Discover The Wonders Of The Taj Mahal On These 5 Top-rated Tours

The Taj Mahal was originally imagined as a symbol of love, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. But since its commission in the 17th century, the marble marvel has become more than that. It's a specimen of iconic design deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site; it's a stronghold of history, preserved and revered by locals; and it's a landmark in Agra, India, celebrated globally as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

There's much to see in and around the monument, from the inner mausoleum for the late king and queen to the manicured gardens outside. Nocturnal access opens in limited capacity for five days around full moon nights. But during the day, the splendor of the Taj is best captured during sunrise before the crowds begin to descend. All tours offer options of including entry tickets in your package, though buying them online works out cheaper for many reasons, including free entry for children ages 15 years and younger, along with a discount for online purchase. Tickets to the main mausoleum need to be purchased separately.

To appreciate its full glory, book a walking tour that takes you behind the visuals to learn stories of the monument's past. All of these featured tours have at least 100 reviews and a minimum rating of 4 out of 5 stars across multiple websites.

Price: Adults from $70; kids from $30
Duration: 13 hours

This tour is a great option for those traveling from Delhi. The team arranges for air-conditioned transfers from your hotel to the Nizamuddin Railway Station, where you'll board the Gatimaan Express for a 90-minute train journey. Upon arrival in Agra, a local guide takes you straight to the Taj Mahal, where you spend three hours roaming the monument before lunch. The tour includes a visit to the Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh – both five minutes away from the Taj – and Itimad-ud-Daulah, a mausoleum known as Baby Taj for its design and architectural style (despite its "baby" nickname, it predates the Taj Mahal).

Visitors head back to Delhi by train on the same day. The history behind each landmark is explained by the guides, who are described as knowledgeable and patient by tourgoers. Reviewers also appreciated the small details like water bottles, spare time to see each place and multilingual guides offering explanations in several languages, such as French and Russian.

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Price: Adults from $75; kids from $50
Duration: 12 hours

Break away from the crowds and enjoy the Taj Mahal in your own way on this private tour. Bookings can be made for up to 15 people at a time; everything from hotel transfers in Delhi to sightseeing in Agra is planned solely for you and your group. On the tour, you'll visit the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Itimad-Ud-Daulah. You'll also enjoy a lunch break at the Courtyard Agra by Marriott hotel.

The tour cost covers a private car and chauffeur; you can also choose a package with or without meals and monument tickets. Several reviewers greatly valued the advantage of customizations, with their guides adjusting the itinerary to suit their requirements and desires. Many also lauded the tips shared by guides regarding local etiquette and photo tips for capturing unique shots. Several travelers called this a "seamless" experience.

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Price: Adults from $110
Duration: 11-12 hours

This round trip by road takes you to Agra in the wee hours of the morning. A chauffeur-driven car picks you up from your hotel or the airport in Delhi. From there, you head to Agra for a two-hour walking tour of the Taj Mahal. You can choose a pickup time of your choosing; keep in mind that the earlier you leave, the less traffic you face crossing Delhi, ensuring you arrive in time to see the sunrise at the monument. It's also recommended to reach the site well before sunrise, as crowds start gathering at the gates as early as 5 a.m. Fuel, tolls, entry tickets and the tour are included in this package, with the option to include lunch as well.

Some reviewers noted that the trip wraps up with a visit to an emporium where you can browse for local handicrafts and marble products. But one opinion was unanimous: that the drivers and guides are accommodating of your timings and safe to travel with at night.

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Price: Adults from $12
Duration: 3 hours

If you're already in Agra and looking to visit only the Taj Mahal, this is a great option. In addition to the guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, tickets cover private hotel transfers within Agra. The "skip-the-line" access promised by the company is actually just an escorted entrance through the site's East Gate, which is less crowded than the other gates. Note that there's no "VIP" access to the Taj Mahal.

For added convenience, tourgoers can book a package that includes entry tickets to the Taj Mahal. If you'd like to save some money, book entry tickets on your own; tickets purchased on your behalf by the tour company are typically at a higher markup than if you were to buy tickets on your own.

The guides are certified by the Indian Ministry of Tourism, and loved by visitors for their knowledge of the site as well as local biodiversity. Reviewers were also quick to applaud guides' photo skills. What's more, contrary to most standard tours of the Taj Mahal, this particular one includes tickets to the main mausoleum as well.

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Price: Adults from $150; kids 8 and younger visit for free
Duration: 2 days

The best way to experience the Taj Mahal and its surroundings is to spend at least two days in Agra. Many monuments in the city are connected to the Taj by a shared history, and this multiday tour takes you around town to see most of them.

After getting picked up in Delhi, you'll journey by private car to Agra. After checking in to your hotel, you'll head to Mehtab Bagh, botanical gardens that usually draw fewer crowds and promise a serene back view of the Taj Mahal. After covering Agra Fort and Itimad-Ud-Daulah, you get to see the Taj once again the next day – this time during sunrise. The trip ends with a drive to Fatehpur Sikri, the capital city commissioned by Mughal Emperor Akbar. Sitting about 24 miles from the Taj Mahal, this site requires at least a couple of hours for a full tour. Visitors are required to enter barefoot, and the sandstone floor gets hot during the day, so it's advisable to wear socks.

You can choose to book a three- or five-star hotel with the team – usually at properties like Courtyard Agra or Hotel Karan Vilas. You can also book just the tour and arrange your accommodations independently.

Some travelers mentioned complimentary stops at local shops. Shopkeepers can be pushy in such touristy areas, and it's best to be wary of crafts and wares sold at unusually high prices.

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Ria Gupta is a travel writer born and brought up in Delhi. She's spent years visiting the neighbouring city of Agra, among other destinations in North India. She loves history and design, and has grown up visiting iconic sights like the Taj Mahal as a way to learn about a destination's backstory. For this roundup, she looked back on her own experience, coupling it with her research for past projects over the years, insights from locals and experts, and a host of online reviews and information.