Location: Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Timings: Sunrise to Sunset (closed Fridays)
Ticket: ₹50 Indian | ₹1,100 Foreign
Best Time: October–March, at sunrise
From Agra Station: ~5 km (15 min by taxi)
The Taj Mahal is one of the most visited monuments in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan between 1632 and 1653 in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, this white marble masterpiece attracts over 7 million visitors every year.
The Taj Mahal opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes before sunset, every day except Friday. On Fridays, the monument is closed for prayers at the mosque inside the complex.
In practical terms, gates open around 6:00 AM in winter and 5:30 AM in summer. Night viewing is available on full moon nights from 8:30 PM to 12:30 AM in batches of 50 visitors.
| Category | Entry | Mausoleum | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Citizens | ₹50 | ₹200 | ₹250 |
| SAARC Citizens | ₹540 | ₹200 | ₹740 |
| Foreign Tourists | ₹1,100 | ₹200 | ₹1,300 |
| Children (below 15) | Free | Free | Free |
Buy tickets online to avoid long queues, especially during peak season (October–March). Keep your ticket safe — you need it to enter the main platform.
October to March is the ideal season. Temperatures are pleasant (10–25°C) and the marble glows in soft winter sunlight. Sunrise is the absolute best time of day — the Taj appears to change colour from pink to gold to white. Crowds are also thinnest at this hour.
Avoid May–June when temperatures exceed 45°C and the marble platform becomes too hot to stand on. Read our detailed guide on the best time to visit Taj Mahal for month-by-month advice.
We pick you up at 5:30 AM. Full-day sightseeing from ₹2,500.
The Taj Mahal is approximately 5 km from Agra Cantonment Railway Station, about 15–20 minutes by road. The most comfortable way is a private taxi. You can book a full-day Agra sightseeing cab from ₹2,500 that picks you up at the station and covers all monuments.
Other options include auto-rickshaw (₹100–150) and e-rickshaw (₹50–80). No vehicles are allowed within 500 metres of the Taj — you walk or take a battery bus (₹10) from the parking area.
Free lockers are available near all three entry gates.
| Time | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 AM | Pickup – Taj Mahal (sunrise) | 2.5 hrs |
| 9:00 AM | Agra Fort | 1.5 hrs |
| 11:00 AM | Baby Taj (Itimad-ud-Daulah) | 45 min |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch break | 1 hr |
| 1:30 PM | Akbar’s Tomb, Sikandra | 1 hr |
| 3:30 PM | Mehtab Bagh (sunset view of Taj) | 45 min |
See the complete Agra one day sightseeing itinerary for the full plan with entry fees and taxi costs.
Many visitors plan a day trip to Mathura and Vrindavan — just 60–75 km from Agra. Book a taxi from Agra to Mathura from ₹1,500, or a combined Mathura Vrindavan tour at ₹3,000 for a full day. Read our Mathura Vrindavan travel guide before you go.
Open from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset, every day except Friday. Night viewing on full moon nights from 8:30 PM to 12:30 AM in batches of 50.
₹50 for Indian citizens, ₹540 for SAARC nationals, ₹1,100 for foreign tourists. Additional ₹200 for the mausoleum. Children under 15 enter free.
The Taj is 5 km from Agra Cantonment station (15–20 min by taxi). Book a full-day sightseeing cab for ₹2,500 or take an auto for ₹100–150.
Sunrise between October and March. Weather is pleasant, light is beautiful, and crowds are smallest. Late afternoon (3–5 PM) is the second-best time.
No. Closed every Friday for prayers at the mosque inside. Open all other days including public holidays and national festivals.
Tripods, selfie sticks, food, tobacco, power banks, earphones, large bags. Mobile phones and small cameras are allowed. Free lockers available at all gates.
Plan 2 to 2.5 hours for a comfortable visit including the gardens, mausoleum interior, and surrounding structures. Photography enthusiasts may spend 3 hours. A quick visit takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Yes. Night viewing is permitted on full moon nights and two nights before and after, from 8:30 PM to 12:30 AM. Tickets: ₹750 for Indian nationals and foreigners alike. Batches of 50 get 30 minutes each. Advance booking required.
Full-day sightseeing from ₹2,500 · Sunrise pickup available · Taj Mahal + Agra Fort + more
