Taj Mahal
The months in gold are when the weather, the crowds and the prices work out best.
Yes, it is worth going if you plan around the crowds and the heat. Go between October and February for manageable temperatures. You only need half a day to see the main site.
Prices and availability come from GetYourGuide. If you book through one of these we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Half a day is enough to see the main complex.
Most people arrive by train from Delhi to Agra, then take an auto-rickshaw to the gates.
Book your tickets online in advance to skip the longest queue.
Foreigners pay over twenty times the local price, and security bans almost all bags and electronics.
What to expect on the ground
The site is crowded from the moment the gates open. You will walk through tight security checks where bags are heavily restricted. Expect to queue multiple times, first for tickets, then for security, and finally to enter the main mausoleum.
Once inside, the scale of the white marble is impressive, but the noise level is high. Guides will approach you constantly offering photos or tours. If you want quiet, head to the outer gardens or the mosque on the western side of the complex.
These are partner links. If you book through one we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It does not change which places we pick.
Choosing your timing
The best months to visit are October, November, December, January, and February. During these months, the intense summer heat subsides, making walking around the stone complex comfortable.
However, December and January often bring thick morning fog. This fog can completely block the view of the building until midday. If you visit in winter, scheduling your entry for late morning is safer than aiming for sunrise.
What most visitors get wrong
Many travelers assume they can buy tickets easily at the gate or bring their daypacks inside. Security is incredibly strict. Large bags, chargers, tripods, and even video cameras are banned, and leaving them behind or checking them into lockers will waste your morning.
Another surprise is the price difference. Foreigners pay over twenty times more for entry than Indian citizens. While your ticket includes shoe covers and a bottle of water, a day here, including transport and food, will cost about 6000 INR.
These search Amazon. If you buy through one we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It changes nothing about which places are on this site or what is said about them.
Hotel and flight search by Trip.com. If you book through one of these we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Foreigners pay over twenty times more for entry than locals.
The daily figure is an estimate and does not include flights. The exchange rate is real, and it moves once a day, not by the second.
The background
The Taj Mahal ( TAHJ mə-HAHL, TAHZH -; Hindustani: [t̪ɑːd͡ʒ ˈmɛɦ(ɛ)l]; lit. 'Crown of the Palace') is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was commissioned in 1631 by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan (r. 1628 to 1658), to house the tomb of his late wife, Mumtaz Mahal; it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. The tomb is the centrepiece of a 17-hectare (42-acre) complex, which includes a mosque and a guest house, and is set in formal gardens bounded on three sides by a crenellated wall. Construction of the mausoleum was completed in 1648, although work on other parts of the complex continued for another five years. The first ceremony held at the mausoleum was an observance by Shah Jahan, on 6 February 1643, of the 12th anniversary of the death of Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal complex is believed to have been completed in its entirety in 1653 at a cost estimated at the time to be around ₹32 million, which in 2015 would be approximately ₹52.8 billion (US$827 million). The building complex incorporates the design traditions of Indo-Islamic and Mughal architecture. It employs symmetrical constructions with the usag
More of Taj Mahal
Guides that include Taj Mahal
Questions people ask
How much does a visit to the Taj Mahal cost?
A typical day visiting the site costs about 6000 INR. This includes the high entry fee for foreign tourists, which is over twenty times what local residents pay, plus transport and food.
Can I bring a backpack inside the Taj Mahal?
No, large bags and backpacks are not allowed. You can only bring a small clutch, your phone, a camera, and a water bottle. Lockers are available at the entry gates but queues there are long.
Is the Taj Mahal open on Fridays?
No, the complex is closed to the general public every Friday. It is only open for afternoon prayers at the mosque for local residents, so plan your trip for another day of the week.
What is the best time of day to visit?
Sunrise offers the softest light and fewer crowds, but winter mornings in December and January are often ruined by heavy fog. In those months, it is safer to visit in the late morning or early afternoon.
Do I need to hire a guide at the gate?
You do not need a guide, as the paths are straightforward and information is available online. Many self-proclaimed guides at the gates are unlicensed, so if you want one, book an official guide through your hotel beforehand.