Like the first love, you never forget the first time you visit the Taj Mahal located in Agra which is also known as the city of love. It is also one of the new seven wonders of the world and no matter how much you have seen it in the photos; nothing compares to the overwhelming feeling of bliss that you feel when you see it for the first time in your life.
Everything You Need To Read As Guide To Visiting Taj Mahal – Insider Tips for Visiting taj Mahal
For those who are coming to witness a timeless wonder in white marble, here are my best top secret tips to know before you visit Taj Mahal that I also give to all my guests staying in my boutique homestay in Agra close to Taj Mahal.
Contents
1. Best Time and Season to Visit Taj Mahal
The best time to visit Taj Mahal is between the months of September to March. This is actually the main tourist season also for most part of north India. Except for few days between Christmas to first week of January, when it is too foggy early morning, the sunrise is actually the best time because of the less crowds, better lighting at the Taj which gives you good photos and also you don’t have to bear the high heat during the mid day which is usual in this part of the country.
This September to March season has the most comfortable temperatures, ranging from 10° – 30°C (50° – 86°F).
- September – March: The most comfortable temperature, but also the most crowds.
- April – June: Can get incredibly hot, with temperatures peaking at 45°C (113°F).
- July – August: Monsoon season, so try your best to avoid visit. If you do, bring an umbrella.
2. How to Reach Agra to Visit Taj Mahal
If you go to the Taj Mahal, I highly recommend not taking the bus. Travel from Delhi / Jaipur to Agra either by train or flight or a taxi. It’s around 200 km from Delhi, but do not think of taking a bus as it takes too long (6 hours!) with multiple stops. You can hire a driver or take an Uber (Price INR 4,000+ one way) from Delhi to reach Agra in just 3.5 – 4 hours depending on traffic.
Or you can book well in advance the super fast trains – Gatimaan Express or Shatabdi Express. They take only 90 minutes to reach Agra and breakfast is included too. Make sure you book them as early as possible. Last minute train tickets are not possible in most of India unless you are really, really lucky!
3. Where to Stay Near Taj Mahal
There are many hotel options in Agra and near the Taj Mahal where you can stay overnight. Here are a few suggestions for accommodations which have great customer reviews and hence reliable. Book your stay in advance for a hassle-free travel experience.
For luxury travelers, there is the Oberoi Amarvilas, a 5-star hotel. It is just 600 meters away from the monument of love and every room has fantastic views of the Taj Mahal. You can relax, dine and rejuvenate in the spa with luxury meant for the Royals at prices starting from 40,000 INR (approx. $545) per night.
Other luxury hotels are Jaypee Palace Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Agra, Hilton, Trident Agra, ITC Mughal Sheraton, Radisson and Hotel Ramada to name a few. The price per night ranging from 6,000 – 15,000 INR ($ 80 – $ 200) approx.
If you are a backpacker with a minimal budget, you can stay in many hostels which are at walking distance to Taj Mahal. Or you can choose the many Homestays like ours – The Hideout Agra – which is located at Fatehebad Road just at 15 mins walk to Taj Mahal.
4. Do NOT Stay Very Close to Taj Mahal
Staying too close to Taj Mahal in budget hotel/hostel or homestay is a good option ONLY until you visit the Taj as you can just have a 2 minutes walk to enter Taj. Later due to the many security reasons it becomes a hassle if you’re staying too close. Due to many Government restrictions, Uber or similar taxi service will not pick or drop you to your place to stay. There are no good restaurants to eat, no good cafes, no drug stores or medical facilities.
So every time you need to go out to eat or do something or see things other than Taj, you need to walk couple of minutes till you’re out of the security zone. The whole area of 1 mile around the Taj Mahal is a tourist trap where you can be easily scammed at almost any place.
The best location to stay in Agra is on Fatehabad Road – which is where you will find all the luxury hotels situated along with coffee shops, popular multi-cusine restaurants, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, many pubs, medical facilities and almost everything at a walking distance. This Fatehabad Road area is safe to walk even up-to midnight and if you’re staying anywhere on this road you are well-connected to everything including railway station. You can easily get a Tuk-tuk or call an Uber even at midnight from here unlike the area close to Taj Mahal.
5. Best Time of the Day to Visit Taj Mahal
Try to Be the First Ones to Reach!
Taj Mahal has a mystical aura which can be best enjoyed when the crowds are sparse, and that is possible only during the morning hours. Try to be there before 6.00 a.m., which is when the gates will open. You may still find a queue but it would definitely be less crowded compared to the rest of the day.
Opening hours: Sunrise to Sunset. Usually 6:00 am to 6:30 pm for day visits (and 8:30 pm to 12:30 pm for night visits, two days before and after every full moon). Check local sunrise timings for more accurate opening time.
