India’s Golden Triangle cities are now connected by high-speed rail

All three points of the “Golden Triangle” of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra are now connected by Indian Railways’ fastest and most comfortable day trains.

A new service between Jaipur and Agra Fort began on November 28 on the Shatabdi Express, following the conversion of an old metre-gauge line to broad gauge.

The trains, all fully air-conditioned, are far superior to those that ran on the old line.

Until now, many tourists had gone by road from Jaipur to Agra, a trip of about 165 miles that took four to five hours.

The Shatabdi Express leaves Jaipur at 07.05 and arrives in Agra at 10.35; it leaves Agra at 16.20 and arrives in Jaipur at 19.50.

TransIndus (transindus.com; 020 8566 3739) is offering a Golden Triangle tour by train from £1,485pp, including b&b for three nights in Delhi, two nights in Jaipur and one night in Agra, all sightseeing and transfers.