Is Taj Mahal Overrated or Worth Visiting? What You Need to Know about Taj Mahal Before Visiting
To be honest, the only reason I visited the Taj Mahal was for bragging rights. After all, it’s one of the Seven New Wonders of the World, and that alone increases its brag value by at least tenfold.
When I travel, I’m usually drawn to nature, food, and local experiences. Buildings don’t excite me all that much. But you can’t really say you’ve been to India without a photo in front of the Taj Mahal, right?
Table of Contents
What exactly is the Taj Mahal?
Arguably the most beautiful building in the world, the Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum sitting inside a 42-acre complex that includes a mosque, a guest house, and formal Mughal gardens.
It was built in the 17th century by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his late wife Mumtaz Mahal, which is why it’s often called the ultimate monument of love.
What's so special about the Taj Mahal?
The Taj Mahal took 20 years to complete. Around 20,000 workers, artisans, and stonemasons were involved, along with 1,000 elephants to transport materials.
Shah Jahan reportedly spent 32 million rupees on the project (close to USD 1 billion in today’s value!).
Beyond the dazzling white marble, here are a few reasons UNESCO describes it as the jewel of Muslim art in India:
1. The Taj Mahal has near-perfect symmetry, from the main dome and surrounding minarets, to the gardens and canals.
2. The minarets are placed in a specific way to create an optical illusion, so that when you enter the gate, the monument appears close and large, but as you approach it, it shrinks in size. The minarets appear to be perfectly upright but actually lean outward.
3. The walls of Taj Mahal are covered with beautiful engravings and pietra dura, which is a method of inlaying marble with precious stones, such as amber, coral, and jade.
4. The white marble also serves as a canvas that changes color depending on the light of the day.
5. The reflecting pool in front of the Taj Mahal creates the illusion of the whole structure being suspended in the air.
The less romantic side of the Taj Mahal
The love story behind the Taj Mahal sounds poetic, but it might actually be messier than the postcards suggest:
- Shah Jahan was married 7 times. Mumtaz was his 4th (and favorite) wife.
- Mumtaz Mahal was initially married to another man. Shah Jahan killed the husband so that he could marry her.
- She died at 39, while giving birth to her 14th child.
- After her death, Shah Jahan married her sister.
- A persistent legend claims he cut off the hands of the 20,000 workers so they could never replicate the design.
- Another tale says an artisan sabotaged the ceiling of the mausoleum after learning about the planned amputations.
- Five years after the completion, Shah Jahan’s third son overthrew him and locked him up in a tower cell at the Red Fort, overlooking the Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan spent the rest of his life looking from afar the monument he worked so hard to build.
How to get to the Taj Mahal from Delhi
The Taj Mahal isn’t in Delhi — it’s in Agra, about 230 km away — so you’ll need to travel a bit no matter what route you choose. Thankfully, it’s one of India’s most visited landmarks, so getting there is straightforward if you plan a little ahead.
By train
If you’re comfortable with public transport, trains are one of the best ways to go. There are frequent daily trains from New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin stations to Agra Cantt, the main station closest to the Taj.
The Gatimaan Express is one of the fastest options, taking roughly 2–3 hours to reach Agra. Once you arrive, it’s just a short tuk-tuk or taxi ride to the Taj.
Tip: Book tickets in advance on a site like 12Go.Asia because popular trains can sell out quickly.
By bus
Buses leave from major Delhi terminals and are a cheap way to travel (around ₹300–500 one-way). They can take 4–5 hours depending on traffic, and the ride isn’t always the most comfortable, so I’d only recommend this if you’re on a tight budget and have time to spare.
Once in Agra, like trains, you’ll need a short local ride to the Taj.
By private car
Hiring a car with a driver is the easiest if you’re not keen on navigating Indian transport on your own. The drive via the Yamuna Expressway usually takes 3.5–4 hours, and you can stop for chai, toilets, or photos whenever you want.
Most drivers will pick you up directly from your hotel in Delhi and drop you right at the Taj Mahal gate.
