pricing change for Taj

Mehndi Masala

My only and final say on this one: As of November 12, 2007,
for a foreinger to get into Taj it is 750rp per person.

You will be provided cotton 'socks' for your feet so you don't scratch the marble.

You will get a small water.

You will get two receipts, keep both.

You must pay seperately for video camera use. It is not included in the price.

Do not wait in the long line, go directly to the front and the left of the line if you are at the west gate (which if I am not mistaken is the main entrance so you will already be at the west entrance), get your ticket THEN stand in line or you will waste 40 mins to get to the front to be asked for your ticket. IF you enjoy a nice walk and are not fond of just standing in line, get your ticket and walk to the south gate. You may also purchase your ticket at the south gate. Much less crowded to get in...almost no lineup.

There will be people who will offer to get your ticket for you...I think all IM'rs have been here long enought that none of us would fall for this one! LOL

They do have bathrooms. I didn't check out the ladies, but the husband says the men's room was clean and suprisingly modern.

While making the walk there will be tons of bike rikshaws and other hired modes of transport to take you to the gate (no cars, motorized anything allowed). It looks like a long walk, but it's not. You will not likely need these services...especially since they try to start out at 600rp!!!!!! No kidding.

The walk is a bit tout ridden, but pleasant and many trees and monkeys to view. Walk is MAYBE 10 mins at a relaxed pace

Hope this helps!

AND last but not least.....I am from Canada. I am far from rich or really well off. We saved forever for this trip. This was in our budget. Most people in the world would never be able to even dream of saving for any trip...ever. I was grateful to pay 750rp to do my part to keep this stunning piece of architecture and beauty up and running.(still human, grumbled a bit) Do I feel a bit ripped off that I was often seen as a walking slot machine in India?? On occasion...but it was balanced with the understanding that I can say no, and everyone's gotta make a living. AND most of these tourist trap monuments have to keep 'western' standards of clean, up to date and services. That ain't cheap.

Kim

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steven_ber

Am I correct in thinking that the ticket for the Taj also includes entry to Fathepur Sikri?

If so,

Can I go to Fathepur Sikri in the morning, buy the combined ticket at Fathepur Sikri, then use the ticket for the Taj in the (late) afternoon?

Is the (ordinary) camera fee included in the entry charge?

Thanks for any info.

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Candyji

Hi,

Good idea Mehndi Masala walking to South gate. Western gate is the main entrance. Eastern Gate is the VIP and western tourist gate which can also get quite busy but nothing like the western.

South gate usually opens at 8am and closes at 5pm.

Hi Steven ticket for Taj doesn't include Fatepur sikri but if you visit the taj before Fatepur sikri take the big ticket with you and entrance will only be 250 INR usual cost 260 INR. (Except on Fri when it is 250INR.)

Ordinary camera cost is included in the ticket at both FS and Taj.

Candyji

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Mehndi Masala

Now this is NOT written in stone, as I did not make it to Fathepur Sikri BUT if I understand correctly, that is why you keep both ticket stubs. One (the 500 rupee ticket) is supposed to be valid for both (???? PULEEZE correct me if I'm off on this one) but you will still need to pay the other entry fee.

Cameras were not asked about or checked or charged extra for use. I believe that you were to be charged if you used video camera, but it was not enforced that we saw.

If you are carrying a backpack or duffel bag, you will have to leave it (free of charge) at a depository at the gate. We found this to be perfectly safe. BUT it closes by 5 even tho the taj is still open. SO if you have a large bag AND you come late, you'll have to cut your taj wander short to retrieve your bag.

Kim

capt_mahajan

As one who is ambivalent at best about the dual entry fees, have to say I agree completely with you.

If the dollar had strengthened would they have reduced the rates?

steven_ber

Thanks for the info.

If there's an additional Rs250 to get into Fathepur Sikri, I'll have to give it a miss, I'm coming to the end of my trip and I hadn't budgeted for the Taj, so I'll struggle to afford it, but FS as well.....no way, I hope the Taj is worth it, it really will have to be something special to come close to the Golden Temple.

capt_mahajan

Damn. Do try and get to Fatehpur Sikri, I actually prefer it to the Taj.

New-South-Welshman

Are you saying you've never been to the Taj Mahal?

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mridula

Saw this news story at FOXNews that since November dollar was no longer accepted as a currency to enter Taj Mahal.

The Taj Mahal, India's famed white marble monument to love, which had charged tourists $15 or 750 rupees, has been refusing to accept dollars since November. I wonder if this makes any difference?

The move makes visits pricier for American tourists, who now have to shell out nearly $20.

And it's likely to get worse.

"We expect a slight appreciation of the rupee to continue, although it won't be as dramatic as last year," said Agam Gupta, head of foreign exchange trading at Standard Chartered Bank in India.

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machadinha

$20 instead of $15, eh. What's this world coming to.

As others have pointed out before, you can hardly go to the cinema for that where I live.

I never really got the deal about the dollars anyway. Wasn't aware you could pay in them in the first place (but then I never visited the Taj). But assuming you're carrying some Rupees around since you're there anyway, what's the issue with paying the equivalent in those?

I'm not saying it's not relatively and insanely expensive btw. But no one forces you to go there. I can't keep track of all the mosques and tombs and temples and monuments and stuff I saw there for free.

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the opoponax

$15-$20 is the going rate for most tourist sites in New York City, if that puts things into perspective.

Question -- is it cheaper to just visit Fatehpur Sikri? Because it seems much more interesting to me than the Taj, and I was kind of thinking of giving the Taj a miss. I'm trying to budget for both, but I'd probably pick F.S. if I had to decide (based purely on personal interest).

capt_mahajan

Steven posted recently about a package deal covering both the Taj and FS. Do search.

(I find FS more interesting, too).

PS: I see that post is in this thread, and not too clear.

The fee for only FS seems to be 250 rupees for foreigners

http://www.cruisingindia.com/documen...0060215135226/

bottom

the opoponax

Yeah, that's the thing. I'd like to do the package deal, but it's possible that either time or finances will pose a problem. Is it a bad idea to see ONLY Fatehpur Sikri? Will I get a raw deal by doing that?

capt_mahajan

Err,

My two bits.

Its one thing to see the Taj and say you prefer FS.

But, having come this far, I think the Taj deserves to be seen, at least once.

There is a thread somewhere, "Is the Taj Overrated" or somesuch. Perhaps it will help you decide.

PS

Is Taj a bit over rated...??

the opoponax

Thanks Capt. - very informative thread. I'm pretty much sold now. I do really have to see both...