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Mathura is easy to reach by train from Delhi or Agra and cheap to get around by auto-rickshaw, but the temple security, dress codes and festival crowds catch first-time visitors off guard. These Mathura travel tips and FAQ cover airports, transport, visas, money, safety and etiquette so you arrive prepared. See our best time to visit Mathura guide for season-by-season advice. Start with the full Mathura travel guide for an overview.
Mathura Travel Tips: Getting There
The nearest international airport is Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (DEL), about 150 km north, a 3 to 4 hour drive via the Yamuna Expressway (toll around Rs 400 one way). Agra’s Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Airport (AGR) is closer at roughly 55 km but serves only a handful of domestic flights. Most visitors arrive by train: Mathura Junction (MTJ) is on the Delhi-Chennai mainline, with fast services from New Delhi taking 2 to 3 hours and from Agra about 1 hour. The high-speed Gatimaan Express (New Delhi to Agra) does not stop at Mathura, so book a Shatabdi or a regular express instead. See the Mathura weather by month guide to plan around winter fog, which delays trains in December and January. The things to do in Mathura guide has a fuller list.
Mathura Travel Tips: Getting Around
Auto-rickshaws are the standard way to move around Mathura. Short hops within the old city cost Rs 10 to Rs 30, and the run out to Vrindavan costs Rs 100 to Rs 150 one way; always agree the fare before you board, as meters are rarely used. Cycle-rickshaws are cheaper for the narrow old-city lanes, and shared electric rickshaws (Rs 10 to Rs 20) run fixed routes along the main roads. Ola and Uber operate but with thin coverage. For day trips to Govardhan, Barsana or Gokul, hire a taxi for the day (roughly Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500) or use shared autos from the bus stand. The Mathura events and festivals calendar lists exact dates.
Mathura Travel Tips: Visa and Entry Requirements
Most foreign visitors need a visa before travel. The India e-Tourist visa is the easiest route: apply online through the government portal, pay US$25 for a 30-day single-entry visa or US$80 for a one-year multi-entry visa, and receive approval by email in a few days. Carry a printed copy of the approval plus your passport. Do not overstay, as fines and exit bans apply. See the Mathura neighborhoods guide to compare areas.
Mathura Travel Tips: Money and Payments
The currency is the Indian rupee (INR), and ATMs are widely available near the station and the main roads, though they can run dry during festival weekends, so carry cash. Small notes (Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 50) are useful for auto-rickshaws, temple offerings and market stalls. Most mid-range and 4-star hotels accept cards, but temple donation boxes and street vendors are cash-only. Foreign cards do not easily work with India’s UPI QR payment system, so do not rely on it. Compare hotels in the where to stay in Mathura guide.
Mathura Travel Tips: Temple Etiquette and Dress
Dress modestly for temples: cover your shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes at every temple entrance (lockers or shoe stands are provided). Leather items are restricted in some temples, so leave leather belts and bags at your hotel. At the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, phones, cameras and bags must be checked in before entry and are banned near the sanctum. Do not photograph idols without permission, and expect to be searched at the Janmabhoomi complex.
Mathura Travel Tips: Safety and Health
Mathura is generally safe, but pickpocketing happens in the crowded temple queues and during Holi, so keep cash in a front pocket and leave valuables at your hotel. Drink only bottled or filtered water, and avoid raw cut fruit and ice from street stalls to dodge the common stomach bugs. In May and June, avoid being outside between 11 am and 4 pm, when the heat passes 43°C. Winter air quality is poor, with AQI readings often above 200 in December and January, so carry an N95 mask if you are sensitive.
Mathura Travel Tips: What to Pack
Pack modest, loose cotton clothes, a scarf to cover your head in temples, and a pair of slip-on shoes you can remove quickly at temple entrances. In winter (November to February) bring a light jacket for mornings and evenings. In the monsoon (July to September) pack an umbrella and waterproof footwear. Sunscreen, a refillable water bottle and hand sanitiser are useful all year, and a power bank helps since phones are locked away at the Janmabhoomi temple.
Suggested Hotels in Mathura
The Radha Ashok
A 4-star hotel on Masani Bypass Road with garden rooms, an outdoor pool, a restaurant and 24-hour room service, the most polished stay in the city. Best for couples and leisure travellers who want comfort and quiet away from the old-city bustle. Check rates and availability
Brijwasi Royal
A central 3-star hotel about 1 km from the city centre with a restaurant and family-friendly rooms. Best for families and pilgrims who want dependable comfort close to the Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple. Check rates and availability
Hotel Vrinda Sarovar
A 2-star hotel on Station Road with a garden and free parking, about 3.7 km from the centre. Best for solo travellers and backpackers who want a clean, low-cost room near the railway station. Check rates and availability