By air
There is a small airport in Agra, and you can fly from major Indian cities, but it’s not a common choice for a quick Delhi–Agra trip. Most tourists prefer trains or cars since they’re more direct and cheaper.
By guided tour
If you just want someone else to handle everything, a Delhi–Agra day tour is honestly one of the simplest ways. These tours usually include:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Delhi
- Transport by car or train
- Entrance tickets to the Taj Mahal (and often Agra Fort)
- A local guide who explains the history of the places you visit
What to expect at the Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal opening hours
General opening times:
- Opens: 30 minutes before sunrise
- Closes: 30 minutes before sunset
- Taj Mahal is closed to general visitors on Fridays
So instead of specific clock times, it’s tied to sunrise and sunset — which means the actual hours vary throughout the year.
Gate entry info:
- Western Gate (main gate): Tickets sold from about 1 hour before sunrise until ~45 minutes before sunset.
- Eastern Gate: Same timing as Western Gate.
- Southern Gate: Exit only, no entry.
📌 Tip: Arriving around sunrise gives you softer light and smaller crowds — ideal for photos and comfort.
Night viewing
The Taj Mahal also offers night viewing on specific days of the lunar calendar (full moon and two nights before and after), with separate ticketing and small group slots.
Tickets are available at the office of Archaeological Survey of India one day before the scheduled viewing.
Taj Mahal entrance fees
Day entry tickets (general admission):
- Foreign tourists: ₹1,100
- SAARC & BIMSTEC citizens: ₹540
- Indian citizens (including OCI/PIO): ₹50
- Children under 15: Free
Main mausoleum (inner tomb) access: Optional additional ticket: ₹200 for all visitors who want to go inside the main mausoleum chamber.
My experience at the Taj Mahal
I reached Agra by bus from Delhi in the late afternoon. From the tuk-tuk to my hostel, I caught a glimpse of the gleaming white marble in the distance. But I looked away quickly as I wanted the full reveal the next day.
I stayed at Big Brother Hostel, about a 10-minute walk from the Taj Mahal. It was basic but ridiculously cheap (Rs 130 with breakfast) and perfect for one night.
The next morning, my roommates and I set off at 6 am, right after breakfast, thinking we were early.
Boy, were we wrong!
When we got there, hundreds of people were already inside, probably queuing long before the gates even opened.
Fortunately, the line moved quickly, but security was strict. You have to go through bag checks and metal detectors. A seemingly innocent item might get confiscated if they consider it offensive or dangerous.
I had stupidly brought a book with me, thinking I’d have time to read. It was taken away at the security. Apparently the word “God” in the title was a problem.
My roommates and I didn’t hire a guide, so we just wandered around aimlessly, taking photos.
The front of the Taj Mahal was too packed, so we went round the back, and discovered that it looked almost identical to the front, except without the reflection pool and the garden.
That was good enough for us. The reflection pool had no water that day anyway.
I noticed that a lot of visitors, both locals and foreigners alike, had really dressed up for the occasion, wearing colorful saris and shawls, and twirling for the gram.
I was wearing the clothes I’d slept in the night before, and hadn’t even bothered to shower. In hindsight, I wish I had made more effort.
Next, we went inside to see the main mausoleum, where the Mughal and his beloved wife were buried. Here, you’ll have to wear protective foot covers (provided for free with your ticket), so as not to damage the marble floors.
The mausoleum doesn’t have any light on — you’ll be relying on the light coming from outside. In the mausoleum, which is quite small, there isn’t much to see other than two tombs placed side by side, so it felt a little anticlimactic.
After a quick look around, we walked back to our hostel for a second breakfast.
The Verdict
Is the Taj Mahal worth the hype?
For me, the entrance fee felt steep compared to everything else in India. That was my biggest hesitation. But considering its status as a world icon, I paid it anyway.
And yes, the Taj Mahal really is majestic. Seeing something with your own eyes after years of postcards is always surreal, like meeting the Eiffel Tower or the Great Wall of China for the first time.
