Agra Taj Mahal details & Monuments Entry Cost

Open from Sunrise to Sunset

1. Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. Open for offering prayer in the mosque between 12 Noon to 2 P.M.
2. Night viewing on Full Moon Day and two days before and after it, excluding Fridays and in the month of Ramzan.


Various Entrance fee/Charges for


Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) - Rs. 20 per head.


Foreign Nationals


Rs. 250/- per head (ASI);
Rs. 500/- per head as Toll Tax (Agra Development Authority) (Total cost for Taj Rs. 750/-)Rs. 500/- ticket of ADA is valid for the monuments of Agra Fort, Itimadi-ud-daula, Akbar’s Tomb, Sikandara and Fatehpur Sikri
(children up to 15 years free)

Sending Postcards from India to International destination like USA, UK, Europe etc.

If you want to send Post Cards from India. You need to use Rs 12 Postage stamp to send the postage stamps to International destinations.

Eco-tourism on the rise in India

Eco tourism might have become a much-used adage of late, but its relevance lies beyond just heading to a quaint, unexplored far-off territory.

And if the sound of it fails to trigger your interest, this might help — ecotourism is not just about the geography of the place but is a way of life, wherein one is expected to adhere to all the possible eco-friendly measures such as rain water harvesting, tapping solar energy and organic farming.

Travel trends suggest that the Shiwalik hills running across the North Indian states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh is the popular choice for all eco-friendly practices.

To read more on this article visit India Eco tourism

Indians 6th biggest spenders in the world on overseas hotels

According to recent study, Indian travellers have emerged as the sixth biggest spenders on hotels globally while travelling overseas in 2010 with an average spend of Rs 6,722 per night despite remaining value conscious during domestic outings, according to a latest survey.

Indians have surpassed travellers from the UK, France, Germany and Singapore in terms of hotel spends, Hotel Price Index by Hotels.com said.

Increase In Indian Hotel Prices - Is Bed and Breakfast in Delhi a better option.

According to Business Standards, Indian Metros have shown robust growth in average hotel price increases reflecting the resilience of India’s economy in 2010. 

The average cost of a hotel room in India rose 2% (reached 147 USD per night) in 2010, according to the Hotels.com® Hotel Price Index™ (HPI®).   Hotel rates in Mumbai and New Delhi rose 7% (reached 173 USD) and 11% (reached 158 USD per night) respectively as business and leisure travel picked up.

Affordable rooms, better infrastructure will boost tourism: FICCI

Creating quality and affordable accommodation in all states, making available travel websites in foreign languages and setting up infrastructure will ensure greater tourism inflow in India, a study said Thursday. 

Acc. to FICCI "There is need for provisions such as availability of travel websites in foreign and native languages and creating quality accommodation across all categories in all states," 

According to the report, the tourism industry in the country will soon be shaped by the requirements and aspirations of the growing middle class. Hence, the need for creating affordable quality accommodation. 

The study said that concepts like bed-and-breakfast scheme adopted by a handful of states so far need to be taken forward in a larger scale for budget travellers. 

The study also stressed on increasing government spending on tourism infrastructure through public private partnership mode, so far concentrated only in few states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. 

Citing limited international air connectivity as a major glitch in states like Kerala, which has great tourism potential, the study said that such places can witness a major upsurge in international tourists if infrastructure is in place. 

The study also calls for strategic marketing of alternative tourism products, like snow festival in Jammu, caravan tourism in Madhya Pradesh, mango tourism in West Bengal, tribal tourism in Andhra Pradesh and cultural tourism in states like Punjab and Bihar.

15-day Surajkund crafts fair begins near capital

India's rich crafts heritage will be on display for the next 15 days as the 25th Surajkund Crafts Mela got off to a colourful start on Tuesday.

The Department of Posts released a commemorative cover of Surajkund Crafts Mela to mark its 25th edition.

The 15-day fair was inaugurated by union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Andhra Pradesh is the theme state of the fair this year while Uzbekistan is the partner country.

Sahai and other dignitaries were welcomed in a traditional way at Charminar Gate, a replica of the Hyderabadi monument. The four grand arches of the gate were adorned to radiate the magnificence of the rich history of the state.

'The mela (fair) has become one of the most-renowned international cultural affairs. Various countries have come forward to provide an array of arts and crafts for the mela. This endeavour will give Indian art and crafts global recognition. This will also boost trade and tourism for the country,' Sahai said here, some 20 km from Delhi.

Besides visiting various stalls from different states, Sahai was taken to 'Apna Ghar' where a family of Andhra Pradesh showcased its rural habitat.

The inaugural ceremony culminated at the 'Choupal', where Haryanvi, Kuchipudi and Uzbek dance forms were exhibited.

Making a modest beginning in 1981, the Surajkund crafts fair has become a popular event over the years. International acknowledgement has come to the event with scores of foreigners coming here to see the best of traditional Indian craftsmen display their skills and art.

Surajkund (the pond of Sun god) owes its name to an ancient amphitheatre sun pool, dating to the 10th century, located there. It was built by king Suraj Pal, a follower of the Sun god. The place is located in the Aravalli mountain range.