• 21 Jan, 2025

A Complete Guide to the Taj Mahal: Opening Hours, Ticket Prices, and Rules

The Taj Mahal is an immense mausoleum built with white marble in Agra between 1631 and 1648 in order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. In memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the jewel of Muslim art in India and the admired masterpiece of the world's heritage. The perfectly symmetrical planned building with the uniqueness of the Taj Mahal is a remarkable innovation that reflects the uniqueness of the monument. There are many things to discuss about the Taj Mahal, and you have a fantastic experience with the details mentioned below: 

History of the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahl is an ivory-white marble mausoleum that was specially completed in 1643 but continued for other purposes for an extended 10 years. It was completed in 1653 at an estimated cost of around 32 million rupees; if the amount is calculated now, it would be approximately 52.8 billion. The construction project of the Taj Mahal employed 20 thousand artists, including masons, stone-cutters, carvers, painters, and others. These workers and artisans work under the guidance of the court architect to the emperor, Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. The Taj Mahal was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 as India's jewel of Muslim art. 

What is the Opening/closing timing of the Taj Mahal? 

The Taj Mahal is an architectural memorial whose timings are not problematic for anyone. It remains open for all days except Friday (closed for prayers); otherwise, tourists also visit the Taj Mahal for a night view as it is very famous among travelers. Night views are allowed only for five nights a month on the full moon and two nights before and after the full moon. People who visit during the day will choose the early morning and late afternoon times. You can select your suitable timings for a night view and for a usual visit here at your suitable time, which is mentioned below: 

For night view: 

  • Opening time: The Taj Mahal opens for the night view at 8:30 pm 
  • Closing time: The close time for the night view is at 12:30 am.

To avoid the hustle, get in between 10:00 pm and 11:30 pm for the best view because not every time the moon has its peak point. The night views are allowed for five nights a month on the full moon before and after two days. It is not held on Fridays and during the month of Ramzan. 

Every Day timings are:

  • Opening time: The opening time for the day is 6:00 am.
  • Closing time: The time to close for a day is 7:00 pm. 

What is the entry fee/ticket price of the Taj Mahal?

To visit the Taj Mahal, you must pay a certain amount for a ticket and buy it from the ticket counter close to the entry gate, which is different for foreign visitors and Indian Citizens. However, you don't need to pay for a child under 15 years old and enjoy your trip to the Taj Mahal. Here is the ticket sheet for every day visit with the details given below: 

  • The entry fee for the Taj Mahal is 50 rupees for Indian Citizens. 
  • For foreign visitors, they need to pay 1100 rupees each. 
  • For unique visitors such as SAARC and BIMSTEC, citizens need to pay 540 rupees. 
  • If you want to visit the mausoleum, you must pay 200 rupees per person as an additional amount. 

For night view: 

According to the night view timings, it was carried out in eight batches of about 30 minutes each. You can watch the Taj Mahal from a distance as well from the shipgram center in the complex, and only 50 people are allowed in each batch. You do not need to buy tickets for children under 3 years old as they are allowed free entry. The fee charges for the night view are mentioned below with the details: 

  • The entry fee for the Taj Mahal is 510 rupees for Indian Citizens. 
  • For foreigners, they will pay 750 rupees per person. 
  • Kids between 3 and 15 years of age will pay 500 rupees. 

What is the best time to visit the Taj Mahal?

The key thing to visit in Agra is the Taj Mahal for a fantastic experience. Mid-September to October is the best time to see after the monsoon rain and the pleasant summer temperature, but before the massive crowds rush arrives. Another good time of year to see the Taj Mahal is March, for light crowds and reasonable temperatures. You can explore the best view for the day in the late afternoon, and don't forget the popular night view to visit when a full moon occurs. 

  • Off-peak Season: The Off-peak season from April to September sees fewer tourists due to extreme weather conditions. From April to June, tourists suffer from unbearable hot weather; visiting early in the morning or late afternoon will help them avoid extreme heat. At the time of rain from July to September, offering visitors occasional rain with the lush greenery and washed marble of the Taj Mahal will make their day. Monsoon brings the season of enchanting and unique atmosphere to the Taj Mahal.
  • Weekdays and Weekends: Weekdays are less crowded and the best time to visit the Taj Mahal because most visitors come on weekends, which makes the Taj Mahal crowded. You can plan your weekday trip for less crowd and a peaceful experience. If you plan to visit early in the morning and late in the afternoon, you will experience a less busy environment. 
  • Special Holidays: Avoiding the major Indian festivals and public holidays is also a good idea for less crowded visits. The Taj Mahal is a great place to visit during Diwali, Holi, and Christmas. You can plan a trip around these holidays to avoid the peak crowd and enjoy a more relaxed visit. 
  • Night views: Night views are popular because the marble reflection lights over the faces or the ground shine like a moon. It will be the most fantastic experience of your life with the moonlight at the Taj Mahal. You can explore the night view at the time of the full moon and also before and after two days of the full moon. 

Is it worth visiting the Taj Mahal?

Yes, visiting the Taj Mahal and getting information about the historic structure with the great view is worth visiting. The Taj Mahal is one of the world's seven wonders, and it is famous for the mausoleum made by the order of the emperor Shah Jahan. Its impressive architectural mausoleum is a must-see monument for any traveler. You will witness the Taj in the moonlight, especially during the full moon. At Agra, you can also take some detours to Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, and Akbar's tomb and enjoy your trip. 

How much time will it take to cover the Taj Mahal?

The Taj Mahal is one of the most famous monuments in India due to the story behind its structure. The emperor Shah Jahan built the structure for his favorite wife, Mumtaz, and thousands of visitors came to see the fantastic architecture. You can plan your day trip according to the timings to visit and get the best view at late noon with fewer crowds. You must arrange your time to visit and plan a whole-day picnic for the Taj because it usually takes 2-3 hours to experience all the memorials.  

Is it safe to visit the Taj Mahal at night?

Yes, it is safe to visit the Taj Mahal at night due to the pretty strict security checks that occur at night. The cops stand at the entry gates to avoid any issues in public or avoid hustle in the crowd. With limited access for 400 visitors each night, it is very safe, and fewer crowds will make your evening. Only 50 visitors in a batch are allowed for 30 minutes in each batch so that you will get the best view at night. But remember about the Friday and the month of Ramzan because the night view is not organized now. 

The Taj Mahal, a historical monument made in the love of Shah Jahan to his wife Mumtaz, has become a famous architectural monument and one of the world's wonders. So, you can plan your picnic or a day trip to visit Taj and have fun with your friends and family. Plan your trip according to the information given in the above article. Enjoy the tour, and plan to visit at night for the delightful moonlight view. Be prepared for a crowd if you plan for weekend holiday trips. 

partner-icon-iataveri12mas12visa12