Best time to see the Taj?

Hey everyone:

What would you guys say is the best time of day to see the Taj? Best time to avoid the crowds, touts, etc?

Appreciate everyone's help.

Most probably even if you go there in the early morning there will be loads of people around. But then I also heard rumours that many tourists boycotted the Tay for the "high" entry fee - at least it was like this some months ago.
To see the changing colour of the marble during the day a good option could be to find a roof top hotel opposite to the Taj. Of course definitely not the same as being inside but perfect if you need a rest after a long trip in buses or trains or else for recovering after a Delhi belly.

One more thing: heard that the Taj is in danger because of the heavy air pollution. To diminish this people shouldn't take auto rickshaws but cycle rickshaws in the Tja area.

Enjoy your trip!

I was there two weeks ago -
if you're going in the winter, don't bother with trying to see the sunrise...it's WAY too foggy. We found that 10-noon was a good time. After noon, there were many more tourists.

I went at dawn, in March last year and it was awesome! It was quite cool and a bit misty, but there was hardly anyone esle around, so it was really quiet.

Best time to see Taj,early morning,or evening sunset time But if you are going to winder ,try to see evening,morning coun't see anything with fog .

Thanks for the tips about the time to see the Taj in winter. Any suggestions for a good family hotel - hot showers and clean toilets! near the Taj - preferably with a view of the Taj?
Thanks
P/CWitton

I was there on a january morning I belive, first it was pitch black then it was good and amazing....
Acording to Hotels etc...
theres a really good lasie in agra thats about it... go to the taj and leave agra behind after that.

Best time to see the Taj was pre 1984
You used to be able to jump the fence at night and go in after hours
The Taj with no one around and a good moon
Absolutely incredible
Then Indira was killed and security happened

We saw it on Jan 9th, 2005 in late afternoon until sunset... most of the 1-day tourists had already left for their shatabi express back to delhi.... we saw the beautiful change of color of the building from the reflection of the horizon... no fog no pollution... our driver for the day said we were lucky.. he said in a few weeks the smog will pick up again, and it won't look as good...
will
p.s. been to lot of beautiful places, this is definatly a must of a life time

Will there be more tourists on weekend then weekday? Or just doesn't matter? Because we maybe arrive Delhi on Fri. night (late Jan.) and don't know go Agra on weekend or go Udaipur first?

Thanks.

i`ve the same question as well.i assume the sunday will be more busy then monday.any advice?

Was there this morning, it was lovely, not a brilliant sunrise though. It was busy but not too crowded and I am pretty sure I got there for approx 6.30-6.45am, there was a big line up outside when I went past again at approx 10.00 on my way to the fort, hope this helps. Not going to get to sunrise so can't comment on that.

When is sunrise and sunset in the last week of Feb. when I am looking forward to seeing this gr-8 monument? I have heard in winter it may be misty in the AM would that be likely the last week of Feb-- Would you recommend the rising or setting sun?? Advice appreciated-- Thanx in advance!!

not sure if friday is still a free entry day, but i went thursday, late day, and then again, friday morning. the two different times of day offered a completely different view and feeling.

i'm not a lonely planet traveler, but i went to agra with a group of students who were reading from it and telling me about all of the agra scams. one such scam is deliberate food poisoning at restaraunts necessitating the need for hospitilization. apparently, it's a grand conspiracy between the food eateries and hospitals. So, we stuck to the recommendations from the LP and had a pretty decent hotel (don't recall the name) and ate at a fabulous restaraunt that had some of the tastiest food i had in india. amazing pakoras and sag paneer.

so, if it were me, i'd check out the LP for the best places.