Jaipur

Understand

History

Jaipur (JIGH-pur) gets its name from its founder Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1744), a great warrior and astronomer. He came to power at the age of 11 on the death of his father Maharaja Bishan Singh. Jai Singh's lineage can be traced back to the Kucchwaha Rajput, clan who came to power in the 12th century. They were long-term rivals to the Sisodia Rajputs who ruled from Mewar. This rivalry led them to ally with the Mughals, and this alliance resulted in them eventually gaining a pre-eminent position in Rajasthan. Ruling from the magnificent Amber Fort which they built, the might of the Kucchwahas encompassed the kingdoms of Mewar and Marwar. After Jai Singh came to power, there was moment of disquiet when he supported Aurangzeb's son Azam Shah's bid to the throne. Azam Shah lost the battle of succession to his brother Bahadur Shah, who demanded Jai Singh's removal and the installation of Vijay Singh to the throne of Jaipur. Jai Singh, not one to take setbacks lying down, formed a formidable front against the Mughals by aligning himself with other Rajput states and reinstated himself. After the dust had settled, peace reigned, the kingdom prospered and its borders expanded. Jai Singh built the city around the Amber Fort to serve as his capital, and the city was named Jaipur, after himself. Much of the credit for Jaipur goes to Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya, the chief architect from Bengal who, with Jai Singh's approval, founded the city on strong scientific principles, laid out according to the Shilpa Shastra, the ancient architectural manual. It remains one of India's best planned cities. However, expansion meant that the limited sources of water proved inadequate for the city. After Jai Singh's death in 1744, his sons squabbled for power and without a monarch, the kingdom became open to invasion and neighbouring Rajput states and the Marathas usurped large areas of kingdom. The core, however, remained part of the kingdom, which lasted during British times. As with the Mughals, Jaipur maintained good relations with the British and during the war of independence in 1857 remained loyal to the Raj. Yet, the British gradually began to undermine the independence of the state and exercised greater control over the administration. In 1876, Maharaja Ram Singh painted the entire city pink, traditionally a colour associated with hospitality, to welcome the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) to the city. The tradition has been maintained and today all residents in the old city are compelled by law to preserve the pink colour. Jaipur has thereby earned th

Getting there

By plane 1 Jaipur International Airport (JAI IATA), Sanganer. Offers sporadic (chartered) service from London and Dublin. Direct flights from Singapore, Bangkok, Sharjah, Muscat and Dubai are also available. Jaipur also has daily domestic air links with many Indian cities such as Jodhpur, Udaipur, Aurangabad, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Goa, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune and Indore. (updated Oct 2019)

By train

Indian Railways connects Jaipur from all over the country and is one of the cheapest options. A number of daily trains arrive from Delhi, Ahmedabad, Agra, Mumbai, Jodhpur, Kota, Alwar and Ajmer. Daily connections are also available for Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Kolkata, Jammu, Pathankot, Ludhiana, Kanpur, Roorkee, Haridwar, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur and Bhopal. Long-distance trains arrive from many other major cities including Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Vadodara, Surat, Nagpur, Bilaspur, Raipur, Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Chennai, Bangalore, Mysore, Hyderabad, Goa, Mangalore, Kozhikode and Kochi. The most popular option from Delhi are Vande Bharat and Shatabdi Express trains. The Shatabdi Express train departs New Delhi station at 06:05 and reaches Jaipur at 10:30AM. There are three major railway stations: 2 Jaipur Junction NWR , which is the main station, Durgapura and Gandhinagar (Jaipur) — which is not to be confused with the Gandhinagar that is the capital city of the state of Gujarat. All trains stop at Jaipur Junction and a few trains stop at Durgapura and Gandhinagar stations also.

