The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Taj Mahal, India

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Taj Mahal, India

Visiting the Taj Mahal is the highlight of every trip to India. The Taj Mahal is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mausoleum complex is located on the south bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, India.

It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful buildings we have ever seen. For the best experience, visit at sunrise and enjoy the magical view of the majestic white mausoleum.

This ultimate Taj Mahal guide includes the best time to visit, how to get there, entrance fees, practical information, and the best viewpoints. Avoid the crowds and make the most of your trip to India with our ultimate guide to visiting the Taj Mahal.

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Taj Mahal History

The Taj Mahal is an immense white marble mausoleum built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal (”Chosen One of the Palace”), who died in childbirth.

The mausoleum is set in a vast garden with a huge reflecting pool in front, which is the most popular photo spot in the Taj Mahal. Two red sandstone buildings also flank the main mausoleum on either side.

The mausoleum is made of white marble, inlaid with semi-precious stones. Inside the mausoleum, the central chamber houses the tombs of Shah Jahan and his beloved wife.

According to legend, the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan planned to build a replica of the Taj Mahal in black marble on the opposite side of the Yamuna River.

The complex took 22 years to build, with an estimated 20,000 workers working in the scorching Indian heat. In addition, more than 1,000 elephants were employed to transport the marble used to build the mausoleum.

Later, his son Aurangzeb seized the Mughal throne and imprisoned his father in the Red Fort of Agra. Shah Jahan spent the rest of his life as a prisoner, gazing at this beautiful building.

The Taj Mahal is India’s most iconic monument and a symbol of eternal love.

Good to know
The Taj Mahal has around 7-8 million visitors a year.

Best Time to Visit Agra

Although the Taj Mahal and Agra can be visited all year round, the best time is from November to June. However, from May the heat is scorching during the day, so visiting during the off-season is only recommended if you want to avoid the crowds. The hottest months are May and June when temperatures rise above 40°C.

The busiest period in Agra is from October to March. In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation, train tickets, and tours in advance!

We visited the Taj Mahal at the end of March and had fantastic weather. To avoid the crowds, we recommend arriving as early as possible.

We think a morning visit is best as there are fewer tourists and the weather is pleasant to explore the mausoleum complex. In summer, especially at midday, the sun can be scorching hot, and there is little shade.

How to Get from Delhi to Agra

The distance between the two cities is about 245 km, which is 2-5 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport. You can get to Agra by train, bus, taxi, or private transfer.

Most people arrive in Agra by train or private transfer. We have no experience with buses in India as we have only traveled by train, but we think they can be very slow.

Good to know
There are no direct flights from New Delhi to Agra.

Taj Mahal Day Trip from Delhi by Train

We also traveled by train from New Delhi to Agra Cantt Railway Station and found it safe. However, if you want to buy train tickets at the New Delhi Railway Station, beware of scammers! Here is the official site where you can buy train tickets in India. But we couldn’t use it even with an Indian phone number.

The cheapest train tickets start from 4 USD, and the journey usually takes 2-3 hours. However, for your convenience and safety, we recommend booking AC first-class or second-class train tickets, which cost around 13-20 USD.

Get your train tickets via 12Go.

Once you arrive at the train station in Agra, you can easily find a tuk-tuk driver who will take you to the Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal Entry Gate

The Taj Mahal has 3 entry gates. The west and east gates open 30 minutes before sunrise and close 30 minutes before sunset. You can buy tickets one hour before sunrise and 45 minutes before sunset.

• West Gate: This is the main entrance to the Taj Mahal. There are far fewer people queuing here in the morning as this entrance is usually used by locals, but they don’t usually come early.
• South Gate: The South Gate opens at 8 AM and closes at 5 PM. There are many backpacker accommodations and local markets in this area. Currently, the South Gate is closed and used only for exit.
• East Gate: You’ll probably enter here because it’s the closest to most hotels. We also used this gate to enter.

The tuk-tuk drivers can’t take you all the way to the east entrance. You have to walk about 10 minutes from the parking lot.

Entry Rules

Male and female visitors must queue separately for entry and security checks. The Taj Mahal has no dress code, but you should wear respectful clothing when visiting this mausoleum. Women must cover their shoulders and knees.

Be prepared to go through a metal detector and have your bags checked. Mobile phone chargers, batteries, cigarettes, lighters, food, electric goods (except cameras), cards, books, and religious offerings (flowers and garlands) may cause problems during the security check.

So we recommend that you do not take unnecessary items with you, only the essentials such as your passport, phone, wallet, water bottle, camera, etc. Drones and tripods are prohibited at the Taj Mahal!

Large bags and backpacks are not allowed. But there are lockers and bag racks at each entrance.

Shoes are not allowed on the marble floor and in the mausoleum! You must take off your shoes and walk barefoot or wear a shoe cover.

Good to know
Photography is prohibited inside the main mausoleum.

Visiting the Taj Mahal from Delhi

Most people take a day trip to the Taj Mahal from Delhi, which is only a 4-hour drive away. If you want to take a day tour, we recommend you book this tour. You can even choose your ticket to visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise and explore the Agra Fort and Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj).

This tour includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, a private air-conditioned car, a driver, a private guide, monument entrance fees, bottled water, and a buffet lunch at a 5-star hotel.

However, if you want to stay longer in Agra or then travel to Jaipur, we recommend spending 2-3 days in Agra and exploring the city’s attractions and the Taj Mahal at your own pace.

