The Taj Mahal is India’s most visited site and one of the new seven wonders of the world. And rightly so, the world’s most famous monument to love is absolutely breathtaking. To see the Taj Mahal at sunrise, there are several tour options from Delhi. I live in Delhi and have visited the Taj Mahal many times. I’ll go over the 3 best ways to take a sunrise tour of the Taj Mahal from Delhi (including do it yourself), so you can decide which is best for you.
Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour from Delhi – Three Options
Option 1 – Same day Taj Mahal sunrise tour from Delhi by car
If you don’t want to stay overnight in Agra (where the Taj Mahal in located), the best option is a same day sunrise tour of the Taj Mahal from Delhi. This will be a long day, but it will be worth it.
Agra is 220 km away from Delhi and it takes 3 – 4 hours to get there by car. Hotel pick up is usually 2:30 am from Delhi which is super early, but you can sleep in the car on the way there. Make sure the tour company you choose purchases tickets online in advance to avoid the queues at the ticket counter. Even at 5:30 am there is a lineup for tickets.
There are many tour companies that offer this kind of tour, but Pioneer Holidays is one of the better ones. They offer several options, including one that takes you to Agra Fort, Etimad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb, (often called the Baby Taj) and a buffet breakfast at a 5 star hotel.
Option 2 – Overnight Taj Mahal sunrise tour from Delhi by car or train
If you have time, a less tiring option is to travel to Agra the day before and stay overnight. If you leave your Agra hotel by 5:00 am you should be at the Taj Mahal by 5:30 am, in time for sunrise. The nice thing about this option is you can also see the Taj Mahal by moonlight the night before.
To get to Agra the day before, you can either go by car or train. There are many trains that run between Delhi and Agra, including the semi high speed Gatimaan Express which makes the trip in less than 2 hours. Here are all the ways you can get to Agra from Delhi.
Once you factor in getting to/from the train station plus the time at the station, the train isn’t that much faster than driving (unless you hit very bad traffic) and the transport cost is similar, but the experience is one of a kind. Riding an Indian train is a lot of fun, and the scenery is much nicer than driving.
This tour can also be booked through Pioneer Holidays.
The best hotels and guest houses to stay at in Agra are:
- The Oberoi Amarvilas (luxury)
- ITC Mughal (luxury)
- Hotel Clarks Shiraz (mid-price)
- Ekaa Villa (mid-price)
- Coral Court Homestay (budget)
- Taj Street Hostel (hostel)
Option 3 – Do it yourself Taj Mahal sunrise tour from Delhi
It’s definitely manageable to do a sunrise tour of the Taj Mahal from Delhi independently. You can book everything yourself online, including transportation, hotel (if staying overnight in Agra) and Taj Mahal tickets.
To get the most out of your time at the Taj Mahal you may consider hiring a local guide, but it’s not necessary. There is so much information online, you can do your own research in advance to give your visit more context.
- Private car hire: MakeMy Trip
- Train booking and schedule: Indian Railways (Delhi has several passenger train stations, and Delhi to Agra trains leave from either New Delhi Railway Station or Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station). You can also book train tickets through MakeMy Trip
- Taj Mahal tickets: Archeological Survey of India (I highly recommend buying your entry tickets in advance to avoid the ticket counter lineup)
- Hotels in Agra
Why is sunrise the best time to visit the Taj Mahal?
There are several reasons sunrise is the best time to visit the Taj Mahal. If it’s your first time, you will be utterly captivated by the beauty of the Taj Mahal so early in the morning. It’s an experience you will never forget.
The Taj Mahal is made entirely of white marble and it changes colour throughout the day depending on the sun. At sunrise it takes on a pinky hue and is bathed is soft light, giving it an ethereal feel. Early morning is also the quietest and coolest time of day at the Taj Mahal, it feels peaceful and serene. This is the best time to get photos without having to deal with the crowds.
The story of the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum, not a palace as commonly thought. It was built by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan between 1631 and 1648 in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Mumtaz Mahal died while giving birth to their 14th child in 1631. She was in Burhanpur accompanying Shah Jahan on a military campaign at the time.
Legend has it the emperor was so devastated by the loss of his wife, his hair and beard turned snow white in just a few months.
Shah Jahan intended to build his own mausoleum in black marble on the grounds of the Mehtab Bagh (Moonlit Garden), directly across from the Taj Mahal, but was never able to. He became ill in 1657 which ignited a struggle for succession between his four sons. Aurangzeb succeeded, declared himself emperor, and imprisoned his father in Agra Fort until his death. It is said Shah Jahan would spend hours each day staring at the Taj Mahal from his room in Agra Fort.
Shah Jahan’s tomb lies beside that of his wife Mumtaz Mahal in the Taj Mahal.
