About Jaipur

Rajasthan

Overview

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and laid out on a grid inside city walls, its old buildings washed in the terracotta pink that gives the Pink City its name. The walled city holds City Palace, Hawa Mahal and the UNESCO listed Jantar Mantar, along with old bazaars for jewellery, block printed textiles, lac bangles and mojaris, while Amber Fort and Nahargarh look down from the Aravalli hills to the north. Food runs from pyaaz kachori and lassi in the old city to laal maas and royal thalis. Jaipur is about 3 hours by road from Delhi and well connected by air and rail, which makes it the usual starting point for a trip around Rajasthan.

Best Time to Visit Jaipur

Plan your trip around the right season

Oct-MarBest Window

Why visit

Warm, sunny days and cool evenings suit fort visits, bazaar walks and rooftop dinners. Diwali lights up the markets, the Jaipur Literature Festival is held in January, and Makar Sankranti in mid January fills the sky with kites.

Keep in mind

Peak season, so monuments are crowded by mid morning and hotels cost more. December and January nights can drop close to freezing, mornings are often hazy, and air quality, though generally better than in Delhi NCR, can turn poor in November and around Diwali.

Apr-Jun

Why visit

Fewer visitors and lower hotel rates. Gangaur in late March or April brings processions to the old city.

Keep in mind

Temperatures often pass 40°C in May and June, with hot dry winds, so sightseeing is only comfortable early in the morning and after sunset.

Jul-Sep

Why visit

Monsoon rain turns the Aravalli hills green, and the Teej festival in July or August brings processions and swings for women. Good hotel deals.

Keep in mind

Humid days and sudden heavy showers can disrupt fort and outdoor plans, and roads in the old city can flood.

How to Reach Jaipur

Intercity connectivity and travel options

By air: Jaipur International Airport at Sanganer, about 12 km south of the walled city, has flights from most Indian metros and some Gulf cities. By train: Jaipur Junction is the main station, with Gandhinagar and Durgapura stations in the south of the city serving many trains too; Shatabdi, Vande Bharat and other fast trains link Jaipur with Delhi in about 4 to 5 hours. By bus: state and private buses use Sindhi Camp bus stand, near Jaipur Junction. By road: from Delhi, take NH 48 through Gurugram and Behror (about 280 km, 5 to 6 hours), or the Delhi to Mumbai Expressway and its Bandikui link to Jaipur, opened in July 2025, which brings the drive down to about 3 hours. Ajmer and Pushkar are about 2.5 hours west along NH 48, the Ajmer road, and Agra is about 4 hours east.

Getting Around Jaipur

Local transport and practical tips

Local transport

The Pink Line metro runs about 12 km from Mansarovar through Civil Lines, Railway Station, Sindhi Camp, Chandpole and Choti Chaupar to Badi Chaupar in the walled city. For everything else, use app cabs, autos and e-rickshaws; city buses also run on main roads. Amber Fort, Nahargarh and Jaigarh are best reached by cab, as there is no metro to the hill forts.

Best Areas to Stay in Jaipur

Pick the right neighbourhood for your trip

Old City (Pink City)

Heritage and markets

Haveli hotels and guesthouses inside the walls, close to Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jantar Mantar and the main bazaars. Lanes are crowded and noisy by day, and cars cannot reach every door.

MI Road and C Scheme

Central stays and food

Central hotels, restaurants and cafes just south of the walled city, close to MI Road shopping, Raj Mandir and Albert Hall.

Bani Park

Train travellers and first time visitors

A quieter residential area with many heritage and mid range hotels, about 2 km from Jaipur Junction and 3 km from the walled city.

Civil Lines

Calm heritage stays

Leafy roads with large heritage hotels and old bungalows, close to the metro and about 3 km from the walled city.

Amer Road

Early fort visits

Hotels along the road towards Amber Fort, near Jal Mahal and the royal cenotaphs, convenient for an early start at the fort.

Malviya Nagar and Tonk Road

Business and short stays

Modern hotels, malls and restaurants in the south of the city, close to the airport, Jawahar Circle and the Jhalana leopard reserve.

Vaishali Nagar

Families and road trips west

A residential area in the west with newer hotels, cafes and Akshardham Temple, convenient for the Ajmer road.

Jagatpura

Airport convenience

Newer hotels and serviced apartments in the south east, close to the airport and well placed for early flights.

Must-Try Dishes in Jaipur

Local food specialties and traditional favourites

Dal Baati Churma

Rajasthan's signature meal: baked wheat baati dipped in ghee, served with spiced dal and sweet crumbled churma.

Pyaaz Kachori

Crispy onion-filled kachori served with chutneys.

Ghewar

Disc shaped, honeycomb textured sweet soaked in syrup and often topped with rabri, sold mainly around Teej and the monsoon.

Laal Maas

Fiery mutton curry from Rajasthan’s royal kitchens.

Plus 6 more local specialties popular in Jaipur.

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