India’s famous Golden Triangle—Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur—is often the first stop for travellers visiting this mystical country. This iconic route displays the best of India’s history, culture, and architectural wonders, from the busy streets of Old Delhi to the breathtaking Taj Mahal in Agra and the majestic forts of Jaipur. However, while exploring these cities, first-time visitors often encounter common scams that can quickly ruin the experience.
When I first travelled to the Golden Triangle, I was so excited to discover its beauty but I was also unprepared for some of the tourist traps I encountered. To help you avoid scams and make the most of your visit to the Golden Triangle, I’ve compiled a guide to the 10 most common scams you might face and, more importantly, how to avoid them. With these tips in hand, you’ll navigate this enchanting region like a pro!
1. Inflated transport fares.
India’s transportation system is overwhelming at first, especially if you’re tired from the flight and want to get rest at the hotel as soon as possible. One common scam involves the taxi agencies at the airport that offer to take you for absurdly high prices. Usually, First-time travellers fall into this scam because they do not know the real taxi fare and who likes to be kept waiting at the airport with all the luggage?
How It Happens:
When we landed in Delhi, we were tired and all we wanted was to take a shower and have a decent rest. We found at the airport a taxi agency and naively went to get a taxi to our hotel which was supposed to be a 15-minute ride. We jumped in the cab and the taxi driver was going around in circles for a while until he dropped us off at the wrong Hotel. He said it was the agency’s mistake and he offered to take us to our hotel for an extra charge. We were desperate and hungry so we accepted to find out later at the hotel that the price they charged was not only 3 times more than the normal fare, but also that the taxi driver took us in the wrong direction on purpose to make extra money.
How to Avoid It:
- Once you get to the airport PLEASE!!! buy a local SIM CARD. It might take you a bit longer at the airport but it is worth it just because you can use the internet to know where you are and to download the transport apps.
- Use ride-hailing apps like Ola or Uber. they are very reliable and will show you real fair prices.
- Do your research and agree on a fare before you jump in the cab.
- Ask the staff at the hotel or other tourists and locals. People in India are very friendly and will love to share information to keep you safe.
2. Fake all-day trips on a Tuck Tuck in Agra.
The tuck- tuck drivers and taxi drivers will be waiting for you and approaching you in most train stations. Especially in the central stations in Agra. One of the scams is to accept a trip to see The Taj Mahal in Agra with picking up but after they will take you to other places without your consent and charge for a tour fare.
How It Happens:
As soon as I arrived at the train station, I was greeted by a crowd of drivers offering their services. One of them, particularly persistent, offered to take me on a trip to see the Taj Mahal. After some back and forth, I agreed, and we set a time for him to pick me up at my hotel the next day.
True to his word, the driver showed up right on time, and I was off to witness one of the world’s most breathtaking wonders in Agra. It was everything I had imagined and more. But after the visit, things took an unexpected turn. Instead of dropping me back at my hotel as planned, the driver Changed his mind and started taking me to various shops around the city—places I hadn’t agreed to visit.
These weren’t just ordinary shops; they were all tourist-centric businesses—clothing stores, marble shops, restaurants, and souvenir stores. While it was nice to explore the local spots, I couldn’t help but feel pressured to buy something. So I realised that the driver was going to get a commission for every sale.
How to Avoid It:
- Make a clear plan of what you want to do in Agra, (shopping, eating, sightseeing)
- Do not share information with strangers at the stations.
- Know the opening times, dress code, time of stay and all the details to visit the Taj Mahal.
- Arrange transport with the staff at the hotel or order your own Cab.
- Be firm and do not allow anyone to do anything you did not agree with previously.
- Be prepared for crowds and long queues when you buy your tickets.
3. Fake Travel agency.
Tourism is a great business in India, especially in big cities like Jaipur, Agra or Dehli. There are lots of tourist agencies that will sell you a round trip to visit the iconic cities. However, they might give you the wrong timetable so that you will miss the train and be forced to pay extra for a new train ticket or for a very expensive cab to the next city.
How It Happens:
In Delhi, where the Golden Triangle route begins, travelers often encounter tricky situations with local travel agencies. James, for example, bought a train ticket from a tourist information agency to travel from Delhi to Agra the next day. However, when he arrived at the station, the train never showed, and the platform and time were wrong.
Desperate, James asked for help and was directed to another agency, where they sold him a new ticket—this time for a cab at twice the price, claiming it was a “last-minute booking.” Later, we realized it was all part of a scam. These agencies are in on the trick, working together to target unsuspecting tourists, pretending to offer help but actually leading them into costly traps.
How to Avoid It:
- Please ask the staff in the hotel to help you buy the train tickets. Unfortunately, you need an Indian special ID to buy train tickets and you can’t do it directly yourself, however, the hotels can help you choose the type of ticket in the official Website.
- Do not trust the first tourist agency you find, especially if they are quite pushy.
- If you cannot buy the train ticket, book a cab to take you to the desired city through the app.
- Always inform friends and family of your whereabouts.
4. Hidden fees in restaurants and forced tips.
When you go out for dinner, always have a look at the prices and make counts of the final prices, sometimes they can scam you by charging secret tips or service fees.
How It Happens:
We had a few frustrating experiences in restaurants where the menu didn’t display prices, or the final bill didn’t match what we expected. These places were usually busy, and the staff would rush you to pay and leave, adding pressure to the situation.
Another example occurred at the Fort in Jaipur. You can reach the temple at the top by car, bike, walking, or even an elephant ride. You pay a fee upfront, but once you reach the top, the drivers will ask for an additional tip for their “services.” It’s a common tactic to catch tourists off guard, expecting more money than initially agreed upon.
How to Avoid It:
- Do your research before you go to visit the fort. Do not feel obligated and take your time to make the decision of how you will go up to the Fort.
- Be firm and say NO if they are pushing you to buy something that you don’t want to buy
- If you are travelling solo try to make friends with other people at ton the queue. It is less likely that you feel intimidated if you are with other tourists. Remember that India is visited by people from all across the globe so if you are not very good at English, for sure you will find someone who speaks your language.
