Rajasthan's Golden Triangle on a Budget

The Golden Triangle — Delhi, Agra, Jaipur — is India's most-travelled tourist circuit for a reason: three very different cities, none more than a few hours from the next by road or rail.

Delhi (2 days): Split your time between Old Delhi (Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk's food stalls) and New Delhi (Humayun's Tomb, India Gate). The Delhi Metro is the cheapest way to move between the two.

Agra (1 day, or an overnight): The Taj Mahal is worth an early-morning entry to beat both the heat and the crowds. Agra Fort, a short auto-rickshaw ride away, pairs well with the same day.

Jaipur (2 days): The Pink City rewards a slower pace — Amber Fort in the morning before it gets hot, Hawa Mahal and the City Palace in the afternoon, and the bazaars around Johari Bazaar for an evening of shopping.

Budget tip: travelling this circuit by train (Delhi–Agra–Jaipur–Delhi) is significantly cheaper than private cars for a solo or couple trip, and the Gatimaan Express cuts the Delhi–Agra leg to under two hours.

If you're flying in from further afield, book into Delhi (DEL) and out of Jaipur (JAI) — or vice versa — rather than backtracking to the same airport twice.