Seven days, three cities and one very happy family. Here is how to plan a Golden Triangle tour from Australia over the December and January break.
At a glance: a Golden Triangle tour from Australia in 7 days
Fly into Delhi, spend two days there, take the fast train or the Yamuna Expressway to Agra for the Taj Mahal, drive on to Jaipur for the forts and palaces, then loop back to Delhi to fly home. Seven days is enough. December and January bring cool, dry days and foggy mornings, so pack layers. Return fares to Delhi start from AUD $493.13 per person from Melbourne and AUD $626 from Sydney (checked 7 October 2026, prices change daily). Remember: the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
Why the summer school holidays suit the Golden Triangle
Victorian schools finish Term 4 on Friday 18 December 2026 and go back on Wednesday 27 January 2027. NSW finishes on Thursday 17 December. That gives families five to six clear weeks, and it lands right in the middle of north India’s best weather.
Delhi, Agra and Jaipur in December and January are cool and dry. Daytime temperatures sit around the high teens to low twenties, perfect for walking around forts. Mornings can be cold and foggy, especially in Delhi, so plan the big outdoor sights for late morning and keep the first and last days loose in case fog delays a flight or train.
Many of our families visit relatives first, then do the Golden Triangle as the “holiday within the holiday”. If your family is in Kerala, see our guide to flights from Sydney to Kochi and add a domestic hop to Delhi.
Flying from Australia to Delhi
Delhi is the natural gateway: the most flight options from Australia, and the top corner of the triangle. All fares below are return, from AUD, per person, checked 7 October 2026. Prices change daily and rise over Christmas, so book early.
Departure city | Return fare to Delhi (DEL) | Note |
Melbourne | from AUD $493.13 | Best-priced Australian gateway to Delhi right now. |
Sydney | from AUD $626 | Non-stop and one-stop options. |
Perth | from AUD $631 | Shortest flying time to India. |
Adelaide | from AUD $773 | One-stop via an Asian hub. |
Brisbane | from AUD $847 | Book early for the Christmas weeks. |
Your 7-day Golden Triangle itinerary
This is the loop we suggest to families. Every day has one headline sight and room for a slow lunch.
| Day | Where | What you do |
| Day 1 | Delhi | Arrive, settle in, gentle evening walk. Early night to beat the jet lag. |
| Day 2 | Delhi | Qutub Minar in the morning, Humayun’s Tomb after lunch. Sunset stroll in Lodhi Garden. |
| Day 3 | Delhi | Old Delhi: Jama Masjid, a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk and parathas at Paranthe Wali Gali. Afternoon at India Gate. |
| Day 4 | Delhi to Agra | Morning Gatimaan Express (about 1 hour 40 minutes) or car on the Yamuna Expressway. Afternoon at Agra Fort. Sunset view of the Taj from Mehtab Bagh across the river. |
| Day 5 | Agra to Jaipur | Taj Mahal at sunrise (not a Friday). Drive to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri, around 5 to 6 hours with the stop. |
| Day 6 | Jaipur | Amber Fort in the morning, then Hawa Mahal and the City Palace. Evening bazaars for block-printed cottons. |
| Day 7 | Jaipur to Delhi | Train or car back to Delhi (4 to 6 hours) for your flight home, or fly Jaipur to Delhi if time is tight. |
Train or car between the cities?
Both work. Most of our families mix them.
- Delhi to Agra by train: the Gatimaan Express leaves Hazrat Nizamuddin station early morning and reaches Agra in about 1 hour 40 minutes. Vande Bharat services also run on this corridor. Trains are fast, fog-resistant and fun for kids.
- Delhi to Agra by car: the Yamuna Expressway takes roughly 3 to 4 hours door to door. Handy if you have a pram, grandparents or a lot of luggage.
- Agra to Jaipur: there is no fast train that suits most families, so a private car with a driver is the usual choice. Stopping at Fatehpur Sikri on the way breaks up the trip.