By bus There is an excellent bus service between Jaipur to Delhi by Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) with buses approximately every half an hour in both directions. Non-AC and AC Volvo bus services are offered. The air-conditioned bus is taken through a well-maintained highway and has good shock absorbers. From Delhi you can board the bus from Bikaner House on Pandara Road next to India Gate. From Jaipur you can board the bus from Narayan Singh Circle or the main Sindhi Camp bus stand. You can also book tickets up to 6 days in advance from both these places. These buses typically take 6 hours for the Volvo and 6-7 hours for the others. There are also some private bus operators from Dhaula Kuan in Delhi and outside of Sindhi camp in Jaipur. No need to make advance reservations. The buses journey along bumpy backroads to avoid toll roads, and their shock absorbers are not good. If you plan to leave from Delhi IGI Airport, you can get off the bus at Dhaula Kuan and get an autorickshaw (to the

Getting around

By RTDC bus It is the best and cheaper way to visit the Jaipur Local Sights by RTDC (Rajasthan Tourism Dept. Corp.) There will be one guide with each bus to give you brief info about all sights. The full day tour, as of 2019, costs ₹600.

By metro

The Jaipur Metro provides a fast, reliable and inexpensive way to get around the city. The Pink Line Metro runs from Mansarovar to Badi Chaupar station, which is in the centre of the walled town (a.k.a the Pink City). Fares range between ₹5 and ₹25.

By autorickshaw

Autorickshaws (tuk-tuks) are probably the best way to reach places in the outskirts of Jaipur such as Amber Fort or Galtaji, where getting a taxi or Uber/Ola to go back to the city may be tricky. They are generally more expensive than Uber/Ola, but on the plus side, they are readily available and don't require waiting time. Hiring an autorickshaw for a whole day with a trip to Amber Fort, Tiger Fort, Jal Mahal, and other areas can cost anywhere between ₹450 to ₹550 (as of 2018). But be careful, as the drivers might ask for more money to cover parking fees, petrol, and other charges along the way. Always agree on an ‘all-in’ price that includes his/her time, petrol, lunch, and parking fees. It's not uncommon for people to agree to ₹500 and pay close to ₹1000 with all of the surprise fees. Lastly, make sure you and the driver agree that he/she will take you to the site and not close to it ‘just for photographs’. Prepaid autos are available at the Jaipur railway station and the Sindhi Camp bus stand, although prices are a little inflated and often the same as you get with minimal bargaining. At a certain point, the rates were revised to ₹350-400. The autorickshaw wallas will tell you to take the slip from the police booths. You can also go directly without the slip, but don't forget to bargain over the price in that case; it could be much cheaper. It'll be best if you start your sightseeing by 10AM in the morning as some of the major spots close by 4:30PM and each spot takes a lot of time, especially the forts. Some autorickshaw drivers will try to trick you into paying more than the agreed amount after the trip is over, but you should stick to the original amount decided. Police in Jaipur are very friendly, so in case you feel the autorickshaw driver is trying to misguide you or force you to hand over extra money, just refer the dispute to the police officers at various spots. Also some autorickshaw drivers will tell you to buy artefacts and gifts from some shops especially some on the way to Amber Fort. Firmly refuse to stop there as these

See

Amber Fort

1 Amber Fort (अंबेर क़िला Amber Qilā) (11 km North of central Jaipur, local bus #5 from Hawa Mahal or New Gate), ☏ +91 14 1253 0293. 8AM-6PM. This massive fort-palace complex built in hybrid Hindu-Muslim style dates back to Raja Man Singh and was the royal palace of the Kachwahas from c. 1600-1727. It's one of six UNESCO World Heritage forts in Rajasthan. The name has nothing to do with the rather pretty pastel yellow colour; instead, the fort is named after the area of Amber, in turn named after the goddess Amba. ₹100/20 for Indian adult/student and ₹500/100 for foreign adult/student. Included in the Composite Ticket. There is a special evening viewing from 6:30-9AM, ₹100 for all, Composite Ticket not valid. Camera: free. Audioguides ₹200. Elephant rides: ₹1100. Consider not taking elephant rides as there have been many reports of these animals not being kept and cared for in humane ways. (updated Oct 2018) The fort grounds are sprawling and the information panels (Hindi/English) are somewhat limited, so it might be worth getting an audio guide or a real guide. It's a bit of a hike up from the town, and the touristy thing to do is to ride on an elephant to the top (in order to get an elephant it is better to arrive there in the morning, otherwise at midday the elephants are done working; however, the road that the elephants walk on is not so long). If you hire a genuine guide, you will be taken not only to the Amber Fort but also to the Rajasthan Kala Mandir (a government operated shop) to buy souvenirs. Guides get a 2% commission on the items you buy there. Also see the Amber Light Show below. The site has come under scrutiny as tourists claim to have witnessed the elephants being beaten by handlers. If you walk up the hill to the Jaigarh Fort be prepared to pay the entry fee as the path terminates at a ticket window and there is no way around to the road. The main sights within the fort include the following:

