Jaipur to Jodhpur

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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Jodhpur, Rajasthan's Blue City, sits at the edge of the Thar Desert about 340 km west of Jaipur, and the journey between them is one of the more comfortable legs of a Rajasthan tour. A handful of express trains cover the route in around five hours, buses and driving both take a little longer, and a short flight is available for those pressed for time.

The best balance: express trains

Several express trains link Jaipur Junction and Jodhpur Junction, with the fastest covering the route in around 5 hours. These are comfortable Mail/Express services with air-conditioned chair-car and sleeper classes available, running at various times through the day, which makes it easy to fit the journey around the rest of a Rajasthan itinerary. Slower services on the same line take closer to 6 hours.

Book through IRCTC ahead of your travel date, particularly during the Rajasthani winter high season (roughly October to March) when tourist numbers on this corridor peak. For an overview of how Indian Railways' booking system, classes and quotas work, see our guide to India by train. This leg is often paired with Jaipur to Udaipur as part of a wider Rajasthan circuit.

The direct way: buses

Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) and private operators run frequent buses between Jaipur and Jodhpur, including comfortable air-conditioned Volvo coaches alongside ordinary services. Journey time is typically 6–7 hours by road, a little longer than the fastest trains but with more departure times to choose from throughout the day and evening, including overnight options. Fares are generally the cheapest way to cover this leg, and the AC coaches are a reasonable step up in comfort for a modest premium.

Driving: across the edge of the Thar Desert

By road, the distance from Jaipur to Jodhpur is around 335–340 km, mostly on NH52, and the drive takes roughly 6 hours in reasonable traffic. The landscape shifts noticeably along the way, from Jaipur's more fertile surroundings to the drier, scrubbier terrain that signals the approach to the Thar Desert. Many travellers driving this leg break the journey at Pushkar or use it as an opportunity to detour slightly, though the direct route itself is a straightforward highway drive. Hiring a car with driver is common and practical, particularly if you are continuing on to Jaisalmer afterwards, deeper into the desert.

Flying: fast, but limited by schedule

Direct flights connect Jaipur and Jodhpur on some days, with a flight time of around 1 hour. As with most short Indian domestic hops, the appeal fades once you add airport transfer, check-in and security time at both ends — the total is often close to the fastest train once everything is counted, and considerably more expensive. It is worth considering if you are already routing through one of the two airports on a longer itinerary, or genuinely short on time.

Stopping along the way: Pushkar and Ajmer

Neither the train nor the bus route between Jaipur and Jodhpur goes directly through Pushkar, but travellers with their own car or a hired driver can build in a detour without much extra time. Pushkar, one of Hinduism's holiest towns and home to a famous camel fair each autumn, sits just off the more southerly road options and makes a natural half-day stop for those not in a rush. Ajmer, the larger city nearby with the Dargah Sharif shrine, is a similar possibility for travellers interested in a broader look at this part of Rajasthan rather than a straight transit day.

If you are travelling by train or bus and want to see Pushkar or Ajmer, the more practical approach is to treat it as a separate stop on a wider Rajasthan itinerary — Ajmer has its own railway station with connections to both Jaipur and onward towards Jodhpur — rather than trying to shoehorn a detour into a fixed-route service.

For current Indian visa and entry rules before you travel, see our India e-visa guide.

What to expect in Jodhpur on arrival

Jodhpur Junction sits a short taxi or auto-rickshaw ride from the old walled city and the Mehrangarh Fort that dominates the skyline above the blue-painted houses that give the city its nickname. Most visitors base themselves near the old city for easy access to the fort, the clock tower market (Sardar Market) and the narrow lanes of the Blue City itself. If you are arriving by bus, the main bus stands are also within a reasonable distance of the old city, though traffic in Jodhpur's narrow streets can make the final approach slower than the map distance suggests.

Many travellers continue from Jodhpur further west into the desert towards Jaisalmer, another 5–6 hours by train or road, making Jodhpur a natural midpoint rather than an end destination on a longer Rajasthan itinerary.

Which should you choose?

For most travellers, the express train is the sweet spot — around five hours, comfortable, and no airport hassle. The bus is a solid budget alternative with more departure flexibility, including overnight services. Driving suits those continuing further into the desert towards Jaisalmer, or who want the freedom to stop along the way. Flying rarely adds enough time savings to justify the cost on this route.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the train take from Jaipur to Jodhpur?

The fastest express trains cover the route in around 5 hours; some slower services take closer to 6 hours. Both chair-car and sleeper classes are typically available.

How far is the drive from Jaipur to Jodhpur?

Around 335–340 km, mostly on NH52, taking roughly 6 hours in normal traffic.

Is there a direct bus from Jaipur to Jodhpur?

Yes, RSRTC and private operators run frequent services, including air-conditioned Volvo coaches and overnight options, taking around 6–7 hours.

Should I fly instead of taking the train?

Only if your schedule is tight. The flight itself is about an hour, but once airport time is added at both ends, it rarely beats the train by much and costs considerably more.