Getting to Rajasthan: the options
Rajasthan is one of India's most accessible states, sitting right beside Delhi and the Golden Triangle. You can arrive by air (five airports), train (a dense network centred on Jaipur and Jodhpur) or road (excellent highways from Delhi). This guide covers each route in, plus how to get around once you arrive. Most travellers fly or take a train into Jaipur, then continue by car and rail. Sequence your onward route with the itinerary, and once dates are set, book stays via where to stay. Plan everything from the Rajasthan travel guide.
By air
Jaipur International Airport (JAI) is the main gateway, with frequent domestic flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and beyond, plus some international routes. Udaipur (UDR) is the second-busiest and handy for the southern lakes; Jodhpur (JDH), Jaisalmer (JSA) and Bikaner (BKB) have smaller airports with fewer, mostly seasonal flights. A neat trick is to fly into Jaipur and out of Udaipur (or vice-versa) so you can run the classic loop without doubling back. From the airport, use the prepaid taxi or app cabs into town - see our airport transfer guide.
By train
Trains are the classic, characterful way to reach and travel Rajasthan. Delhi to Jaipur takes around 4.5-5.5 hours on fast services, and there are direct trains from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and the south. Key junctions - Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bikaner - connect the whole circuit, and overnight sleepers (Delhi-Jodhpur, Jaipur-Jaisalmer) save a day. Book through IRCTC as early as possible, as sleeper and AC classes fill fast in peak season; Tatkal quotas open a day ahead. For a splurge, the Palace on Wheels luxury train runs a week-long heritage circuit. Check live times on Indian Railways enquiry.
By road from Delhi and neighbours
Rajasthan has excellent highways. From Delhi, the NH48 reaches Jaipur in about 4-6 hours (around 280 km), making it the natural Golden Triangle entry after Agra. Good roads also connect Ahmedabad to Udaipur (about 4-5 hours) and Gujarat to the south, and Punjab/Haryana to the north. You can self-drive, hire a car and driver from Delhi, or take a Volvo/AC bus (RSRTC and private operators) on the busy Delhi-Jaipur corridor. Road entry suits travellers combining Rajasthan with Delhi, Agra or Gujarat - see how it fits in the day-by-day itinerary.
By bus
Buses are the budget entry. The state carrier RSRTC and private operators run frequent AC Volvo and sleeper coaches from Delhi, Ahmedabad, Indore and neighbouring cities to Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and beyond. The Delhi-Jaipur corridor is especially well-served, with departures through the day and night. Buses are cheap and reasonably comfortable on the main routes, though slower and less scenic than the train. Book ahead online in peak season and around festivals. For getting between cities inside the state on a budget, see Rajasthan on a budget.
International arrivals & combining with neighbours
Most overseas visitors land in Delhi or Mumbai and connect onward - Delhi is closest, an hour's flight, a 5-hour train or a 4-6 hour drive from Jaipur. Rajasthan also combines easily with neighbouring states: pair the north with the Golden Triangle (Delhi and Agra's Taj Mahal), link Udaipur with Gujarat (Ahmedabad is about 4-5 hours by road), or continue from Bharatpur to the temples of Madhya Pradesh. Book any onward domestic legs together to keep transfers smooth, and allow a buffer for international connection times. Browse wider routes in the India travel guides and sort pickups via the airport transfer guide.
Getting around within Rajasthan
Inside the state, the winning combination is a private car and driver for the city loop plus the odd train for long legs. A driver hired for the whole trip gives flexibility to stop at step-wells and dhabas and costs a sensible daily rate plus fuel. Trains shine on set corridors (Jaipur-Jaisalmer overnight, Jaipur-Sawai Madhopur for Ranthambore). Within cities, use app cabs, autos and e-rickshaws - agree fares or use the meter. A couple of short flights can save time on a compressed trip. Build the moving parts into your Rajasthan itinerary and budget them with the trip budget calculator.
Practical arrival tips
A few pointers smooth the arrival. Book trains early via IRCTC - it needs a verified account, so set one up before you travel. Use prepaid or app taxis from airports and stations to avoid overcharging. Keep some cash for tolls, autos and rural stops, though cards and UPI work in cities. If you land internationally in Delhi, you can connect the same day to Jaipur by flight, train or road. Consider travel insurance for a multi-city trip, and read travel tips before you go. Browse other India travel guides to plan a wider route.
How to get to Rajasthan
- Fly into Jaipur (JAI), the main airport, or Udaipur for the south.