2 Dalaram Bagh. (updated Mar 2026) 3 Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience). (updated Mar 2026) 4 Sheesh Mahal (Glass Palace). A palace adorned with thousands on thousands of mirror tiles on the walls and ceiling. (updated Mar 2026)

Forts 5 Jaigarh Fort (A 1 km walk uphill from Amber Fort, or ₹100/200 for motorbike/auto-rickshaw), ☏ +91 14 1267 1848. 9AM-4:30PM. Never conquered in battle, this was considered the strongest of the three forts in the area. It is best-known as the site of the world's largest cannon, the Jaivana, which was test-fired only once — according to legend, despite using only the half the design amount of gu

Do

1 Amber Fort Sound and Light Show, Lower Amber Fort, ☏ +91 14 1270 9162, [email protected]. 7-8PM. Experience the history, culture and life of Amber through this spectacular show. Amitabh Bachhan narrates the story of Rajasthani kings with a script written by Gulzar. Don't forget the mosquito repellent. The light show can be watched from outside the fort, but the sound won't be audible from there. There is also a sound and light show at Jantar Mantar for ₹100. ₹200. Cricket: 2 Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Lalkothi. With a capacity of 30,000, this hosts the Rajasthan team and Rajathan Royals in IPL. (updated Mar 2026) 3 B.M. Birla Auditorium and Conference Hall, Birla Institute of Scientific Research, Statue Circle, ☏ +91-141-2385224, [email protected]. These are at the heart of Jaipur. This auditorium is spread over 9.8 acres and includes a computer centre, interactive science museum, an information processing centre, library, a processing planetarium, eight research divisions, a dissemination cell and an auditorium. The auditorium has a seating capacity of 1,350 and is among the largest in India. This auditorium is built up to international conference standards. However, people visiting Jaipur for leisure are likely to be most interested in the Planetarium (all shows in Hindi) or Science Museum (under renovation as of November 2015) that are part of the complex. 4 Rajmandir Cinema, C-16, Panch Batti, Bhagwan Das Rd, C-Scheme, ☏ +91-141-2374694, +91-141-2379372. An experience in itself, and another "don't miss". Once known as the best cinema India, and still the best in Rajasthan, it offers an overwhelming experience. From the pushing, shoving, and general chaos in the ticket queue, to an audience that laughs, cries, cheers, claps, and consistently talks through the entire film, the Rajmandir provides an insight into Rajasthani culture. The films can be interesting; Masala movies are action, drama, mystery, suspense, and epics all wrapped into one single film, teeming with dances and obligatory wet sari scenes, and unabashedly lifting generous amounts of plot devices from Western films. The theatre-goers are very friendly and genuinely curious about overseas visitors who come to the Raj. Don't be put off by "House Full" notices at the entrance. The box office opens again a nominal 45 minutes before the next performance, and there are usually tickets available. Box seats at ₹120 go first, so it's worth going early to avoid disappointment. Shows at 12:30PM, 3:30PM, 6:30PM and 9:30PM. A great place to meet locals, with the nearby McDonald's as a centra

