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Landmark · India

Taj Mahal Tickets, Opening Times & Visitor Guide 2026 | Agra

The white marble Taj Mahal and its four minarets, reflected in the long water channel of the Mughal gardens
Photo: Yann; edited by King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

By Thomas · Updated · 2 min read

TL;DR
  • Closed every Friday, open sunrise to sunset on other days
  • Arrive at opening for the softest light and smallest crowds
  • Buy tickets online to skip the ticket queue
  • Security is strict, so bring only a small bag
Type
Landmark
Where
India
Time needed
2-3 hours
Admission
from about ₹1,100 for foreign visitors, plus about ₹200 for the main mausoleum (2026), check before you go

The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. It took around two decades and thousands of craftsmen to complete, and the result is perhaps the most perfectly proportioned building in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the highlight of most first trips to India, usually combined with Delhi and Jaipur in Rajasthan on the Golden Triangle route.

What you'll see

You enter through a great red sandstone gateway, and the Taj appears framed in its arch. Beyond lie formal Mughal gardens divided by water channels, with the mausoleum on a raised marble platform at the far end, flanked by four minarets and a red sandstone mosque and guest house.

Up close, look for the Koranic calligraphy and the semi-precious stones inlaid into the marble in floral patterns. Inside the main chamber are the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan behind a carved marble screen; the real tombs lie in a crypt below. The marble changes colour through the day, from pink at dawn to dazzling white at noon.

Tickets and tips

  • Opening times: from about 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset. It is closed on Fridays for prayers.
  • Tickets: foreign visitors pay around ₹1,100, plus about ₹200 extra to enter the main mausoleum (2026). Buy online through the official Archaeological Survey of India site to skip the ticket queue, and check current prices before you go.
  • Night viewing: limited slots run around the full moon (not Fridays) and must be booked in Agra a day ahead.
  • Security: large bags, food, tripods and many electronic items are not allowed. Bring a small bag, water and your passport.
  • Best time: the first hour after opening, in winter, gives the best light and thinnest crowds. Mornings from December to February can be foggy.

for a quieter view at sunset, cross the river to Mehtab Bagh, a garden directly opposite the Taj.

Getting there

The Taj Mahal is in Agra, about 200km south-east of Delhi. The fastest trains, such as the Gatimaan Express and Vande Bharat services, take under two hours from Delhi; by road on the Yamuna Expressway allow three to four hours. Petrol and diesel vehicles cannot drive right up to the monument, so you finish the journey by electric buggy or on foot from the east or west gates.

Where is Taj Mahal?

Open in OpenStreetMap · 27.17510, 78.04215

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the Taj Mahal as a day trip from Delhi?

Yes, but it makes for a long day. Staying overnight in Agra lets you see the Taj at sunrise, when it is at its best, and visit Agra Fort in the afternoon.

Is the Taj Mahal open on Fridays?

No. It is closed to visitors every Friday, when the mosque is used for prayers. Plan your Agra stay around this.

How long do you need at the Taj Mahal?

Two to three hours is enough for the gardens, the mausoleum and plenty of photos.

Written by

Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor

Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.

More from Thomas

Opening times and ticket prices change often; check the official website shortly before you visit.