Taj Mahal – one of the seven wonders of the modern world – is a marvel that people from all over the world flock to visit. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its iconic white marble facade, is one of the most visited heritage sites in the country. In this unstumbled guide, we’ll tell you how you can reach the Taj Mahal, what the ticket costs are, and other essential information you might need to know before visiting the magnificent monument.
Visiting Taj Mahal: How To Visit, Best Time To Visit, Tickets, And More
How To Visit The Taj Mahal?
By Air
The fastest way of reaching the Taj Mahal is by air. Agra, the city in which the Taj Mahal is located, has its own domestic airport – known by the name of Agra Airport. It is well-connected to other major airports in Delhi, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Mumbai, etc. The Agra Airport is about 8 km from the Taj Mahal. From the airport, taxis and cabs to the Taj Mahal and the main city are readily available in a price range of INR 500 to INR 1,000.
By Rail
Agra enjoys good rail connectivity, being connected to many major railheads in the country. Apart from the main railway station of Agra Cantonment, there are two other stations – Raja ki Mandi and Agra Fort – that are also well connected to other parts in India. From the Agra Cantonment Railway Station, the Taj Mahal is about 5.5 km away. You can easily find rickshaws and cabs to reach the monument from the railway station.
By Road
Agra is well-connected to a number of cities in Uttar Pradesh as well as other parts in North and Central India. With direct road connectivity to major cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Varanasi, Prayagraj, etc, there are regular bus services available from these cities. You can also hire taxis from the cities, however, that would be quite expensive.
Taj Mahal: Timings, Opening Time, Visiting Hours
The Taj Mahal, an iconic symbol of love, is open to visitors on all days except Fridays when it is shut for the general public.
It opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes before sunset on usual operating days.
You can purchase tickets for the Taj Mahal from two different gates of this iconic monument – the Western Gate and the Eastern Gate.
You can purchase tickets from both the gates. Note that the Southern Gate does not allow entry; it is only meant for exiting the premises.
Entry Fee For Visiting Taj Mahal
| Ticket category | Indians | Foreigners / Non Resident Indians | Visitors from SAARC & BIMSTEC Countries |
| Entry to Taj Mahal | INR 50 | INR 1,100 | INR 540 |
| Entry to the main mausoleum (optional) | INR 200 | INR 200 | INR 200 |
Entry tickets can be purchased at the physical ticket counter outside the Taj Mahal. However, for the convenience of tourists, online ticketing is also available. Visit the online portal on the Archaeological Survey of India website to purchase tickets. Tourists purchasing their tickets online get a discount of INR 5 per Indian ticket and INR 50 per foreign ticket.
Additionally, there is no entry fee for children below 15 years of age, applicable to both Indian and foreign visitors.
Also Read: UNESCO Recognized Taj Mahal To Be Secured With Anti-Drone Technology
Taj Mahal Night View: Details And Entry Fees
While visiting the Taj Mahal during the daytime is certainly recommended, you’ll definitely be stunned once you view the Taj Mahal in the glimmering moonlight! And yes, it is officially possible to do so!
Taj Mahal night viewing is available only on five days of the month, during the full moon night and two nights before and after the full moon.
Taj Mahal night viewing timings: 8 PM to 11:59 PM IN 8 batches only (closed on Fridays)
Batch capacity: Maximum 50 persons
Duration of each batch: 30 minutes
Taj Mahal night viewing ticket prices: INR 510 (Indian); INR 750 (foreigner); INR 500 (children between 3 and 15 years of age; both Indian and foreigners)
Note: There will be no night viewing of the Taj Mahal in the month of March 2026 on the occasion of the Islamic month of Ramzan.
Do’s And Don’ts While Visiting The Taj Mahal
Do’s
- Co-operate in keeping the monument neat and clean.
- Only hire certified guides and photographers.
- Polluting vehicles are not allowed within a 500-meter radius of the monument. Parking near Taj Mahal West Gate is at Amrood Ka Teela, whereas parking near Taj Mahal East Gate is at Shilpgram.
- Make use of battery buses and golf carts to reach the Taj Mahal from the parking areas.
Don’ts
- Do not use a drone camera inside and around the Taj Mahal complex.
- Do not eat or smoke inside the Taj Mahal complex.
- Carrying arms, ammunition, tobacco products, liquor, eatables, headphones, knives, tripods, mobile chargers, etc is prohibited. Make sure you do not carry any of these items with you inside the complex.
- Do not engage in photography inside the main mausoleum.
- Do not touch, scratch, or damage the surfaces of the monument.
- Do not create disturbances in the monument complex, be it talking loudly, creating noise, or other such instances.
Summing Up
The Taj Mahal is not just a monument, it is an eternal symbol of love, longing, and dedication. Its stunning craftsmanship, design, and the lore associated with it makes visitors visiting the monument from all over the world. Its ethereal beauty is to be preserved by us, and as tourists, it is our primary responsibility. Co-operate with officials, follow all rules, and enjoy the beauty of the Taj Mahal – one of the greatest wonders of the modern world!