Buy

Nothing is 'fixed price' in Jaipur, even in the self advertised government (RTDC) approved shops and emporia. There are a few RTDC approved shops along "Amer Road" claiming to be government-owned and 'fixed price', but beware: they are frequently overpriced by as much as three times. Almost everything, from food to transportation to handicrafts, even accommodation can be bargained down to as much as a 60% discount off the quoted price. The lowest rates will be found in the bazaars of Bapu & Johari. Even here, keep inquiring in several shops as each one will have a different price for the same item. Don't be ashamed to spend an hour or more in each shop with the friendly shop owners sharing stories over masala chai as you look at their goods. While they are doing their best to run a business, do not overlook the genuinely hospitable culture of Rajasthani people. Jaipur has tens of bazaars of different sizes and specialising in different products. Expect a brilliant, colourful explosion of flowers, elephants, ox carts, and wares; a complete assault on the senses. Travellers would smell the deep aroma of spices in canvas bags, the fetid smell of animals and open sewers, the sweet waft of tea, and the crusty acrid burn of dust and exhaust. There are different specialist zones, whether it's food, flowers, textiles, carved statues or plumbing. It is chaotic and noisy, people may stare if you are a Westerner, and anybody who has something to sell will try to sell it to you, repeatedly. Watch cobras dance out of their wicker baskets, and don't be too surprised if the snake charmer slaps his cobra for having a wayward eye. Be prepared to be asked for money if you plan to take photographs of snake-charmers and beggars. While you should always be wary, be sure not to completely close yourself out to the locals as one of the highlights of Rajasthan is the chance to interact with the friendly people.

Bapu Bazaar and Nehru bazaar. Bapu and Nehru bazaars are for budget and traditional shoppers. They are popular and chaotic bazaars selling many different items ranging from handicrafts to western outfits. (updated Apr 2015) Johari Bazaar and Chameliwala Market. Johari bazaar and Chameliwala Market both best known as jewellery bazaars. There are hundreds of shops lined up in each bazaar selling jewellery of all types. Local jewellery along with authentic gems and stones can also be purchased. (updated Apr 2015) Jaipur also has other markets like Civil Lines Market and MI Road and nearby markets. It also has a few malls like Crystal Palm Shopping Mall, Gaurav Towers, MG

Eat

Budget

Sweet 1 Gangaur Sweets, J-32, Subash Marg, C-Scheme, ☏ +91-141-382-835. Sweets for chamcham, also baked sweets and crispy samosas. ₹180-580 per order. 2 Jal Mahal, 85, MI Road (Near Panch Batti), ☏ +91-141-2373520, [email protected]. A popular ice-cream parlor on MI Rd. An assortment of ice cream shakes, and some indigenous ice cream flavours. Excellent after a hearty meal at one of the MI Rd restaurants. (updated Mar 2015) Zolocrust, Hotel Clarks Amer, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Near Malviya Nagar. The gourmet bakery and Italian restaurant is operated by chefs of Hotel Clarks Amer and serves exquisite bakery items, it also serves vegan and vegetarian food.

Savoury 3 Anokhi Cafe, 2nd Floor, KK Square, C-11 Prithviraj Road, ☏ +91 141 400 7245. Mostly organic non-Indian-style ("international flavour") home-style cakes, freshly prepared sandwiches, pastries, savoury snacks plus organic coffee and a selection of good teas. Quiet, relaxing, good value for money, situated outside the Anokhi shop (see Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing listing in "See"). Salads: ₹120-200; sandwiches and savoury dishes: ₹150-300; desserts: ₹80-230; beverages: ₹25-250. 4 Ambrosia, In the Hotel Ramsingh Palace, B 2, Hathi Babau Ka Bagh, Kanti Nagar, Banipark (Right next to Statue Circle), ☏ +91 141 3153900. Open 24 hours. Serving vegetarian and vegan, Chinese food and barbecue atop a 100-foot-high building providing a breathtaking view of the city. 5 Old Take Away, 146, Subhash Corner, MI Roa, ☏ +91 9828101014. Various chicken and mutton dishes for take-away. ₹130-400 for main dishes. (updated Apr 2015) 6 Peacock Rooftop Restaurant, 51, Hari Kishan Somani Marg (at Hotel Pearl Palace), ☏ +91 94 14 236323. Daily 7:30AM-11:30PM. A rooftop restaurant serving Indian, Western and Chinese food. Fast service and good value. Soups and salads: ₹95-195; Tandoori starters: ₹245-495; Vegetarian mains: ₹185-325; Non-veg mains: ₹295-615; Continental cuisine: ₹295-395; etc. (updated Apr 2015) 7 Shrinat Lassiwala, Irza Ismail Road. Simple place for lassis, snacks and breakfast. Claiming to be the oldest lasso place in Jaipur. ₹ 50-100 for snacks, ₹ 80-150 for lassis. (updated Oct 2025) 8 Rawat Mishthan Bhandar, Opposite Polo Victory Cinema, Station Road, Sindhi Camp (Very close to railway station and bus stand), ☏ +91-141-236-7460. Do not miss the famous Pyaz ki Kachori, a spicy onion dish. Also, the ghewar and mawa kachori is famous. Nothing on the menu costs more than ₹250, including thalis, except for a special ₹450 tasting menu. (updated Mar 2015)

