There are many fantastic cities in India that are worth visiting. One of them is undoubtedly Jaipur. Known as the “Pink City” due to the pink hue of many of its buildings, Jaipur is full of spectacular architecture such as the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Amber Palace and Jantar Mantar. Its history dates back to the year of its founding, i.e. 1727. Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan and is part of the Golden Triangle, a well-known tourist circuit highlighting the city’s cultural value. After exploring Jaipur, head towards the southern borders of Rajasthan and visit the smaller but charming city of Udaipur.
On the other hand, Udaipur is a very attractive travel destination. It is called the city of lakes because of the seven lakes surrounding it. Thanks to the nearby lakes and mountains, Udaipur has a more European feel, although it has typical architecture which is reflected in the large City Palace complex and other places in the old city. For amazing views of the city, be sure to visit the nearby lakes and mountains.
Options to go from Jaipur to Udaipur
The straight-line distance from Jaipur to Udaipur is 330 kilometers. However, as the roads and railroads wind their way connecting the two destinations, the journey is a bit longer. By road, the shortest route is 410 kilometers long, and by rail it is 14 kilometers longer. You can travel between these cities by bus, train and even by plane. The flight from Jaipur to Udaipur is much faster than other means of transport, but it is also slightly more expensive.
Jaipur to Udaipur by bus
Buses in Udaipur © TK Kurikawa / Shutterstock.com
Traveling by bus from Jaipur to Udaipur has several advantages. Firstly, there are many buses on this route every day, so it’s easy to find an option that fits your plans. This provides great flexibility for any traveler as you will be able to leave Jaipur at a time that suits you best. With so many buses running on the same route, there is a lot of competition between different companies, which helps keep prices down. The bus is the cheapest means of transport to get from Jaipur to Udaipur, so you can travel cheap if you choose this option.
But of course, the fact that the trip is so cheap also has its downsides. One of them is, you imagine, the duration of the trip. Scheduled hours vary greatly and there are differences between public and private companies. Express buses also travel at different times. Depending on the selected option, the tour can last from 7.5 to 12 hours.
Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) is the official public bus operator in Rajasthan. This company offers around twelve daily departures from Jaipur to Udaipur. Only with this company, travelers already have a wide range of buses, but there are also private companies that offer their services on this route.
Bus prices vary between different operators, but in general you will find that tickets are very cheap. We recommend avoiding the cheapest options as these are usually non-air-conditioned buses that run on roads in better conditions instead of the highway. These buses take a long time to reach Udaipur due to the condition of the roads and the large number of stops along the way.
Flights from Jaipur to Udaipur
SpiceJet Operates Dash 8 Propeller Airplane for Jaipur to Udaipur Domestic Flight © InsectWorld / Shutterstock.com
Though more expensive than the bus and train, the flight from Jaipur to Udaipur saves you a few hours to enjoy Udaipur as much as possible. Flights only take an hour and even when you factor in airport transfer times, check-in, security, boarding and onward transfer to Udaipur, you should still get to your destination in less time than by train or bus.
The good thing about this option is that although it is not the main route, there are daily flights from Jaipur to Udaipur SpiceJet with a scheduled departure at 10:00 am. Another airline that serves this route is Alliance Air, which offers three weekly flights. While not as flexible as SpiceJet, it’s a good idea to compare the different options.
Flights depart from Jaipur International Airport, which is located 13 kilometers from the city in the Sanganer district. You can get to the airport by bus in about an hour or take a taxi to shorten the trip a bit.
Airplanes land at Maharana Pratap Airport, which is located in Dabok, 22 kilometers from Udaipur city. The options to reach the city are the same: public transport bus (line 5), taxi or rickshaw.
Jaipur to Udaipur by train
Udaipur Railway Station © Amit kg / Shutterstock.com
Traveling by train in India is quite an experience. It is very common to choose this means of transport for traveling long distances between cities, as it can be very cheap, especially on the basic seats of non-air-conditioned carriages. However, if you don’t like being hot and a bit uncomfortable, we don’t recommend going to these places. It is best to choose a more expensive ticket for an air-conditioned carriage, or even in a compartment with a bed to sleep on the way. The latter option is especially recommended if you are traveling by night train. As you can imagine, there are compartments of different classes, from beds with very little padding to first class beds that offer more privacy and comfort.
Timetables are subject to change, but there are usually two direct trains from Jaipur to Udaipur daily, as well as trains serving this route on certain days of the week. You can expect at least two sailings a day, and in some cases up to six. While there is a good deal, trains from Jaipur to Udaipur can be completed with some advance notice. Try to book your tickets as soon as possible to avoid surprises and secure a good seat or bed. Tickets can be purchased via the website 12Go.asiawhere you can easily compare ticket types and prices for each option. This is a very convenient tool for avoiding local site searches and also allows you to receive confirmations instantly. Two daily trains on a direct route take approximately 7.5 hours to reach Udaipur. We recommend taking the overnight train, which leaves Jaipur at 11:00 PM and arrives in Udaipur around 6:35 AM. In this way, you save accommodation and can start exploring the city as soon as you arrive.
The last option to travel from Jaipur to Udaipur is to book a private taxi. It’s possible to book with 12Go, but it’s a more expensive option that’s only available if you’re traveling with a group and you can split the cost between everyone. Trains in India have a reputation for being late and remember that buses are quite slow. Airplane is the fastest means of transport from Jaipur to Udaipur.