Last updated on June 30th, 2023 at 12:53 pm
Taj Mahal is one of the 7 wonders of the world, and it is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Heck, it’s also located in Agra, India, which is home to some of my family. You’d think it would’ve been a piece of cake for us to visit the Taj Mahal. But, nope, we had our own challenges during our recent trip here.
Based on our personal experience, we are sharing some basic tips, erm .. lessons learned, so your visit to the Taj Mahal is a piece of cake. These tips will come in very handy for foreign and Indian visitors.
PS: We entered from the Eastern Gate of the Taj complex. In addition to the famous marble Taj structure, the complex consists of the main entrance gate, two red stone structures on either side, a mosque, and a fountain pond in the center of neatly manicured gardens.
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Things to Know Before Visiting the Taj Mahal
1. Taj Mahal is Closed on Fridays!
Easy right? Now don’t go planning your vacation here around a Friday.
2. Buy e-Tickets in Advance
You can buy Taj Mahal e-tickets online on the Archaeological Survey of India’s official website. Just remember that e-tickets are non-cancellable. Bring your photo ID along with a printed confirmation of your e-ticket at the entrance gate.
3. There is a Separate Line for Foreign and Domestic Indian Tourists
Read the signs on top of the ticket window to learn about this distinction, or you’ll be lost like us. We ended up standing in the foreign tourist line for a good few minutes. That is until we realized that the nearly empty queue (inner line in the photo below) was for Indian tourists.
4. There Are Separate Queues For Men and Women
As if this distinction wasn’t clear enough, this separation of queues exists both at the ticket counter and at the Taj entrance gate. Again this is not something very clearly flagged, so don’t hesitate to ask around if you are confused about where to go.
5. Indian Tourists Must Show a Photo ID “With Your Indian Address” as Proof
Unfortunately, your PAN card is not sufficient. They refused to give me a ticket because all I had was a PAN card on me. Just when I thought India was one place, I would not be treated as an outsider! Luckily, Gaurav had his voter’s ID, and they let him buy more than one ticket.
6. The Entrance Fee For Foreign tourists is Rs 1100
This is much higher priced than Indian citizens’ tickets. But for $15, I’d say it’s a steal. You will also need to show your photo ID during ticket purchase. This ticket includes a bottle of water, a recycled shoe cover, an Agra guidebook, a golf cart service, and access to the restroom facility. Kids below age 15 can enter for free. Inform the ticket agent that you are visiting with kids.
7. The Entrance Fee For Indian Citizens is Only Rs 50
But it does not include a shoe cover or any other fancy goodies. However, you can buy a pair of shoe covers for Rs 20 a pair from the shop across from the Eastern Gate ticket counter. They open as early as the ticket office – before sunrise. Kids below age 15 can enter for free. Inform the ticket agent that you are visiting with kids.
It would’ve been nice if we got a map or a brochure of the Taj complex with our tickets. We wouldn’t mind paying an additional fee to enhance our experience. Just a suggestion to Incredible India Tourism Board!
8. Wearing Shoes is Not Permitted Inside the Main Mausoleum (or inside the white structure)
Hence the shoe covers that we’ve already mentioned. You can wear shoes everywhere else in the Taj complex. For the love of our footwear, we would not recommend leaving your shoes at the shoe rack outside the mausoleum.
9. Tip #1 for Photographers – Tripods Are Not Allowed Inside the Taj Mahal
Unless you have secured a commercial photography permit from the government in advance, we were bumped not to have looked into this beforehand. Luckily a local person in the queue suggested leaving our tripod at the souvenir shop across from the Eastern Gate ticket office. The shop owner was very kind, accommodating, and trustworthy in keeping our tripod safely.
Photography is also not allowed inside the main mausoleum (inside the white structure). You can photograph it from the outside as much as you want, though.