Still, I wish I had rented the audio guide or read more about its architecture beforehand. Without context, it risks becoming just another beautiful building, which, honestly, was how I experienced it.
Would I recommend going?
Absolutely. But go prepared, go early, and maybe don’t show up in yesterday’s pajamas like I did.
Additional tips for visiting the Taj Mahal
- Spend a night in Agra and visit the Taj Mahal early in the morning. This helps you avoid the heat and the largest crowds, and you’ll also get better photos. Agra has plenty of accommodation options to suit all budgets.
- Hire a guide or do some research before your visit. Audio guides are also available on site.
- If the front of the Taj Mahal is too crowded for photos, walk around to the back — you’ll still get a great view of the building.
- Drone cameras are strictly prohibited inside the Taj Mahal complex.
- Visitors must remain within the monument area and follow the instructions printed on their tickets or given by ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) staff.
- Tourists must carry a valid government-issued ID at all times.
- Water bottles are allowed. Shoe covers, a water bottle, a tourist map of Agra, and battery bus or golf cart services are provided free of charge with the foreigner entry ticket.
- Free shoe racks are available below the main mausoleum.
- Ticket counters and cloak rooms are located at both the Eastern and Western gates.
Where to stay near the Taj Mahal
Here’s a list of top-rated places to stay that are within 3 kilometers from Taj Mahal:
Budget
Taj Street Hostel, Agra — 1.4 kilometers from the Taj Mahal. Features a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge, a kitchen, and a terrace. Also provides currency exchange, and bike and car hire services. All rooms include a private bathroom, while some also come with a balcony.
The Hosteller Agra — A 3-star hostel 1.6 kilometers from the Taj Mahal. Offers air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms, a shared lounge, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant.
Joey’s Hostel Agra — Air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms, about 200 meters from the Taj Mahal. Features a terrace, rooftop pool, lounge, and shared kitchen. Guests can also enjoy yoga classes, film nights, and walking tours.
Mid-range
The Orchid Retreat Agra — Air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms and garden or city views. Offers a sun terrace, garden, and yoga classes.
Alibaba’s Indiana Homestay Agra — Air-conditioned family rooms with private bathrooms, 3 km from Taj Mahal. Hospitable owner that makes you feel at home away from home.
Khas Mahal Homestay Agra — Air-conditioned family rooms with private bathrooms and garden views, 1.7 km from Taj Mahal. Also offers a terrace, lounge, and shared kitchen.
Luxury
Taj Agra — Located 1 kilometer away from the Taj, with an infinity pool, fitness center, spa, and sky lounge.
ITC Mughal, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Agra — A resort set amidst 23 acres of greenery, 3 kilometers away from Taj Mahal. Features two spacious outdoor pools, a spa, business center, fitness center, and 5 dining options.
The Oberoi Amarvilas Agra — A 5-star hotel located 600 meters from Taj Mahal. Offers beautiful rooms with modern interiors and large windows, a spa, swimming pool, gym, and four dining options including a bar with fine wines and cigars.
Have you visited the Taj Mahal? What did you think about it? Share your thought in the comment section below.
Pingback: The Worst Hotels I’ve Ever Stayed At | Ummi Goes Where?
Pingback: Is The Maldives Overrated? | Ummi Goes Where?
seronoknya dapat makan angin ke luar negara. Memang tak sabar nak travel selepas Covid19 ni reda.
Sama la. Kalau berhajat nak ke India nanti, jangan lupa jejakkan kaki di Taj Mahal. Dan ada banyak lagi destinasi lain di India ni. Boleh refer pada artikel2 saya yang lain 🙂
Good writeup. I have been to india many times but until now never been to taj mahal. I want to visit it one day too.
