About Agra, India
In the northern part of Uttar Pradesh lies the city of Agra. Home to the iconic Taj Mahal, Agra, is the 19th most populated city in India. About 1,687,000 people live in the city. Carpets, marble inlay, and other royal crafts are a large part of Agra’s economy. They are, however, only second to tourism. A major part of that tourism revolves around the Taj Mahal, but there is also a lot else to visit while in Agra.
Popular Destinations in Agra
Looking for activities once your private jet arrives in Agra? Agra boasts an abundance of monuments and other historic structures. Festivals and holy celebrations are just as plentiful. The popular travel attractions include the following:
Taj Mahal: This iconic mausoleum was originally constructed for Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of the Mughal ruler Dhah Jahan, after her death during childbirth in 1631. It combines precious stone inlays placed in intricately-carved white marble, massive domes with four decorative minarets inside a courtyard. The courtyard features a beautiful reflection pool. This is, without doubt, Agra’s most well-known attraction. Additionally, The Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world, and an attraction not to be missed.
Sikandra: This is the final resting place of Akbar the Great, also referred to as Sha Akbar. Akbar the Great was a Muslim emperor in the year 1556. he was praised for his commitment to the arts and his religious tolerance. Sikandra stands tall on the western edge of Agra. The building has elegant calligraphy, detailed mosaics, and a red sandstone façade. The tomb is laid out in a perfectly symmetrical pattern, reminiscent of the architectural style of the Mughal.
Fatehput Sikri: Originally intended to be the co-capital of Agra, the city of Fatehput Sikri was erected between 1569 and 1585. Sadly, soon after its construction and due to the severe lack of water in the area, the city was abandoned. For hundreds of years, it lay empty. These days , although a bit of a ghost town, Fatehput Sikri has rejuvenated itself through tourism. It is a popular travel attraction, and usually features fewer crowds than Agra Fort or the Taj Mahal.
Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb: Constructed entirely of marble, this is the first tomb of its kind. The Taj Mahal used exactly this same stone while being constructed, which is perhaps why this tomb is nicknamed “Baby Taj”. With gold paintings on the ceiling, acute symmetry, mosaics, gilding, decorative inlays, and other sources of visual splendor, Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb is one of the most impressive tombs of Agra. This is the final resting place of Nur Jahan (the father of Shah Jahan’s wife), as well as for the former Lord of the Treasury.
Agra Fort: On the west bank of the Yamuna River, as central Agra turns into outer Agra, visitors will find the Agra Fort. Located slightly northwest of the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort has magnificent gates and impressive red sandstone turrets. It is even older than the Taj Mahal, by about one century. Adding to the fort’s uniqueness is the mix of architectural styles resulting from past rulers, each making their individual marks on the site.
Luxury Lodging in Agra
Seeking luxury accommodations once your private jet has arrived in Agra? Due to the popularity of the Taj Mahal, Agra has an excellent range of top-notch options to offer in terms of luxury lodging. These include:
- Hotel Clarks Shiraz
- ITC Mughal
- Jaypee Palace Hotel
- Radisson Blu Hotel Agra Taj East Gate Road
- The Gateway Hotel Fatehabad Road
- The Oberoi Amarviilas
Airports In or Nearby Agra For Private Jets
Several airports exist in or nearby Agra, making it easily accessible to private jet users. These include:
- Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL): Indira Gandhi Airport sits at an elevation of 777 feet above sea level. The airport is spread over more than 5000 acres, and is located 130 miles away from Agra. It is the busiest airport in the country in terms of traffic. It has three parallel runways measuring 3800, 2800 and 4400 feet in length, and designated in the 10/28, 09/27 and 11/29 directions respectively.
- Jaipur international Airport (JAI): Jaipur Airport is located 140 miles from Agra. It’s the only international airport in Rajasthan. The airport is located at an altitude of 1263 feet above sea level and has two parallel runways measuring 11,500 and 5,200 feet in length. These are designated in the 09/27 and 15/33 directions respectively, and are made of asphalt. Fuel, minor repair and hangar services are available to both commercial and private aircraft.
- Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport (LKO): This airport is located 200 miles away from Agra, and sits at an altitude of 400 feet above sea level. It has one concrete/asphalt runway designated in the 09/27 direction, measuring 9,100 feet in length. The airport has two terminals, and serves both commercial and private aircraft.
- Gwailor Airport (GWL): Located 80 miles from Agra, Gwailor Airport, officially known as Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia Airport, is spread over 30 acres of land. It has one terminal and a single asphalt runway measuring 9,000 feet in length. Gwailor sits at 600 feet above sea level, and the airport predominantly services private air traffic.
- Kanpur Airport (KNU): Also known as Chakeri Air Force Station, this airport was opened for public use in 2004. It is located 170 miles from Agra at an altitude of 410 feet above sea level. The airport has two asphalt/concrete runways, although only one (designated in the 09/27 direction and measuring 9,000 feet in length) is meant for civil use. The airport has scarce air traffic, making it ideal for private jets and chartered aircraft.
- Pantnagar Airport (PGH): Pantanagar Airport is a domestic airport that mainly functions as a hub for private aircraft, though commercial air traffic to and from the airport stays significant. It is located 180 miles away from Agra and sits at an elevation of 764 feet above sea level. It has one asphalt runway designated in the 10/28 direction, measuring 4,500 feet in length.
Interested in a Private Jet Charter to Agra?