Ticket prices for the Taj Mahal rise

India’s beloved Taj Mahal is about to become harder to visit as ticket prices increase.

Officials in Agra have announced that ticket prices for the world-renowned Taj Mahal will rise this week, impacting both international visitors and locals alike.

Children under 15 will still be able to enter without charge, regardless of their nationality.

The Indian government has attributed the price hike to the pressures of overtourism, with the Taj Mahal attracting around seven million visitors annually. This has resulted in overcrowding, damage to the monument, and environmental concerns due to pollution.

In March of this year, another step to combat overcrowding was introduced with a three-hour visit limit.

A spokesperson for India’s national tourism authority told Dinogo Travel at the time, 'The cap is being enforced to regulate the flow of visitors. Each day, the number of tourists continues to rise.'

The Taj Mahal, built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife, is not the only historical site grappling with overtourism.

Cities like Barcelona, Dubrovnik, and Venice have already taken steps to limit visitor numbers. In Barcelona, Mayor Ada Colau ran on a platform that included a 'tourist tax' for cruise ship passengers, compensating for lost hotel revenue.

Some destinations have embraced 'slow travel,' a model that charges daily fees for a limited number of visitors or requires tourists to book specific packages, ensuring that tourism dollars directly benefit the local communities.

If India is still on your travel list, don't let the new Taj Mahal regulations stop you from discovering the many other wonders the country has to offer.

Darshika Jones, Intrepid Travel’s Regional Director of North America, tells Dinogo Travel, 'India has so much more to explore beyond the Taj Mahal, especially in the often underappreciated southern regions.'

'In the south, travelers can explore ancient ruins, breathtaking temples, and savor unique regional cuisine, along with lush landscapes, beach towns, and the birthplace of Ayurveda,' she adds.