Thank you, Kayathre. Wow, that’s quite unusual for someone to go to India many times and not visit the Taj Mahal. For most people, this is the one thing they want to see. But I guess to each their own. You don’t have to go see a place just because everybody else does. Personally, I’m not so much into history or architecture either, and if this was any other building, I wouldn’t have bothered. But this is the famed Taj Mahal. I had to go and see if it lived up to its reputation. 😄
I visited this place when I was a kid when my parents were posted to New Delhi, India… everytime during holidays dad will drive and Taj Mahal was one of the destination. Those days it was more clean n beautiful yet sacred as still remembered when late mum found a stone that chipped off and when kept it disappeared intonthin air huhu
Oh wow, it must be so cool when your parents are posted to places like this. Must have been a great learning experience for you. I’m sure Taj Mahal was much cleaner then. It has suffered from overtourism these days.
Pingback: How to Travel in Santorini on A Budget (3d2n Itinerary for Less than $500) – Ummi Goes Where?
Wow… Tajmahal antara lokasi yang semua orang nak pegi. Nak lihat seni bina nya yang cukup klasik dengan penceritaan sejarah yang tersendiri. Dan Opkos nak selfie kat sana! Hehee…
Beruntung Ummi dah sampai.
Taj Mahal ni memang antara destinasi yang popular untuk pelancong Malaysia yang berkunjung ke India. Lebih2 lagi utk yg Muslim, sebab nak tengok senibina Islam kat sini, dan di samping tu senang nak dapat makanan halal. Ada kesempatan nanti Nina pergi la. Kalau taknak pergi sendiri, kat Malaysia rasanya banyak jual pakej pelancongan ke Agra ni. 🙂
Taj Mahal kebanggan negara India, memang ada niat nak travel ke sana, tengok gambar-gambar semua menarik.. Berangan kejap hehehe
Ya, Bonde, Taj Mahal ni memang kebanggaan negara India. Buat masa sekarang ni kita semua boleh berangan je la. Tapi bila keadaan dah ok semula nanti, Bonde cuba la plan untuk travel ke sana. 🙂
I tak pernah ada wishlist nak ke India, tapi ada wishlist nak ke Taj Mahal, so memang kena pergi India laaa kan heheehe.. yaaa sangat cantik!! Dari filem dan tengok gambar kengkawan pergi arghhhhh rasa meronta nak pergi juga… one day./..
Hahaha. Memang kena pergi India jugak la kalau mcm tu. Unless ada direct flight from KL to Agra. Lepas tu hire driver bwk pegi Taj Mahal. After dah siap ambil gambar semua, terus fly balik. Tapi rugi, sis. India ni byk sebenarnya tempat-tempat menarik. Boleh refer pada artikel-artikel saya yang lain. 😃
Thanks for the super close-up of this Taj Mahal building. Supposedly I going there earlier this year to attend my friend’s wedding but turn out we have the cancel the plan. Hopefully still get a chance to visit this place in near future.
I hope you will! If you haven’t visited India already, it’s a great country, both in size and in character. And Taj Mahal is one of the major highlights. 🙂
I never been there before. But i used to read all the information about Taj Mahal and I’ mind blown with the fact. Thank you for bring me here Ummi. Atleast i can see the picture.
You’re welcome, Qbal. It’s my pleasure to ‘bring’ my readers along in my journey. Yes, some of the facts about Taj Mahal can be mind-blowing. Whether they’re facts or myths, that’s another story.
love the detailed review here. nevertheless, it is still such a wonderful destination and i really hope to see it one day!
Thank you, Grace. Taj Mahal is indeed a wonderful destination. As is the whole country of India. I hope you’ll get to visit it someday. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this tp dari review2 yang i baca semua kata cam overrated kan? Tp berbaloi la untuk sampai sekali dlm seumur hidup sebagai pengalaman kan..hehe
Ya, Min. Sebab kalau nak kata bangunan ni bangunan tercantik di dunia, rasanya macam banyak je lagi bangunan lain yang cantik-cantik. Cuma mungkin sebab saya tak ambil guide pada hari tu, jadi saya tak nampak apa yang istimewa sangat. Agaknya kalau saya dapat penjelasan yang lebih mendalam, baru saya dapat hayati betul2 keistimewaan Taj Mahal ni.
