Visiting The Taj Mahal With Kids: Info, Tips & Is It Worth It?
When in India, is it Worth Visiting The Taj Mahal?
The Taj Mahal is a true architectural masterpiece and one of the most recognisable buildings in the world. It is regarded by many as a physical representation of true love and is a bucket list experience for millions of visitors every year.
We visited with our kids during a two-week Golden Triangle trip to India. Arriving before sunrise, we avoided the long queues and midday heat while taking our time to soak in the peaceful ambience and admire the iconic structure.
Follow our guide to find the best time to visit and get the most from your Taj Mahal experience with kids.
Trekking The Dream! contains affiliate links and is an Amazon Services LLC Associates Program member. We may receive a commission if you purchase using one of these links. This is at no extra cost to you and helps us to keep our site up and running! Read our privacy policy for more information.
Visiting The Taj Mahal In Agra: Sunrise till Sunset
Book Skip The Line Tickets And Train from Dehli
Book A Tour Guide, including skip the line tickets
Accommodation near the Taj Mahal
What Is The Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is a seriously impressive Mausoleum! It was built on the orders of the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, in 1653 as a symbol of eternal love following the death of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Shah wanted to be able to continue to admire her everlasting beauty as represented by the perfection of the building.
The building, primarily white marble, combines elements of Persian, Ottoman, Turkish, and Indian architecture. It dominates the area and is renowned for its symmetrical beauty, detailed carvings, and exquisite inlay work with semi-precious stones.
The central dome is 73 meters tall and surrounded by four smaller domes with four minarets at the corners. The impressive Mausoleum is part of a larger complex with landscaped gardens, a reflecting pool, and other buildings, such as the mosque and the guest house.
In 1983, the Taj Mahal was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status and is regarded as one of the new seven Wonders of the World.
Planning Your Visit To The Taj Mahal With Kids
As India’s most iconic monument, the Taj Mahal attracts over seven million visitors annually. Visiting with family is a fantastic opportunity to experience this wonder together, but be prepared for crowds.
Where Is The Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is located in Agra, a city in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh. It is on the Yamuna River’s bank and surrounded by manicured gardens.
Sitting 230 kilometres southeast of the capital city of Dehli, it forms one of the corners of the Golden Triangle route and is popular with first-time visitors to India.
Getting To The Taj Mahal
The most popular ways to travel to the Taj Mahal are by train, car, or bus from Delhi and Jaipur, the other two cities of the Golden Triangle.
- By Air: Agra’s Kheria Airport is 13km from the Taj Mahal, but with limited flights, most international travellers fly into Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi before travelling to Agra by train or road.
- By Train: Train networks like the Gatimaan or Shatabdi Express make Agra easily accessible from major cities. Book tickets in advance to ensure a comfortable journey.
- By Road: The Taj Mahal can be reached by car or bus. The Yamuna Expressway offers a straightforward route from Dehli to Agra in about four hours. We travelled five hours by private hire from Jaipur to Agra.
When To Visit the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal’s marble appearance changes throughout the day as the light reflects off the stone. Whenever you visit, you’ll find it resplendent.
Taj Mahal Opens Times
Opens 30 minutes before sunrise
Closes 30 minutes after sunset
Opens at night over a Full Moon
~ Closed on Fridays for prayers ~
Best Season To Visit The Taj Mahal
The best time to visit the Taj Mahal is in the cooler winter months, from October to March. This period avoids the summer’s extreme heat, has clear visibility, and is better tolerated for visiting with children. We visited in early March when the temperatures were manageable at 32°.
Best Time Of Day To Visit The Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is always at its best. Visiting early in the morning for sunrise will be the coolest. However, there are fewest crowds at sunset, as across the river, Mehtab Bagh is the best place to view the Taj Mahal at sunset. The heat at midday is intense and best avoided, especially for families.
Early morning is the ideal time to visit with kids. The time the sun rises depends on the time of year, but catching the sunrise and beating the worst of the queues is worth it! Although the entrance felt crowded when we arrived at sunrise, the crowds quickly dispersed into the grounds.
If your family don’t mind it being a bit busier, go in the late afternoon for sunset. The light during these times enhances the monument’s beauty, changing from pink hues in the morning sun to bright white throughout the day and turning golden in the evening sun.
Cost Of Visiting The Taj Mahal
Tourist tickets to visit the Taj Mahal cost about £10.50 (1100 inr), and Indian nationals pay 50 inr. There is an additional fee of £1.70 (200 inr) to enter the main mausoleum. While not essential, the intricate detail here feels more personal.
A bonus for families is that children under 15 enter free of charge.
Tickets can be purchased at the entrance gates or online to avoid queuing.
➡️Book your skip-the-line tickets with a guide to the Taj Mahal here
How To Visit The Taj Mahal With Kids
Deciding whether to visit the Taj Mahal with a tour guide will depend on your preferences. Some families prefer organized trips for comfort and readily available information, while others like a less rushed approach.
We visited independently without a guide to explore the complex at our own pace and stayed for about two hours. Inside the Mausoleum, staff answered our questions, and we sought additional information after our visit. You can download an online audio guide to take with you as a walking guide.
We do find that, as a family, we learn more from guided tours, but it can also be more rushed, which we didn’t want to do here. We felt that a guided tour is not required for visiting the Taj Mahal.
➡️ Book a one day tour of the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort here
Which Entrance Gate To Visit The Taj Mahal
There are three entrance points to the Taj Mahal, although you can only currently gain entry through the East and West gates. Tickets can be purchased from the booths at the entrance or in advance.
