The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. It took about twenty years to complete. Seeing it in person is one of the great travel experiences — and a little preparation makes the visit much better. As we are based in Agra, these are the questions we hear most often.
It is closed on Fridays
The Taj Mahal is closed to tourists every Friday, when its mosque is used for prayers. Every other day it opens about 30 minutes before sunrise and closes about 30 minutes before sunset. Night viewing is permitted on a few nights around each full moon, with a small number of tickets sold in advance.
Sunrise, daytime or sunset?
Sunrise is our first choice: the light is soft, the marble changes colour, temperatures are cooler and crowds are smaller for the first hour. Late afternoon is the second-best time. Midday is the busiest and, in summer, the hottest. For sunset, the best view is often from Mehtab Bagh, the garden on the other side of the river.
Tickets
Foreign visitors pay a higher entrance fee than Indian citizens, with an additional charge to enter the main mausoleum. Fees are set by the Archaeological Survey of India and change from time to time, so check the official website before you go. Tickets can be bought online; your guide can also arrange them.
What you can bring
Security is strict and similar to an airport. Keep it simple:
- Allowed: phone, camera, a small bottle of water, a small bag, and essentials such as medication.
- Not allowed: food, tripods, drones, large bags, and items such as lighters and knives. Lockers are available near the gates.
- Shoe covers are provided for the mausoleum platform, or you can go barefoot.
What to wear
There is no strict dress code, but clothes that cover shoulders and knees are respectful and practical. Comfortable shoes that slip on and off easily help on the marble platform, which gets hot in summer.
Avoiding hassle
Expect touts near the gates offering guides, photos and shortcuts. Use a licensed guide or one arranged in advance, and buy tickets only from official sources. Electric buses or carts take visitors from the parking areas to the gates, as petrol vehicles are not allowed near the monument.
Make time for the rest of Agra
Agra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daulah and Fatehpur Sikri are all worth seeing. Staying one night in Agra makes the whole visit calmer; see our Agra travel guide.
Check before you travel
Rules, fees and timetables change. These official sources have the latest information:
