What Are the Taj Mahal Timings, Ticket Prices and Friday Closure Rules?
Summary
The Taj Mahal is open daily from around sunrise to sunset (roughly 6:00 am to 7:00 pm), and stays closed every Friday for prayers. Entry tickets are set by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): about ₹50 for Indian/OCI visitors, ₹540 for SAARC/BIMSTEC citizens and ₹1,100 for foreign tourists, with an optional extra ₹200 to enter the main mausoleum. Children below 15 enter free. There is also special night viewing on five nights around the full moon (not Fridays). This guide covers the Taj Mahal timings and ticket price in full, the Friday closure rule, the best time to visit, and how to plan an easy trip from Faridabad and the NCR. Ticket prices and timings are set by the ASI and change from time to time, so always confirm the current rates and rules before you book.
Key Takeaways
- Timings: roughly sunrise to sunset (about 6:00 am – 7:00 pm), daily.
- Closed Fridays – plan your visit for any other day.
- Tickets (ASI): ~₹50 Indian/OCI, ~₹540 SAARC/BIMSTEC, ~₹1,100 foreign.
- Main mausoleum: optional extra ~₹200.
- Children under 15: free entry.
- Night viewing: 5 nights around the full moon (not Fridays), separate booking.
- Confirm current rates – the ASI updates prices and rules periodically.
Taj Mahal timings
The Taj Mahal is generally open from about sunrise to sunset – commonly given as roughly 6:00 am to 7:00 pm – every day except Friday. Exact opening and closing shift a little with the season and the sun, and tickets are sold at the Western and Eastern gates. Arriving soon after opening is the sweet spot: the marble looks its best in soft morning light, the air is cooler, and crowds are thinner.
For a Taj Mahal sunrise visit, plan to be at the gate before opening so you are among the first in. Sunrise and the couple of hours after are widely considered the most beautiful and comfortable window, especially in summer when midday can be very hot.
Taj Mahal ticket prices
Entry tickets are set by the Archaeological Survey of India. As a current guide (always confirm before booking):
| Visitor type | Approx. entry fee | Main mausoleum (optional) |
|---|---|---|
| Indian / OCI cardholders | ₹50 | +₹200 |
| SAARC / BIMSTEC citizens | ₹540 | +₹200 |
| Foreign tourists | ₹1,100 | +₹200 |
| Children below 15 years | Free | – |
A few things worth knowing about the fees: the base ticket lets you into the complex and gardens, while the extra ₹200 is only needed if you want to step inside the main mausoleum. Children under 15 enter free for both Indian and foreign visitors. Tickets can usually be bought online in advance or at the gate – online often means a smoother entry. These are ASI-set prices and do change, so treat the figures as indicative and check the latest before you go.
Planning a Taj Mahal visit from the NCR?
Book a comfortable cab from Faridabad to Agra – a dawn pickup so you catch the Taj at its best, and a driver for the whole day.
The Friday closure rule
This is the one rule every visitor must remember: the Taj Mahal is closed to tourists every Friday. The monument stays shut for the day (associated with Friday prayers at the on-site mosque), so no general sightseeing entry is allowed. If you turn up on a Friday, you will not be able to go in.
So the golden rule is simple: plan your Agra trip for any day except Friday. If your travel dates are fixed and include a Friday, use that day for other Agra sights – like Agra Fort or Mehtab Bagh – and see the Taj on a different day. Always double-check the day of the week when you lock in your plan.
Taj Mahal night viewing
Beyond daytime hours, the Taj offers special night viewing on a limited basis – generally five nights each month: the night of the full moon, plus the two nights before and two after, excluding Fridays. Sessions run in the late evening (commonly around 8:30 pm to 12:30 am) in small timed batches, with limited numbers, and require advance booking (typically a day ahead) with reporting near the Eastern Gate area.
Night viewing is a separate, ticketed experience with its own rules and limited seats, and dates depend on the lunar calendar, so it needs planning ahead. If a moonlit Taj is your dream, check the current schedule and booking process well before your trip, as slots fill up.
Best time to visit the Taj Mahal
Two kinds of “best time” matter – the time of day and the time of year:
| Consideration | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Time of day | Early morning / sunrise | Soft light, cool air, thinner crowds |
| Time of year | Roughly October–March | Pleasant weather; avoid peak summer heat |
| Day of week | Any day except Friday | The Taj is closed on Fridays |
| Special experience | Full-moon night viewing | A rare moonlit view, booked in advance |
Put simply: aim for an early-morning visit on a non-Friday, ideally in the cooler months, and you get the Taj at its most magical with the least hassle. Summer visits are still fine – just go early and stay hydrated.
Time your Agra trip right
We’ll plan your pickup around the Taj’s timings and your travel day – book a comfortable cab from Faridabad to Agra.
Planning your Taj Mahal trip from Faridabad
Agra is roughly 180 to 210 km from Faridabad, about a 3.5 to 4 hour drive, most comfortably via the Yamuna Expressway. That makes an early-start day trip very doable: leave the NCR by around 6 to 7 am, reach Agra by late morning, and you have the whole day for the Taj and Agra Fort. For a sunrise visit, an even earlier start – or an overnight stay in Agra – works best.
