View of Hawa Mahal from the main road

Travel to Jaipur

Jaipur Tourism



Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan is famous as the 'pink city'. History has it that in 1876, Jaipur dressed itself pink to welcome Prince Albert and Queen Elizabeth II, and thus the name "Pink City" stuck to it. It is high on the itinerary of the tourist visiting India and its close proximity to the cities of Delhi and Agra makes it part of the Golden triangle.

The tourist attractions in Jaipur are the architectural marvels, perhaps the most popular being the Hawa Mahal, once used as a veil by the royal women to watch the proceedings on the road, it is today one of the most visited monuments in Jaipur.

The City Palace is a perfect blending of Mughal and Rajput architecture. Ambar Fort offers a magnificent view of the city and its surrounding area

Jaipur the capital of Rajasthan or ' land of the kings ' falls on the most popular tourist circuit in India, the golden triangle of Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra. Jaipur was built by and named after Sawai Jai Singh II. In 1727, he moved his capital from Amber, which was built on a hill, and founded Jaipur city down in the plains. Planned with wide roads and according to the ancient Indian Shilpa Shastra or architecture, Jaipur today still retains its old world charm amongst its bustling business centers.

Best time to visit

Its proximity to India’s lone desert in Rajasthan –Thar, makes the temperature in Jaipur hot in summer and moderate in winter. Weather is best between October and March. In winter the temperature ranges between 21°C and 8°C, making it a pleasant time to travel. Summer is the off season as it is intensely hot with temperature frequently touching 45°C, but one can get good deals on hotel accommodations.

How to Reach Jaipur

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan is one of the most visited tourist destinations in India. A large number of visitors have Jaipur as their first stop on a royal trip to Rajasthan. The Pink City has a lot to offer to the tourists. Also, reaching the place is not a very difficult task as the city has a major airport, a railway station and is well connected by road to different parts of the country.

By Air

Jaipur has an airport called Sanganer, 15 km from the city, which connects Jaipur to all major airports in India through direct flights. It has regular flights to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur and Udaipur.

Following are the flights that you can take to Jaipur from Major Indian Cities:

From New Delhi
  • Jet Lite
  • Jet airways Konnect
  • Kingfisher Airlines
From Mumbai
  • Go Air
  • Indigo
  • Spice Jet
From Chennai
  • Spice Jet
  • Jet Airways Konnect
  • Spice Jet
By Road

It is very convenient to travel to Jaipur by road. Regular government run buses and those by private operators’ are available for commuting to and from the city. The important highways connecting Jaipur to other important Indian cities are NH-8, NH-11 and NH-12.

By Train

Jaipur has a railway junction, which connects Jaipur with the metros and all the major cities of India. If you want to experience a truly royal ride, then you should take the train 'Palace on Wheels', which leaves from Delhi and connects a number of tourist attractions. If you prefer a more economical travel, then you can opt for the Pink City Express from Delhi. Other trains are the Shatabdi Express and the Intercity Express.

Following are some of the trains that you can take to Jaipur from Major Indian Cities.

From New Delhi
  • Rajasthan Sampark Kranti Express
  • Jaipur Delhi Sarai Rohilla
  • Mandore Express    More Trains...
From Mumbai
  • Aravalli Express
  • Marusagar Express
  • Jaipur Pune SF Express    More Trains...
From Kolkata
  • Bikaner-Howrah SF Express
  • Ananya Express
  • Pratap Express    More Trains...
Distance to Jaipur
  • From Delhi - 258 KM
  • From Lucknow - 595 KM
  • From Gurgaon - 228 KM
  • From Agra - 232 KM
  • From Aurangabad - 1049 KM
Jaipur Distance Chart

Places to Visit in Jaipur

Shopping in Jaipur

Shopping in Jaipur is going to be a colorful and dazzling experience for the tourist, what with the wide range of handicrafts and jewellery to choose from. The rulers of Jaipur always patronized the production and marketing of handicrafts. The shops and streets, which were then earmarked for artisans and traders, still retain their old world charm.

It is one of the most active jewel markets in the world and specializes in precious and semi precious stones, particularly that of diamonds, topaz and emeralds. Jaipur is also known for its enamel or minakari work done on gold and silver.It is renowned for its perfection and alluring colors.

