The Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in northern India; close to the cities of Delhi and the state of Rajasthan. As I was living in Jaipur, from there I left for Agra by bus because it was the only option due to the capacity of the trains, in fact, I don’t even remember if there was a train from Jaipur to Agra. It was July and there was no train seat for Agra, so the only alternative was 8 hours on the road. July in India coincides with the school holiday period when thousands of Indians take the opportunity to travel and visit family members in other cities and states. And Taj Mahal is among the most visited attractions in the country.
The best time to visit the Taj Mahal
The best time to visit the Taj Mahal is from October to March, and the same for northern India, including the state of Rajasthan and the city of Delhi. At that time, the temperatures are mild whereas from April you will get desert heat, above 40ºC, hot and dry. From November to February, there is a greater chance of fog in the morning. The most popular time to visit the Taj Mahal is sunrise, which tends to be the best time to take pictures and the most disputed by all the tourists willing to photograph as much as possible.
How long to visit the Taj Mahal?
To see the Taj Mahal, book a day trip to Agra, it is more than enough if you are only interested in visiting this monument unless you want to visit the Agra Fort or make excursions around the city. Undoubtedly, the Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful monuments you will see in the world and will bring many unforgettable photos to your travel albums. Consider that you will take some time in line, on my visit it was about 40 minutes, as it is one of the most visited attractions in India plus strict security control. The Taj Mahal usually opens at sunrise, between 6:00 am and 6:30 am, and closes 30 minutes before sunset. On Fridays, it is closed for visits, except for Muslims to pray in the afternoon.
Observations when visiting the Taj Mahal
The first observation to make is the difference in prices of the entrance to the Taj Mahal. Foreigners pay around 1,100-1,300 rupees while Indians pay 50 rupees for entry plus an optional 200 rupees to visit the mausoleum. This price difference between Indians and foreigners is a common practice in India and it is worth taking care of paying attention to the prices described in the entrance tickets and official sources to avoid falling into scams. Minors, if I’m not mistaken up to 15 years, do not pay the entrance.
The Taj Mahal has strong security control, so take only what you need in your backpack, as everything is searched at the entrance. And of course, never fail to take your identification document. Items such as knives, cigarettes, and lighters, food, drinks, electronics (except cameras) are prohibited. Cell phone chargers may also be held during the security check. I had taken my phone charger, but we never know what the security guards will decide, so I recommend taking an extra charger. It’s India.
As the Taj Mahal is also very visited by Indian tourists from all parts of the country, including those who are not used to foreigners, it is worth paying attention to cultural differences that can cause discomfort. White-skinned women draw a lot of attention from Indian men, who often ask to take pictures as if they are the main attraction, and it is also necessary to be careful in how to dress in India so as not to attract unwanted attention nor sexual harassment.
Travel tips before and after Agra
If you arrive in India via Delhi airport, one possibility is to take the Delhi-Agra-Jaipur route and other cities in northern India. If you arrive in Mumbai, it is worth considering the route to the state of Rajasthan, then go to Agra and Delhi. Not all cities have train lines to Agra, so the logistics depend on where you are departing from. I did a roundtrip from Jaipur to Agra by bus leaving on a Friday night and returning to Jaipur on Sunday morning.
No doubt the Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful landmarks in the world and deserves to be on the itinerary of every traveler who goes to India. Every effort to get there is worth it.
Originally posted 2022-01-31 01:12:27.
