How to Explore Taj Mahal: Best Time, Travel Routes & Tips

Although photos of the Taj Mahal are everywhere online, you can only truly feel its purity and beauty when you stand before it in person. This guide helps you get the best experience from your visit, including the best time to go, how to explore the site, and a few practical travel tips.

When Is the Best Time to Visit the Taj Mahal

The best months to visit the Taj Mahal are from October to March. During this time, the sun is warm during the day, and the temperature is comfortable for outdoor visiting. And the best time of a day to visit the Taj Mahal is in the early morning. You can enjoy the Taj Mahal under the sunrise, a white, sacred mosque veiled by golden sunlight. In addition, it's a lovely period with fewer tourists, which means it is easier to take pictures, with perfect photo backdrops everywhere. Of course, if you don't like getting up early, you can come in the afternoon and wait for the sunset. There will be more people than in the morning, but it won't be overcrowded.

Witness the Purity and Beauty of the Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal Opening Time

Taj Mahal is opens to visitors from Saturday to Thursday, and will be closed every Friday. While the opening hours vary every day, depending on the sunrise and sunset time. It will open 30 Minutes before sunrise and close 30 Minutes before sunset. Usually, it would be around 6:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Is It Possible to See the Taj Mahal at Night?

Yes, but only on five nights each month (the full-moon night and the two nights before and after it). On these evenings, the Taj Mahal opens from 8:30 pm to 11:59 pm, and each visitor is allowed a 30-minute entry slot. Under the moonlight, the Taj Mahal glows softly, appearing white, calm, and almost otherworldly. It is completely different from its warm golden look under the sun.

Note: If the full-moon period falls on a Friday or during the month of Ramzan, night viewing is not available.

Sunset of the Taj Mahal

How Long Do I Need to Explore Taj Mahal

If you are wondering how much time to set aside for the Taj Mahal, here’s the short answer: about 2-3 hours. It allows you to enjoy the views, snap your dreamy photos, and actually feel the romance of the place, without sprinting from gate to gate like you're late for a flight.

If you are a shutterbug (or simply determined to get "that perfect shot"), then you might want more time. But Taj Mahal now limit visiting hours. So, make the most of the 3 hours. The light changes fast here, and every shift makes the Taj look almost like a different monument.

If you're in a rush, you can do a basic visit within 90 minutes, but honestly, the Taj Mahal deserves better. Take your time, and let the magic do its work.

Also, if your schedule allows, you can visit at night, bringing another unique view. Only in the five days of a month, which are on full moon night and two nights before and after the full moon, the Taj Mahal will be open at night from 8:30 pm to 12:30 am, allowing each visitor to visit for half an hour. You can see the Taj Mahal glistening in the moonlight. Unlike the golden mosque in sunlight, it radiates a soft glow in the moonlight, white and pure under the gentle night, as if it were a castle from Fairyland.

Which Entry to Taj Mahal Is Better

The Taj Mahal has three named gates, but an important update first: the South Gate is presently closed for entry. That leaves the East and West gates for visitors now:

• East Gate: Convenient if you're staying in Taj Ganj and a great choice for early-morning visits. Many travelers find it a smooth option for sunrise entry, though crowds can vary by day.
• West Gate: The main, busier entrance used by many day visitors and tour groups. If you arrive later in the morning, expect longer lines here.

My practical advice: aim for an early arrival and plan to use the gate closest to your hotel. If you want the calmest start, try the East Gate at sunrise. Either way, arriving early also helps you avoid the heat and long security lines.

What's the Best Route for Exploring the Taj Mahal?

