Travel Report Taj Mahal - Teil einer 13 Tage Rundreise durch Rajasthan (Indien)
What are some of the highlights to discover at the Taj Mahal in Agra? What are the must-see sights?
Our travelreport on the Taj Mahal (Agra) summarizes the best highlights and “must-sees” for you, so that you, too, can have an unforgettable trip. The main reason for our trip was the desire to photograph tigers in the wild. India is still one of the best places for this, and the best time to visit is between November and February if you want to avoid the really hot temperatures. But once you’re there, you might as well take in the many cultural highlights, such as the Taj Mahal.
Where is Taj Mahal (Agra) in India?
Things You Should Definitely Keep in Mind When Traveling to the Taj Mahal
Local currency: Indian rupee (INR). You can use your credit card anywhere for payments or cash withdrawals. Cash is mainly needed for tips.
Vaccinations: No vaccinations are required for travelers coming from Germany. However, it is recommended that you consult a doctor before your trip to have your vaccination history checked and to get a series of vaccinations, such as the rabies vaccine. Your doctor can provide more detailed information, or you can contact the Tropical Medicine Institute if necessary.
Visas: German citizens require a visa to enter India. The visa must be applied for in advance at an Indian diplomatic mission abroad or as an e-visa. Visas upon arrival are not available. Here is the link to the official visa website: Link .
As always, there are a number of websites that will apply for the visa on your behalf for a fee. However, for those with a good command of English, the Indian website is not a problem. Generally, you’ll need a 30-day tourist visa. This costs just under 30 USD, including all fees. You can apply for the visa no earlier than 30 days before entry, and it is valid for 30 days from the date of entry.
Can I bring a drone to the Taj Mahal (in India)?
The short answer is NO. While Indians are allowed to own and fly drones in India, it’s virtually impossible for tourists to obtain a drone permit. Anyone who still wants to try should first take a look at Indian prisons or visit one of the many websites where you can try to apply for a permit. Neither option is appealing.
Detailed Travel Report: Taj Mahal—Important Questions:
Is India—specifically the Taj Mahal (in Agra)—affordable?
It really depends. Hotel rates—or lodging costs in general—aren’t exactly cheap if you want a certain European standard. Flights and transfers with a guide or driver, on the other hand, are really affordable. A safari, however, is expensive, though not quite on the same level as African safaris.
The Highlights of Agra - Experience the Taj Mahal
There are daily direct flights from Germany to Delhi, and from there you can hire a car and driver and reach the city of Agra—where the Taj Mahal is located—in just over 4 hours.
Do I need a rental car to get to the Taj Mahal?
Our recommendation is definitely NO. For Europeans, driving in India is definitely not for them and is also far too dangerous. The way people drive in India is nothing like what we’re used to in Europe or even the U.S. Besides, for very little money, you can hire a driver with a car (preferably an SUV) who will drive you around the whole time. Many hotels also offer this service. That’s why you should definitely avoid renting a car.
What might a 13-day tour that includes the Taj Mahal look like?
Itinerary
Day 1: We flew directly to Delhi from Germany
Hotel: Aloft New Delhi Aerocity, 5B IGI T3 Road, Delhi Aerocity, New Delhi, 110037
Day 2: Delhi – Agra (Taj Mahal). Transfer by AC Innova: travel time approx. 4 hours.
Hotel: ITC Mughal, A Luxury Collection, Taj Ganj, Agra, 282001
Day 3: Departure for Ranthambore, travel time approx. 6 hours (!). 300 km
Hotel: The Ranthambhore Bagh, Village Khilchipur, Off Ranthambhore Road, Sawai Madhopur 322001,
Days 4–7: Tiger safari in Ranthambhore National Park, 7 safari drives in total
Days 8–9: Departure for Jaipur, travel time approx. 3.5 hours. Approx. 160 km.
Hotel: ITC Rajputana, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Jaipur, Palace Road, Jaipur, 302006 India
Days 10–11: Transfer to the airport, flight from Jaipur (T2) with Indigo to Jodhpur
Hotel: The Ajit Bhawan – A Palace Resort, Near Circuit House Road, Jodhpur, 342006. Transfer from the airport to the hotel arranged by the hotel (!)