A pre-booked cab is the easiest way to make the early departure happen. A Faridabad to Agra cab gives you a dawn doorstep pickup, a driver who handles the highway, and the car with you all day for moving between the Taj, the Fort and lunch – so your energy goes into the sights, not the logistics.
If you are comparing options or want a group vehicle, Cab Rental Hub Faridabad can size the cab to your party and arrange a one-way or round trip to suit your plan.
Catch the Taj at sunrise
An early pickup from Faridabad gets you to Agra for the best light – tell us your date and we’ll plan the cab and timing.
Extending the trip: the Golden Triangle
Many travellers pair Agra with Jaipur to complete the classic Delhi–Agra–Jaipur “Golden Triangle.” After the Taj and Agra Fort, Jaipur adds the Pink City’s forts, palaces and bazaars for a rich, well-rounded few days. It is one of the most popular multi-day trips in North India.
For the Jaipur leg from the NCR side, a comfortable pre-booked cab keeps the whole circuit seamless. Booking a Faridabad to Jaipur cab means door-to-door travel with a driver handling the highway – the same easy experience as your Agra trip, extended to the Pink City.
Conclusion
To sum up: the Taj Mahal is open roughly sunrise to sunset (about 6:00 am to 7:00 pm) every day except Friday, when it is closed. ASI tickets are about ₹50 for Indian/OCI visitors, ₹540 for SAARC/BIMSTEC citizens and ₹1,100 for foreign tourists, with an optional ₹200 for the main mausoleum and free entry for children under 15. Special full-moon night viewing runs on five nights a month with advance booking. Aim for an early-morning, non-Friday visit in the cooler months for the best experience, and let a comfortable cab handle the drive from Faridabad. Prices and timings are ASI-set and change, so always confirm the current details before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the Taj Mahal timings?
The Taj Mahal is generally open from about sunrise to sunset – commonly given as roughly 6:00 am to 7:00 pm – every day except Friday. Exact opening and closing shift slightly with the season and the sun. Tickets are sold at the Western and Eastern gates. Arriving soon after opening is best: the marble looks its finest in soft morning light, the air is cooler and the crowds are thinner. Confirm current timings before you travel.
How much is a Taj Mahal ticket?
Entry tickets are set by the Archaeological Survey of India. As a current guide, they are about ₹50 for Indian and OCI visitors, ₹540 for SAARC/BIMSTEC citizens, and ₹1,100 for foreign tourists, with an optional extra ₹200 to enter the main mausoleum. Children below 15 enter free for both domestic and international visitors. These are ASI-set prices that change from time to time, so always confirm the latest rates before booking.
Is the Taj Mahal closed on Friday?
Yes – the Taj Mahal is closed to tourists every Friday. The monument stays shut for the day (associated with Friday prayers at the on-site mosque), so no general sightseeing entry is allowed. Plan your visit for any day except Friday. If your fixed dates include a Friday, use that day for other Agra sights like Agra Fort or Mehtab Bagh, and see the Taj on a different day.
Do children have to pay to enter the Taj Mahal?
No – children below the age of 15 enter the Taj Mahal free of charge, and this applies to both Indian and foreign visitors. Only visitors aged 15 and above need a paid ticket. As always, ASI rules can change, so it is worth confirming the current policy when you book, and carrying ID for older children if age needs to be verified at the gate.
Can you visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise?
Yes, and it is one of the best times to go. For a sunrise visit, plan to be at the gate before opening (around 6:00 am, depending on the season) so you are among the first in. The soft early light on the white marble, the cooler air and the thinner crowds make sunrise and the couple of hours after the most beautiful and comfortable window – especially in summer, when midday can be very hot.
What is Taj Mahal night viewing and how does it work?
Night viewing is a special, limited experience offered on five nights each month – the full-moon night plus two nights before and two after, excluding Fridays. Sessions run in the late evening in small timed batches with limited numbers, and require advance booking (typically a day ahead) with reporting near the Eastern Gate area. It is a separate ticket, and dates depend on the lunar calendar, so check the current schedule and book well ahead.
When is the best time to visit the Taj Mahal?
Aim for early morning (sunrise or soon after) on any day except Friday, ideally in the cooler months of roughly October to March for pleasant weather. That combination gives you the best light, comfortable temperatures and thinner crowds. Summer visits are still fine – just go early and stay hydrated. For a rare treat, the full-moon night viewing is special but needs advance booking and depends on the lunar calendar.
How do you reach the Taj Mahal from Faridabad?
Agra is roughly 180 to 210 km from Faridabad, about a 3.5 to 4 hour drive, most comfortably via the Yamuna Expressway. An early-start day trip is very doable: leave the NCR by around 6 to 7 am and you have the full day for the Taj and Agra Fort. For a sunrise visit, start even earlier or stay overnight in Agra. A pre-booked cab with a dawn pickup makes the early start and door-to-door travel effortless.
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