OTHER PROHIBITED ITEMS
These items are not allowed inside the Taj Mahal:
- All types of arms, ammunition, and explosives, and its replicas, etc
- Matches box, lighters, and flammable items
- All types and forms of tobacco items including e-cigarettes
- Scissors, knives, and other sharp items
- All types of food items
- Liquor, banned drugs, and liquids in tetra packets
- Religious offerings and materials including flowers and garlands
- Laptop and all types of camera stands, etc
- Reading, writing, and painting materials
- Toys, cards, and items for advertisement
- Torch, professional video cameras, PA systems, etc
- Large bags and backpacks
- Hard copy of photographs and CDs
10. Visit Early in the Morning But Expect a Crowd
Taj is a popular spot at sunrise so expect a decent crowd even if you reach right when it opens. In winter, expect a foggy view of the Taj in the early hours of the morning. The fog clears up as the day progresses. And it also gets more crowded later in the day, so we recommend visiting early in the morning.
11. Use of Public Toilets is Included in Ticket Price for Foreigners Only
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.
12. You Can Visit the Taj Mahal After Closing Hours
It is possible to visit after closing hours on a few nights around the full moon. For more information on how to get tickets for full moon viewing of the Taj Mahal, please visit the official website here.
13. Tip #2 For Photographers – Unique Photo Opportunity
Go inside one of the red structures on either side of the Taj for a unique framing opportunity. You also have higher chances to encounter monkeys here… for real!
14. Hire a Guide For Your First Time at Taj
We highly recommend a guide because there are many historical and architectural tidbits about Taj that only an official guide can explain. TIP: Do ask them to show their certified government-issued guide badge.
I hope our tips and lessons learned are helpful in planning your trip to the Taj Mahal in Agra. If we haven’t answered a question you were looking for, then please head to the Frequently Asked Question page on the Taj Mahal’s official website.
Read Next: Don’t miss these other gems in Agra beside Taj Mahal
Where to Stay Near the Taj Mahal
It was nice that we had family in Agra hosting us. But if you are looking for hotel options, here are a few we’d suggest –
Upscale and Luxury
- Oberoi Amarvilas Agra or you can book it via Booking.com
- Taj Hotel & Convention Centre
- ITC Mughal Agra
- Trident Hotel Agra
Affordable and Comfortable Stays
- DoubleTree by Hilton
- Courtyard by Marriott
- Hotel Alleviate Agra – offers amazing views of the TAJ from its rooftop. Worth going here for dinner if you don’t plan on staying here.
Hostels and Budget Stays
- Hotel Alleviate
- Budweiser Backpackers Stay
- The Coral House Homestay – has a great theme and gives you the flavor of India.
Keep Reading
- 13 Best Souvenir Ideas From Around the World
- 2 Days in Agra – Best Places to See in Agra Beyond Taj Mahal
- The Ultimate Sri Lanka Itinerary for 7 or 10 Days
- 33 Unique Festivals Around the World and How to Attend Them
- Important Tips on Visiting and Photographing Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
Enjoy this Wonder of the World and share it with your friends and family.
Happy Traveling!
This place looks absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing your trip!
Taj is like a dream to me, I always wanted to be there with my husband. Thanks for your beautiful content on the Taj Mahal.
You are most welcome!
This is the most complete guide I’ve ever seen about visiting the Taj Mahal. I’m going this fall and I am sure going to use all your tips. Some of your photos show such a different side to the place too. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Yogeeta, glad we could help!
Same day with car is a distinctive tour package that has been intended for people who hardly ever have time for sightseeing with their loved ones. India has a very rich culture and there are many things to explore. However, many time people do not have time to explore many cities in one schedule, so they usually stick to exploring only one city. One of the biggest benefits of same day tour is that you can visit all the popular attractions of the city. In this Same Day with Car tour, you will be traveling by car and have a chance to explore the city of love, Agra.
Agra is just an amazing travel destination, I have been there twice.
I would love to go back again and again. I love the Taj a lot.
Thanks for your amazing travel guide and your photos are mind-blowing.
You are welcome! I hope you get to go back again someday 🙂
Great information. It’s a very informative topic. Thanks!
