City in Uttar Pradesh, India
Is Agra safe?
Safe in the main sights but touts, rickshaw scams and commission shops make it tiring.
Is Agra safe?
Safe in the main sights but touts, rickshaw scams and commission shops make it tiring. Pickpocketing and harassment are the usual issues.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-06-15.
- Homicide rate in India: 2.8 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in India: 15.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 100 · Ambulance 108 · Fire 101 · Tourist police 1363 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Agra at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Aggressive touts, overcharging, pickpocketing near the Taj and Sadar Bazaar, and harassment of women in crowded lanes. |
| At night | Main roads and hotel areas are fine in the evening. Taj Ganj lanes are poorly lit; use an app cab after dark. |
| Solo women | Staring and unwanted conversation are common. Dress modestly, book a hotel with a reliable pickup and avoid lanes after dark. |
| Other risks | Extreme heat above 43°C in May–June; Winter fog that disrupts trains and visibility; Air pollution, worst in Nov–Jan |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Drivers and touts say your hotel is closed and steer you to a commission hotel
- Marble and gem shops that pay guides; fake 'government' emporiums
- Unofficial guides at the Taj gate asking high fees
- Rickshaw drivers adding stops at shops
Take care
- Taj Ganj lanes at night: poor lighting, touts and stray dogs
- Crowded bazaars for pickpockets
- Isolated spots near the Yamuna river after dark
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Satellite phones and satellite messengers like Garmin inReach are illegal without a licence; travelers have been arrested at airports.
- Alcohol is prohibited in Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland and Mizoram; beef is illegal in many states.
- Drones need registration and permission; photographing military sites, airports and bridges can lead to detention.
How Agra compares in India
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Rishikesh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kochi | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kolkata | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hyderabad | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dharamshala | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Leh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Chennai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pondicherry | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Varkala | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hampi | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Amritsar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jodhpur | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jaisalmer | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pushkar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Palolem | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Darjeeling | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Munnar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Alleppey | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Andaman Islands | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Shimla | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Delhi | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Goa | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Mumbai | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Jaipur | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Agra | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Varanasi | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Bangalore | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Udaipur | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Manali | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Anjuna | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Agra safe for solo female travelers?
Staring and unwanted conversation are common. Dress modestly, book a hotel with a reliable pickup and avoid lanes after dark.
Is Agra safe at night?
Main roads and hotel areas are fine in the evening. Taj Ganj lanes are poorly lit; use an app cab after dark.
What is the crime rate in Agra?
Aggressive touts, overcharging, pickpocketing near the Taj and Sadar Bazaar, and harassment of women in crowded lanes. Nationally, India records 2.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Agra?
Police 100 · Ambulance 108 · Fire 101 · Tourist police 1363 · All emergencies 112.
More about Agra
Going to Agra solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Archaeological Survey of India (Taj Mahal tickets)
- Indian Railways (IRCTC)
- Uttar Pradesh Tourism
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.