The Jaipur lacquered and carved brass work is famous for its quality and artistry. Jaipur has a stone and marble carving industry.The stones used come are even brought from the mines of makrana, the famous quarry which supplied marble stones for the Taj Mahal. Little doubt that the busts and carvings created in Jaipur have a high renown.

Jaipur is also famous for its textiles. The Sanganeri, Bagru and the Bandhej are typical of this region. If you are looking for antiques, then you should check pout the shops near the Hawa Mahal.Outside You can also find Jaipuri quilts in shops around the Hawa Mahal, even heavy ones weighing a few kilograms.

You can pick up handicrafts, traditional tie and dye fabrics and jewelery from the main markets along Jauhari Bazaar. Bapu Bazaar and Nehru Bazaar are famous for local perfumes and shoes made of camel skin. M I Road has a range of goods, from jewellery and brass work to textiles.

It also has government emporiums where you can buy souvenirs from the state of Rajasthan.Tripoli and Chaura Rasta give you the rare privelege of watching the artisans at work, making trinkets and other ironware.

Food

Rajasthani cuisine is world-famous for its unique taste and traditional style of cooking. Mainly vegetarian in menu, the cuisine offers a wide spread of items on the platter, starting from traditionally cooked rice, dal and different types of vegetables.

The bread basket includes rotis, chapattis, paranthas, puri, kachouri, tikadia, and laapsi. Famous dishes of Jaipur are dal-baati-churma, dai shorba, ker sangri, mangodi alu ki saak, bharwan mirch, kadhi, gatte ki sabji, etc., and are part of the main dish. Pickles and papads make a spicy addition to the meal, along with lehsun ki chutney, pudina chutney and tamatar ki launji. Desserts include gujja, imarti, balushahi, besan chakki, jhajhariya, Alwar ka mawa and makhkhan bada, among others. Different types of halwas, laddoos, and kheer are also prepared. Chaas and lassi are the main dairy products, other than ghee, butter and paneer. Chicken and mutton are also preferred by the people. Snacks like dahi bada, chilla and dahi kachouri are taken as snacks with tea. Jaipur has several famous places for culinary satisfaction, like Chokhni Dhani, Ambrosia, Apno Gaon, Loharu House, Natraj, Candles and Cuisines, Moti Mahal Deluxe (for non-veg), and many Read More...

Travel tips

  • Tourists must remember that Jaipur follows the strict regulations of the Rajasthani culture. Foreign tourists should avoid clothes that reveal too much of the skin by local standards.
  • Travelers must adhere to the rules of photography strictly, not clicking the forbidden places. This is important because there are lots of heritage buildings in and around the city, and trespassers are punished strictly if found guilty.
  • Sometimes, one may be conned by local goons posing as gemstone sellers, aided by the auto-rickshaw drivers, who are often act as mediators. So it is advisable to purchase gemstones only from authorized dealers.
  • Tourists must also shun overly friendly locals inviting them over for dinner or stay, as many of such incidents have ended up in robbery.
Cost of travel 

Jaipur, like all other cities of India, is not a very costly city to travel. Depending on the mode of transport and choice of accommodation, one can easily spend a week for Rs. 30,000-40,000 per couple. Train tickets from anywhere in India should not cost more than Rs. 3,000-4,000 for air-conditioned coaches. Staying in a mid-range hotel would be roughly around Rs. 14,000-21,000, depending upon the amenities one chooses. To satisfy the taste buds for a week, dipping into the exotic cuisine of Rajasthan will cost less than Rs. 10,000 for two people. Roaming around the city and nearby places will fit into the rest of the budget with ease. However, for some monetary benefits, the tourist may contact tour operators, who can offer a package deal.

How many days are enough?

Jaipur offers options galore to the tourists to enjoy every facet of it. There are several areas to be explored, and the heritage buildings are so magnificent that a single-day tour is not enough to explore them fully. Moreover, the city has several gardens, palaces, and museums with so many things to see and admire and these cannot be completed within hours. So a traveler needs to spend at least 7-10 days in the city to understand the royal legacy and historic charm of the capital of Rajasthan.

Last Updated on : October 17, 2013