You are very welcome Morgan! 🙂
Great tips, Richa! Would definitely come handy for people planning a visit to one of the wonders of the world. We have visited Taj Mahal 5 times but it’s embarrassing to admit that even we weren’t aware that Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays 🙂 We happened to visit on Saturdays every time.
Thanks Anjali! There are some things that just slips especially when it’s in your backyard so I totally get it 🙂
Excellent tips! I love the information here and $15 is a really great price for all that is included! Thanks for the photography tips as well!
Right? $15 considering it is one of the wonders of the world is a steal I think 🙂
Yeah I discovered much of this the hard way!! (As a foreign tourist though). By the time I was in, I was beginning to doubt if it was worth it (it was). And I have to say, that foggy view is charming in a different way. I got a midday white/ivory Taj Mahal.
I mean I really thought I would have it easy as an Indian tourist but we all have lessons to share.. so hey, I feel your pain Teja! 🙂
We had a wonderful trip to Taj Mahal a few days back and we missed out on getting the shoe covers before entering it. So, we had to send one amongst us to get them. Nevertheless, we had a great time clicking pictures with the Taj. Great informational post.
Thanks! Well, I didn’t know you could leave the Taj complex and come back like that but good to know now.
Such great tips for first time travelers! Visiting the Taj Mahal is definitely on my bucket list 🙂 Do you know why it is closed on Fridays? Looks like there is a lot of people there as well!
The official website may say it is closed for cleaning purposes but Friday happens to be a religious day for Muslims and Taj is closed for local people to pray inside the mosque within Taj compounds. However, it didn’t use to be closed on Friday back in the 90’s, when I visited as a kid. In fact, it used to be free entry on Fridays!
This was incredibly helpful. Is it sad I had NO idea about the Friday closures? The photos and tripod information is really useful too. Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely! Don’t want others to make the same mistakes we did 😀
Separate entrances for men and women!! I wonder why. I would absolutely love to see the Taj Mahal during a full moon 😍 great tip.
I understand that part since they do a physical body check for security purposes but I didn’t understand a sperate line for Foreign and Indian tourists?! Anyhoo, we’d love to see Taj during the full moon too (bucket list!)
Oh how I wish I’d read this post earlier. I remember very well that I was standing in front of a closed Taj Mahal on my visit and when I came back again – it was super foggy! I hope a lot of other people read your post BEFORE going lol!
Haha Noraly.. that makes us the two of us 🙂 Well I hope a lot of other people read this post as well!!
Great tips! Imagine waking up early for sunrise and finding you’d forgotten your ID—or worse, you were trying to visit on a Friday! I could totally see myself doing that, ha ha.
Haha.. Comedy of Errors! Of course won’t be comic at that moment 😉
I’ve never been to India, but gosh dang I can’t wait to go one day – this post was really helpful and gives some practical steps. I love the tip of visiting early in the morning. I usually love to do most of my sight-seeing early anyway to beat the heat and crowds, and I can imagine it’s absolutely beautiful with the Taj Mahal in the foreground! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks Lauren! Couldn’t agree more about the early morning part when traveling to new cities.
Richa I never woulda thought the Taj would be closed on Friday’s LOL. Seems weird but then, it is what it is. Even this place needs to take a day off weekly.
This is super helpful especially since I’m planning on going to India next year. Are only a maximum number of visitors allowed into the Taj Mahal per day?
Thankfully that is not the case ‘yet’ Julie but Taj compounds are in reality very big. Although the crowd tends to be around the marble mausoleum only (duh!). I hope you have a great time in India next year 🙂
That’s very helpful. And seriously, trust the Indian govt, to make things more complicated than it needs to be (such as the queueing thing). Thats how things are for pretty much everything here. I had been here over 20 years ago when I was little. I remember being pretty grumpy as I mom made me wear something that I hated so in all pictures I look angry haha.
Ah.. I really thought the admin process would’ve improved given how popular the entire Incredible India campaign is around the globe. I seriously was ready to pay extra for a little brochure of Taj ground. And about those grumpy pics, there is no childhood without one 😛 LOL