How To Get A Photo Alone At The Taj Mahal

Set your alarm before 5am.

Because you will need to get there EARLY. The gates open at sunrise but you’ll need to have your tickets and be in line before that. You’ll need to be towards the front of the line or you won’t stand much of a chance.

Don’t pack a bag so you can cut the security line.

Bag checks at the Taj Mahal are intense. They won’t let you bring in food, pens, markers, eye liner, drones, tripods…. the list goes on! With so many banned items, the bag check takes awhile. You don’t want to be stuck in the bag check as the sun comes up and the crowds pour in. If you don’t have a bag, you can just breeze right through the metal detectors and be on your way!

Hustle inside.

You’ve sped through security since you didn’t pack a bag (yay!) and now you’ll have to dodge a few sellers/local photographers who will want to sell their services or goods. But if you want to see the Taj Mahal empty, not just for the photos but for the sheer granduere of witnessing it completely EMPTY (It was so beautiful, I literally cried!) then come back to any sellers/photographers later.

Be photo ready when you arrive.

Some girls in our group packed sarees to wear upon arrival but didn’t wrap them until we arrived. Show up exactly how you want to look in the picture. Have your camera charged and know who is taking your picture. You won’t have time to fuss over things once you enter the space.

Pass the first photo point where everyone stops.

There is a breathtaking view when you first round the corner and see the Taj Mahal for the first time. It. Is. Stunning. But don’t get trapped here! Everyone stops here and grabs photos right away. Come back to this spot later!!

Hustle down to the midway point (between pools of water!)

Anddddd now you are seeing the Taj Mahal free of people. In all it’s splendid glory and sparkling in the morning sun. It truly is magical. Have whoever is taking your picture go up on the top middle platform- you can’t miss it! Then center yourself down below between the pools. Smile for the camera of course, but also turn around for a moment and gaze up at the Taj Mahal. It will feel like you’re the only one there. Pure magic.

Be generous and don’t hog the spot.

Being a kind traveler means not destroying the chance for others to get a photo there as well. We snapped two quick pictures of me and I hopped out to let someone else stand in the glorious, empty spot.

*Instagram can be a curse and a blessing. I love the travel community it provides but I hate when I visit a popular landmark and I see people selfishly posing over and over again in front of the same spot and preventing other people from enjoying the space 🙂 Just be kind and share the space with others! Everyone is just as excited to be there as you 🙂

If you aren’t able to get there in time, no worries. You can still get amazing pictures.

Using your body to strategically block people on the path behind you in another great way to get lovely, clear travel shots at the Taj Mahal! You can’t see the family coming down the path because my torso and head were blocking them perfectly.