01
About Travel Treat Together
Travel Treat Together is a travel blog for working professionals who want to see the world without quitting their jobs. Explore destination guides, itineraries and stories from across Asia and beyond.
Ticket prices, timings, the Friday closure, night viewing and the easiest ways to reach Agra from Delhi ā a simple Taj Mahal guide.
Last updated: October 2026. Prices and timings are taken from the official Taj Mahal website. Always check once before you go, because rules can change.
Some places are famous, and then there is the Taj Mahal. You have seen it in movies, school books, wallpapers and Instagram reels. But nothing really prepares you for the moment you walk through the big red gate and the white marble appears in front of you, all at once. I still remember that pause. Everyone around me stopped for a second too.
But here is the honest truth: a Taj Mahal trip can also go wrong. Reach on a Friday and it is closed. Carry a snack in your bag and it is taken away at the gate. Buy tickets from a random person outside and you may pay too much.
So I made this simple guide. It covers ticket prices, timings, booking, the best time to visit, and how to get there. I will keep it easy, like a friend telling you what to do. Let’s go.
If you are in a hurry, here is everything important in one small table.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where is it? | Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India, on the bank of the Yamuna river |
| Who built it? | Emperor Shah Jahan, for his wife Mumtaz Mahal |
| Open days | Every day except Friday |
| Timings | 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset |
| Ticket (Indian) | ā¹50 (+ ā¹200 to enter the main mausoleum) |
| Ticket (Foreigner) | ā¹1,100 (+ ā¹200 for the main mausoleum) |
| Children | Free for kids below 15 years |
| Best time of year | October to March |
| Best time of day | Sunrise |
| Time needed | 2 to 3 hours (more if you love photos) |
| Distance from Delhi | About 230 km, 1.5 to 4 hours depending on how you travel |
A little history, in two lines: Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of Mumtaz Mahal. Work started around 1632 and took about 20 years. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
The Taj Mahal has a simple ticket system. The price depends on who you are. These are the official rates for weekdays (Saturday to Thursday):
| Visitor type | Entry ticket | Main mausoleum (optional) | Total with mausoleum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian / OCI | ā¹50 | + ā¹200 | ā¹250 |
| SAARC & BIMSTEC citizens | ā¹540 | + ā¹200 | ā¹740 |
| Foreign tourists | ā¹1,100 | + ā¹200 | ā¹1,300 |
| Children below 15 | Free | Free | Free |
What does the ā¹200 extra ticket mean?
inside
Is it worth it? My answer: yes, once. The inner chamber is small and dim, and photography inside is not allowed. But the marble inlay work and the quiet feeling there is special. If your budget is tight or the line is very long, you can skip it and still enjoy the Taj fully.
Other places in Agra (weekday ticket, Indian / Foreigner):
| Place | Indian | Foreigner |
|---|---|---|
| Agra Fort | ā¹50 | ā¹650 |
| Mehtab Bagh (best sunset view of the Taj) | ā¹25 | ā¹300 |
| Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj) | ā¹30 | ā¹310 |
| Akbarās Tomb, Sikandra | ā¹30 | ā¹310 |
You can buy tickets at the ticket window too. But in winter, lines can be very long. So I always say: book online, save time.
The Taj Mahal does not have fixed clock timings. It follows the sun:
In simple words, it opens at about 6 AM in summer and a little later in winter. Closing time is between roughly 5:30 PM and 7 PM, depending on the season. Try to enter at least one hour before closing, because security and walking take time.
The Friday closure is the biggest mistake I see travellers make. The mosque inside the complex is used for Friday prayers, so tourists are not allowed that day. If you are staying in Agra, plan Friday for Agra Fort or Mehtab Bagh (both open on Fridays) and keep another day for the Taj.
Yes, you can see the Taj at night, but only on five nights every month: the full moon night, plus two nights before and two nights after.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Timing | About 8:00 PM to 11:59 PM |
| Groups | 8 batches, maximum 50 people each |
| Time inside | 30 minutes per batch |
| Where to report | Shilpgram (near the East Gate), 30 minutes before your batch time |
| Ticket (adult) | ā¹510 Indian, ā¹750 Foreigner |
| Ticket (child 3 to 15 years) | ā¹500 |
| Closed | Every Friday and during the month of Ramzan |
| Needed | A valid photo ID |
Upcoming full moon dates: 26 October 2026 and 24 November 2026. So the night windows are roughly 24 to 28 October and 22 to 26 November (not Fridays). Please check the official list on the Taj Mahal website before booking.
