Taj Mahal

Yes. The Taj Mahal is open for night viewing on the night of the full moon and two nights before and after. Only 400 visitors are allowed per night, and tickets must be booked in advance through the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Visitors are given 30-minute time slots and view the monument from a viewing platform rather than entering the main complex.

Photography is allowed freely in the outer gardens and around the reflecting pool. Inside the main mausoleum building, photography is permitted but flash photography and tripods are strictly prohibited. Drone photography requires a special permit from the ASI and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and is rarely granted to tourists.

Sunrise is widely considered the best time — the Taj Mahal glows with a soft pink-gold light and crowds are at their thinnest. Gates open at 6:00 AM (30 minutes before sunrise in winter). Late afternoon (3:00–4:00 PM) is another good window for golden-hour photography. Midday, especially between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, is the most crowded and hottest period.

A thorough visit takes between 2.5 and 4 hours. This includes time to walk through the main gateway, explore the gardens, enter the mausoleum, visit the mosque on the west side, and stop at the small on-site museum. If you want to include the nearby Mehtab Bagh garden for a rear view of the Taj across the Yamuna, budget an additional hour.

Prohibited items include food and drinks (except small water bottles), tobacco products, tripods and selfie sticks, earphones, knives, lighters, and any electrical items other than phones and cameras. Bags are scanned at the gate and prohibited items must be deposited at the storage facility near the entrance. Modest dress is expected; revealing clothing may be requested to be covered.

Tickets can be booked online through the ASI ticketing portal (asi.payumoney.com) or at the ticket counters at the East, West, and South gates. Online booking is strongly recommended during peak season (October–March) and for the night viewing slot. Entry tickets are separate from the inner mausoleum ticket (an additional ₹200 for Indians, included in the foreign-visitor ticket).

The Taj Mahal is approximately 230 km from New Delhi. The fastest option is the Gatimaan Express train from Hazrat Nizamuddin station, which covers the distance in about 100 minutes. The Shatabdi Express from New Delhi station takes roughly 2 hours. By road via the Yamuna Expressway, the journey takes around 2.5–3.5 hours depending on traffic. Avoid travelling by road during festival weekends when the expressway can experience significant delays.

Yes. The Taj Mahal is closed every Friday to allow for Juma prayers at the mosque inside the complex. It is open all other days of the week from sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset. The complex also observes limited access during significant Islamic religious occasions, so it is worth checking the ASI website before planning a Friday-adjacent visit.