Knowing how to reach Rajasthan is the first practical step in planning a trip to the Land of Kings. As India’s largest state, Rajasthan is well-connected by air, rail, and road, with multiple entry points depending on which part of the state you plan to explore first. This guide covers every way to reach Rajasthan, the best airports, train routes, and road connections, and how to choose the right entry point for your itinerary.
For complete trip planning, see our Rajasthan travel guide and Rajasthan tour packages.
Reaching Rajasthan by Air
Jaipur International Airport (Sanganer Airport) is the main gateway to Rajasthan and the state’s busiest airport. It has domestic connections to and from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and many other Indian cities, as well as international flights to and from Dubai, Sharjah, Muscat, Singapore, and Bangkok. For most visitors, flying into Jaipur is the most convenient way to begin a Rajasthan trip, as it is the natural starting point for the classic circuit.
Udaipur (Maharana Pratap Airport) and Jodhpur Airport both have well-connected domestic terminals, with direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur. These are useful entry or exit points for travellers who want to begin or end their trip in the southern or western part of the state rather than backtracking to Jaipur.
Jaisalmer Airport has limited seasonal service, operating primarily during the busy winter tourist months (roughly October to March). When flights are available, flying into Jaisalmer can save a long road journey across the desert.
For international visitors, the most common approach is to fly into Delhi (the main international hub for northern India) and then continue to Rajasthan by air, train, or road, often combining the trip with the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.
Reaching Rajasthan by Train
Rajasthan has the best rail connectivity in northern India, and the train is one of the most comfortable, scenic, and characterful ways to reach the state and travel around it.
From Delhi to Jaipur: The Delhi to Jaipur route is served by the Vande Bharat Express, which covers the journey in around four hours, along with numerous other daily services. This is one of the easiest and most popular ways to reach Rajasthan.
Key railway junctions: Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ajmer (for Pushkar), Bikaner, Bharatpur, and Kota all have direct trains from Delhi and other major cities. Comfortable express and superfast trains link Rajasthan with Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad, making it straightforward to add the state to a wider India itinerary.
Overnight trains within Rajasthan: Overnight sleeper trains link Jaipur with Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer, allowing you to travel between cities while saving a hotel night. Booking via the IRCTC portal at least two weeks in advance is recommended for the better classes (2AC and 3AC), which are comfortable and air-conditioned.
Luxury trains: For a special experience, luxury trains such as the Palace on Wheels offer a curated, opulent journey through Rajasthan’s major destinations. Our luxury train inspired Rajasthan trip guide covers this in detail.
Reaching Rajasthan by Road
Rajasthan has good national and state highways radiating in all directions, providing easy road access from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.
From Delhi: The Delhi-to-Jaipur route (approximately 270 kilometres) is the most popular road approach, taking roughly five to six hours, though the newer expressway infrastructure has reduced driving times on parts of the route. This is the classic overland entry to Rajasthan.
From Mumbai and Ahmedabad: Travellers from the west typically enter Rajasthan through Udaipur, making the southern city a natural starting point for an anti-clockwise circuit.
Getting around by road: Once in Rajasthan, a private chauffeur-driven car is the most popular and practical option for the multi-city circuit. It offers door-to-door flexibility, the ability to stop at sites between cities, and a knowledgeable local driver, which is particularly valuable for international visitors who find navigating Indian highway traffic, cattle crossings, and rural roads stressful. Government and private buses also connect most cities and many smaller towns for budget-conscious travellers.
Choosing the Right Entry Point
Fly into Jaipur if you want to follow the classic Rajasthan circuit, combine the trip with the Golden Triangle, or simply want the most connected and convenient starting point.
Fly into Udaipur if you are approaching from Mumbai or the west, prioritising the romantic City of Lakes, or planning an anti-clockwise loop.
Fly into Jodhpur for a western or desert-focused itinerary, or to break up a longer trip.
Enter by train from Delhi if you want a comfortable, scenic, and affordable approach, particularly via the fast Vande Bharat service to Jaipur.
Combine with Delhi and Agra if this is your first trip to northern India and you want to see the Taj Mahal as part of the Golden Triangle before continuing into Rajasthan.
Plan your Rajasthan trip with Immersive Trips
At Immersive Trips, we handle all the logistics of reaching and travelling around Rajasthan, from airport transfers to chauffeur-driven cars to train bookings, so you can focus on the experience rather than the arrangements. Get in touch with our team to start planning your Rajasthan journey.
Frequently asked questions about how to reach Rajasthan
Which is the main airport for Rajasthan?
Jaipur International Airport (Sanganer Airport) is the main gateway to Rajasthan and the state’s busiest airport, with domestic connections across India and international flights to Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, and other destinations. Udaipur and Jodhpur also have well-connected domestic airports.
How do I reach Rajasthan from Delhi?
The most popular options are the Vande Bharat Express train to Jaipur (around four hours), a flight to Jaipur, Udaipur, or Jodhpur, or a road journey to Jaipur (approximately five to six hours). Many travellers combine Delhi with Agra and Jaipur as the Golden Triangle before continuing into Rajasthan.
Is it better to reach Rajasthan by train or flight?
Both are good options. Flights are faster and useful for reaching the more distant cities such as Udaipur and Jodhpur. Trains are comfortable, scenic, affordable, and highly characterful, with the fast Vande Bharat service to Jaipur and overnight sleeper trains between cities being particularly convenient. Many travellers use a mix of both.
Can I fly directly to Jaisalmer?
Jaisalmer has an airport with limited seasonal service, operating primarily during the winter tourist months (roughly October to March). When flights are available, flying into Jaisalmer saves a long desert road journey. Outside the season, Jaisalmer is reached by road or train from Jodhpur.
How long does it take to drive from Delhi to Jaipur?
The drive from Delhi to Jaipur (approximately 270 kilometres) takes roughly five to six hours, depending on traffic and the route taken. Improved expressway infrastructure has reduced driving times on parts of the route.
What is the best way to travel between cities within Rajasthan?
A private chauffeur-driven car is the most popular and practical option for the multi-city circuit, offering flexibility, comfort, and the ability to stop at sites between cities. Overnight trains between major cities are a comfortable alternative that saves the cost of a hotel night. Buses are available for budget travellers.
Are there international flights to Rajasthan?
Yes. Jaipur International Airport has direct international flights to and from Dubai, Sharjah, Muscat, Singapore, and Bangkok. For most other international arrivals, flying into Delhi and then continuing to Rajasthan by air, train, or road is the standard approach.
Which railway station should I use for Pushkar?
The nearest major railway junction to Pushkar is Ajmer, approximately 15 kilometres away, with direct trains from Delhi, Jaipur, and other cities. From Ajmer, Pushkar is a short drive by taxi or local transport.
Is a luxury train journey through Rajasthan worth it?
For travellers seeking a special, curated experience, luxury trains such as the Palace on Wheels offer an opulent journey through Rajasthan’s major destinations with meals, guided tours, and heritage-style accommodation on board. It is a distinctive way to experience the state, covered in our luxury train inspired Rajasthan trip guide.
Can I reach Rajasthan from Mumbai or Ahmedabad?
Yes. Travellers from the west typically enter Rajasthan through Udaipur, which has direct flights and train connections from Mumbai and Ahmedabad. This makes Udaipur a natural starting point for an anti-clockwise circuit through the state for those approaching from western India.