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In a border senses the hotels in Agra are located in 'clusters' . In other words you will find a lot more hotels in certain neighborhoods that are hotel 'hot spots'. Let's see some of such hot spots in Agra; and also the types of accommodations and possibly get a hint of the budgets.

For the sake of simplicity the hotels in Agra are explained here in three or 4 groups, the extravagant type (say the 5,4 star hotels), the midrange ( possibly be with 3 or 2 stars ) , the budget type (again sometimes with 3 or 2 stars tag ) and then the bottom of the pyramid, the back packer type accommodations.

Of course then there are accommodations available in the form of homestays in Agra, which is in a league of its own.

The area in Agra called Taj Ganj is the location where a large number of Agra's hotels are located. This is the closed possible place for a hotel close to Taj, and also the place where the large number of back packer type hotels are located. It is a cramped locality right next to Taj. Every inch of this place is either a hotel or a souvenir shop.

The next cluster for the cheaper lodge type accommodation is the railway station area. Around both the Cantonment and Raja Ki Mandi railway station,you can find the traveler type accommodation. Barging in seems to be the style in the city for the cheaper lodges. The advanced booking (say, you called over the phone and reserved) seems to be a bit sketchy. Don't be surprised if you've been told on arrival that the accommodation is not available, which you have booked over phone. This seems to be the case during the peak seasons where there is a mad scramble for rooms by the tourists.

Another thing to do is, before you pay check for the rooms and satisfy yourself what you are getting. Try this with many lodges in the locality and select the one you think alright for you.It is an ok and accepted custom. The only thing to keep in mind is the demand for accommodation, as the one you've checked earlier is found to be occupied on your return to that hotel for checking in. So do this quickly and also keep an eye on the tourist traffic. The budgets for these kinds of hotels and lodges are say sub Rs600, with the seasonal tariff corrections.

If you have planned well ahead, check out the accommodation availability at the Youth Hostel in Agra. The tariffs are the lowest possible for that decent facilities available.

Check out at the Youth Hostels Associations of India website. You can book online. Thanks to its popularity, it is generally get over booked. So try early to check for accommodation availability.

Hostel is located on Shamshabad road near All India Radio station which is 4 Km from Agra Cantt railway station. One can easily reach by Auto or Taxi. Youth Hostel ( C/o Hotel Chanakya) is located near the All India Radio Station on Shamshabad Road.

From Agra Cantt. station area take the Mall road . After about 2km , cross the Shastri junction take the Fatehabad Road. After about half a km turn right into Shamshabad Road ( Minto Road ) near the junction where Amar Hotel is located. A little southward on the Shamshabad Road on your left is Hotel Chanakya.

If you are traveling from Agra Idgah bus station also follow the same. That's head towards Fatehabad Road , Amar Hotel and follow the same as mentioned above.

With a budget around and above say Rs 900, there are a good number of 'reputed' , budget type decent places to stay in Agra.

There are quite a few hotel booking portals like MakeMytrip.com, Booking.com , Yatra.com etc.

Try the state run IRCTC's website www.irctctourism.com you can even compare the prices offered by the same hotel at different websites.