Taj Mahal Tickets, Timings & Entry Fee 2026 — Complete Guide

There is one question every Agra-bound traveller types into Google before anything else: How much does it cost to get into the Taj Mahal?

It sounds simple. It isn’t.

The Taj Mahal ticket system confuses thousands of visitors every month — not because it’s complicated, but because most of what’s written about it online is outdated, incomplete, or misses the one detail that trips people up at the gate: there are two separate tickets, not one.

This guide covers everything you need to know for 2026 — the correct entry fees by nationality, what each ticket actually covers, how to book online, what time to arrive, and the mistakes that turn a dream visit into a frustrating one.

Taj Mahal Entry Fee 2026 — Full Breakdown

The Taj Mahal uses a three-tier pricing system based on nationality. Entry fees are ₹50 for Indian and OCI cardholders, ₹540 for SAARC/BIMSTEC nationals, and ₹1,100 for all other foreign tourists. Children under 15 enter free regardless of nationality.

Here’s the full ticket breakdown in one table:

*SAARC/BIMSTEC includes Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Myanmar, and Thailand.

For foreign visitors, the total cost in international currencies works out to approximately USD 15.12, EUR 13.85, AUD 25.35, or GBP 11.85 per person for full entry including the mausoleum.

The Most Important Thing Most Blogs Don’t Tell You

There are two tickets, not one. This is where the confusion happens.

The basic entry ticket allows you to explore the gardens, the mosque, and the peripheral red sandstone buildings. To actually step onto the raised marble platform and enter the inner sanctum containing the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, you must pay an additional ₹200 supplement on top of any entry ticket.

Most people come to the Taj Mahal to stand inside that chamber — to see the marble screens, hear the extraordinary acoustics, and stand in the presence of the tombs themselves. That experience requires the ₹200 add-on. We recommend 95% of first-time visitors pay for the full experience.

The only reason to skip it is if you’ve visited before and have seen the interior already, or if you’re working with an extremely tight budget and the garden-level view is sufficient.

One more practical point: shoe covers are included in the ticket price for those entering the mausoleum. You don’t need to bring your own.

Free Entry Days at the Taj Mahal in 2026

The Taj Mahal offers free entry on select days in 2026. Entry is free during Shah Jahan’s annual Urs and World Heritage Week, which runs from November 19 to 25. The ASI may also announce additional free days throughout the year.

If your travel dates fall within this window, it’s a significant saving — especially for families. That said, free entry days draw substantially larger crowds, so weigh the cost saving against the experience.

Taj Mahal Timings 2026

Opening and Closing Hours

The Taj Mahal opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes before sunset during normal operating days.

Because this is tied to natural light rather than fixed clock times, the actual opening hour shifts throughout the year:

Ticket Counter Hours

Ticket counters at the Western Gate and Eastern Gate open one hour before sunrise and close 45 minutes before sunset. This is the cut-off most visitors miss — if you arrive at the ticket counter after this window, you’ll be turned away even if the gates are technically still open. Plan accordingly and build in buffer time.

Closed Day — Every Friday

The Taj Mahal remains closed every Friday for regular tourist visits. It opens only for Islamic prayers at the mosque inside the complex.

This is non-negotiable and catches a surprising number of visitors off guard. If you’re planning a Delhi to Agra day trip, never schedule it on a Friday. Many travellers from Delhi use Friday as a travel day — drive down on Friday evening and start with a Taj Mahal sunrise visit on Saturday morning. That’s a smart approach that Squid Travel India recommends for weekend trips.

The 3-Hour Slot Rule

As of 2026, entry tickets are valid for a duration of 3 hours. If you exceed this time, you may be asked to pay an additional fee at the exit gate. For most visitors 3 hours is sufficient, but plan your time inside accordingly. Enforcement is generally relaxed on quiet weekday mornings but stricter during peak season.

Night Viewing at the Taj Mahal

One of the most magical experiences Agra offers — and one most visitors don’t know exists.

During the full moon, the monument keeps its gates open for night viewing from 8:30 PM to 12:30 AM, plus two days before and after the full moon, totalling five nights per lunar cycle.

Night viewing is available in batches of 50 visitors for 30 minutes each. Tickets must be booked 24 hours in advance at the ASI office. Night viewing is not available on Fridays or during Ramadan.

The Taj Mahal by moonlight is genuinely otherworldly. The white marble picks up the lunar glow and appears almost luminescent. If your travel dates align with a full moon, this is an experience worth planning around. Night viewing tickets are separate from daytime entry and must be booked well in advance — they sell out fast.

Best Time to Visit the Taj Mahal in 2026

By Time of Day

Sunrise — the undisputed best.

The first 60–90 minutes after gates open give you the monument in near-solitude, cool air, and golden morning light that makes the white marble glow. Hour by hour: 5:30 AM — gates open, security queue short (10–20 minutes); 6:00–6:30 AM — golden hour, soft directional light, best photography; 7:00 AM — crowds begin to build; 8:00 AM — tourist buses arrive.

If you’re doing a day trip from Delhi with Squid Travel India, we always depart by 5:00–5:30 AM specifically to put you inside the gates at or just after opening. The difference between arriving at 6:30 AM and 9:30 AM is the difference between a spiritual experience and a crowded one.