Mid-range

9 Apn

Drink & nightlife

Coffee Step Out Cafe, P 14, Sahdev Marg, Near Secretariat, C Scheme, Ashok Nagar, ☏ +91 86192 46464. 7:30AM-10PM. Bright and airy. Secluded garden seating. Excellent coffee. Mouth-watering desserts. Lebanese, Mexican, Italian Cuisine. Wide-rage of vegan and gluten-free options.

Alcohol 1 Amigos Bar & Discoteque, Church Road, MI Road (at Hotel OM Tower), ☏ +91 141 404 6666. noon to 4:30PM, 7PM to midnight. Mexico-themed bar at the 9th floor of the OM Tower hotel, in the adjoining room there's a dance floor. Apparently a wider range of beverages and cocktails than at restaurants. (updated Apr 2015) 2 Colorbar, Radisson Blu, Plot 5 & 6, Airport Plaza,Tonk Road, Durgapura, ☏ +91 141 5198845, [email protected]. 8-11PM. On the top of the roof of Radission Blu Airport hotel, with nice views of the planes landing and taking off. Barbecue, pool and interesting luminescent chairs and tables. (updated Apr 2015) 3 District 9 Lounge, E-20, Prem Plaza, Girdhar Marg, Opposite Reliance Fresh, ☏ +91 141 2553903. noon-11PM. Rooftop and indoor seating. More of a restaurant than a bar, with dishes from all over the world ranging from spring rolls to pizzas and fajitas to burritos. ₹100-200 for a pint, food ₹150-250. (updated Apr 2015) 4 Drop Zone Lounge Bar, 14/82 & 83, Niti Nagar, Opposite Capt Amit Bhardwaj Petrol Pump, Malviya Nagar, ☏ +91 141 2723594, +91 141 3155220. 11AM to 11PM. A bar with a pleasant rooftop seating with fantastic views, and they serve food as well. Approx ₹600 for two (without alcohol), VAT extra. 5 Henry’s – The Pub, Park Prime Hotel, Prithviraj road, Near Statue Circle, ☏ +91 141 236 0202, [email protected]. noon-11:30PM. Cozy pub in the basement of the Prime Park Hotel, reportedly great for an evening out with your friends. Many different snacks and cocktails. On the downside some guests find the service is a bit slow. 6 Skyfall By Replay, SB-57, Riddhi Tower, 5th Floor (Opposite SMS Stadium), ☏ +91 141 403 1026. 11AM to midnight. Bar, restaurant and lounge with Mexican and Italian cuisine. Different sitting areas, which makes it a good place for private events. (updated Apr 2015)

Night clubs

7 3D's Restro Lounge, A2 Corporate Tower, Near Jawahar Circle, ☏ +91 9166048000, [email protected]. 11AM-11PM. A lounge bar with two restaurants (fine dining and casual). A good place to hang out with your friends, and fairly popular among students. (updated Apr 2015) 8 Blackout, 9th floor, Golden Oak Hotel, Landmark Building, Ahinsa Circle, C Scheme (at Golden Oak Hotel), ☏ +91 96801 67016. 11AMto midnight. Bar and nightclub popular w

