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How to Skip the Line at the Taj Mahal

By the BeatTheCrowd team · Updated 20 October 2026 · 4 min read

Quick answer

Buy your ticket online on the official ASI portal to skip the ticket counter, then use the East Gate, which usually has the shortest line. Arrive before sunrise, when the gates open, and remember the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. Leave food, tripods and drones behind so security is quick.

At a glance

Foreign visitor ticket: About ₹1,300 total (₹1,100 entry + ₹200 for the main mausoleum). ₹50 off online
Book on: The official ASI online portal
Best gate: East Gate. Avoid the South Gate
Best time: Sunrise opening, on a weekday
Closed

How long is the line at the Taj Mahal?

There are two lines to think about: the ticket counter, which can take 30-45 minutes in peak season, and security at the gate, which usually takes 15-20 minutes. Book online and you skip the ticket counter entirely, so all that's left is security.

Security has four separate lanes at each gate: foreign men, foreign women, Indian men and Indian women. That's normal, so don't worry if your group splits up briefly.

🔑 The free skip-the-line hack

Before you plan your visit, check how busy the Taj Mahal is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for Indian holidays, school breaks and weather.

Check today’s crowds at the Taj Mahal →

Tickets and how to book

Ticket	Price	Good to know
Foreign visitors	About ₹1,100 entry + ₹200 mausoleum	The ₹200 add-on gets you inside the main tomb. ₹50 cheaper online
SAARC and Indian visitors	Lower rates	The mausoleum add-on applies too
Night viewing (selected full-moon nights)	About ₹750 for foreign visitors	Very limited and booked separately, usually at least a day ahead

Book on the official Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) portal. Foreign-visitor tickets have traditionally included shoe covers and a bottle of water. Prices and inclusions can change, so check the portal before you pay.

Gate	Line	Notes
East Gate	Usually the shortest	Near Shilpgram, where tourist vehicles park. The best choice for most visitors
West Gate	Busier	Closest to the city and the most popular with groups
South Gate	The biggest crowds	Opens later than the others. Avoid it if you're short on time

Gate

Line

Notes

East Gate

Usually the shortest

Near Shilpgram, where tourist vehicles park. The best choice for most visitors

West Gate

Busier

Closest to the city and the most popular with groups

South Gate

The biggest crowds

Opens later than the others. Avoid it if you're short on time

Best (and worst) times to go

Sunrise: gates open about 30 minutes before sunrise, and the first hour is the calmest and coolest, with soft light on the marble. Lines start forming early, so aim to be there before opening.

Late afternoon: crowds thin out an hour or two before closing, and the marble glows warm in the low sun.

Worst: mid-morning to mid-afternoon, weekends, and Indian public holidays and festival periods, when domestic visitors arrive in huge numbers.

Friday: closed to visitors (only for prayers at the mosque), so Thursday and Saturday are often busier.

Season: October to March is the pleasant, peak season. April to June is very hot and quieter. The monsoon (July to September) is green but wet.

🔑 The free skip-the-line hack

Our hourly forecast for the Taj Mahal shows how busy each hour is expected to be on your date, including Indian public holidays.

Check today’s crowds at the Taj Mahal →

Insider tips that actually save time

Pack almost nothing. Food, tripods, drones, selfie sticks, tobacco and large bags aren't allowed, and checking them in costs time. Your phone, camera, wallet and water are fine.

Go straight to the mausoleum first, then explore the gardens and the mosque once the crowds build.

Watch your step on the plinth. You'll need shoe covers (or to go barefoot) on the marble platform.

Photograph the classic view from the far end of the gardens early, before the central walkway fills up.

Agree a meeting point if your group splits into different security lanes.

Practical info

Hours	From 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset. Closed every Friday.
Getting close	Vehicles can't drive right up. Electric buggies and golf carts run from the parking areas to the gates.
How long to allow	2 to 3 hours.
Dress	No strict dress code, but modest clothing is respectful, and you'll need shoe covers on the plinth.

FAQs

How much is the Taj Mahal ticket for foreigners?

About ₹1,300 in total: ₹1,100 entry plus ₹200 to go inside the main mausoleum. It's ₹50 cheaper when booked online.

Which gate of the Taj Mahal is best?

The East Gate usually has the shortest line. The South Gate is the busiest and opens later.

Is the Taj Mahal open on Fridays?

No. It's closed to visitors every Friday, when only prayers at the mosque are allowed.

What is the best time to visit the Taj Mahal?

Sunrise, on a weekday from October to March. Check our live crowd tracker for your date.

What can't you take into the Taj Mahal?

Food, tripods, drones, selfie sticks, tobacco products and large bags. Bring just the essentials.