Days 11–13: Transfer to Udaipur arranged by the hotel (12,000 INR + tax), Innova AC. Travel time approx. 5:30h (!) . approx. 260 km.
Hotel: Moustache Udaipur Luxuria, 25–26 Navghat, Next to City Palace,
Udaipur – 313001, Rajasthan
Day 13:
Transfer to the airport arranged by the hotel. Flight from Udaipur to Delhi on Indigo. Visit Delhi city, then return to the airport.
Due to the early return flight (1:50 a.m.), we booked another hotel room on the last day to rest before departure.
Hotel (again): Aloft New Delhi Aerocity, 5B IGI T3 Road, Delhi Aerocity, New Delhi, 110037
Taj Mahal - How to Get There and Highlights
You can travel to the Taj Mahal from Delhi by train or by taxi. We opted for the latter because we didn’t feel like dealing with crowds, and the hassle of booking was too much for us. Taxis with drivers are very inexpensive in India, so it’s the most comfortable way to travel—especially if the car is big enough. Get Your Guide offers both train tickets and drivers. Just check it out.
You should definitely not drive yourself in India. The car we booked is an Innova AC, a sort of minibus-SUV hybrid that’s practically the standard in this class in India.
The roads out of Delhi are very good. The drive to Agra is mostly on a toll highway. There are also a few rest stops along the way, though they have little in common with those in Germany and are more reminiscent of Asia, since everything is cooked and prepared outdoors. The restrooms are clean but take some getting used to. Don’t expect German standards—except on the highways.
After a good 4-hour drive, we arrive at our hotel, the ITC Mughal Agra, also part of the Marriott Group. From the hotel, you can see the Taj Mahal in the distance.
Hotel in Agra near the Taj Mahal - ITC Mughal by Marriott
The ITC Mughal Hotel in Agra is a real highlight. It’s managed by Marriott and comes highly recommended. It’s also very close to the Taj Mahal, making the morning walk to the site a breeze. When the weather is nice, you can really enjoy the pool area and the spa.
The hotel is old but in excellent condition, and you can feel its Indian charm as soon as you drive up the driveway. The gardens are maintained by a staff of about 1,000 gardeners.
Visiting Taj Mahal
If you want to visit the Taj Mahal, you should get up early!
At 5:30 a.m., it’s time to head to the Taj Mahal… and yes, we’re actually running late. The line is already over 100 meters long, but before you even reach it, you have to wait at the East Gate parking lot for the “golf cart” that takes you to the East Gate. You should definitely buy your tickets in advance. From the East Gate to the main gate, it’s another good 300 meters, and then—yes, then—you see it. The Taj Mahal…
It’s impressive, though you do wish there were a little fewer people. Everyone’s jostling for the best photo spots, and it’s not even fully light out yet. The further you walk in, the more the crowds thin out. Here’s our tip: once you pass through the first archway, everyone stops. So keep walking. After about 150 meters, there’s another, even better spot where you’ll have fewer people in your shot. Also, it’s best to bring a bottle of water—you can use it to create amazing reflections and quench your thirst.
We’d booked a tour of the mausoleum but ended up not going inside. You should plan on spending at least 2 hours there, but you can easily spend twice as long. Definitely go at sunrise!
Conclusion
Even if you only have a little time, the Taj Mahal is well worth a visit. It is rightly considered one of the most significant architectural achievements of our time, and a visit there is something you’ll never forget. The atmosphere, especially at sunrise, is magical and invites you to pause for a moment. However, you really should go very early, as it gets more and more crowded by the minute once it opens. It’s simply one of India’s top tourist attractions. The fountains are turned on at 9 a.m., and after that, you won’t be able to take any more photos with reflections in the water.
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What kind of camera gear should I bring for the Taj Mahal in India?
The photography equipment we took with us to the Taj Mahal is listed below. You can also order the equipment we used directly from our Photo-Shop and ask for more technical details. There are also plenty of extras available there.
Cameras:
- Z7ii (Nikon)
- Apple Iphone 14pro
Lenses:
- Z 24-120mm f/4 (Nikon)
- 70-200mm f/2.8 (Nikon)