Banks: 10:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday; 10:00 to 13:00, Saturday
Post offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Department stores and shops: 09:00 to 19:00, Monday to Saturday; some are open later and Sunday also
Museums: times vary according to the facility
Business offices: 09:00 to 17:30, Monday to Friday

Agra is a fairly safe place to visit and, as militant as the locals appear with their attempts to get you to buy their goods or employ their services, they are generally harmless enough and are unlikely to resort to violence in the face of your abject refusal. 

As in any country, pickpockets are around and target tourists in busy sightseeing areas such as around the Taj Mahal. Women, while not especially at risk, should avoid going out alone late at night. A good rule of thumb is to just use common sense and avoid risky situations.

Electricity: 220v/50Hz.

Agra, like much of India, can unfortunately present a variety of threats to the health of visitors with poor levels of hygiene in eateries perhaps being the single most significant concern. Visitors are advised to take great care when choosing where to eat and to avoid street vendors and obviously unsanitary establishments where possible.

Water is not considered safe to drink and canned or other cold beverages should be taken without ice in case unpurified water was used in its creation. Dairy products are used in many dishes but should be treated with extreme caution lest inadequate refrigeration has led to their spoilage.

All visitors are advised to have Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations prior to their arrival in Agra and may also wish to consider rabies vaccinations if they think there is a likelihood of close contact with animals. Malaria and dengue fever are both present in Agra and visitors may wish to take a course of anti-malarial tablets on top of taking precautions against bites by using mosquito repellent. 

Apollo Clinic: +91 562 252 3853 / 30915212, 3091522 

Emergency services: 102

Hindi and Urdu are the chief languages spoken in Agra although visitors will find that English is common in tourist areas and is generally spoken with a high degree of competency. All hospitals and medical facilities have English-speaking doctors also.

The rupee is the official currency in Agra and is a volume that is made up of 100 paise. Notes are issued in denominations of Rs1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5; while coins are issued in Rs5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25 and 10 paise.

Cash and travellers cheques can be changed at the vast majority of banks in the city as well as at bureaux de change in various places, including in the city’s larger hotels. Exchange services are also available at the airport.

One tip to remember when dealing with money in India is that few businesses, big or small, will accept torn or badly damaged banknotes. This shouldn’t be a problem when you exchange money at a bank, which is the best place to change money in Agra, but be careful when getting change from businesses. It’s okay to refuse torn cash, as most Indians won’t accept them either.

Certain objects are forbidden from being brought into the country, including obscene publications, plants, seeds, fruits and vegetables, flowers, coffee beans, raw unprocessed tobacco and meat products. For non-Indian nationals, gifts up to the value Rs8000 may be brought into the country while tobacco allowance permits 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of loose tobacco, and liquor allowances permit a litre of wine or spirits.

Etiquette is complicated in India especially as religion can influence it to a large extent and the country has such a varied religious make-up. Visitors cannot possibly hope to grasp all of the nuances of Indian culture in a short vacation and so an understanding of the basics should suffice to get them by.

The namaste greeting, which involves pressing your hands together and bowing down, is the most common greeting. However, the handshake is quickly catching up especially in business. Be mindful though, that the gesture is invariably restricted to male-to-male meetings with handshakes between different gendered individuals or between two women rarely occurring. When meeting locals in a group situation, be sure to greet the eldest or most socially high member first and when leaving do the same with farewell greetings.

Naming conventions can be complicated depending on whether an individual is Sikh, Hindu or Muslim. Since this is often difficult for foreigners to know, it’s not considered impolite to ask what is the best title by which to address an individual you have just met. Male visitors are advised to avoid fraternisations with local females as such behaviour is likely to be frowned upon by relatives and cause problems for the lady or ladies involved.

Dining Etiquette
If invited to the house of a local in Agra, be sure to dress relatively smartly and certainly conservatively and don’t forget to remove shoes before entering the house. Wait to be shown to your seat at the table and don’t start eating until all members of the party are also seated. The food you will be served at the table depends on the religion of the host; avoid asking too many questions and try to just accept what has been prepared else you risk offending them.

The majority of food is eaten with the fingers but if you see your fellow guests reach for a spoon or fork for a particular course, then don’t be afraid to follow suit. It’s considered rude to clear your plate completely, suggesting that you are still hungry and have not been offered sufficient food; hence it’s wise to leave a small amount behind at the end of the meal.

It’s not essential to bring a gift for your host, however such gestures are always well received, especially if you are able to offer something from your home country that is not available in India. If not, then flowers or a small gift will suffice.

Visitors from the US, Canada, Australia, UK and EU are required to have a valid passport and a tourist visa in order to enter India. Visas can be applied for from Indian embassies, branches of which can be found in all of the aforementioned countries. Usually tourist visas granted to Westerners last up to 6 months. Note that the date of the visa’s effectiveness starts when it is issued rather than upon entry to the country; so don’t organise a visa too far ahead of your trip.

The Tourist Information Counter at Agra Cantonment railway station can be reached at: + 91 0562 368598. There is also the Tourist Information Counter on Taj road that can be called at: +91 0562 360517.