- Consider flying into one city and out of another to run the loop.
- Take a fast train from Delhi to Jaipur in around five hours.
- Use overnight sleeper trains for long legs like Jaipur to Jaisalmer.
- Drive the NH48 from Delhi to Jaipur in 4-6 hours as a Golden Triangle entry.
- Book IRCTC train tickets as early as possible for peak season.
- Combine a car-and-driver with the odd train and short flight in-state.
Cost summary
| Delhi-Jaipur train (AC chair) | ~₹500-1,200 |
|---|---|
| Delhi-Jaipur AC Volvo bus | ~₹700-1,200 |
| Airport prepaid taxi (city) | ~₹300-700 |
| Domestic flight into Jaipur | ~₹3,000-7,000 |
| Car + driver from Delhi | ~₹4,000-6,000 one-way |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming you must fly into every city - trains link the whole circuit.
- Booking trains late and finding sleeper and AC classes sold out.
- Ignoring the fly-in-one-city, out-of-another trick and backtracking.
- Taking unmetered station taxis instead of prepaid or app cabs.
- Overlooking overnight trains that save a day and a hotel night.
- Not setting up an IRCTC account before the trip.
- Forgetting cash for tolls, autos and rural stops.
Alternatives compared
| Mode | From Delhi | Time | Roughly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | To Jaipur (JAI) | ~1 hr | ₹3,000-7,000 |
| Train | To Jaipur | ~4.5-5.5 hrs | ₹500-1,200 (AC) |
| Car | To Jaipur (NH48) | ~4-6 hrs | ₹4,000-6,000 |
| Bus | To Jaipur (Volvo) | ~5-6 hrs | ₹700-1,200 |
Final recommendation
Reaching Rajasthan is straightforward. Jaipur (JAI) is the main airport, with Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner also served, so a smart move is to fly into one city and out of another to run the loop without backtracking. Trains are the classic route - Delhi to Jaipur takes about five hours, and overnight sleepers cover the long desert legs - while the NH48 puts Jaipur 4-6 hours from Delhi as a Golden Triangle entry, and cheap AC buses ply the same corridor. Inside the state, pair a private car and driver with the odd train and short flight, book IRCTC early, and use prepaid or app taxis on arrival.
Frequently asked questions
What is the nearest airport to Rajasthan?
Jaipur International Airport (JAI) is the main and busiest gateway, with frequent flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and other cities plus some international routes. Udaipur (UDR) serves the southern lakes region, while Jodhpur (JDH), Jaisalmer (JSA) and Bikaner (BKB) have smaller airports with fewer, often seasonal, flights.
How do I get from Delhi to Rajasthan?
Delhi is the main northern gateway. You can fly to Jaipur in about an hour, take a fast train in roughly five hours, drive the NH48 in 4-6 hours, or catch an AC Volvo bus in 5-6 hours. Jaipur is the closest major city and the natural entry point when combining Rajasthan with the Golden Triangle.
Is it better to travel Rajasthan by train or car?
Both, in combination. A private car and driver hired for the whole trip gives the most flexibility for the city loop and roadside stops. Trains are excellent for long legs like Jaipur to Jaisalmer, especially overnight sleepers that save a day and a hotel night. Many travellers mix the two, with an occasional flight.
How far in advance should I book Rajasthan trains?
As early as you can, ideally weeks ahead for peak season from October to March, because sleeper and AC classes fill quickly. Book through IRCTC, which requires a verified account, so set one up before you travel. If regular quotas are full, the Tatkal quota opens one day before departure at a premium.
Can I reach Rajasthan as part of the Golden Triangle?
Yes. Jaipur is one corner of the Golden Triangle with Delhi and Agra, so many itineraries run Delhi to Agra for the Taj Mahal, then on to Jaipur by road in a few hours before continuing the Rajasthan loop. It is one of the most popular ways to enter the state for first-time visitors to India.
What is the Palace on Wheels train?
The Palace on Wheels is a luxury tourist train that runs a week-long circuit through Rajasthan, with royal-themed cabins, on-board dining and guided excursions to Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur and more. It is a premium, all-inclusive way to see the state's highlights without arranging your own transport between cities.
How do I get around within Rajasthan?
The best combination is a private car and driver for the intercity loop plus trains for the longest legs. Within cities, use app cabs, autos and e-rickshaws, agreeing fares or using the meter. A couple of short domestic flights can save time on a compressed trip, and prepaid taxis are safest from airports and stations.