{"id":1045,"date":"2026-08-31T16:53:27","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T16:53:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tajmahaltourguide.com\/blog\/?p=1045"},"modified":"2026-08-31T16:53:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T16:53:28","slug":"taj-mahal-ticket-price-timings-entry-guide-for-tourists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tajmahaltourguide.com\/blog\/taj-mahal-ticket-price-timings-entry-guide-for-tourists\/","title":{"rendered":"Taj Mahal Ticket Price, Timings &amp; Entry Guide for Tourists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most common questions about visiting the Taj Mahal concern the ticket price, opening hours, and which gate to choose. In truth, once you have these three factors clear, you will have no further worries about your visit to the monument. Read on for detailed information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Taj Mahal Ticket Price 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Taj Mahal ticket system is divided into different categories depending on the country of the visitor. In addition, it is also separated into entry to the grounds and an additional payment for the interior of the mausoleum. The<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">rates are established by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The rates are the same for both online and offline purchases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CategoryEntry TicketMausoleumTotalIndian citizen \/ OCI50 INR200 INR250 INRSAARC\/BIMSTEC region540 INR200 INR740 INRForeign tourist1,100 INR200 INR1,300 INRChildren0 INR0 INR0 INR<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The countries included in the SAARC\/BIMSTEC region are Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Myanmar, and Thailand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What Does the Ticket Include?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When buying a ticket, keep in mind that entry to the complex and entry to the<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">interior of the mausoleum are two different things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ticket for the complex includes the chance to enjoy the views of the garden and the grounds. If you wish to see the interior of the mausoleum, you will have to additionally pay 200 INR to enter the mausoleum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, we believe that this is the best choice for a first-time visitor, as it includes the chance to see and experience one of the most iconic sights in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Other Expenses<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mehtab Bagh, a garden on the opposite bank of the river, is an additional paid attraction (about 25 INR for Indians and 300 INR for foreigners).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shoe covers for the marble floor are<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">provided for free at the entrance to the mausoleum. A battery-operated car from the parking lot to the gates is available for purchase. You may also want a guide to understand the history of the monument, which will be an additional expense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Purchasing a ticket via the online ASI booking system usually has a slightly lower price compared to buying tickets at the counter (about 5 INR for Indians). Moreover, you will avoid spending time in the queue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The complex also provides free entry on special days such as World Heritage Week (19-25 November) and on the occasion of the annual Urs, a festival celebrated by the locals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Taj Mahal Opening Hours<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>and Dates<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Taj Mahal opens its doors to visitors every day at sunrise and closes shortly before sunset. Therefore, the working hours of the complex vary throughout the year, from approximately 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Note that the working hours of the ticket counter and the gates may differ. The ticket counters usually close about an hour before the official closing time of the complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This means that a later arrival will not allow you to visit the monument, even though it is still open. Keep this in mind when planning your trip, especially if you are traveling from Delhi and want to estimate how much time you have to get to the Taj Mahal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Closure on Fridays at the Taj Mahal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The monument closes on Fridays for general tourism and opens only for Islamic prayers in the mosque located within the enclosure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This information is often surprising to those planning a trip to the Taj Mahal. Thus, those who are flying in from Delhi should double-check the date of their visit, as the flight schedule on Fridays is quite limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Night View of the Taj Mahal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The complex opens its doors to visitors wishing to enjoy the night view of the monument on special occasions. This includes the full moon night and the two<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">days before and after it (except Fridays).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ticket office opens at 8:00 PM and closes at midnight. It is important to note that the ticket office allows only a small group of tourists inside every hour, dividing them into 50-person batches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is quite an advantage for those wishing to visit the complex at night. However, it should be noted that you have to arrive at least half an hour in advance at the Shilpgram ticket office to go through the security check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which Gate to Choose for Entering the Taj Mahal?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are three gates in total &#8211; the East, West, and South gates. However, only the first two are currently open to visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To enjoy the best view of the sunrise, use the Eastern Gate (Shilpgram Gate). The Western Gate is the second option, which is slightly busier in the morning hours with domestic tour groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Separate lines for Indians and foreigners help reduce congestion at the entrance. Signs above the lines indicate whom they are for &#8211; Indian or foreign visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Interesting Facts About Entry to the Monument<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Biscuits and other food items are prohibited within the complex. Moreover, the use of drones is strictly prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smoking and tobacco chewing are also banned inside the complex. Lighters and matches are also prohibited at the<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">entrance to the monument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, visitors may not have the opportunity to take pictures with large bags, so it is better to avoid carrying them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is not allowed to walk barefoot on the marble platform. You can use the special shoe covers provided at the entrance to the Taj Mahal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Photography and Videography<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tourists can use their own digital devices to take photos and videos. However, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the latest restrictions directly at the entrance to the complex, since the list of permitted and prohibited items sometimes varies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to Book a Ticket to the Taj Mahal?