How to Reach Rajasthan: Flights, Trains and Road Routes

The easiest way to reach Rajasthan is to fly into Jaipur, the state's best-connected airport, or into Udaipur for the lakes and the south. From Delhi, Jaipur is about four to five hours by road or train. Jodhpur and Jaisalmer serve desert routes, and Sawai Madhopur is the railway station for Ranthambore.

Rajasthan is India's largest state, and distances between its cities are long. Choosing your arrival and departure points well can save a full day of driving. This guide explains which airport to choose, the main train routes, road distances and how to get around once you arrive.

The short answer

Rajasthan's airports

Jaipur is the main international airport, with flights from most Indian cities and some from the Gulf. It suits Golden Triangle trips, Ranthambore and Shekhawati.

Udaipur has flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and other cities, and is the gateway for the lakes, Kumbhalgarh, Ranakpur and the southern hills.

Jodhpur connects with Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru and suits desert routes. Jaisalmer and Bikaner have limited flights, and Kishangarh serves Ajmer and Pushkar.

By train

Rajasthan has an extensive rail network. From Delhi, fast daytime trains such as the Shatabdi and Vande Bharat reach Jaipur in roughly four and a half hours and continue to Ajmer for Pushkar. Overnight trains link Delhi with Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer. From Mumbai, overnight trains reach Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur. Sawai Madhopur, for Ranthambore, is on the main Delhi–Mumbai line. Luxury tourist trains such as the Palace on Wheels run fixed circuits in the cooler months.

By road

Delhi to Jaipur is about 280 kilometres, usually four to five hours depending on traffic and route; newer expressway sections can shorten parts of the journey. From Ahmedabad, Udaipur is about four and a half to five hours. From Agra, Jaipur is about four to five hours, often with a stop at Fatehpur Sikri or the Abhaneri stepwell. Roads between major cities are generally good, though some rural roads are narrow.

Drive times between key cities

Getting around

A private car with an experienced driver is the most comfortable way to travel, especially with parents, as it lets you stop at stepwells, villages and roadside dhabas. Trains are useful for long legs such as Jodhpur to Jaisalmer or Jaipur to Sawai Madhopur. Within cities, autorickshaws and app cabs work well. Our Wild Trails and Royal Tales pairs Ranthambore with the royal cities by road, and Heritage Havens with Jodhpur adds the Blue City to the Golden Triangle.

Matching the route to the trip

Your first day

Most flights land in Jaipur by midday. Use the afternoon for an easy introduction, such as the City Palace and Jantar Mantar or a sunset at Nahargarh Fort, and keep Amber Fort for the next morning when it is cooler and quieter. If you arrive by road from Delhi, stop for lunch on the way and check in before the evening traffic.

Season and booking

October to March is the main season, with peak demand around Diwali, Christmas, New Year and the Pushkar fair. Trains and heritage hotels fill early, so book two to three months ahead. April to June is very hot, and the monsoon brings green hills around Udaipur. Read our month-by-month guide to Rajasthan before booking.

For couples

Couples often fly into Udaipur for the lakes, drive to a fort hotel near Kumbhalgarh or a camp near Jawai, and fly home from Jodhpur or Jaipur. For a shorter romantic break, Udaipur alone works well, with direct flights from several metros. Our Royal Flavours of Rajasthan suits food-loving couples on the Jaipur side.

Road safety and night driving

Highways in Rajasthan carry heavy trucks, and rural roads may have cattle, camels and unlit vehicles after dark. Plan drives to finish before sunset, especially on the long Jaipur–Udaipur and Jodhpur–Jaisalmer legs, and choose a driver with experience of the route. Fog on winter mornings in the north of the state can slow travel, so build in a buffer before trains and flights.

Arriving from Gujarat or Madhya Pradesh

Rajasthan borders Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, which makes it easy to combine. From Ahmedabad, Udaipur is the natural entry, with Mount Abu on the way. From Madhya Pradesh, Chittorgarh and Bundi connect towards Kota and Indore. These overland routes suit longer trips that cover western India.

Festival and fair dates

The Pushkar camel fair in October or November, the Jaipur Literature Festival in January and the desert festival in Jaisalmer around February bring large crowds. Flights, trains and hotels in those towns sell out early, and road traffic slows near the venues. Check dates before you fix your route, and book well ahead if you plan to attend.

Travelling with parents

Choose daytime trains with AC chair cars or a private car, and avoid drives of more than five or six hours in a day. Many forts involve ramps and steps; Amber and Mehrangarh have lifts or vehicle access for part of the way. Ask hotels for ground-floor rooms in heritage properties.

Budget options

Trains and Rajasthan State Road Transport buses are inexpensive, and sleeper berths on overnight trains save a night's hotel. Book early in the season, as popular trains sell out. Within cities, shared autos and app cabs keep costs low.

Practical tips

Desert distances are long, so start early and carry water. In winter, mornings are foggy around Delhi, which can delay flights and trains, so leave a buffer before onward connections. Read our 7-day Rajasthan itinerary and Rajasthan planning guide to build the rest of the trip, or explore our Jaipur and Udaipur pages.

A BagPackerMe planner can arrange the whole journey privately, with one named planner, WhatsApp support throughout and vegetarian and Jain food planned in.

Your questions, answered

Which is the best airport for a Rajasthan trip?

Jaipur has the most flights and suits most first trips. Udaipur is best for the south and the lakes, and Jodhpur for the desert. Fly into one and out of another to avoid backtracking.

How long does it take from Delhi to Jaipur?

About four to five hours by road, depending on traffic and the route, and roughly four and a half hours on the fastest daytime trains. Short flights also connect the two cities.

Is there an airport in Jaisalmer?

Jaisalmer has an airport with limited, often seasonal, flights. Many travellers reach it by train or road from Jodhpur, which takes about five hours.

How do I reach Ranthambore?

Sawai Madhopur is the railway station for Ranthambore and lies on the main Delhi–Mumbai line. By road, it is about three hours from Jaipur. Jaipur is the nearest major airport.