Rajasthan travel routes: circuits, buses, trains and drive times

Golden Triangle: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. 4 to 5 days, the usual first trip to North India.

Lakes and pilgrimage: Jaipur, Pushkar (with Ajmer) and Udaipur. 5 to 6 days, easy driving and a good family pace.

Desert circuit: Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner. 5 to 6 days, with a night in a desert camp near Jaisalmer.

Royal loop: Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur. 8 to 10 days, and roughly the path the Palace on Wheels train follows.

Delhi to Jaipur: about 270 km. Around 3 to 4 hours on the expressway link, longer on NH48 in traffic.

Jaipur to Pushkar: about 145 km, roughly 3 hours. Jaipur to Udaipur: about 420 km, 6 to 7 hours. Jaipur to Jodhpur: about 335 km, around 6 hours.

Jodhpur to Jaisalmer: about 285 km, 5 to 6 hours. Jaisalmer to Bikaner: about 330 km. Jodhpur to Udaipur: about 250 km through the Aravallis, with Ranakpur and Kumbhalgarh as natural stops.

These are distances, not plans. Build in a stop every 2 to 3 hours, and avoid driving into Jaisalmer after dark on the desert highway.

The state bus service runs ordinary, express, deluxe and AC classes, including AC sleeper and Volvo style services on the main intercity routes such as Jaipur to Jodhpur, Jaipur to Udaipur and Jaipur to Bikaner.

Book only on the official RSRTC booking site or at bus stands. Timetables and classes change seasonally, so check the current service on the day you book.

For families and groups, a private cab or Tempo Traveller usually works out simpler than buses once you count luggage, sightseeing stops and hotel pickups.

The Ajmer Shatabdi (12015) leaves New Delhi early morning and reaches Jaipur in about 4.5 hours, continuing to Ajmer for Pushkar. It is the easiest Delhi to Jaipur daytime train.

Overnight trains link Delhi and Jaipur with Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur, which saves a hotel night and a long drive. Always confirm current timings on IRCTC before planning around a train.

The Palace on Wheels luxury train runs a week-long Rajasthan circuit in the cooler months, typically September to April.

October to March is the comfortable season across Rajasthan. April to June is very hot in the desert. The monsoon, July to September, is quieter and turns Udaipur and Mount Abu green.

Tell us your arrival city, nights and who is travelling. We suggest the circuit, the hotels by area, and whether cab, train or a mix makes sense, then share the plan on WhatsApp before anything is booked.