After much thought and wait, we (me and my roommate) finally bought bikes. As discussed and decided, they were of the same model, Yamaha FZS FI version 2.0. As soon as they came into our possession, we were longing to go for a bike ride. We just spoke our hearts out one day and the very next day we were hitting Yamuna Expressway all the way from Delhi zooming towards Agra.
This guide covers a 2-day bike trip from Delhi covering four of North India’s most iconic destinations — Vrindavan and Mathura (the land of Lord Krishna), Agra (home of the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort), and Fatehpur Sikri (the abandoned Mughal capital). Here’s the complete route, what to see at each stop, and practical tips for the road.
Day 1 — Vrindavan & Mathura
It happened to be my 1st bike trip outside any city. The only planning we did was to book a hotel in Agra. Rest all was decided on the go. Our main idea was to cover Mathura, Vrindavan, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri in 2 days. We have started from Delhi at around 8 in the morning.Hitting the road on the bike soaking in the early morning breeze is one of the best experiences.
Vrindavan — Banke Bihari Mandir, ISKCON & Prem Mandir
We had reached Vrindavan by 11 am and our first stop was at Banke Bihari Mandir. The temple is surrounded by narrow streets and covered by many shops. I am sure one will miss the way very easily in that din (like we did J). Once moving from there we have started to ISKCON and Prem Mandir.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
| Distance from Delhi | 145 km — approx 2.5 hours |
| Must visit | Banke Bihari Mandir, ISKCON, Prem Mandir |
| Best time | October to March |
| Entry fee | Free for all temples |
| Dress code | Modest clothing required at all temples |
| Note | Streets around Banke Bihari Mandir are very narrow — park bikes before entering |
Mathura — Sri Krishna Janmasthan
Our next stop was Mathura from Vrindavan slowly snaking through small (or rather tiny when compared to Expressway) road called “Mathura-Vrindavan Marg”. The only place in Mathura of importance is Sri Krishna Janamsthan (the birth place of Lord Krishna). The most striking feature one notices is that the temple compound shares its walls with the mosque which is remarkable. We had had enough of Mandirs for the 1st day.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
| Distance from Vrindavan | 12 km — 20 minutes |
| Must visit | Sri Krishna Janmasthan |
| Entry fee | Free |
| Note | Temple and mosque share compound walls — one of the most striking examples of India’s composite heritage |
Day 2 — Agra & Fatehpur Sikri
From Mathura we started our journey to Agra, our destination for the day. It was almost dark when we reached Agra city.
Agra — Taj Mahal, Mehtab Bagh & Sadar Bazaar
Our first stop at Agra for the night was to visit Sadar Bazaar famous for its chat, A must visit for a chat foodie. Almost all chat varieties are available there. As it was a full moon day and we missed to get the full moon passes into Taj for the night, we came up with a crazy idea of taking a ride to the other side of the Taj and that’s how our adventure started. There is a place called Mehtab Bagh on the other bank of Yamuna just opposite to Taj Mahal. We planned to reach there and have a look at the Taj through Yamuna bank during full moon light. On reaching Mehtab Bagh, we were caught by policeman for entering into a restricted area (Apparently Mehtab Bagh is restricted at night). Like every policeman he had started with a hefty challan amount and like every Indian we started begging and then bargaining. Ultimately we ended up paying 10% of what he had started withJ. However he let us have a look at Taj, but we were disappointed by the way it looked (you can see that in my pic).