Late Afternoon — the second-best window.

The light starts becoming golden again and crowds thin out as day-trippers leave. The Taj Mahal takes on warm, romantic tones as the sun moves toward the horizon. For sunset viewing, enter by 4:00 PM in winter or 5:00 PM in summer.

Midday — avoid if possible.

Between 10 AM and 3 PM the sun is directly overhead, the marble reflects harsh white light, heat (particularly in summer) is intense, and crowds are at their peak. Not the right time for first-time visitors.

By Month

The shoulder seasons of October–November and February–March offer the best balance of clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and good visibility. December–January is peak season with the most crowds and morning fog. Summer (April–June) sees extreme heat but fewer tourists at sunrise.

A note on winter fog: on foggy days, the Taj Mahal often becomes clearly visible only after 8:00–9:00 AM, even if the gates open earlier. Fog is common between December and early February. It creates a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere, but if you want sharp photography, October–November or February–March are safer bets.

Which Gate Should You Use?

There are three gates — West, East, and South. The Southern Gate currently allows exit only. Ticket counters are available at the Western Gate and the Eastern Gate.

The East Gate (near Shilpgram) is typically less crowded than the West Gate, which handles large tour buses from the city centre. If you’re arriving independently or with a private guide, the East Gate is often the smarter choice for a quicker entry — particularly during peak season.

Your Squid Travel India guide will assess queue conditions on the day and route you to the faster entry point.

How to Book Taj Mahal Tickets Online

Online booking is strongly recommended, especially for sunrise visits and peak season (October to March). Tickets can book out — particularly the sunrise slots — and you don’t want to discover that at the gate at 6 AM.

Official booking channels:

• asi.payumoney.com — the ASI’s official payment portal
• asiagracircle.in — the ASI Agra Circle website

You can pay using credit/debit cards, UPI, and digital wallets when booking online via the official ASI website or authorised ticket sellers.

What you’ll need:

• Valid passport (mandatory for all foreign nationals — carry the original, not just a photocopy)
• Email address for ticket delivery
• Payment method

Book at least 48 hours in advance during peak season. For night viewing, book at the ASI office in Agra at least 24 hours ahead.

If you’re travelling with Squid Travel India, all ticket bookings are handled as part of your tour package — no queuing, no last-minute scramble.

What’s Not Allowed Inside the Taj Mahal

Security is thorough and enforced consistently. Know what to leave in the car before you join the queue:

Prohibited items:

• Food and drinks (water is permitted)
• Tobacco and cigarettes
• Tripods and selfie sticks with metal extenders
• Drones and remote-controlled devices
• Large backpacks (small bags are permitted and checked)
• Chargers and laptops
• Earphones

Photography: Fully permitted throughout the complex, including inside the mausoleum. Photography is free, but tripods and drones are not allowed.

Footwear: Shoes must be removed or covered before stepping onto the marble platform. Shoe covers are included in the ticket price and distributed at the base of the platform steps.

Dress code: No strict religious dress code applies for tourists, but modest clothing is respectful and practical. Avoid shorts and sleeveless tops if possible — you’ll be entering an active mosque complex.

Additional Costs to Factor In

The entry ticket isn’t the only expense at the Taj Mahal. Here’s what else you may spend:

If you’re doing a full Agra day trip, factor in Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh — both are UNESCO-listed or historically significant sites and well worth the additional entry cost.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Arriving without a passport. Foreign nationals must carry their original passport. A photocopy or phone photo is not accepted at the ticket counter.

Planning your visit on a Friday. The single most common and easily avoidable mistake.

Skipping the mausoleum ticket. The ₹200 add-on is what gets you inside the actual chamber. Don’t discover this after you’re already inside the complex.

Arriving at 10 AM. You’ll face peak crowds, harsh overhead light, and maximum heat. The Taj Mahal rewards early risers.

Missing the ticket counter closing time. Counters close 45 minutes before sunset. This is earlier than most people expect.

Not booking in advance during peak season. October to March is busy. Sunrise slots especially sell out. Book at least 48 hours ahead.

Visiting the Taj Mahal with Squid Travel India

The logistics of a Taj Mahal visit — tickets, timing, gate selection, photography spots, guide knowledge — are all significantly easier when you’re not managing them yourself on the day.

Squid Travel India’s Agra day tour from Delhi covers private AC transport, a licensed English-speaking guide, all monument entry fees including the mausoleum ticket, and a quality lunch in Agra. We depart Delhi by 5:00–5:30 AM to ensure sunrise entry, and we handle all advance ticket bookings so you walk straight in.

We’ve completed over 1,800 tours with a 98% satisfaction rate and a TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for 2024–25. The Taj Mahal is the centrepiece of every Golden Triangle tour we run, and we’ve refined every detail of how this day works.

Book your Agra day trip with Squid Travel India →
Or call us: +91 9990812499

Taj Mahal Tickets — Quick Reference Summary

Squid Travel India is a New Delhi-based, award-winning tour operator specialising in Golden Triangle tours, Rajasthan packages, South India and Kerala tours, and wildlife safaris across India.