Smog and Fog
The best time to explore North India is from October to March when the days are pleasant and the nights are cool. December and January can be foggy, so sunrise and morning viewings of the Taj Mahal may be obstructed. Additionally, the smog that envelopes Delhi, Agra, and surrounding areas in November (due to stubble burning) may also affect viewings at any time of day. It is difficult to predict, but be aware of these seasonal interference.
6. How Long to Stay in The Taj Mahal
You can easily spend 2-3 hours. It all depends on the person and on how many selfies and photos you want to take, or how much time would you just want to stand in a ‘wow’ moment admiring the Taj Mahal. Maximum time permitted is 3 Hours to stay inside and if you are late in coming out there’s a penalty fine for over staying inside.
Taj Mahal opens 30 Minutes before sunrise and closes 30 Minutes before sunset during normal operating days). Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays for general viewing. Other days it is always open.
Night time tickets cost 750 rupees for foreigners and 510 rupees for Indian nationals, for half an hour’s admittance. These tickets must be purchased between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., one day in advance from the Archaeological Survey of India office on Mall Road.
7. Keep Realistic Expectations
Don’t expect a beautiful sunrise in solitude. The sunrise isn’t actually behind the Taj Mahal; plus, the gates don’t open until the sun has actually risen. That said, the morning lighting is lovely. And even though you’re waking up early and beating the majority of crowds, you certainly won’t find yourself alone – there are crowds all throughout the day, even right when the gates open. There are people who reach there as early as 5 am to be the first one inside Taj. As long as your expectations are realistic, you won’t regret waking up early.
8. From Where to Enter Taj Mahal
There are 3 entrance gates to the Taj Mahal.
- The East Gate is where the actual car parking is and it is more suitable for big groups arriving in coaches or taxis. If you’re living in one of the hotels on East gate road, this is the best option for you to simply walk up to it.
- The West Gate is further from most of the hotels, and this is the most crowded gate during the day. However, it is the least crowded at sunrise. Like for us, all my guests prefer this gate to walk because it’s just less than a mile away from our homestay and it takes only 15 mins to walk through a beautiful park to reach the ticket window.
- Avoid the South Gate It’s located near a dodgy market and the touts selling souvenirs are pushy.No Entry from this gate at present. Only Exit is allowed.
9. A Taxi/Car Cannot Take You Very Close to The Taj Mahal.
You will need to either walk for like 10-15 minutes or, if you prefer not to walk, or you want to get on line for the entrance faster, you can take a battery operated vehicle for like 100 INR.
All petrol and diesel vehicles are prohibited near the monument to control pollution and further damage from the carbon mono oxide emissions from these vehicles to the sparkling white marble of the Taj. There is a designated spot before each gate where you will be dropped from where you can walk 600 meters to the entrance or take a ride in an electric golf cart.
10. Taj Mahal Entry Fee
Tickets to enter the Taj Mahal are physically sold at two entry points – the Western and Eastern Gates. There are different ticket price slabs based on the nationality of the traveler. Also, you can buy tickets online at a fixed time slot. This will save you from hassle to stand in a line to buy it. Remember, the time slot can not be changed. So make sure to reach a few minutes earlier to the time printed on your ticket.
| . | Tourist Type | Amount (Rs.) |
| 1. | Foreign tourist | Rs. 1300 |
| 2. | Citizens of SAARC and BIMSTEC Countries | Rs. 740 |
| 3. | Domestic/Indian/OCI Cardholder | 250/- |
Note-
- Tourists buying tickets online will get a discount of Rs.5/- for per Indian ticket & Rs. 50/- for per Foreigner ticket.
- No Entry fee for children below the age of 15 years. (both Domestic and Foreigner).
Buying a Taj Mahal Ticket Online
Official Website asi.payumoney.com offers information and ticketing service for Taj Mahal tickets. Both foreign and domestic visitors may use the e-ticket booking for the ASI Taj Mahal and other monuments.
Do not forget to carry necessary government approved ID cards with you when you visit the Taj Mahal. If you are a foreigner, do carry your passport with you at all times. A foreigner ticket should come with a bottle of water and shoe covers to be worn.
At the ticket counters, there is a separate line for foreign and local Indian tourists. There is also a separate line for men and women for the security check as you enter the gates. Again this is not something very clearly flagged so don’t hesitate to ask around if you do not know which line to stand. The security staff present there is quite helpful.