Night Viewing of the Taj Mahal
If you choose to stay overnight in Agra, you’ll be able to see the Taj Mahal at night. To see the Taj Mahal illuminated by moonlight is unbelievable – it’s a memory that will last a lifetime.
The Taj Mahal has night viewings 5 nights every month (except during Ramadan). These are the two nights before the full moon, the full moon night, and the two nights following the full moon. Tickets must be purchased in advance through the Taj Mahal website, and admission is very limited.
If you’re not in Agra on a full moon night, you can still get great views of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh, the gardens directly across from the Taj Mahal. Mehtab Bagh closes at 9:00 pm.
What time does the Taj Mahal open and how can I buy tickets?
The Taj Mahal opens 30 minutes before sunrise, so the time changes according to the season. Keep in mind the Taj Mahal is closed on Friday.
Tickets are available at the Western Gate and Eastern Gate only. Ticket booths open one hour before sunrise, and if you have not purchased your tickets in advance I recommend getting there an hour before. There will be lineups for tickets, and you will have to go through security. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased in advance online through the Archeological Survey of India website. Ticket prices are INR 1100 plus 200 for entry into the mausoleum (foreigner prices). Children under 15 are free.
What else should I see in Agra?
Agra is a very historic city, it was the capital of the Mughal empire until 1638 when it was moved to Delhi. There are some very significant monuments to see besides the Taj Mahal.
Agra Fort (UNESCO)
After the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort is the most important historical site in Agra. It was the main residence of the Mughal rulers until 1638 when the capital moved to Delhi.
This is where Shah Jahan (who built the Taj Mahal) was imprisoned by his son, Aurangzeb, after he became ill and Aurangzeb wrestled the empire from him. Shah Jahan spent 8 years confined to Agra Fort and would spend hours staring at the Taj Mahal every day. He died there in 1666.
Hours and Price: sunrise to sunset, daily; INR 650 adult (600 on Friday), children under 15 free
Etimad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb (Baby Taj)
This beautiful mausoleum was built between 1622 and 1628 for the father of Empress Nur Jahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir.
The tomb is meant to resemble a jewel box and was the first tomb in India to be built entirely of white marble. It is one of the tombs that inspired the architecture of the Taj Mahal and is commonly called the Baby Taj.
Hours and Price: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm, daily; INR 300 adult, children under 15 free
Mehtab Bagh
This park is located directly across from the Taj Mahal on the other side of the Yamuna river. It’s most well known for its spectacular views of the Taj Mahal.
Mehtab Bagh was built by Emperor Babur in the early 1500s. The width of the garden aligns perfectly with the Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan called it a moonlit pleasure garden and would often go there to view the Taj Mahal.
In fact, Shah Jahan wanted to build a replica of the Taj Mahal in black marble on this very site for his own mausoleum. He never had the chance as he was imprisoned by this son Aurangzeb and confined to Agra Fort for the rest of his life.
Hours and Price: 6:00 am – 9:00 pm, daily; INR 300 adult, children under 15 free
Where should I stay in Agra to see the Taj Mahal?
Agra is a one of the top tourist destinations in India and has hundreds of hotels and guest houses. These are my top picks in terms of value for money, proximity to the Taj Mahal and customer service:
- The Oberoi Amarvilas (luxury)
- ITC Mughal (luxury)
- Hotel Clarks Shiraz (mid-price)
- Ekaa Villa (mid-price)
- Coral Court Homestay (budget)
- Taj Street Hostel (hostel)
Restaurants with views of the Taj Mahal
Since you’re in Agra you may as well see as much of the Taj Mahal as you can. A couple of these restaurants are very modest, but they have great Taj Mahal views. The bar in the Oberoi Amarvilas has an exquisite view of the Taj Mahal and is very luxurious.
- The Bar at The Oberoi Amarvilas (technically a bar but they do serve snacks)
- Mughal Room at Hotel Clarks Shiraz (luxury restaurant with nice, but distant views of the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort during the day)
- Hotel Saniya Palace Inn (pleasant rooftop restaurant with great views of the Taj Mahal)
- Joey’s Hostel (modest rooftop restaurant with wonderful views of the Taj Mahal)
The Wrap-up on Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour from Delhi: Three Great Options
There are great options to do a Taj Mahal sunrise tour from Delhi. Whether you want to go with an organized tour or do it yourself – you’ve come all the way to India, do not miss one of the most magnificent sites in the world.
Want to know more? Let these articles guide you!
- Where to Stay in Delhi – Best Areas and Hotels for Every Budget
- First Time in Delhi: Complete Guide and Itineraries for Delhi
- How to Get from Indira Gandhi International Airport into Delhi
Don’t forget travel insurance! It’s always a good idea to carry travel insurance just in case something goes wrong. I really like and use SafetyWing
