A visit to Agra to see the magnificent Taj Mahal is a must for any travel bucket list. But you might be wondering which is the best time to visit the Taj Mahal? We’ve put together a wealth of top tips to help you plan your visit and make your trip the most memorable it can be.
But before we delve in, here are some fascinating facts about the Taj Mahal.
The history of the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal was built between 1631 and 1653 by the Mughal king Shah Jahan as the final resting place for his beloved wife.
How much did it cost to build the Taj Mahal?
The initial estimate for the cost of building the Taj Mahal was INR 4,000,000 (£43,451), but this had risen to 5,000,000 (£54,318) by completion. Today, the Taj Mahal would have cost around $1bn to build.
The Taj Mahal is one of the 7 New Wonders of the World
These iconic sites were elected from over 600 million votes in the world’s first ever global voting campaign. The New Colosseum in Italy, Petra in Jordan, the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu un Peru, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil and Chichén Itzá in Mexico make up the other New Wonders.
It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. These sites are designated by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance.
There are many replicas around the world
The luxury Taj Arabia hotel in Dubai is a $1 billion replica of the Taj Mahal four times bigger than the original monument.
The Taj Mahal of Bangladesh was built by Bangladeshi filmmaker Ahsanullah, who recognised that few Bangladeshis can afford the trip to SAgra because it’s too expensive for them.
In the UK, the Royal Pavilion in Brighton is a former royal residence inspired by 19th century Indo-Saracenic styles.
Within India itself, the Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad and Humayan’s Tomb in Delhi were both inspired by the Taj Mahal.
Architectural style
The palace combines Islamic, Persian and Indian architecture. The 22 small domes on top of the gate represent the number of years the monument took to build.
Be inspired with our Golden Triangle tours
When to visit the Taj Mahal
It’s probably not a surprise to learn that the Taj Mahal is busy all the time as it’s such a popular landmark. Winter isn’t the best time to visit the Taj Mahal as there may be fog obscuring the building. March to June is a great time to visit, but if you can stand the heat between July and September, this will be a slightly quieter time of year.
Which days are best to visit the Taj Mahal?
When it comes to which days are best to visit the Taj Mahal, then aim for Monday to Thursday. Weekends are super busy, and the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays for prayers. The monument is also closed during Namaaz in the month of Ramadan, with entry being exclusively for Muslims to offer prayers.
What time should I visit the Taj Mahal?
The Taj Mahal is open from 6am to 7pm from Saturday to Thursday. Set an early alarm clock to arrive at 6am when it opens for a quieter visit. Alternatively, late afternoon when the crowds begin to disperse is a good option. Night time viewings are allowed from 8.30pm to 12.30am when it’s full moon, plus two days before and after.
Top tips for visiting the Taj Mahal
Which gate should I use at the Taj Mahal?
There are three different entry gates to the Taj Mahal, but they all charge the same. The main gate is the West Gate, used mainly by local visitors, and has the longest queue of people during the day. Use this gate during sunrise for fewer crowds.
The East Gate is the closest to the hotels, so can get busy as well. If you have an advance ticket, this will be the best gate to use.
We suggest the South Gate as a quieter option.
What do I need to wear in the Taj Mahal?
Be mindful that shoes are not permitted inside the Taj Mahal to prevent the marble from getting deteriorated, but if you don’t want to go barefoot, shoe covers are provided.
Is there anything I can’t take into the Taj Mahal?
It is important to note that there are a few items that you won’t be able to bring into the Taj Mahal, and there are checkpoints at the gates to enforce this. The list includes large bags, tripods, mobile phone chargers, smoking items, food and drink (except water). If you have these items with you by mistake, lockers are available at the entrance.
Cameras and mobile phones are allowed inside.
How much does it cost to visit the Taj Mahal?
There are different rates for visiting the Taj Mahal, which can be found on the official website. Of course, on one of our tours, entry tickets are already taken care of for you, but if you’re curious about pricing, for foreign visitors, it’s currently INR1,100.00 (around £12). There’s a discounted option for night visitors at INR750.
You can also visit for free if you visit on the morning of Eid or during World Heritage Week. However, it will be busier because of this!
How long does it take to visit the Taj Mahal?
According to the Archaeological Survey of India, which runs the Taj Mahal, the average tourist spends 35 minutes taking pictures, 25 minutes inside the dome and 10 minutes in the mausoleum.
Other top tips
If you want to capture the Taj Mahal in all its glory, take a photo from the Yamuna River, which will give you a great shot of the building away from the crowds.
The best way to see the Taj Mahal and Agra
If you would like to visit Agra, why not take a look at one of our wonderful ATOL and ABTA-protected holidays? Please remember all our private tours are designed to meet your exact requirements, and the tours mentioned are just examples to help inspire you.
Contact our travel experts on 01792 315499 or email info@aitholidays.com for more information.