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Online<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Buying a ticket online well in advance is the most popular way to visit the Taj Mahal. This method allows you to quickly and easily avoid long queues at the entrances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>At the Counter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This option is available at the East Gate (open 1 hour before sunrise) and West Gate. The density of visitors at the ticket windows is naturally much higher than with the online system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore, a foreign traveler needs to arrive several hours before the opening of the monument in order to have a good opportunity to buy a ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>By Tour Operators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another popular method is to contact local tour operators and ask them to book a ticket for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although this option is usually the most expensive, it is convenient in case of an urgent need or when an Indian visa is not available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Summary of Entry Details<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">DetailInfoIndian entry ticket50 INR (+ 200 INR for the mausoleum)Foreign entry ticket1,100 INR (+ 200 INR for the mausoleum)Children under 15Free entryOpening hoursUntil around 30-45 minutes before sunsetTicket counter cutoff45-60 minutes before sunsetDay of closureEvery FridayNight viewAvailable on the full moon night and the two days before and after<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(except Fridays)Gates open to the publicEast (Shilpgram Gate) and West<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Is the Taj Mahal Open Daily?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The monument is closed every Friday. Thus, it is closed for a total of one day each week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can I Buy a Ticket to the Taj Mahal on the Spot?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, tickets can be purchased at the ticket windows at the East and West gates. However, we do not recommend using this method if you are planning to visit the complex on a weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Do Children Need Tickets?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Children under 15 may visit the monument without any tickets. This is a universal rule for all nationalities and<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">applies to both entry to the complex and the interior of the mausoleum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Is the Mausoleum Ticket Worth the Extra 200 INR?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. If you are a first-time visitor, then you should know that only this ticket allows you to see the interior of the Taj Mahal and provides an additional opportunity to experience one of the most famous sights in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exception to this rule may be if you are visiting in the future and have already visited the monument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What Happens If I Arrive Too Late?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We find that many visitors have little or no understanding of the time difference between the ticket office closure and<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">the closure of the gates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For your convenience, please know that the ticket office usually closes earlier than the gates, so you need to plan your ticket purchase in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, it is very important to know that the later it is, the longer it can take to get through the turnstiles. Thus, it is better to come to the complex with some free time in case of any delays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ticket prices, opening hours, and all other details on this page for the Taj Mahal are governed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and may be changed from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As such, it is necessary to check the latest information on the ASI website one or two weeks before the planned trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The most common questions about visiting the Taj Mahal concern the ticket price, opening hours, and which gate to choose. In truth, once you have&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_customify_content_layout":"","_customify_sidebar":"","_customify_page_header_display":"default","_customify_disable_header":"","_customify_disable_header_top":"","_customify_disable_header_main":"","_customify_disable_header_bottom":"","_customify_disable_page_title":"","_customify_disable_content_vertical_padding":"","_customify_disable_footer_top":"","_customify_disable_footer_main":"","_customify_disable_footer_bottom":"","_customify_breadcrumb_display":"default","_customify_header_transparent_display":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1045","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-delhi"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tajmahaltourguide.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1045","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tajmahaltourguide.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tajmahaltourguide.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tajmahaltourguide.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tajmahaltourguide.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1045"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.tajmahaltourguide.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1045\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1046,"href":"https:\/\/www.tajmahaltourguide.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1045\/revisions\/1046"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tajmahaltourguide.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1045"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tajmahaltourguide.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1045"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tajmahaltourguide.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1045"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}