“It closes at 5pm.”

“It’s not open on Fridays.”

“It closes at 6:30pm.”

“It’s too late already today, and you cannot go.”

“It’s a full moon tonight, and you can get a night pass.”

“Wait, no you cannot. You had to buy that yesterday.”

We got a LOT of conflicting information about the Taj Mahal, all piling on us about 10 minutes before we were set to leave our hotel to go and see it.

When headed to Agra, possibly be prepared for this. If someone says you cannot go, go anyway. Chances are that person is wrong (our hotel butler actually was) and you might miss out. It’s true that it isn’t open on Fridays, and for the times it’s open at night, I would advise purchasing tickets well in advance.

 

Here are my biggest tips for seeing the Taj Mahal.

Tip 1 : Go on the day before a national holiday. Or, if possible, go on an actual holiday. This way, most locals will be traveling. We got there the day prior to the Holi Festival. It wasn’t crowded at all, and it was much more manageable.

Tip 2 : When you arrive matters. We went for sunset. You’ll get great photos, but if you want the smallest crowds, I’d opt for the early morning light, when the Taj first opens at 6am.

Tip 3 : Don’t go hungry or with a backpack or purse. You can bring in a camera but you cannot bring in any food or beverage or large bags.

Tip 4 : Get a guide. The Taj Mahal has incredible stories, both large and small, behind its creation. There are also great vantage points for photos that you might not realize without help. A guide can also carry a few bottles of water inside and will keep locals from pestering you to buy photos off of them every five minutes.

Tip 5 : Wear bright colors, but don’t stress being completely covered. The women here in brilliant saris flecked with gold really had the most picturesque images against the white marble. However, since this is not a religious site, you don’t have to worry about being entirely covered. Do dress respectfully (shoulders & knees shouldn’t be seen), exhibiting some proper Indian courtesy.

Tip 6 : Stay at the ITC Mughal. This hotel is in wonderful proximity to the Taj Mahal but feels worlds away. Also, the meal of lamb, lentils, paneer and pappadam that I ate with my hands at the Peshawri restaurant was the best Indian food I’ve ever experienced.

Tip 7 : Make sure your camera batteries are charged, you have plenty of memory stick space and both an iPhone and your digital. However, do not try and take a tripod. Those are not allowed.