I am going on a two-week holiday with my girlfriend to Kerala. I'd like to surprise her with a trip to the Taj Mahal. I know it is a long way, but are there low cost flights there, similar to Europe? Rupert Aldwinkle, Hastings

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: The Taj Mahal is in Agra, a couple of hours by train from Delhi, so flight-wise you need to look into a cheap return up to Delhi and then get the train from there.

If you are planning to stay at any of the beaches around Trivandrum, then there are regular flights from there to Delhi, from about £80 return, with Air Deccan. But at 1,400 miles, it's about the same as flying from London to Athens ­ about four hours.

There are other flights from the southwest too; including from Cochin with Spice Jet and from Goa with Goair, both from about £80 return. For a full list of India's low cost carriers, visit Attitude Travel, or to find out which airlines fly between two Indian cities, try DoHop.

The Sunday Times Travel Magazine - August

10 classic India stories

The travel editor at Times Online delves into the collection to choose his favourite features on India in 2007

BACKGROUND

• Mumbai: a city of two tales

• At home in the Himalayas

• A wild time in India's tiger territory

• Tamil Nadu hotels and temples

BACKGROUND

• Planning travel to India

• Is it safe to drive in India?

• Can you recommend a Delhi travel agent?

• A train passage through India

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That said, if you are new to India, or if you were planning two week's of sun soaked unwinding, I wouldn't recommend the dash up to the Taj. It's going to take at least 3-4 days out of your trip, and mind-blowing sight though it is, your girlfriend might just find a few days in and out of Indian airports and train stations, not the sort of surprise that you had in mind.

If you both love India, and do want to visit the Taj, you could plan a visit to Agra into your next trip ­ either as a DIY flying into Delhi and back from Trivandrum, or through using the expertise of a tour operator. You'll find good value trips from Kuoni (01306 747002) and Premier Holidays (08444 937 080).

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