The East Gate, known as the Sirhi Darwaza, is popular with tourists as it is close to hotels in Agra, whereas the West Gate, Fatehpur Begum, often has the longest queues and is mainly used by locals. You can exit through the South, East, and West gates.
There are security checks and bag restrictions when visiting the Taj Mahal. At the entrance gates, you are only permitted a small bag, which is checked for prohibited items such as food, drink bottles, drones and tripods. Men and women are separated for scanning.
Family tip: snack before entering, especially if you skipped breakfast for a sunrise visit. We were issued a bottle of water when we entered, although not everyone was.
What To Wear When Visiting The Taj Mahal
There is no official dress code when visiting the Taj Mahal. Families should respect the culture and ensure that the arms, legs, and shoulders are covered. Dress to the weather, ensuring you are protected from the sun but don’t get too hot.
Shoe covers are issued with your ticket and must be worn before entering the Mausoleum.
Tips For Visiting The Taj Mahal
- Avoid the Midday Sun: Arrive early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat.
- Don’t visit on Friday: The Taj Mahal is closed on Friday for prayers.
- Hire a Guide: Consider hiring a licensed guide to gain deeper insights into the Taj Mahal’s history and architecture. Ensure the guide is authorized to avoid scams.
- Photography: Photography is allowed, but only outside the mausoleum. Remember to respect other visitors. Tripods and drones are not permitted.
- Eat before you come: Food and drinks are confiscated at the security point. As you exit, there are plenty of shops. Visitors are provided with a bottle of water.
- Respect the Monument: Avoid touching the marble and carvings.
- Alternative View From Mehtab Bagh: A garden complex across the Yamuna River offers a stunning view of the Taj Mahal, especially at sunset.
Exploring The Taj And Mausoleum
Once through the entrance gate, you are met with crowds capturing photos of their first sighting of the Taj Mahal. This can be overwhelming for kids.
Family Tip: If you arrive at opening time, we advise bypassing the crowd and heading straight into the gardens. This will put you ahead of the crowds and allow you to capture your photos without other visitors (you can return to busy spots later).
Head towards the white marble mausoleum and admire the building inside and out before leisurely returning through the symmetrical manicured gardens. Sit in the shade and soak up the surroundings while your children spot for monkeys.
See the museum and information displays around the complex if your kids still have energy.
Other places to see near The Taj Mahal
While the Taj Mahal will occupy half a day, there are other things to do in Agra, especially for their alternative view of the famous Taj Mahal.
🌟 Agra Fort: This historic red sandstone and marble fort was the main residence of the Mughal Emperors. Although it is one of the largest forts in India, you’ll only see a small portion of it. Don’t let that put you off though! The architecture of the palaces, courtyards, and gardens is truly impressive. You can see the Taj Mahal just 2km downriver from some viewpoints.
➡️ Book a combo guided tour to Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Baby Taj
🌟Itimad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb: This Mausoleum is often called the “Baby Taj” for its resemblance welcomes fewer tourists. Visiting here will be a much quieter family experience with equally impressive Mughal architecture.
🌟Mehtab Bagh: This garden complex on the Yamuna River opposite the Taj Mahal offers a perfect view of the Mausoleum and is an ideal location for viewing the sunset.
Is Visiting The Taj Mahal With Kids Worth It?
Visiting the Taj Mahal with kids is a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experience. We felt that it was an essential visit during our family visit to India, but many outstanding buildings worldwide are equally impressive without being such a tourist attraction.
We are all well accustomed to the heat and crowds from our long-term travel through Asia, but we still prefer to avoid them if possible. With this in mind, we got up before dawn and walked excitedly from our homestay to the Taj Mahal for sunrise.
Despite its well-known appearance, witnessing its beauty was worth the early morning start. The intricate detail of the white marble structure surrounded by manicured gardens is stunning, and its history delivers a good educational experience.
The Taj Mahal is worth seeing with kids, but be selective, as young kids may not see the attraction. If you can, avoid the crowds for a more relaxed experience, especially in peak season.
Accommodation In Agra With Kids: Hotel vs Homestay
There is an abundance of accommodation choices in Agra, from homestays to hotels to suit all budgets.
📍Homestays—We stayed with a family a short distance from the Taj to indulge in Indian culture. Our two bedrooms were comfortable with air conditioning, and the host was very friendly, including us like family in activities and Indian cuisine.
📍Radisson Hotel Agra – 5* luxury at a reasonable price with views of the Taj Mahal from some bedrooms. It is family-friendly, with good food, excellent service and a swimming pool.
Visiting The Taj Mahal FAQs
Two to three hours would give you enough time to explore the Taj Mahal and garden complex. If you are visiting with children, your visit might be shorter, especially in hot weather.
There is no dress code for visiting the Taj Mahal. However, to respect the local cultural and religious significance, you should wear clothes covering your shoulders and knees.
Yes, visitors can go inside the Taj Mahal to view the central chamber, where the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are located.
The Taj Mahal is an important part of India’s rich history and a ‘must-visit’ if you are in India with kids. The intricate architecture and open gardens offer a great mix for visiting families.
Final Thoughts | Visiting The Taj Mahal
Visiting the Taj Mahal offers a rich cultural experience suitable for families. Engaging with locals in homestays will give you a taste of India and its unique customs and cultures. It is also a great way to pick up some top tips on where else to visit.
We have some great memories from visiting the Taj Mahal that will stay with us forever.