Sleep

Budget Jaipur being a prime destination for the tourists of all ages, both international and domestic, has a plethora of budget accommodation options. Almost all of the pan-Indian hostel chains are present in the city, including Zostel, Moustache, Backpacker Panda, Roadhouse and others. These places are generally dominated by young backpackers. Homestays and guest houses that are hosted by local residents and offer to give you an authentic experience from interiors, to ambiance, to the food they serve. Try to find a place near the Pink City, or Hawa Mahal. 1 Atithi Guest House, 1 Park House Scheme (Opposite All India Radio, 2 blocks from M.I. Road), ☏ +91 141 237-8679, +91 141 237-9496, [email protected]. Check-out: noon. A nice, modern and very clean hotel a few minutes from the Pink City. Has a simple restaurant, laundry service, Wi-Fi (check on current rates, which are not posted on their site). Be careful of rickshaw/taxi drivers as they don't get a commission here so may try to bring you somewhere else. Standard Room: ₹1,000 single occupancy; ₹1,100 double occupancy; Large Room: ₹1,100 - 1,200 single; ₹1,200 - 1,300 double; Air-Conditioned Room: ₹1,400 single; ₹1,600 double; Extra bed: ₹350. (updated Jul 2016) 2 Chit Chat Palace, D-160 Kabir Marg, Bani Park, ☏ +91-141-2201-899, +91-141-2202-843, [email protected]. Airport/rail station/bus station pick up available, nice restaurant. Standard double with fan and hot/cold shower: ₹1,500; Family room: ₹2,000. 3 Hotel Kalyan, Hathroi Fort, Ajmer Rd (1 km from railway station), ☏ +91-141-2368355, +91-9314501591, fax: +91-141-4015919, [email protected]. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. 2-star hotel with a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Free parking and pickup is available from the train station and central bus stand. Tasty restaurant and good service. ₹850-950 for non-air-con double room; ₹1,200-2,595 for air-con double room; bigger rooms are available for up to 4 guests. 4 Hotel Malak Mahal, 54, Near Jal Mahal, Amer Rd, ☏ +91 8890825040, +91 88908 25040, [email protected]. This hotel, which opened in 2012, has 45 rooms, an in-house restaurant and reserved parking spaces. It also provides free Wi-Fi, air-con rooms with attached washrooms and a nice guest service system. Their reservation phone number is covered 24/7. Heritage Deluxe: ₹1,500 (double occupancy)/Negotiable; Heritage Suite: ₹2,000 (double occupancy)/Negotiable; both tariffs include taxes and breakfast. 5 Hotel Pearl Palace, 51 Hathroi Fort, Hari Kishan Somani Marg, Ajmer Road, ☏ +91 141-2373700, reservation@hotel

Go next

There are many other fascinating and beautiful places to visit in Rajasthan. If you are booking train tickets out of Jaipur, make sure to ask for Tatkal tickets at the reservation office, as tickets to just about everywhere sell out weeks in advance. Tatkal (last minute) tickets only open for sale the day before the train leaves, and are not always offered voluntarily by the staff, who will simply tell you the train is full.

Abhaneri — you can arrange transport to this village, which contains an impressive ancient stepwell and a beautiful 9th-century temple Bikaner — a city in the Thar Desert; though less visited than Jaisalmer, it is home to several important sites such as Bikaner Fort (Junagarh Fort), Laxmi Niwas Palace and Shivbari Temple Bhandarej — a little-known town 62 km from Jaipur off the Jaipur-Agra Highway, which dates from the times of the Mahabharata and features 11th-century monuments and temples Jaisalmer — the Golden City in the Thar Desert Jodhpur — the stunning Blue City, with its awe-inspiring Mehrangarh Fort Udaipur — train #2965, Gwalior Udaipur Superfast Express (via Agra), is the best option for this beautiful City of Lakes