The gates
Which Taj Mahal Gate to Use: East, West or South
Only two of the three gates let you in — and the East Gate's parking was demolished in 2026, which both official sites still fail to mention.
Check dates and availability ↗The three gates and what each is for
| Gate | Also known as | Entry? | Approach | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Gate | Main entrance; tickets at Saheli Burj | Yes | Amrood ka Teela parking | Agra city, Agra Cantt and Mall Road |
| Eastern Gate | Sirhi Darwaza; near Taj Nature Walk | Yes | Parking relocated in June 2026 | Sunrise, Fatehabad Road, night viewing |
| Southern Gate | Faces Taj Ganj (old Mumtazabad) | No — exit only since 25 Feb 2018 | Pedestrian only | Leaving on foot into Taj Ganj |
Two gates in, three gates out
The complex has three outer gateways, but only the Western and Eastern gates admit visitors. ASI states the position on the Southern Gate plainly: no entry at present, exit only. The closure has a precise date and a stated reason — an ASI order effective 25 February 2018, made on the recommendation of the central security agency, closing the South Gate to entry and designating it for exit only. It has not reopened since. This trips up people booking accommodation in Taj Ganj, the old quarter immediately south of the monument, on the assumption they can walk straight in from their guesthouse. They can walk out that way, but they must go round to the East or West gate to get in.
The Western Gate
ASI describes the Western Gate as the main entrance. It faces towards the Shahjahan Garden, Agra cantonment and the city proper, which makes it the natural choice if you are arriving from Agra Cantt station or the Mall Road side. Ticket counters sit near Saheli Burj, slightly back from the gate itself, and vehicle parking is at Amrood ka Teela. Being the principal entrance, it has always drawn the coach groups. Since mid-2026 it has also absorbed the East Gate's displaced traffic, and ASI's own superintending archaeologist has spoken about shifting crowds away from it.
The Eastern Gate
Uttar Pradesh Tourism's own advice is unambiguous: prefer the Eastern Gate to avoid crowds. Known as the Sirhi Darwaza after the tomb of Sirhindi Begum beside it, it faces the Taj Nature Walk and the Fatehabad area. It is the gate to use for a sunrise visit, and it is the only gate used for night viewing. Be aware the vernacular naming is contested — some scholarly sources attach Sirhi Darwaza to the South gate instead — so treat the name as UP Tourism's usage rather than settled fact. The gate itself is not in doubt.
What changed in 2026, and why official pages are wrong
This is the most important practical change in years, and both government sites still describe the old arrangement. The Shilpgram facility centre and car park serving the East Gate closed on 1 June 2026, sending visitors on a five-kilometre detour to the West Gate. Replacement East Gate parking was designated the next day at the ground opposite the “I Love Agra” selfie point, further out from the monument than Shilpgram was. Shilpgram itself was demolished on 3 July 2026 to make way for a new mall, with a ticket counter planned inside it. Both tajmahal.gov.in and agra.nic.in still tell visitors to park at Shilpgram.
The last five hundred metres
No petrol or diesel vehicle may come within five hundred metres of the monument, a restriction that exists to limit pollution damage to the marble. Your taxi drops you at the designated parking and battery-operated buses, golf carts, cycle rickshaws and horse-drawn tongas cover the remaining stretch. ASI states the battery bus and golf cart service is provided free with the foreign, SAARC and BIMSTEC ticket; Agra district administration describes the battery buses as free and the golf carts as paid. Those two official sources disagree, so budget a small amount either way, and note that at peak times demand for carts far exceeds supply.
Queues, ID and security
Both entry gates operate separate queues for foreign and domestic visitors, signposted accordingly. Since late 2024 there has also been a dedicated queue for wheelchair and stroller users, with elderly and sick visitors permitted to the front of any security queue. Bring the original photo ID you used when booking — ASI's terms require it at entry, and this is checked. Security screening is thorough and is where large bags cost you time; both gates have cloakrooms. Note that as of August 2026 the West Gate's bag scanner had been out of order for three months, with bags hand-searched instead and queues correspondingly longer.