There's no "wrong" way to explore the Taj Mahal, but there is a route that gives you the smoothest flow, the best views, and fewer repeat crowds. Here's the route I always recommend to travelers:

• Start at the Main Gateway (Darwaza-i-Rauza): After you enter through the East or West Gate, walk toward the grand red-sandstone entrance gate. Take your time here. The dark archway perfectly frames the white marble Taj. It is one of the most iconic photo spots. Don't rush through it.
• Move into the Main Garden (Charbagh): Once you pass through the gateway, the Taj Mahal appears in full view across the garden. This is where you will find the famous long reflecting pool and get symmetry shots.
• Walk Along the Right-Hand Path to the Main Mausoleum: Most people instinctively drift left, so go right instead. You will find it slightly less crowded. On the way, you will pass fountains, smaller garden paths, and good side angles for photos.
• Visit the Mosque and Guest Pavilion: Before you climb up to the marble platform of the mausoleum, step into the two red-sandstone buildings flanking the Taj: the Mosque (west side) and the Guest Pavilion (east side).
• Head Up to the Marble Platform: After exploring the side buildings, climb up the marble terrace where the details come alive: delicate pietra dura floral inlays, carved marble screens, and Quranic calligraphy that appears perfectly proportioned from below. You can walk around the entire platform for different angles of the river, gardens, and minarets.
• Enter the Main Mausoleum: Inside, you will see the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, surrounded by an ornate marble screen. Note: photography is not allowed inside.
• Finish at the Back Terrace Facing the Yamuna River: Many visitors skip this part, but it's one of the most peaceful spots. You will get beautiful river views and a quieter moment.

Where to Stay During the Taj Mahal Sightseeing

If you want to see a sunrise or sunset at the Taj Mahal, it is recommended to stay in Agra. Many Agra hotels are less than 3 kilometers away from the Taj Mahal, including budget hotels, mid-priced hotels, and luxury hotels.

The Taj Mahal opens half an hour before sunrise. Sunrise is usually around 5:15 to 5:45, depending on the season you are visiting. If you want a less crowded experience, you can reach the gates before they open.

How to Get There

If you are traveling to the Taj Mahal from another country, you can fly to Agra Kheria Airport and take a cab to the Taj Mahal. It takes about an hour to get from Agra Kheria airport to the Taj Mahal.

To catch some great views of the Taj Mahal, staying in Agra is quite convenient. You can take a UBER or a Rickshaw to the Taj Mahal, which takes about 15 minutes. If your hotel is very close to the Taj Mahal, you can even walk to the gate and enjoy a refreshing morning walk.

Looking at the Taj Mahal from the Red Fort

Taj Mahal Travel Tips

About Taking Photos

Girls can buy a bright saree in local shops. The saree is a traditional Indian dress made from light and beautiful yarn, which goes well with the white mosque. The magnificent mosque gate, white archways, and octagonal towers are all great places to take pictures. If you are worried about too many tourists when taking photos, and it is difficult to achieve the best results, you can come there earlier. It's recommended to get great photo ops at sunrise and sunset!

Bargain for Your Purchases

Many souvenir stores near the Taj Mahal sell sculptures, postcards, etc. If you want souvenirs near the Taj Mahal, remember to bargain for your purchases. Souvenirs there usually sell for a much higher price, and some of them may be able to cut at least half of the price.

Watch Out for the Crowds

The Taj Mahal is a world-famous attraction, and there are a large number of tourists year-round. So when you visit, take care of your safety and protect your valuables. Our travel experts can plan your trip to avoid crowds and get the best view.

Watch Out for the Crowds

Pay Attention to Security Checks

Security checks at the Taj Mahal are strict. Many items are not allowed to be brought into the Taj Mahal, such as food, water, rechargeable batteries, tripods, etc. Cameras and phones can be brought in, but you can't take pictures with a flash. Know these things in advance to avoid queuing up again when going through the security check.

Dress Modestly

Although there is no explicit dress code for the Taj Mahal, it is best to dress modestly and not show your shoulders and thighs. This will demonstrate respect for the halal religion. In addition, when walking up the steps into the Taj Mahal, it is necessary to remove your shoes as a sign of respect.

Pay Attention to Sun Protection in Summer

If you visit in the summer, pay attention to sun protection. Summer in India can be quite sunny. For example, bring some sunscreen and a parasol, which are allowed by security check.

Contact Odynovo to Make a Perfect Plan in India

The construction of the exquisite Taj Mahal complex brought together the wisdom of thousands of skilled craftsmen and countless wealth, and its glory continues through time. From a distance, it's pure and elegant; upon closer inspection, it's an endless luxury. To see something once is better than to hear about it a hundred times. If you want to see all its beauty, consult our experts via [email protected] to make a perfect plan!