Recommended post → Best Hotels with Taj Mahal View

Taj Mahal Opening Time & Hours

The Taj Mahal opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes before sunset. The Taj Mahal is generally open between 6 AM and 6 PM every day except Fridays (when it remains closed for prayers).

We visited the Taj Mahal on a Saturday, and as it was insanely crowded, we recommend avoiding weekends.

Taj Mahal Entrance Fee 2025

Taj Mahal entry fee is 1100 INR (13 USD) for foreigners, 50 INR (0,60 USD) for Indians, and 540 INR (6,40 USD) for citizens from SAARC/BIMSTEC countries. Ticket prices include ASI and ADA fees.

There is no entry fee for children under 15 (Indian and foreign).

The main mausoleum entrance ticket costs 200 INR (2,40 USD) for foreign and domestic tourists.

The entrance fee to the Taj Mahal with Mausoleum is 1300 INR (15,40 USD) for foreigners, 250 INR (3 USD) for Indians, and 740 INR (8,75 USD) for citizens from SAARC/BIMSTEC countries.

TIP
The best way to visit the Taj Mahal is to buy your ticket online and skip the line.

Taj Mahal Night View

You can also buy a Taj Mahal Night View ticket and enjoy this fantastic monument during the full moon.

The Taj Mahal night ticket costs 750 INR (9 USD) for foreign adults and 510 INR (6 USD) for Indians. The entry fee for Indian and foreign children (3-15 years) is 500 INR (6 USD). Night viewing of the Taj Mahal is possible only on five days every month, i.e. on the full moon and two nights before and after the full moon.

Tickets can be booked 7 days before the full moon. Night viewing is limited to only 400 visitors between 20:00 and 23:59. Maximum of 50 people in 8 batches, and each group takes 30 minutes.

Important note
Visiting the Taj Mahal on Friday is not possible!

Where can I buy tickets?

You can buy your ticket at the entrance or on the official website. Card payments are not always accepted at ticket counters, so bring enough cash!

Online tickets are available 7 days before the date of your visit. You can also buy your ticket on the day. We found buying tickets online safe and easy. We didn’t have to print out our tickets. Just show your ticket on your phone at the entrance.

Visiting the Taj Mahal with a Guided Tour

Although you can visit the Taj Mahal independently, a guide will help you with many things during your visit. You can learn more about the history of the mausoleum from the tour guide and even get help taking pictures. Unfortunately, tripods and drones are not allowed at the Taj Mahal!

We also visited the Taj Mahal on a guided tour. Although he didn’t know how to take photos, we easily showed him how to take pictures of us, so he was a great help.

Best Taj Mahal Viewpoints

If you’re looking for one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the Taj Mahal, head to the Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden). Mehtab Bagh is located on the north side of the Jamuna River, opposite the Taj Mahal, and is easily accessible by tuk-tuk driver. Once you arrive, it’s a 10-minute walk to this peaceful, well-maintained garden from the parking lot.

The entrance fee to Mehtab Bagh is 300 INR (3,50 USD) for foreign tourists and 25 INR (0,30 USD) for Indians.

Although the Mehtab Bagh offers a magical view, we recommend you go to the Taj View Point ADA instead. You’ll get much better pictures as you’ll be directly opposite the Taj Mahal and the entrance fee is much cheaper. There is also a bench where you can sit down and take the best photos of the Taj Mahal with a good zoom lens.

We recommend visiting the Taj Mahal at sunrise and the Taj View Point ADA at sunset.

TIP
Agra Fort also offers a spectacular view of the Taj Mahal.

Where to Stay in Agra

Agra has some luxury hotels, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. We stayed at Ekaa Villa for 3 nights, which was a good base for exploring Agra’s attractions.

But for the best experience, book accommodation with a view of the Taj Mahal. These are our recommendations.

Best Hotels with Taj Mahal View

• Luxury: The Oberoi Amarvilas
• Mid-Range: Tajview Agra or Taj Hotel & Convention Centre
• Budget: Radisson Hotel

Recommended post → Best Hotels near Taj Mahal

Tips for Visiting the Taj Mahal at Sunrise

• The weather is cold in the morning, so bring a sweater or a light jacket.
• We suggest you wear a brightly colored dress to get even better pictures. Alternatively, buy a beautiful saree at the local market.
• Arrive at least 1 hour before opening time and get in line.
• Don’t forget to use mosquito repellent.
• The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays!
• There is an Uber service in Agra if you want to get to the Taj Mahal in the morning.
• Each foreign ticket includes a bottle of mineral water and a shoe cover.
• It is not allowed to bring food inside the Taj Mahal, so eat before your visit.
• Get your skip-the-line ticket to the Taj Mahal.

• You can also combine your visit with other great attractions, such as the Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj), and Akbar’s Tomb.
• Take your passport with you.
• The ticket windows at the Taj Mahal open one hour before sunrise.
• In winter, the Taj Mahal can be covered in fog at sunrise.
• Don’t buy souvenirs around the Taj Mahal because they are too expensive or try to bargain.
• Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours visiting the Taj Mahal.
• Around the entrance, many scammers pretend to be official guides or photographers. If you really want to visit the Taj Mahal with a guided tour (which is the best way), book online in advance.
• There is a gate opening and closing time chart according to sunrise and sunset, which you will find at the entrance.

We hope our complete guide to visiting the Taj Mahal will help you plan the perfect day trip to Agra. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Ferry/Transfer – 12Go

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