Rajasthan, India · Travel guide
Jaipur travel guide
The Pink City: hill forts, royal palaces and some of India's best bazaars.
- Best time
- Oct - Mar
- A day, mid-range
- ₹5,000-9,000 per person
- Getting there
- Air · Train
- Ready-made trips
- 1 itinerary
Rajasthan's capital was laid out in 1727 on a grid by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, and painted terracotta pink in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales. Its walled old city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Jantar Mantar observatory and Amer Fort.
Jaipur is one point of India's 'Golden Triangle' with Delhi and Agra, about 4-5 hours by road from each, and makes a natural first taste of Rajasthan.
When to go
Best time to visit Jaipur
October to March, with warm days and cool nights. April to June regularly passes 40°C.
- Jan: Best
- Feb: Best
- Mar: Best
- Apr: Avoid
- May: Avoid
- Jun: Avoid
- Jul: Good
- Aug: Good
- Sep: Good
- Oct: Best
- Nov: Best
- Dec: Best
- Oct - MarPleasant days; festival season (Diwali, Jaipur Literature Festival in January)
- Apr - JunExtreme heat; sightsee only early morning and evening
- Jul - SepMonsoon showers, green hills around Amer
Getting there
How to reach Jaipur
- Air
- Jaipur International Airport (JAI) has direct flights from most Indian metros.
- Train
- The Shatabdi and Vande Bharat from Delhi take about 4-4.5 hours.
- Getting around
- Uber, Ola and autos are cheap; a car with driver for a day of forts costs about ₹2,000-3,000.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Jaipur
Old City
Heritage havelis walking distance from the bazaars and Hawa Mahal.
C-Scheme
Central, quieter and full of good restaurants.
Amer Road
Palace hotels between the city and Amer Fort.
What to see
Top things to do in Jaipur
- 01
Amer Fort
A hilltop fort-palace with the mirror-work Sheesh Mahal, above Maota Lake.
Arrive at 8 AM opening; skip the elephant rides.
Open in Maps - 02
City Palace
The royal residence, part of it still home to the former royal family, with museums and painted gates.
The four seasonal gates of Pritam Niwas Chowk are the highlight.
Open in Maps - 03
Hawa Mahal
The 953-window 'Palace of Winds' built so royal women could watch street life unseen.
Best viewed from the cafés opposite.
Open in Maps - 04
Jantar Mantar
An 18th-century observatory with the world's largest stone sundial.
Hire a guide; the instruments make sense when explained.
Open in Maps - 05
Nahargarh Fort
A ridge-top fort with the city's best sunset view.
Take a cab up; the road is steep.
Open in Maps - 06
Jal Mahal
A palace that appears to float in Man Sagar Lake.
Viewed from the promenade; the palace itself is closed.
Open in Maps - 07
Albert Hall Museum
Rajasthan's oldest museum, in an Indo-Saracenic building lit up at night.
Visit at dusk for the illuminations.
Open in Maps - 08
Galta Ji (Monkey Temple)
A temple complex in a mountain pass with natural spring-fed pools.
Go for sunset; keep food out of sight of the monkeys.
Open in Maps
What to eat
What to eat in Jaipur
Dal baati churma
Baked wheat balls with lentils and sweet crumbled churma: Rajasthan on a plate.
Pyaaz kachori
Onion-filled fried pastry, best at Rawat Mishthan Bhandar.
Lassi
Thick and creamy in clay cups at Lassiwala on MI Road.
Laal maas
Fiery mutton curry coloured with Mathania chillies.
Ghewar
A honeycomb sweet soaked in syrup, a winter and monsoon specialty.
What it costs
Jaipur trip cost per day
Backpacker
₹1,800-3,000
per person, per day
Hostel, autos, street food
Mid-range
₹5,000-9,000
per person, per day
Heritage haveli, cabs, restaurants
Comfort
₹20,000+
per person, per day
Palace hotel and private driver
- Buy the composite ticket: it covers Amer, Nahargarh, Albert Hall, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and more for two days.
- Gem 'investment' offers from friendly strangers are a well-known scam.
- Bargain in bazaars; start around half the first price.
Good questions
Jaipur travel FAQs
How many days are enough for Jaipur?
Two days covers the major forts and old city; three adds museums, Galta Ji and a cooking class.
Is Jaipur worth visiting?
Yes: it combines hill forts, palaces, an astronomical observatory and great shopping, all within a compact city.
Delhi to Jaipur: train or road?
The train (about 4-4.5 hours) is quickest and most comfortable; the road takes 5-6 hours depending on traffic.
What is Jaipur famous for shopping?
Block-printed textiles, blue pottery, gemstones, mojari shoes and lac bangles.