Wow tengok gambar semua memang kita pun rasa excited! I tak rasa overrated pun. Best apa dapat jalan-jalan dan melihat culture dan negara orang 🙂
Memang best, Yaya. Tapi disebabkan tempat ni mengenakan caj yang agak mahal (sesuai dengan namanya Taj Mahal 😅), maka orang ramai pun mula pertikaikan sama ada tempat ni worth it ke tak dengan harga tu. Atau sekadar indah khabar dari rupa. Tapi itu pendapat masing2 la. Bagi saya, Taj Mahal ni memang cantik (kena pergi waktu pagi sebelum matahari naik dan ramai orang), tapi kalau nak kata bangunan tercantik di dunia, mungkin tak kot…
Cantiknya Taj Mahal. Selalu tengok gambar je. rasa teringin nak pergi sana . Insya Allah kalau ada rezeki boleh lah ke sana hehe tapi kene tunggu encik covid balik kampung la 😀
Nanti bila keadaan dah ok semula, boleh la iena start planning untuk ke Taj Mahal ni, ya. Mesti akan ada banyak promo tour package bila border dah dibuka nanti.
Memang cantik Taj Mahal l blm sampai lg ke sana mybe bila covid 19 dah aman damai blhlah fikir2 psl nak travel lg
Ya, Halimah. Taj Mahal ni memang cantik. Bila COvid 19 dah reda nanti, boleh la Halimah buat perancangan untuk berkunjung ke sini, ya.
Sangat menarik dan sudah pasti menjadi destinasi wajib kalau ke sana..
Ya, Mus. Terima kasih atas komen anda. Taj Mahal memang antara tempat yang wajib pergi kalau berkunjung ke India 🙂
I selalu juga baca sejarah taj mahal ni. Kisah2 bila nk bina, perbalahan antara muslim semua. Mcm2 juga kontroversi nya
Ya, memang macam-macam kontroversi Taj Mahal ni, cuma tak pasti je yang mana betul, yang mana tak. Kira sejarah dia tak berapa bersih la. Tapi sebagai tempat pelancongan, bangunan ni memang cantik. Tak kisahla sejarah buruk tu. Sedangkan tempat-tempat peristiwa hitam seperti Auschwitz dan Chernobyl pun jadi tarikan pelancong.
Pingback: Batu Caves Worth Visiting? (A Local’s Perspective) – Ummi Goes Where?
I recently had the privilege of visiting the Taj Mahal, and it’s impossible not to be captivated by its ethereal charm. The way it effortlessly blends cultural richness with artistic finesse is awe-inspiring.
Absolutely not! The Taj Mahal’s timeless beauty, intricate architecture, and historical significance make it a true marvel. Its allure is beyond comparison, captivating visitors worldwide. Every detail reflects the grandeur of love and craftsmanship. A visit is an unforgettable experience, solidifying its well-deserved status as an iconic wonder.
Thanks so much for sharing this! 😊 I totally get why many travelers feel the Taj Mahal is an unforgettable experience. The architecture really is incredible, and the history behind it adds so much depth.
For me personally, I realized I didn’t appreciate it as much because I went in without doing enough research, so it ended up feeling like “just another beautiful building.” But for anyone who loves architecture, Mughal history, or iconic landmarks, the Taj Mahal absolutely can be worth visiting.
Love hearing different perspectives like yours! It reminds me how subjective travel can be.
Having explored the Taj Mahal, I can confidently say it’s a must-see wonder. Its architectural brilliance and cultural significance make it worth every visit. Don’t let any overrated claims deter you – the Taj Mahal is an awe-inspiring testament to love and craftsmanship that will leave you mesmerized.
Thank you for sharing your experience! 😊 I love hearing different perspectives because the Taj Mahal hits people in such unique ways. For travelers who enjoy architecture, Mughal history, and the stories behind these monuments, the place can be absolutely mind-blowing.
For me, I went in without enough background, which is why I encourage people to read a bit beforehand. A little context really brings out the details, the craftsmanship, and the history that make the Taj so special.