- Jaipur to Delhi: good train options, including Vande Bharat and Shatabdi services, in around 4 to 5 hours. By road it is 5 to 6 hours.
Book trains through IRCTC as soon as your dates are fixed, because popular morning trains fill up in the holiday season. A car and driver for the full loop is simple to arrange and good value when split across a family.
6 tips for a Golden Triangle trip with kids
1. Do the Taj Mahal at sunrise, and never on a Friday
The Taj Mahal is closed to visitors on Fridays. Gates open before sunrise on other days, and the first hour is the quietest and most beautiful. Buy tickets online in advance, then be in the queue at the East or West Gate before the sun comes up.
2. Pack layers, not shorts
Summer at home does not mean summer in Delhi. Mornings in late December can drop to single digits. Bring a warm jacket, a beanie for the kids and shoes that can walk all day.
3. Keep the last day loose
December fog can delay flights and trains in and out of Delhi. Plan to be back in Delhi the day before your flight home. Keep the final day for shopping and a long lunch, not a tight connection.
4. Hire a guide for the big three
Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Amber Fort are far better with a licensed guide who brings the stories alive for children.
5. Sort the e-Visa early
Australian passport holders need an Indian visa or a valid OCI card. Apply for the e-Visa through the official Indian government portal only, never a lookalike site, and allow at least two weeks. Check that every passport has six months of validity left.
6. Spread the cost with PayLite
A family trip to India over Christmas is a big spend in an expensive month. PayLite lets you secure your seats with a low deposit and pay the rest in up to 26 weekly instalments before you fly, on selected refundable fares. Afterpay is accepted too. Verified students and education staff can also join MannPass for free for an extra AUD $25 off eligible return flights to India.
Practical notes for families
- Hotels: choose stays close to the sights. In Agra, somewhere near the East Gate makes the sunrise visit easy. In Jaipur, the area around MI Road or C-Scheme keeps you central.
- Food: north Indian winter food is at its best. Think hot parathas, gajar ka halwa and sarson da saag. Stick to busy, well-reviewed places with kids.
- Money: carry some rupees for rickshaws, snacks and tips. Cards work in hotels and bigger shops.
- Health and safety: drink bottled or filtered water, carry hand sanitiser, and check the current India advice on Smartraveller before you go. Travel insurance for every family member is a must.
Why book your Golden Triangle flights with Mann Travel?
Since 2007, Mann Travel has helped Australian families fly to India for weddings, festivals, visits home and holidays. Our Melbourne-based team specialises in Australia–India routes, speaks Hindi, Punjabi and English, and is on call 24/7. We can book your flights to Delhi, add the domestic legs, and help you time the trip around the school holidays. Reach us through our contact page or give us a call.
Let’s take you home these school holidays.
Search live fares to Delhi at manntravel.com.au/flights or call our team on 1300 754 002. Ask about PayLite to lock in your fare today.
frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for the Golden Triangle?
Seven days is comfortable for a family: three in Delhi, one and a half in Agra, one and a half in Jaipur and a day to return. Five days is possible but rushed.
What is the weather like in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur in December and January?
Cool and dry. Days reach the high teens to low twenties, mornings can be cold and foggy, and rain is rare. Pack layers.
Is the Taj Mahal open every day?
No. The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. On other days it opens before sunrise and closes at sunset.
How much are flights from Australia to Delhi for the summer holidays?
Return fares start from AUD $493.13 from Melbourne and AUD $626 from Sydney, checked 7 October 2026. Prices change daily and rise over Christmas, so book early.
Do Australians need a visa for India?
Yes. Australian passport holders need an Indian visa or a valid OCI card. Most families apply for the e-Visa through the official Indian government portal.
Fares and availability change daily and depend on the airline, date and fare type. Train times, opening hours and weather are typical and can change. Always check live prices, official sites and current travel advice before booking.
