Last Updated on February 16, 2024 by Natalia
There are plenty of options when it comes to getting from Jaipur to Jaisalmer, or vice versa. Both cities are wonderful places to visit, and so they’re worthy inclusions on any Rajasthan itinerary. Jaipur is well-known for its ‘pink city’ and the beautiful City Palace complex. Jaisalmer is best known for its stunning golden fort, and is conveniently located for adventuring into the Thar Desert. Although both Jaipur and Jaisalmer are popular destinations, they’re actually located around 500 kilometres away from each other. Thankfully though, there are plenty of options for getting between the two, including taxis, trains and buses. Find out how to get from Jaipur to Jaisalmer, and vice versa, with this guide!
Train from Jaipur to Jaisalmer
The best way to get from Jaipur to Jaisalmer, or from Jaisalmer to Jaipur, is to take the train. As the cities are so far apart from each other the journey takes 12-13 hours depending on the train schedule.
Despite it being a long journey, ticket prices are very reasonable. Prices for a train from Jaipur to Jaisalmer start at just 250 rupees for Second Sitting, which is the lowest class type.
As you will be spending at least 12 hours on the train, we recommend paying more for a higher class. Tickets are still reasonably priced in other classes, and you’ll be a lot more comfortable!
The following class types, ranked from lowest to highest, are available: Second Sitting, Sleeper, AC 3 Tier, AC 2 Tier and AC First Class. Not all class types are available on every train, but there are normally at least 3 classes to choose from.
Aside from Second Sitting, all of these classes provide you with a bed, which means you can get comfortable and even get a good sleep during the long journey. Obviously the higher the class the more comfortable you will be, but we travelled in AC 3 Tier multiple times and found it more than good enough!
When travelling the route from Jaipur to Jaisalmer we personally think the overnight train is the best option. That way you can sleep for the majority of the journey and arrive at a reasonable time around the middle of the day.
One thing to be wary of is that trains can sell out quite far in advance in India. We had to completely change our itinerary because we were unable to book the trains we wanted, so make sure to learn from our mistakes and plan ahead!
The easiest way to book trains in advance is to use the 12GoAsia website. If you’re not an Indian resident then booking trains online isn’t possible without going through a third party.
We’ve used 12GoAsia multiple times for our travels and they’re able to book trains for you, which is incredibly helpful. Booking this way does cost slightly more, but it’s worth it to ensure you are able to travel on the days you want!
Click here to book your train on the 12GoAsia website!
If you’re already travelling in India then it’s possible to buy your tickets through a travel agent. Most tourist destinations have travel agents about, and most are able to book tickets and only charge a small service fee of 50-100 rupees per ticket.
This option is cheaper, but unless you’re already in India and booking well in advance then you run the risk of trains selling out. We recommend booking by 12GoAsia to be safe, but if you want to take the risk then you can wait until you get to India and arrange your trains then!
Click here to check train schedules and prices on the Indian Railways booking platform!
Bus from Jaipur to Jaisalmer
The other way to get from Jaipur to Jaisalmer using public transport is to take the bus. There are several buses a day that run from Jaipur to Jaisalmer, and vice versa.
If you opt to take the bus you should expect a long journey, most likely in excess of 12 hours and with some delays along the way. We personally recommend taking the train as you will be more comfortable and have more space, as long as you opt for one of the sleeper classes.
Prices for a bus from Jaipur to Jaisalmer start at 500 rupees per person, which is reasonable value. The same journey in the AC 3 Tier class on the train starts from as little as 920 rupees, and considering it’s much more comfortable we suggest paying the extra or it’s likely to be a very uncomfortable journey.
If your main aim is saving as much money as possible then the bus might be a reasonable option, but even then it’s still cheaper to travel in the lowest class on the train.
Click here to see the bus timetable between the two cities!
Taxi from Jaipur to Jaisalmer
If you don’t want to take the train or bus then it’s possible to get a taxi from Jaipur to Jaisalmer. Although it’s quicker than all the alternatives (apart from flying!), it still takes at least 10 hours in the car.
Journey times can be hard to predict when travelling by car in India, and things like Google Maps don’t always come up with the best estimates. Traffic can also be quite slow, so don’t be surprised if you end up taking a few hours more than you expect!
Another issue you may encounter is actually finding a taxi willing to take you from Jaipur to Jaisalmer. If you’re already in one of the cities then the best thing to do is speak to taxi drivers on the street to see if they’re willing to take you. More often than not it’s easy to find a driver this way.
The last option is to use an online taxi service such as Make My Trip Cabs or OlaCabs Outstation, which are effectively equivalents of Uber for long distance journeys in India. This tends to be more expensive, but it’s a reasonable option if you want to book in advance.
The cost of a taxi from Jaipur to Jaisalmer can really vary. Some companies and/or drivers will charge you for a return trip as it’s such a long journey. Others will be more willing to negotiate a price, so just ask around to get the best deal.
Realistically you should expect a taxi from Jaipur to Jaisalmer, or vice versa, to cost at least 5,000 rupees one-way. The price you get will really depend on your negotiation skills and the company or driver you are dealing with.
Regardless of what price you get, it’s cheaper and more environmentally friendly to travel by train so we really recommend doing that. If there are any places you want to visit between Jaipur and Jaisalmer though, taking a taxi is a good option!
Flight from Jaipur to Jaisalmer
The final option for getting from Jaipur to Jaisalmer is to take a flight, which is by far the quickest way of getting between the two. We personally wouldn’t recommend this, as unnecessary flights are bad for the environment and there are more eco-friendly ways of getting there using public transport.
On top of that, flying is generally the most expensive way of travelling between Jaipur and Jaisalmer. Unless you’re really pushed for time we just don’t think it’s worth taking a flight!
Travelling more of Rajasthan? Check out the links below to find out how to get between other cities!
How to get from Udaipur to Jodhpur! How to get from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer!
How to get from Jaipur to Udaipur! How to get from Jaipur to Jodhpur!
How to get from Udaipur to Jaisalmer!
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