My honest opinion:
This is the cool and pleasant time. Days are comfortable for walking, and the white marble looks great. November to February is the real peak season, so it is also the most crowded.
Winter mornings in Agra can be foggy. Sometimes the Taj almost disappears in the mist. Some people love this dreamy look, but if you want a clear photo, give yourself two days in Agra so you can try again.
Temperatures can go above 40Ā°C. If you must visit, go right at opening time and finish before 9 AM. Carry water and wear a cap.
There are fewer tourists, the gardens look fresh, and hotels are cheaper. But it is humid, and rain can interrupt your day.
Go at opening time. The light is soft, the air is cooler, and the crowd is smaller. The marble changes colour from pinkish to golden to white as the sun rises. Late afternoon is the second-best option. Avoid noon: it is hot, bright and busy.
The Taj Mahal is in Agra, about 230 km from Delhi. You have three easy options.
| Option | Time | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Train (Gatimaan Express) | About 1 hr 40 min | Fastest and comfortable |
| Train (Shatabdi Express) | About 2 hrs | Early morning travel |
| Car or taxi (Yamuna Expressway) | 3 to 4 hrs | Families and groups |
| Bus | 4 to 5 hrs | Tight budget |
The Gatimaan Express leaves from Hazrat Nizamuddin station in Delhi and reaches Agra Cantt in about 1 hour 40 minutes. The Shatabdi Express from New Delhi station takes around 2 hours. Other trains take 2.5 to 3 hours. From Agra Cantt station, the Taj Mahal is only 6 to 7 km away, about 15 to 30 minutes by taxi, auto or app cab. Train timings and running days can change, so check on the IRCTC app before booking.
Take the Yamuna Expressway, a smooth six-lane highway. It takes about 3 to 4 hours from Delhi, depending on traffic. This is the best choice if you travel with family, kids or elders, because you can stop when you like.
A same-day trip from Delhi is possible, but you will be tired. My advice: stay one night in Agra, see the Taj at sunrise, and then relax. You will enjoy it much more.
The Taj Mahal has three gates: East, West and South. East and West are the main entry gates. The South Gate is mostly used as an exit. Choose the gate that is closest to your hotel, and reach early. Cars stop at parking areas (Shilpgram for the East Gate, Amrood Ka Teela for the West Gate), and you can walk or take a battery-powered vehicle to the gate. Normal petrol and diesel vehicles are not allowed near the monument.
Security is strict, like at an airport. There are separate lines for men and women. If you have extra things, leave them at your hotel or use the cloakroom near the gates.
Give the Taj Mahal 2 to 3 hours. If you love photography, keep 4. Agra has more to see, so here is an easy one-day plan:
Sample budget for one Indian visitor:
Foreign visitor:
Yes. It is closed to tourists every Friday. It is open all other days.
ā¹50 for Indians, ā¹1,100 for foreigners and ā¹540 for SAARC/BIMSTEC citizens. Entering the main mausoleum costs ā¹200 extra. Children below 15 are free.
30 minutes before sunrise, usually around 6 AM to 6:30 AM depending on the season. It closes 30 minutes before sunset.
Yes. Use the official website (tajmahal.gov.in), which links to the ASI ticket portal. Online tickets are slightly cheaper, and you save time in the line.
Only for night viewing on five nights each month around the full moon, except on Fridays and in Ramzan. Tickets are ā¹510 (Indian) and ā¹750 (foreigner).
About 230 km. By train it takes about 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours to Agra Cantt, and by road about 3 to 4 hours.
2 to 3 hours is enough for most people.
No. Tripods and drones are not allowed. Food and large bags are also not allowed.
The Taj Mahal is not a place to rush. Yes, plan your tickets and timing. But when you are finally there, put your phone down for a minute. Look at the marble. Listen to the people around you. Watch the light change.
Most travellers remember one small moment more than the whole trip: the first look, a laugh on the Diana bench, the quiet at sunrise. Plan well, and you will have yours.
Have you visited the Taj Mahal, or are you planning to go? Tell me in the comments: sunrise or sunset, which one will you choose? And if this guide helped you, share it with the friend or family member you want to travel with.
We’re three friends who met in Malaysia and turned our love for travel and food into Travel Treat Together. Full-time professionals who never quit our jobs ā just found a way to make every trip count.
Travel Treat Together is a travel blog for working professionals who want to see the world without quitting their jobs. Explore destination guides, itineraries and stories from across Asia and beyond.
