Getting Around, Jaisalmer Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India)



View of the city's famous fortressMany visitors spending time in Jaisalmer find that their preferred mode of transport is simply a bicycle. Bikes are available for hire at a number of outlets (hourly or daily prices) around central Jaisalmer, including the Gandhi Chowk, providing a very pleasant way to travel around.

Taxi transport and auto rickshaws are very popular with visitors wishing to travel around the city, with auto rickshaws simply being small, motorised carts with three wheels, capable of zooming around and nipping into small gaps and spaces. Auto rickshaws serve Jaisalmer well, together with buses and regular daily trains to cities all across India.


Aerial city picture

Airports / Arriving by Air

Whilst Jaisalmer does have its own airport, this is currently for military use only. Despite a number of attempts to operate commercial flights here, these efforts have always been unsuccessful, due to the proximity of the border to Pakistan. Therefore, those wishing to fly into this part of India will probably arrive at Jodhpur Airport (JDH), which lies around 285 km / 177 miles from Jaisalmer and serves domestic flights from destinations such as New Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Other airports within relative proximity of Jaisalmer include both Jaipur Airport (JAI) and Udaipur Airport (UDR), although transport into the city will likely take several hours minimum.

Picture of central road and traffic

Car Rental

As with India as a whole, car rental is not really recommended within Jaisalmer, since the transport available covers the region more than adequately. If you are able to hire a self-drive car, you will need to obtain an International Driving Permit, and remember to drive on the left. Alternatively, you may be interested to learn that you are able to hire jeeps for short periods of time, and these are available from the Gandhi Chowk, allowing you to travel to destinations such as the Sam Sand Dunes or Khuri.

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Central photograph

Buses and Coaches

Bus transport in Jaisalmer is very popular and although the main 'Roadways' bus stand is actually outside of the city centre and close to the train station, most buses actually stop on the south-western side of the fort. Long-distance buses travel between Jaisalmer and Ajmer (12 hours), Bikaner (seven hours), Jaipur (12 hours) and Jodhpur (six hours). Private buses to further destinations are also available, with most tending to require a chance at Jodhpur.

Trains

Rail transport offers a very quick link to Jodhpur, with the Jaisalmer Express train reaching Jodhpur in around five and a half hours. The Jaisalmer Delhi Express travels all the way to new Delhi (18 hours), stopping along the way at Jodhpur and Jaipur. Tickets for services can be purchased from the railway's reservation office, which is located at the actual train station, on the far eastern side of the city, off the Gadi Sagar Road. The reservation office is open between the hours of 08:00 to 20:00.

Auto Rickshaws

Auto rickshaws are one of the most enjoyable forms of transport available in India and there are plenty for everyone to see and use within Jaisalmer, travelling to places such as the Gadi Sagar. As soon as the driver sees that you are a tourist, he is likely to put the price up, so do bargain hard, shop around and make sure that you get a good deal.