Jaipur Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Jaipur, Rajasthan, India)

The 'Pink City' of Jaipur has become a particularly popular holiday destination and is a great place to begin your India experience. However, being a little streetwise and using commonsense will ensure that you make the most out of your visit to Jaipur.

To see many of the best sights in Jaipur, consider hiring a taxi or an auto rickshaw for the whole day. Charges are reasonable and if you choose a good driver, they will act as your own personal travel guide as well. Travel tips regarding life in Jaipur are described here.

Useful Contact Details

Tourist offices are available at Jaipur Airport (tel: +91 0141 272 2647), on Platform 1 at the Train Station (tel: +91 0141 231 5714), on Platform 3 at the Bus Station (tel: +91 0141 506 4102) and also at the RTDC (Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation) Tourist Hotel (tel: +91 0141 237 5466).

Government of India Tourist Office
Address: Next to the Hotel Khasa Kothi, Jaipur, India, IN
Tel: +91 0141 237 2200
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 18:00

Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) Central Reservations Office
Address: Next to the RTDC Hotel Swagatam Campus, Jaipur, India, IN
Tel: +91 0141 220 2586
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00

Main Post Office
Address: MI Road, Jaipur, India, IN
Tel: +91 0141 236 8740
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 19:45, Saturday - 10:00 to 17:45

Language and Dialect

Rajasthani is the official language in Rajasthan and therefore Jaipur, also being spoken in other states and features a range of local dialects and phrases. For many, Rajasthani is considered to be a dialect of Hindi and it is possible to communicate with locals in Jaipur using basic Hindi phrases, since this is India's national language. However, most people involved with India's tourism industry do speak English to some degree. Here are a few simple Hindi phrases.

Hi / Hello - namaste
Yes - haan
No - nahin
Sorry - maaf kijiye
Please - kripyaa
Do you understand? - kya ap samjhi?
Nice to meet you - aapse milkar khushii huyii

Dos and Don'ts, Advice and Scams

• Auto Rickshaws - in the event that an auto rickshaw drivers stops at a shop, make it very clear that you are not interested and will not leave the vehicle. They are simply after their commission from the shop
• Bookstores - the main bookstores in Jaipur are on the MI Road and Bhagwandas Marg
• Cashpoints - 24-hour ATMs are situated on the Ashoka Marg, Bhagwat Bhavan, Ganpati Plaza and various parts of MI Road
• Digital Photographs - a number of photo shops around Jaipur are able to save your digital photos onto a CD for a relatively small charge
• Drinking Water - tap water in Jaipur and throughout India is poor in quality and should be avoided, unless boiled first or you use purification tablets
• Gem Scams - don't be talked into buying gem stones, expecting to be able to sell them in your home country for big profits. They will be worth only a fraction of what you actually pay for them
• Haggling - when purchasing goods from markets in Jaipur and shops targeting tourists, be prepared for some friendly haggling, to ensure that you don't pay over the odds
• Hawa Mahal - when taking photographs of Jaipur's spectacular Hawa Mahal, you may be approached by locals persuading you that the upper floor on their house offers the best views. This is just a rouse to try and persuade you to buy jewellery or similar goods
• Hustlers - Indians may approach you on a motorbike and try to persuade you to come with them. Whatever the reason may be, simply say no and move on
• Internet Access - many places around Jaipur offer Internet access and charge per hour, regardless of the connection speed
• Jewellery - much of the jewellery for sale around Jaipur is fake, so be especially careful of the quality and stick to the main jewellers, rather than smaller, expensive backstreet stores
• Pickpockets - the crowded markets in Jaipur are a pickpocketers paradise, so always be aware of your valuables, keeping them safe and hidden
• Tipping - restaurants, porters, auto rickshaw drivers and taxis will all expect to be tipped at your discretion