India’s Golden Triangle—Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur—braids together empires, artisans, and spice-scented bazaars into a route made for first-timers. In one week, you’ll move from Mughal grandeur to pink-hued palaces and hilltop forts, savoring thali, kachori, and masala chai along the way.

October is sweet-spot season: monsoon has retreated, skies are clearer, and festival lights often flicker across markets (Dussehra and Diwali can fall in October/November). Expect warm days, pleasant evenings, and prime conditions for sunrise at the Taj Mahal and sunsets over Jaipur’s Aravalli hills.

This plan is designed to be budget-forward without feeling bare-bones. You’ll use fast trains and short rideshares, balance free sights with value-packed tours, and eat where locals do—think Chandni Chowk parathas, Jaipur lassi, and North Indian classics that won’t dent your wallet.

New Delhi

Delhi is India’s capital and a layered palimpsest of sultanate tombs, imperial boulevards, and street food that sparks friendly debates. From the red sandstone of Humayun’s Tomb to the iron rib of Qutub Minar, history sits alongside modern cafés and designer markets.

• Top sights: Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, India Gate, Lodhi Garden, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.
• Food to try: Chole bhature at Sita Ram Diwan Chand; kebabs at Karim’s; filter coffee and dosa at Saravana Bhavan; specialty brews at Blue Tokai.
• Fun fact: Delhi hosts at least seven historical cities layered atop each other—walks through Mehrauli feel like time travel.

Stay (budget to mid-range): Search stays near Connaught Place (central, metro access), Karol Bagh (budget-friendly), or Hauz Khas (leafy, cafés): VRBO New Delhi | Hotels.com New Delhi

Get in and around: Fly into DEL using Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. For regional trains (Delhi–Agra/Jaipur), check Trip.com Trains. The Airport Metro Express gets you to central Delhi in ~20 minutes.

Agra (Day Trip)

Home to the Taj Mahal, Agra holds layers of Mughal artistry—think pietra dura inlay and red sandstone ramparts. Do it as a day trip by superfast train for comfort and value, pairing the Taj with Agra Fort and the riverside Mehtab Bagh view.

• Musts: Taj Mahal at sunrise, Agra Fort, Baby Taj (Itimad-ud-Daulah), petha sweets from Panchhi or Gopal Das.
• Quick eats: Shankara Vegis Café (rooftop Taj views), Pinch of Spice (classic North Indian), Mama Chicken Mama Franky House (rolls).

Jaipur

Rajasthan’s “Pink City” is a feast of geometry and color—honeycombed Hawa Mahal, mirrored halls at Amer Fort, and astronomical instruments at Jantar Mantar. Markets brim with block prints, lac bangles, and blue pottery.

• Top sights: Amer Fort & Panna Meena ka Kund, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh Fort for sunset.
• Eat & drink: Lassiwala (MI Road) for thick lassi; Rawat Mishtan Bhandar for kachori; Tapri Central for tea and views; Laxmi Mishtan Bhandar (LMB) for Rajasthani thali.
• Stay zones: Bani Park (quiet, value), C-Scheme (central, cafés), MI Road (walkable, markets): VRBO Jaipur | Hotels.com Jaipur

Getting there: Delhi to Jaipur by fast train in ~2.5–4.5 hours (from ~$6–20) via Trip.com Trains, or fly ~1 hour (often $25–70) via Trip.com Flights.

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi

Afternoon: Land at DEL and ride the Airport Metro to Connaught Place. Check in near CP or Karol Bagh for easy metro access. Coffee at Blue Tokai (Reserve Blend) or Indian Coffee House (nostalgic, cheap).

Evening: Stroll India Gate and Kartavya Path at dusk; the arch lights up beautifully. Dinner options: Saravana Bhavan (budget South Indian thali and crisp dosas), Kake Da Hotel (butter chicken and dal makhani), or Jain Chawal Wale (cheap, hearty rajma-chawal). Expect $3–10 per person.

Day 2: Signature Delhi in a Day (Guided)

Maximize time with a comprehensive, great-value tour hitting Old and New Delhi highlights (ideal for first-timers).

Private Full Day New and Old Delhi City Tour — Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, spice market, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, India Gate, Qutub Minar, and more (hotel pickup available; customizable). Great value for covering ground in a day.

Food tips en route: Paranthe Wali Gali (try aloo and paneer paratha); Karim’s for seekh kebab; Haldiram’s or Bikanervala for clean, budget-friendly snacks and chaat.

Day 3: Taj Mahal Day Trip to Agra (Superfast Train)

Beat traffic, save money, and be back in Delhi by evening—October skies often mean crisp sunrise views and manageable crowds.

Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train - TOP RATED TOUR — Typically includes roundtrip Gatimaan/Vande Bharat tickets (~1 hr 40 min each way), Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and local lunch. Efficient and budget-conscious.

Extra bites if time allows: Shankara Vegis Café (rooftop tea, light plates) or Pinch of Spice (classic curries). Back to Delhi in time for a simple dinner near your hotel.

Day 4: Delhi to Jaipur + Bazaar Evening

Morning: Train from New Delhi to Jaipur Junction (~2.5–4.5 hours). Book via Trip.com Trains (look for Chair Car or AC). Or fly in ~1 hour via Trip.com Flights.

Afternoon: Check into Bani Park or C-Scheme. Late lunch at Rawat Mishtan Bhandar (pyaz kachori, mirchi vada) or The Tattoo Cafe opposite Hawa Mahal (budget-friendly sandwiches and chai with a view).

Evening: Explore Bapu Bazaar and Johari Bazaar—block prints, juttis, bangles. Bargain politely. Dinner at Niros (old-school North Indian), LMB (Rajasthani thali), or Sethi Bar-Be-Que (tandoori on a budget).

Day 5: Amer Fort, Stepwell, and Hawa Mahal

Morning: Head early to Amer Fort (go before 9 a.m. to avoid crowds). Don’t miss Sheesh Mahal’s mirror mosaics. Walk or auto-rickshaw to Panna Meena ka Kund (geometric stepwell) for photos.

Afternoon: Return to the Pink City for a lassi at Lassiwala (MI Road) and a light lunch at Tapri Central (masala chai, vada pav, rooftop views). Visit Hawa Mahal; climb the ramps for window views onto Johari Bazaar.

Evening: Sunset at Nahargarh Fort overlooking the city. Dinner options: Spice Court (laal maas, ask for mild if needed), Peacock Rooftop (budget-friendly, great ambiance), or Masala Chowk (clean, open-air food court featuring local stalls).

Day 6: City Palace, Jantar Mantar, and Craft Shopping

Morning: Tour the City Palace (textiles, royal courtyard) and UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar—observe the world’s largest stone sundial. Coffee break at Curious Life Coffee Roasters (single-origin pour-overs).

Afternoon: Shop responsibly: Anokhi (block prints), Riddhi Siddhi (pottery), or Saurashtra Impex (textiles). Budget lunch at Handi (veg and non-veg curries) or Kulcha Junction (stuffed kulcha plates).

Evening: Optional cultural dinner at Chokhi Dhani (village-style experience; fixed-price Rajasthani thali) or a casual feast at LMB. Night stroll around MI Road for kulfi falooda.

Day 7: Jaipur Slow Morning + Departure

Morning: Easy breakfast—poha or idli at a local stall, or croissants at Dzurt Patisserie. If you’re keen, pop into Albert Hall Museum briefly.

Afternoon: Depart from Jaipur (JAI) by flight via Trip.com Flights, or take a mid-day train back to Delhi via Trip.com Trains for onward connections.

Money-Saving Notes

• Metro + rideshare: Use Delhi Metro and Jaipur auto-rickshaws; typical short metro rides $0.30–0.60, rickshaws $1–3 for inner-city hops.
• Meals: Breakfast $2–4, lunch $3–7, dinner $5–12 per person in recommended spots.
• Tickets: Monument combos and student IDs help; arrive early for Taj and Amer to avoid queues (and souvenir splurges!).

Optional: Prefer an Organized Golden Triangle Package?

If you’d rather bundle the core highlights into a guided multi-day run (useful if you later shorten your independent days), consider:

3-Day Delhi, Agra and Jaipur Private Tour - India Golden Triangle — private transport, guides, key monuments covered efficiently.

Where to Sleep Each Night

• Nights 1–3: New Delhi — easy access to Old/New Delhi sights. Search: VRBO New Delhi | Hotels.com New Delhi
• Nights 4–6: Jaipur — base for forts, markets, and sunsets. Search: VRBO Jaipur | Hotels.com Jaipur

Practical Tips for October

• Festivals: Dates vary; check if Dussehra/Diwali align with your week—carry small cash for sweets and street snacks.
• Dress: Light cotton by day, light layer for evenings; modest attire for temples and mosques.
• Health: Choose busy, clean eateries; carry a reusable bottle and buy bottled refills when needed.

Another Great Delhi Tour Option (Swap for Day 2 if you like)

Old & New Delhi City Tour – Half or Full Day Options Available — flexible timing and customizable stops.

Wrap your week with a head full of domes and dunes: Delhi’s monuments, Agra’s timeless Taj, and Jaipur’s pink palaces. With trains, street eats, and smart tours, you’ll keep costs down and memories high—October’s glow is the perfect companion.