The next day, we started with visiting Taj. Walking through the gardens with the monument at the backdrop is a photographer’s delight. The symmetry of the monument is what makes it so famous and beautiful. It looks the same from every direction and every corner. The intricate designs on the marble walls make it even more mysterious.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
| Distance from Mathura | 58 km — approx 1 hour |
| Taj Mahal entry | ₹50 for Indians (subject to change — verify before visiting) |
| Agra Fort entry | ₹40 for Indians |
| Best time to visit Taj | Sunrise — 6 AM to 8 AM before crowds |
| Mehtab Bagh | Open during daylight hours only — night entry not permitted |
| Must try | Sadar Bazaar for chaat — one of Agra’s best street food streets |
Fatehpur Sikri — The Abandoned Mughal Capital
Our next stop is to Fatehpur Sikri, once a capital of Mughals during Akbar, is just less than 60 kms from Agra. It is the place where all the action happened in Akbar reign. All the stories of Akbar- Birbal and Jodha-Akbar took place in this very fort complex. One can find Birbal’s home, Jodha’s palace and Buland Darwaza (largest door in the world) here in Fatehpur Sikri. Akbar also built a dargah to honour the Sufi saint Salim Chisti. We got to listen to sufi music just outside the dargah.
And then e are back to Agra and then back to Delhi. :)
Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
| Distance from Agra | 40 km — approx 45 minutes |
| Entry fee | ₹40 for Indians |
| Must see | Buland Darwaza, Jodha’s Palace, Birbal’s House, Salim Chisti Dargah |
| Time needed | 2 to 3 hours |
| Note | Sufi music is often performed just outside the dargah — worth pausing to listen |
2-Day Bike Trip Route — Quick Reference
| Day | Route | Distance |
| Day 1 | Delhi → Vrindavan → Mathura → Agra | ~200 km |
| Day 2 | Agra → Taj Mahal → Fatehpur Sikri → Delhi | ~280 km |
| Total | Delhi → Delhi | ~480 km |
Bike tips:
- Yamuna Expressway from Delhi to Agra is one of India’s best highways — smooth, fast, and ideal for an early morning start
- The stretch from Agra to Fatehpur Sikri on NH21 is narrow in parts — ride cautiously
- Carry a basic toolkit and spare tube — limited service stations between Delhi and Mathura
- Start by 7 AM from Delhi to reach Vrindavan before the morning crowd
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I visit Vrindavan, Mathura, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri in 2 days? Yes — it is a tight but very doable 2-day trip from Delhi by bike or car. Day 1 covers Vrindavan and Mathura in the morning, then Agra in the evening. Day 2 covers Taj Mahal at sunrise, and Fatehpur Sikri in the afternoon before heading back to Delhi.
Q: Is the Yamuna Expressway good for bike trips? Yes — the Yamuna Expressway from Delhi to Agra is one of the best roads in India for a bike trip. It is a 6-lane controlled-access highway with smooth tarmac, minimal local traffic, and good service areas. Start early to enjoy the empty road and cool morning air before the expressway gets busy.
Q: What is special about Fatehpur Sikri? Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal Empire under Emperor Akbar between 1571 and 1585 — abandoned after just 14 years, believed to be due to water scarcity. The Buland Darwaza at 54 metres is one of the largest gateways in the world. The entire site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved Mughal complexes in India.
Q: Can I see the Taj Mahal at night during full moon? Yes — special moonlight viewing tickets are available for the Taj Mahal on full moon nights and the two days before and after. These must be booked in advance through the Archaeological Survey of India. As we discovered, Mehtab Bagh across the Yamuna is not accessible at night — stick to the official moonlight tickets for the best experience.
Q: What is the best time of year for this road trip? October to March is ideal — the weather is cool and pleasant for both riding and sightseeing. Avoid the monsoon months of July to September as roads can get slippery. Summers from April to June are extremely hot in the Agra region — not recommended for a bike trip.
Q: What should I not miss in Vrindavan? The three temples most worth visiting in Vrindavan are Banke Bihari Mandir (the most revered and crowded, famous for its Thakur Ji deity), ISKCON Vrindavan (well maintained, peaceful, and welcoming to all visitors), and Prem Mandir (a newer temple but spectacularly beautiful — lit up at night if you visit after dark). The narrow lanes around Banke Bihari Mandir are part of the experience — leave your bike outside and walk in.