How to be alone at the Taj Mahal?
To be alone at the Taj Mahal, the recipe is simple. A short night in Agra, good orientation and a bit of insight. We will explain everything to you.
A small photo in front of the Taj Mahal. Without tourist. Certified without filter. All travelers hope for this moment. But beyond the non-photoshoped shot, the visitor will be especially impressed by the majestic silence of the place at sunrise. Before the crush.
Meet East Gate
To take advantage of this moment, there are some imperatives to follow but nothing really binding. First, you have to choose your front door. At sunrise, only the East and West gates open to visitors. Choose the east gate, it is said to be less crowded and it worked for us.
Wake up at 4 a.m., head to the counter
Now is the time to purchase your ticket next to the East Gate. Go there around 4:30 in the morning. The ticket office opens one hour (accurately) before sunrise. In our case, we waited a good half hour in front. It allowed us to be in first position. Be careful, impose yourself well in front of the Indian employees sent by their hotel. Because they reserve for their customers who are queuing directly in front of the front door and will pass you.
The Taj Mahal, a little later
Don't stop at the first pool!
After a few dozen meters of walking, you will pass a door on your right to access the garden surrounding the Taj Mahal. From here, you will finally see the palace, with a first basin just in front of you. Don't stop there. First because that's what everyone else is doing, and second because you'll get a better view as you keep going. It is therefore necessary to follow this first basin to arrive in front of the second.
At this moment, you will be alone. And you can enjoy the ambient calm while admiring the light of day breaking on the Taj. Savor this moment to the fullest. Because it won't last too long. Fifteen to twenty minutes later, you will be surrounded by dozens of tourists all fidgeting to have their best selfie with the palace.
The Taj Mahal solo
Ticket in hand, head for the front door
Once you have purchased your ticket (1100 rupees in September 2018, an increase of almost 50% since 2016!), you must go through another ticket office to collect slippers for the visit to the palace and a bottle of water. Then go to queue in front of the front door. It opens half an hour before sunrise.
Travel light: camera and that's it
Immediately after entering, small security check. Do not take a bag, you will have to drop it off at the locker. To be sure to pass in speed and arrive quickly in front of the palace, bring only your camera and your mobile phone.
From Delhi, several agencies will offer you to book your entry to the Taj Mahal. No need. Like us, you can go to the counter the morning of your visit without any problem. Price in September 2018: 1100 rupees by cash, 1000 by card but it is not known if they apply a commission.