11. What (not) to pack for the Taj Mahal
In an effort to keep the complex safe and clean, there are a number of restrictions in place regarding what visitors are allowed to bring in. Only small bags with the bare essentials are allowed, and prohibited items include:
- Tripods
- Food and drinks (you’ll receive a free bottle of water at the gate)
- Tobacco products
- Electronics such as headphones and chargers (cameras are allowed)
- Flags
- Books
- Laptops (Tablets are allowed)
- No candy, gums, other eatables. Baby food is allowed in small quantities.
- No sharp objects like army knives, nail filers etc.
- Day packs or large bags are not allowed; you can only carry small bags containing essential things.
- No cosmetics – Lipsticks, eye liners etc.
If you are traveling with kids, have them fed well in advance as the trip inside the Taj Mahal will surely take a good 3-4 hours of your time. Many times our bed and breakfast guests forget to leave the non-essential things in their rooms.
As a result they had to go back out of the gate, directed to a little nearby shop which had unofficial “lockers”. This shop will hold your belongings, but will pressure you to buy something when you come back to pick it up.The things in these shops are overpriced knockoffs. You have to pay around Rs. 100 for holding your stuff.
If you do not need a bag, do not bring it. It makes the process slower for your entry. They have a different security procedures for people with bags and it takes longer.
12. How to escape the crowds at the Taj Mahal
If you end up at the Taj Mahal in the middle of the day like most Indians do, be prepared for the crowds. The site may be huge, but with everyone getting mad for the same Instagram photo points it can feel like a zoo. For some strange reason, most visitors tend to stick close to the Taj itself, or along the pools leading up to it.
This means that as soon as you head off towards the gardens to the left or right, it feels like you have the whole place to yourself—that is, if you don’t count the not so friendly monkeys. Just ignore the monkeys while keeping a safe distance. One of our guest had a monkey bite while she was trying to pat a baby monkey for a quick photo.
The Money Shot
To get ‘the money shot’ of the Taj Mahal, you need to join an informal queue by the edge of the pond and place your camera on the ground. This will ensure you get the water and a great shot of the whole building and it will also be straight and without any people in the way. Take as many pictures as you possibly can before the crowd behind you gets to shout at you.
13. Take a Guide or Please Don’t
A guide is highly recommended unless you’ve read a lot about Taj on your own. The most obvious reason is that they will know all the history and related stories about the monument. Plus, they can help you get great pictures as they would know the perfect spots to capture a beautiful shot. The guides here also have good knowledge about all the nearby places like the jewelry and handicraft studios and carpet showrooms, where you can shop for some exclusive souvenirs.
Arrange for a guide beforehand from a registered tour agency or request a guide to be arranged by your hotel/homestay. You will find many people waiting to assist you outside the Taj Mahal too but all are fake guides with fake identity cards saying they are recognized and approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India. The truth is – No Government guide will ever stand outside any monument because they are too busy working for hotels and travel companies. There are only 50-60 official guides at the Taj Mahal, yet more than 3,000 touts offer their services to tourists, posing as guides and photographers.
New Scam: Also, sometimes when you buy tickets at the counter, the official might say to you that just because you have bought a high value foreigner ticket, the government is providing you a free guide along with your ticket. This is all SCAM! There are no free guides just like there are no free lunches. They will ask you a heavy tip in the end or take you to a fake government store to buy overpriced souvenirs.
Guide Charges for Taj Mahal: A half day total tour costs around 1500 INR for a group of 4 adults and it is really worth every rupee as the monument is of historical importance.
14. Beware of the Local “Guides”
There are local touts who will approach foreigners to avail of their guiding services as you are walking towards the gates. Use caution, as they are not licensed by the government, have limited English speaking skills, and offer incorrect information. (We call them Parrots!) Many will not quote the guiding fees up front, leading to haggling and disappointment after the tour. Instead, hire a guide in advance through your hotel/homestay.
15. Photography Tips
Have the correct camera lenses packed and have a few photography angles in mind from which you’d like to take photographs. If you’re staying at our homestay you can go through the many photos displayed or you can check our Instagram feed @hideoutagara for inspiration. Once you’re inside the premises of the Taj Mahal, you may be overwhelmed by the crowds, so you’ll be much more at ease if you have a plan about which angles and poses to do the photography.
16. What to wear for Taj Mahal
Although there is no dress code for visiting Taj Mahal, but if you want to take a hot Instagram picture of yourself in front of the Taj Mahal, bright colors look especially pretty against the white marble. You’ll see Indian women and foreigners wearing brightly colored saris. Anything which is Red/Yellow/Orange/Pink/Blue will give you awesome shots.
Moods of Taj
An interesting facet of the Taj Mahal is that it changes colors throughout the day. During sunrise, it appears to be pale pink; in the afternoon, it is sparkling white; and in the evenings, it turns a bronzish-orange as the sun sets. In late evenings, the Taj appears to be light-bluish in colour.
