Most people plan a Taj Mahal visit around one question: how much does it cost to get in, and when is it open? The answers are simple, but there are a few details — the separate mausoleum ticket, the Friday closure, the cut-off time at the ticket window — that catch visitors out every day. This guide covers all of it, as we explain it to our own guests before every Taj Mahal tour.

Taj Mahal ticket price

Entry fees are set by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). At the time of writing the published rates are:

  • Indian citizens: ₹50 for the Taj Mahal complex
  • SAARC and BIMSTEC nationals: ₹540
  • Foreign nationals and NRIs: ₹1,100
  • Main mausoleum (the inner tomb chamber): an extra ₹200 for every visitor who wants to go inside
  • Children under 15: free, whether Indian or foreign

The mausoleum ticket is the one people forget. Without it you can walk the gardens, the great gate and the platform, but you cannot enter the white marble tomb where Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal lie. If you have come this far, buy it.

Taj Mahal opening hours

The Taj Mahal opens about thirty minutes before sunrise and closes about thirty minutes before sunset. In practice that means roughly 6 am to 6:30 pm in summer and 6:45 am to 5:30 pm in the depth of winter. Ticket windows open an hour before sunrise and stop selling 45 minutes before sunset — arrive later than that and you will not get in, even with daylight left.

The single most important rule: the Taj Mahal is closed every Friday for afternoon prayers at the mosque inside the complex. Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri and the other monuments stay open on Fridays, so if your only day in Agra is a Friday, see those and save the Taj for another day — or see it from Mehtab Bagh across the river.

Buying tickets online

Tickets can be booked on the ASI's official online portal, and paying online usually lets you use a faster entry line. Ticket counters at the East and West gates also sell on the day. Avoid anyone outside the gates offering to sell you tickets or telling you the online system is down — that is the most common scam in Agra.

Which gate should you use?

There are three gates. The East Gate, near the five-star hotels on Fatehabad Road, is usually the calmest. The West Gate is closer to the old city and gets the coach groups. The South Gate is the smallest and is often used for exit. Electric golf carts run from the parking areas to the East and West gates, since petrol vehicles are not allowed near the monument.

What you can and cannot take inside

  • Allowed: mobile phones, cameras, a small bag, a water bottle, passport or ID
  • Not allowed: food, tripods, drones, large bags, tobacco and lighters, and anything sharp
  • Photography is fine in the gardens but not inside the tomb chamber
  • There is a free locker at each gate if you arrive with something you cannot take in

The best time to go

Sunrise is the best hour in almost every season — softer light, thinner crowds and cooler air. We wrote a whole piece on the best time to visit the Taj Mahal. If getting up at 3 am in Delhi sounds unreasonable, our Taj Mahal sunrise tour handles the driving, the tickets and the queue while you sleep in the car.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Taj Mahal ticket price for foreigners?
₹1,100 for the complex, plus ₹200 if you want to enter the main mausoleum — ₹1,300 in total. Children under 15 enter free.
What is the Taj Mahal ticket price for Indians?
₹50 for the complex and ₹200 extra for the main mausoleum.
Is the Taj Mahal open on Friday?
No. It is closed every Friday. Night viewing is also closed on Fridays.
What time does the Taj Mahal open?
About 30 minutes before sunrise, and it closes about 30 minutes before sunset.
Do I need a guide inside the Taj Mahal?
It is not compulsory, but a licensed guide turns a beautiful building into a story — and speeds you through the queues. All our Taj Mahal tours include one.