What's the best route order for a Golden Triangle + Varanasi trip in India (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi)?
Based on 1 discussion with 4 participants · Last activity: 17 days ago
TL;DR
Going Agra-Jaipur-Varanasi is inefficient since Jaipur is west of Delhi while Agra and Varanasi are east. Better order is Delhi-Agra-Varanasi-Jaipur, or drop Jaipur entirely and spend at least 2 days in Delhi, 2 in Agra, and 3 in Varanasi.
What the community said
One experienced traveler suggests dropping Jaipur entirely — at a 1-day-per-city pace you won't really see anything. Recommended split: 2 days Delhi, 2 days Agra, minimum 3 days Varanasi, then Goa.
18 days ago 2 days Delhi / 2 days Agra / 3 days Varanasi
Jaipur needs at least one full sunrise-to-sunset day, meaning two nights there — otherwise you'll spend less time in the city than on the train to Varanasi. Flights from Jaipur to Varanasi usually require a layover; the most comfortable fast train to Varanasi departs from Delhi.
19 days ago Minimum 2 nights in Jaipur
If you add a stop in Orchha and/or Khajuraho along the way, the route changes completely and needs 2-3 extra days.
20 days ago Orchha/Khajuraho: +2-3 extra days
The Agra-Jaipur-Varanasi order doesn't make geographic sense: Agra and Varanasi lie east of Delhi, while Jaipur is to the west. A more logical route is Agra-Varanasi-Jaipur, with a possible detour to Orchha and/or Khajuraho along the way.
21 days ago Logical route: Agra-Varanasi-Jaipur