{"id":39905,"date":"2022-11-27T18:05:23","date_gmt":"2022-11-27T17:05:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sommertage.com\/?p=39905"},"modified":"2023-11-24T17:00:39","modified_gmt":"2023-11-24T16:00:39","slug":"taj-mahal-sunrise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sommertage.com\/en\/taj-mahal-sunrise\/","title":{"rendered":"Sunrise at the Taj Mahal: Travel Guide and Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Taj Mahal<\/strong>: wonder of the world, landmark and architectural masterpiece. No building in the world gave us goosebumps<\/strong> like the world famous marble mausoleum in northern India did. The Taj Mahal rises majestically up into the sky. Even the crowds can\u2019t get in the way of its incredible magic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best time to visit the Taj Mahal is, without a doubt, at sunrise<\/strong>. Believe us: you will never forget seeing the Taj Mahal for the first time at dawn. It doesn\u2019t get any more beautiful than this!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this travel guide we let you in on everything there is to see on a visit to the Taj Mahal. We also show you everything else there is to experience in Agra and reveal our personal travel tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"Agra<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1. Taj Mahal Travel Guide: Info & Useful Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What many people don\u2019t know: the Taj Mahal is a mausoleum<\/strong> and not a palace, as it is often called. But what an incredible one! The Taj Mahal was built almost 400 years ago by the then Indian Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, for his late wife. It is said that 20,000 workers were involved in the construction of the monument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Taj Mahal embodies architectural perfection<\/strong>. It is made of bright white marble<\/strong>, which shines even in hazy weather. Let\u2019s not forget the sheer perfect harmony of the proportions: the mighty, striking dome is surrounded by four minarets<\/strong> \u2013 one of the most famous silhouettes in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do I get to Agra\/the Taj Mahal?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Taj Mahal is located on the city outskirts of Agra<\/strong> \u2013 an otherwise less than spectacular city, located around 200 kilometres south of Delhi<\/a>. Most people will travel to Agra from Delhi. We can warmly recommend covering this distance by train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The train ride from Delhi to Agra takes 2 to 3 hours, depending on the train. There are countless connections each day. Our choice fell on the Shatadbi Express<\/strong> (train number 12002). It leaves Delhi from the New Delhi Railway Station<\/strong> early in the morning at 6am and arrives almost 2 hours later at 7:57am in Agra. We thoroughly enjoyed this morning train ride!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not so easy to book a ticket<\/strong> from within Europe, because there are not only countless providers, but you often also need an Indian phone number for the booking. Although, you can book without a problem via the provider 12go.asia.<\/p>\n\n\n

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You can book your ticket here:<\/strong> Train ticket Delhi-Agra via 12go.asia<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"Delhi<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Agra<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How much time should I allow for the Taj Mahal?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The bad news<\/strong>: visiting the site has been limited<\/strong> for some time now. You are allowed to stay a maximum of three hours<\/strong> in the Taj Mahal area with your ticket. Unfortunately, if you stay longer, you have to pay a fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We would stay one or two nights<\/strong> in Agra itself. There are other places worth visiting in Agra, aside from the Taj Mahal, such as the Agra Fort. There are also some worthwhile viewpoints around the Taj Mahal that will give you a new perspective on the world wonder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prices & opening times<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Entrance<\/strong>: The standard ticket for tourists costs 1,100 Indian rupees. It is 200 Indian rupees in addition to get into the Mausoleum. (You save 50 Indian rupees when you purchase online.)
Opening times:<\/strong> The Taj Mahal opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes before sunset. This means the opening times vary a little depending on the time of year. The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important info for buying a ticket<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are three entrances to the Taj Mahal, although tickets can only currently (as of early 2020) be bought at two of them: the Taj Mahal Western Gate<\/strong> and the Taj Mahal Eastern Gate<\/strong>. The Southern Gate is used exclusively as an exit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ticket office at both places (Western and Eastern Gate) opens an hour before sunrise<\/strong> and is open until 45 minutes before sunset. Locals usually use The Western Gate. The travel groups tend to gather at the Eastern Gate, which is why it can be quite busy in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is then about a 15 minute walk<\/strong> from both gates to the actual entrance into the main area of the Taj Mahal. Alternatively, you can also travel this stretch in a rickshaw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are security checks<\/strong> in front of the actual entrance into the main part of the Taj Mahal. There are separate lines for men and women. We had to wait about another 10 to 15 minutes here before we got inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important info: if you purchase a ticket at the ticket office as soon as the counter opens, you definitely won\u2019t manage to be first inside the main area of the Taj Mahal, because by then a lot of people who already have their tickets will have gathered in front of the security check. You can also purchase your ticket online<\/strong>. Many travellers will have also been given their tickets in advance from their tour operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can book a ticket in advance here:<\/strong> Taj Mahal Online Ticket<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FYI: although it is the is the official website, it is not only slow but also confusing. We also heard that booking the ticket often doesn\u2019t work. So simply try your luck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel guide for northern India: our recommendation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Does your trip take you through the Golden Triangle<\/a> and Rajasthan? Then we have a tip for you: The Lonely Planet Rajasthan, Delhi & Agra<\/a> is very well laid<\/strong> out and attractively designed. Clear recommendation!<\/p>\n\n\n

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You can purchase the travel guide here:<\/strong> Lonely Planet Rajasthan, Delhi & Agra<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"Taj<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Sunrise at the Taj Mahal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you get in early, you can avoid the crowds<\/strong> at many sights: not at the Taj Mahal! You need to be aware it is practically impossible to photograph the Taj Mahal without people. The morning is one of the most popular times to visit the Taj Mahal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news: We would still definitely recommend you visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, because the light<\/strong> is simply magical! With a bit of luck you can look forward to a bit (not too much) of morning fog and a truly unique, very mystical ambience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In front of us stands the Taj Mahal, shimmering gold in the morning fog. We have to pause to realise how beautiful it is.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The earlier you come, the better!<\/strong> As we mentioned, the area (not the ticket counter) opens half an hour before sunrise. And some time before this, a line is already forming at the security check. If you really want to be right at the front, you need to buy your ticket online in advance (see info above) and get there as early as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recommend you don\u2019t stress too much about it. We were far from being the first there and still found the atmosphere breath taking! The crowds also move along quite well \u2013 especially in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Agra<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"Taj<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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