Would you like to avoid the crowd at the Taj Mahal? It sounds like an impossible task when in Agra, as thousands of people visit the mausoleum each day. However, there is one option which surprisingly doesn’t attract many visitors yet. Check out everything you need to know about the secret sunset boat ride at the Taj Mahal.
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Boat ride at Taj Mahal: details
You may have seen pictures or videos of this charming boat rowing in front of the stunning view of the Taj Mahal. But how does it actually work?
Located on the eastern side of the Taj Mahal, there is an Indian man with a little wooden boat who takes visitors on a 15-20 minutes ride on the calm waters of the Yamuna river. He takes only 2-5 people at the time, and he rows to the opposite side of the river and then heads back.
While short, the ride is a unique experience in Agra and it offers a view like no others of the Taj Mahal.
The process of getting on the boat is very simple. People would form a small queue (if there is any) on the side of the river and when the current clients disembark, those who are next discuss a price and hop on.
There is no one on land regulating the procedure, nor there is any ticket office or other men. You have to be patient and ask the guy on the boat when he’s free. We don’t know the reason why there is just one guy and one boat here, but as of January 2023 this is how it is.
Where to find the boat at the Taj Mahal
The boat can be found on the eastern side of the Taj Mahal. The starting point of our route below is the East Gate of the Taj Mahal.
Here is a step by step guide on how to find the boat behind the Taj Mahal:
1) East Gate Taj Mahal
The starting point of the trail described on our map is the East Gate of the Taj Mahal. When facing the East Gate, walk right and keep walking along the wall which delimits the Taj Mahal, in the direction of the river.
2) Keep left at the crossroad
When you reach the crossroad shown above, you need to keep left and keep walking along the wall of the Taj Mahal. Be careful as there are many monkeys here, and they tend to be quite aggressive. One big monkey run against us and attempted to steal a water bottle. Make sure to keep all your valuables and food away.
3) Walk through the red gate
Further down the road you will reach a red gate. You are on the right path! Walk through the gate and you will be there.
Sometimes the main red gate may be closed, but don’t worry. You can still walk through the pedestrian gate on the right.
4) Don’t mind the police
There is a high chance you will find many authorities in uniform on the banks of the Yamuna River. While this may seem intimidating at first – especially considering the amount of guns they are carrying – the military is here for patrolling and controlling the Taj Mahal, and they will be no harm to you.
5) Walk towards the Yamuna river
Once you reach the police outpost, you will already see the Yamuna river and eventually the boat. Walk towards the banks of the river and – if you look left – you will be already welcomed by an outstanding view of the Taj Mahal. This view itself is already a good reason to visit this place.
It’s not rare to find couples shooting their pre-wedding photoshoots here, as it’s one of the few places where you can get some stunning shots of the Taj Mahal without having to worry about the crowd.
6) Queue for the boat
During the day you won’t find many people here, but at sunset it might get a bit more crowded, especially considering the boat only takes 2 to 5 people at the time. Make sure to get on the queue as soon as you get there and enjoy your boat ride!
7) Enjoy the ride!
As soon as it’s your turn, agree on a price, jump on the boat and get ready to enjoy one of the most stunning boat rides of your life. As mentioned before, the ride lasts about 15 to 20 minutes. The guy rowing the boat was very nice and he would take go slower at times if you ask him.
Pricing
There price for the boat ride isn’t fixed, and it ranges between 150 and 500 INR ($2- 6 USD) per person. You need to ask the man and agree to a price before going. Obviously, there is only one boat so you won’t have much power over the bargaining. There is a good chance you will end up paying whatever he asks for if you want to go.
The group who went before us (they were 5 guys from India) told us they have been asked 900 INR ($11 USD) in total for the ride. We were next and the boat owner asked us for 1000 INR ($12 USD) total, which we split amongst us two (500 INR, or just $6 USD each).
Best time to visit
The best time to go on a boat ride behind the Taj Mahal is at sunset. From the Yamuna river, the sun sets on the right side of the Taj Mahal and it aligns well with where the boat is located.
We recommend checking what time sunset is, and then heading to the river at least 1.5 to 2 hours before sunset time. The best time to hop on the boat is about 1 hour before sunset, and you want to have some extra time in case there are people already waiting.
Alternatively, you may consider doing your boat ride early in the morning. While we don’t know exactly at what time the man starts to welcome tourists on his little boat, morning lights are also beautiful to witness (even though the sun will be on the left, out of the frame).
Where to stay in Agra
The Taj Mahal drives an incredible amount of tourists to Agra, and accommodations flourished all across Agra.
- BUDGET: A good budget hostel is Taj Street Hostel, with dorm beds costing $6 USD per night for one person. (They also have double rooms). Another one of the cheapest and best options is Joey’s Hostel Agra, with its rooftop cafè overlooking the Taj Mahal and priced at only $19 USD/night for a double room.
- MID-RANGE: Check out The Coral Tree Boutique Homestay for a nice mid-range option in Agra. Rooms cost $33 USD/night for two people. The Hosteller Agra is also an interesting choice.
- LUXURY: For a comfortable stay in Agra, take a look at Ekaa Villa & Kitchen (from $53 USD/night for a double room) and at Trident Agra ($80 USD +). For an ultra-luxurious stay, the go-to option is The Oberoi Amarvilas Agra ($460 USD/night).
just tried to get the boat, they wanted equivalent of £15 PER PERSON !.can only take 3 people for a 3.minute ride !!.we declined VERY FIRMLY !!.
Hi Diana, wow, that’s way more than we—or other people—paid; no wonder you declined. I assume it was a different boat/guide? As we wrote in this post, just a few months ago, the price was about 200 INR per person (for Indians) and about 500 INR per person for foreigners. I’d be surprised if they asked you more than 1500 INR total, let alone nearly 5,000 INR!