours at a designated service area along the 'highway'. The toilets are clean but the variety of food are not many so you can buy your own snacks prior to departure. Bus schedules in India can be unpredictable. Your departure time can be 6.30pm but it could be earlier. But normally they're on time. So make sure you're at the bus station earlier.
As you arrive Agra, there will be tuk-tuk drivers come flocking around you. Do not panic and say no to them in a nice way. Ask any tuk-tuk driver on how much do they charge to bring you to your destination (keep your hotel address in hand. Bookings.com has mobile app that you can easily download and save the address in your phone). Please note that there might be midnight charges.
The tuk-tuk price is negotiable.We were charged Rs 300 to Pyrenees Home Stay and as I mentioned earlier, hotels in India are flexible that most of the hotel allows you to check-in earlier than the check-in time because normally they will prepare and reserve the room only for you once you have confirmed your booking.
1. Remember to bring your bags containing important documents on board and put the rest of the luggage underneath the bag compartment.
2. Advisable to choose bus with A/C because the condition of the bus is cleaner and the type of passengers are decent ones which sometimes can be other tourist from other country.
2. Advisable to choose bus with A/C because the condition of the bus is cleaner and the type of passengers are decent ones which sometimes can be other tourist from other country.
Street of Jaipur nearby to the bus stations.
