Taj Mahal Visitors Will Be Fined for Staying Longer Than 3 Hours
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
The Taj Mahal thinks visitors are overstaying their welcome.
In this week’s battle against overtourism, the Taj Mahal has made yet another attempt to whittle down the nearly 50,000 visitors that pass through its doors every day.
Now, guests at the Taj Mahal will have a three-hour time limit when visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site upon entry. And if they exceed this limit, they’ll be fined.
Vasant Swarakar, the superintending archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Agra Circle, told The Times of India that tourists who spend more than three hours in the Taj Mahal will be charged an extra sum equivalent to the ticket, which will have to be paid at the exit gate. Visitors who don’t show up for their designated time slot (which is specified on their ticket) will also not be allowed to enter the landmark.
As one of the most photographed landmarks in the world, the Taj Mahal has been fighting against overtourism with new rules and regulations for a while now. In an effort to decrease the foot traffic in December of 2018, the ASI increased the entry fee for Indian nationals to the Taj Mahal by 400%. For foreign tourists, the fee jumped a more reasonable 15%.
As of now, ticket prices for the landmark cost 1100 rupees ($15.75) for foreign tourists plus an additional 200 rupees ($2.86) to enter the mausoleum. Domestic tourists are charged 50 rupees with the same entrance fee for the mausoleum, according to Lonely Planet. With the new policy instated, a foreign tourist that exceeds their allotted time will likely have to pay an additional $15.75. However, it is still currently unclear how Taj Mahal staff members will be timing guests or enforcing these fines.
Featured image by Nora Carol Photography via Getty Images.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
WELCOME OFFER: 80,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,600
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 3X points on dining and 2x points on travel, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Enjoy benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 toward travel.
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.