Any trip to India is incomplete without a visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and possibly the most famous landmark of the nation, known around the globe! This stunning and iconic edifice on the banks of the Yamuna River was built in the 17th century by 20,000 men, over 22 years. The monument to love and grief was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his Queen Mumtaz Mahal. 

While there are a million guides to the Taj, which are easily available, and many tours that you can take, there are some things no one tells you about tourist destinations. Here is a list of things most tourists wish they had known before they visited the Taj Mahal. This should make your visit simpler, smoother, and much more memorable.

Do your Homework

Read up about the history and architecture of the Taj Mahal. An informed visit is always more enjoyable and relatable. 

Pick the time for your visit wisely

Taj mahal, Agra, India

The best time to visit this spectacular monument is during spring and early summer – effectively from March to June (although if you are visiting in May/June, be prepared for fairly extreme heat). Winter months – from November to February – might be better, weather-wise, but not so much for enjoying the beauty of the monument as it is usually cloaked in fog. 

Avoid the bus if you can

The Taj is in Agra, essentially a doable day trip from the capital, Delhi. There are frequent trains that will get you there in 3 to 4 hours, or you can rent a cab from Delhi, paying roughly 450 rupees or about 6 USD, one way. There are also numerous organized tours from both Delhi and within Agra. 

Get there early 

Visiting hours are officially from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm for day visits. The best time to get to the Taj Mahal is early in the morning. The light is amazing, photos will come out great, heat will stay within tolerable limits, and crowds will be thinner. Plan to arrive at least half an hour before the ticket booths open, because there WILL be long queues both for tickets and then at the gates. The Taj Mahal also opens for two days before and after every full moon, for night visits, from 8.30 pm to 12.30 am, for batches of 50 visitors in half-hour slots. 

Bring exact change, IDs, and know what you will get

Make sure to carry INR 1,050 per person, if you are a foreign tourist and 45 per head if you are Indian, free for children below 15. A foreign tourist ticket includes a bottle of water, free washroom facilities inside the complex, protective shoe covers, and a map of Agra. Also, do not carry anything more than your camera, cell phone, and the ticket-accompanying bottle of water. They will not be allowed inside. 

Choose the right gate

The West gate is further from the hotels and more popular with local visitors, so, it sees the longest lines at any time of the day. The East gate is closer to the hotels preferred by foreign tourists and has shorter queues. The South gate can have shorter lines, but you’ll miss the sunrise, and market touts will hound you. 

Just a little planning makes for a smooth, uneventful trip.