On the east side of the structure, there is almost a glow in the early morning hours.
If you think about it, the sun rises in the east so the light in the morning will be coming from that way. Make sure you’re taking that into account when you are trying to figure out shadows and lens flares.
On the west side of the Taj there is a mosque with prayer mats tiled in the ground. From within you can get some interesting pictures of the Taj as long as you are patient enough for people to move.
17. Spot the optical illusions
As you approach the main gate, the Taj Mahal appears to be unbelievably large and close. But as you move closer, it gets smaller and smaller in size, taking you by surprise. And the minarets that appear to be standing perfectly upright are in fact leaning outward, lending an astounding artistic balance.
18. The Best Photo Spots Inside Taj Mahal
First, there is the shot in front of the reflection pool. As soon as you enter the Taj Mahal, don’t stop at the main entrance or archway. Instead, make your way to the reflection pool, passing by the raised platform with the benches. Many people will also stop there to take a picture on the bench that was made famous by the late Princess Diana. At the end of the platform you will see the start of the reflection pool and this is where you will want to get that perfect shot of the Taj Mahal.
The next main photography spot is through the archways of one of the sandstone buildings on the right or left of the Taj. If you are there for sunrise be sure to go to the left first. This is where you will be able to capture that perfect morning glow as the sun begins to rise.
If you are traveling as a couple you have two options to get a photo together: Either hire a guide who you can have take your picture or ask a stranger to do it.
A Better “Princess Diana” shot
If you do need to get that Princess Diana shot, skip the bench near the front gate and walk all the way around to the far back. Just outside the jamat khana (the building on the right), you’ll see a single bench. Trust me, hardly anyone will be there. You’ll know you’re in the right place when the river is on your right, and the Taj right in front of you. If you have a wide-angle lens, the sky will perfectly wrap around the Taj like a canopy.
19. How to get best pictures of Taj Mahal
If you’re looking for the perfect photo, it seems all the best come from across the river. If you have time, take a tuk tuk across the river to the Mehtab Bagh (which translated is “The Moonlight Garden”). If you don’t want to pay the entrance fee of this garden (Rs. 300), just next to the Moonlight Garden there is a road with a pretty decent view of the Taj Mahal too. Most of the tuk tuk drivers knew where it is and they will happily take you there for the perfect backside shot.
20. Feel Like A Celebrity
If you are a Westerner, in particular a fair skinned blonde one, you will be asked (sometimes harassed), for a photo. By men, by women, by families, by children.
Similar to pretty much all over India, people will want to take photos/selfies with you, especially as a solo female traveler. For the locals, it’s a once in a lifetime chance to have a photo with a white woman. Whether you grant their wish or not, it’s up to you.
21. Is the Taj Mahal Disable Friendly?
Yes, the Taj Mahal is disabled-friendly with wooden ramps provided near the entrance, the security checkpoint and when you pass through the Southern Gate.
The only regrettable side to visiting the Taj Mahal is that there is no ramp built to access the main mausoleum for wheelchair-bound visitors.
22. Do visit Taj Museum
The origin of the Taj Museum dates back to 1906, it was created under the orders of Lord Curzon, the British Viceroy to India.
It houses interesting artifacts from the Mughal era like calligraphy specimens, utensils used in everyday life, plans and drawings of the Taj Mahal. The main hall has paintings made by Shah Jahan and his wife, Mumtaz Mahal on ivory framed in ornamental wooden frames.
The entry to the museum is free and is open from 9 am to 5 pm on all days except Fridays. There is no queue to enter, you can just walk in. There is no necessity for a ticket as it is inside the monument.
23. The Toilets
There are toilets inside the Taj complex but for Indian visitors, it is a paid service. We didn’t mind paying extra since the restrooms were kept very clean. Just remember to carry some change with you to pay the guard. For foreign visitors, the use of the facility is included in their tickets.
24. What is there to do in Agra besides the Taj Mahal?
There are some interesting things to see in Agra other than the Taj Mahal. Do have a look at my other Agra guides:
25. Skip The Line Entrance
There is NO official skip the line arrangement that works inside Taj Mahal. Whether you are a local or foreigner you have to go through the same security arrangements and same entry way. However, if you have a local guide with you, he can surely expedite the whole process from getting the tickets quickly (without standing in the long line) or putting you in-front of other travelers because of his personal connections with the security staff present there. Thus you can call it Skip The Line entrance.
These were the complete Insider Tips as Guide to visiting Taj Mahal I give to my guests staying at our Bed & Breakfast Homestay.