Taj Mahal Travel Tips {Good To Know}
Post Last Modified – March 23, 2023 ¦ gr8traveltips.com
Tips For An Amazing Taj Mahal Tour
Table of Contents
It’s always a pleasure to receive guest author articles from experienced travelers and others on specific destinations and attractions around the world. 🌎
I was delighted to collaborate with this author, on one of {The Seven Wonders of the World}, – The Magnificent Taj Mahal. This post offers a few excellent – Taj Mahal Travel Tips – that are good to know if planning a visit for the first time.
India had always been on the top of my {Travel Bucket List} for many years and especially to this region in India. In late 2016, my son and I traveled to India for the very first time.
It was an incredible experience!
For those of you who may be planning a visit, I hope some of these tips and my other posts on India, will assist you when visiting this amazing country for the first time.
Taj Mahal Travel Tips – For First Time Visitors
The 🛕 Taj Mahal doesn’t require any introduction, as it is well-known throughout the world as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This wonderful monument made of white marble is famous as a symbol of love.
It is so named, as it was built by one of the Mughal Emperors named {Shah Jahan} in the memory of his beloved wife – Mumtaz Mahal.
This beautiful {Mausoleum}, is without a doubt, the – Major Attraction of Agra, India. Millions of locals and tourists from across the world, come to experience this historic site every year.
It is located on the southern bank of River Yamuna. The Taj Mahal was designated as a {UNESCO World Heritage Site}, back in 1983.
Around 20,000 artisans were employed to get the construction of Taj Mahal completed, back in the 1600’s. It is estimated that 32 million Indian Rupees were spent on the construction.
The beautiful 💐 floral design on the walls of Taj Mahal represent rich Mughal architecture.
This amazing monument changes color due to the different density of light throughout the day!
The Taj Mahal Location
Taj Mahal was a well planned monument at the time of construction, selecting a very good location. Shah Jahan had chosen the location very wisely.
It is a very peaceful site, where the Taj Mahal has been located. Secondly, it is located on the southern bank of the River Yamuna, which is about 1.5 miles away from the – City of Agra.
With the strategy to have a view of the marvelous mausoleum of his favorite Queen from Agra Fort (his Palace at that time), the emperor chose this location for the Taj Mahal. As well, with the location next to the River Yamuna, it offered a calm and scenic surrounding.
Not only this, it also catered to the need of water required during its construction, and served the purpose for laying out the lush green gardens.
How to Get To The Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal from Agra Fort
Getting to and from the Taj Mahal is not a difficult task, as it is located right in the City of Agra today. Agra is the 19th most populous city in all of India.
The Taj Mahal is easily accessible by hiring a 🛺 tuk tuk, or 🚕 taxi, as it is only 6 kilometers away from Agra city center.
The city is also very well connected through national highways, making it accessible from all major cities of India by road.
It also has a good network of 🚃 railways with three major railway stations. 🚂 Agra Fort Railway Station is located at a walking distance of 10 to 15 minutes from the; Taj Mahal, Agra Cantt and Raja ki Mandi.
These stations have access to the trains coming from virtually every part of the country.
As well, getting to Agra and the Taj Mahal is accessible by air. The ✈ Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Airport is situated 5 kilometers away from Agra City Center, with regular flights to and from – Indira Gandhi International Airport Delhi.
Several international flights from all over the world arrive daily at this International Airport in India.
Essential Taj Mahal Travel Tips
Taj Mahal from the Mahtab Bagh
Below, are a few helpful tips when visiting the {Taj Mahal}, for the first time.
1) In order to avoid crowds and to enjoy your visit the most, try to arrive as early as possible. It opens at 6 am and becomes extremely busy very quickly.
Try to make it out early, to beat the crowds, heat and the opportunity for the 📸pictures, without any interruption.
2) The Taj Mahal remains overly crowded throughout the year. Therefore, it is recommended to try and visit the monument during the off season, that is during summer months.
3) Do not carry snacks, lighters or any flammable or sharp items. You will have to undergo a security check at the main entrance.
Men and women need to make separate queues, as you may be searched thoroughly.
4) You can hire a 🚶 guide at the site, who will inform you of the history associated with Taj Mahal as he/she guides you along.
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5) Do visit {The Agra Fort} after the Taj Mahal, before heading back towards the town center.
6) During the winter months, try to arrive a little later, as the mornings can be foggy. At certain times, the Taj Mahal may be completely covered with 🌫 thick fog.
7) Although not compulsory, it is recommended to cover up as much as you can, out of respect for the country.
You can wear long dresses, maxi skirts or loose fitting trousers, which can be found easily in Indian markets. In addition, you can also carry a scarf.
8) Also, be sure to plan a visit to the {Mahtab Bagh}, across the river. From here, there’s an amazing view of the – Taj Mahal.
Just up river, you can capture some amazing 📸 photographs of this – Marvelous Wonder – at sunset!
This site is truly one of the – Seven Wonders of the World! 🌎
Having returned from 7 weeks travel throughout India and visited the Taj Mahal, I thought I would throw in a few more tips in addition to the guest author’s.
Ones that we discovered while visiting this – Stunning Historical Site!
Updated Travel Tips
Arrive Early
We arrived very early in the morning, and the site was absolutely packed with visitors. The Annual Diwali Festival was happening at this time of year, making for an increased number of visitors.
The plus side was, Foreigners have {Special Lines}, at the Ticket Booth and Security located at the main entrance. As well, once inside and at the entrance to the Taj Mahal, foreigners also have priority access.
Bonus! 🙂
Beware of Scammers
As soon as you arrive, you will be hounded by touts and scammers. Be firm and ignore them. Don’t take anything from these people!
They will offer you bottled water and lead you to the Ticket Counter. They will say it’s free, but only want to be your tour guide and some will try to take you for anything else they can.
I finally had to put the foot down to one persistent fellow saying to him;
“You are wasting your time, leave me alone!”
Be direct, look them in the eye and they will go away.
Beware of Your Belongings
It is very crowded and busy outside the gates. Everyone will approach you with things to sell, be your guide and so forth. My advice is to get out of the crowd as quickly as you can and make your way to the 🎫 ticket counter, on your own.
Once inside the entrance to the Taj Mahal, there are plenty of places to sit and relax away from the crowds, and to view this magnificent Mausoleum.
It is beautiful and definitely worth the visit. These tips are for when you are traveling on your own to the site, and not while on a fully guided tour.
Below, I have listed a link to the 🏵 Official Government Tourism website to the Taj Mahal, where you can access much more detailed information. Enjoy your visit!
Update 2022
I am hoping to return to India once again in the very near future, as soon as this dreadful pandemic is done with and safe to travel once again.
I’m looking forward to seeing much more of the country and spending time at some of their beautiful 🪔 Ayurveda Retreats In India.
😎 Safe and Healthy Travels!
All personal 📸 photographs on this post are the property of gr8traveltips.com and are copyright protected. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. 🚫
I am happy to present this collaborative guest post in the hopes of offering travel inspiration and helpful information to you as well.
✨ Did You Know …
🏪 Hotel Dazzle In Agra – Review
🚂 India Train Travel Tips – Indian Railways
🐫 Top 10 Best Things To See & Do In India
🙂 Don’t Forget It … Be Sure To Pin It! 🙂
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