Jaipur

Understand

History

Jaipur (Hindi: JIGH-poor) gets its name from its founder Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1744), a great warrior and astronomer. He came to power at the age of 11 on the death of his father Maharaja Bishan Singh. Jai Singh's lineage can be traced back to the Kucchwaha Rajput, clan who came to power in the 12th century. They were long-term rivals to the Sisodia Rajputs who ruled from Mewar. This rivalry led them to ally with the Mughals, and this alliance resulted in them eventually gaining a pre-eminent position in Rajasthan. Ruling from the magnificent Amber Fort which they built, the might of the Kucchwahas encompassed the kingdoms of Mewar and Marwar. After Jai Singh came to power, there was moment of disquiet when he supported Aurangzeb's son Azam Shah's bid to the throne. Azam Shah lost the battle of succession to his brother Bahadur Shah, who demanded Jai Singh's removal and the installation of Vijay Singh to the throne of Jaipur. Jai Singh, not one to take setbacks lying down, formed a formidable front against the Mughals by aligning himself with other Rajput states and reinstated himself. After the dust had settled, peace reigned, the kingdom prospered and its borders expanded. Jai Singh built the city around the Amber Fort to serve as his capital, and the city was named Jaipur, after himself. Much of the credit for Jaipur goes to Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya, the chief architect from Bengal who, with Jai Singh's approval, founded the city on strong scientific principles, laid out according to the Shilpa Shastra, the ancient architectural manual. It remains one of India's best planned cities. However, expansion meant that the limited sources of water proved inadequate for the city. After Jai Singh's death in 1744, his sons squabbled for power and without a monarch, the kingdom became open to invasion and neighbouring Rajput states and the Marathas usurped large areas of kingdom. The core, however, remained part of the kingdom, which lasted during British times. As with the Mughals, Jaipur maintained good relations with the British and during the war of independence in 1857 remained loyal to the Raj. Yet, the British gradually began to undermine the independence of the state and exercised greater control over the administration. In 1876, Maharaja Ram Singh painted the entire city pink, traditionally a colour associated with hospitality, to welcome the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) to the city. The tradition has been maintained and today all residents in the old city are compelled by law to preserve the pink colour. Jaipur has thereby earned the sobriquet of Pink City. Maharaja Ram Singh also built the Ramgarh Lake to supply water to the burgeoning city. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the city's population spread beyond its walls. In 1922, Man Singh II ascended to the throne and it was during his reign that civic buildings like the secretariat, schools, hospitals and other public buildings were built. After independence, Jaipur merged with the states of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner to form the state of Rajasthan. In 1956, Jaipur became the capital of the state of Rajasthan.

Climate

Jaipur's climate is characterised as semiarid, with just a few rainy days per month for most of the year. The exception is the monsoon period from June to September, when heavy rain and thunderstorms are commonplace. Expect daytime highs of above +20°C throughout the year, and prepare for scorching heat in May and June. During the winter temperatures are mild, and while nighttime temperatures seldom drop much below +10°C, Jaipur has experienced temperatures below freezing.

Read

Sarkar, Jadunath, (2009). A history of Jaipur. New Delhi: Orient Blackswan. A well written account of the history of Jaipur by prominent historian Sir Jadunath Sarkar. Jaipur – Nagaur - Deshnoke (India Charming Chaos) by Johnny Fincioen. This book concentrates on Jaipur and two small villages and puts them in historic context. The text and the 190 original pictures offer the reader a holistic view of the particular way of life in Rajasthan.

Getting there

By plane

1 Jaipur International Airport (JAI IATA), Sanganer. Offers sporadic (chartered) service from London and Dublin. Direct flights from Singapore, Bangkok, Sharjah, Muscat and Dubai are also available. Jaipur also has daily domestic air links with many Indian cities such as Jodhpur, Udaipur, Aurangabad, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Goa, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune and Indore. (updated Oct 2019)

By train

Indian Railways connects Jaipur from all over the country and is one of the cheapest options. A number of daily trains arrive from Delhi, Ahmedabad, Agra, Mumbai, Jodhpur, Kota, Alwar and Ajmer. Daily connections are also available for Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Kolkata, Jammu, Pathankot, Ludhiana, Kanpur, Roorkee, Haridwar, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur and Bhopal. Long-distance trains arrive from many other major cities including Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Vadodara, Surat, Nagpur, Bilaspur, Raipur, Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Chennai, Bangalore, Mysore, Hyderabad, Goa, Mangalore, Kozhikode and Kochi. The most popular option from Delhi are Vande Bharat and Shatabdi Express trains. The Shatabdi Express train departs New Delhi station at 06:05 and reaches Jaipur at 10:30AM. There are three major railway stations: 2 Jaipur Junction NWR , which is the main station, Durgapura and Gandhinagar (Jaipur) — which is not to be confused with the Gandhinagar that is the capital city of the state of Gujarat. All trains stop at Jaipur Junction and a few trains stop at Durgapura and Gandhinagar stations also.

By bus

There is an excellent bus service between Jaipur to Delhi by Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) with buses approximately every half an hour in both directions. Non-AC and AC Volvo bus services are offered. The air-conditioned bus is taken through a well-maintained highway and has good shock absorbers. From Delhi you can board the bus from Bikaner House on Pandara Road next to India Gate. From Jaipur you can board the bus from Narayan Singh Circle or the main Sindhi Camp bus stand. You can also book tickets up to 6 days in advance from both these places. These buses typically take 6 hours for the Volvo and 6-7 hours for the others. There are also some private bus operators from Dhaula Kuan in Delhi and outside of Sindhi camp in Jaipur. No need to make advance reservations. The buses journey along bumpy backroads to avoid toll roads, and their shock absorbers are not good. If you plan to leave from Delhi IGI Airport, you can get off the bus at Dhaula Kuan and get an autorickshaw (to the bus stand) or perhaps a taxi from there. No need to enter the congested Delhi. Express buses to several cities and towns within Rajasthan, such as Kota and Bundi, are also available.

Getting around

By RTDC bus

It is the best and cheaper way to visit the Jaipur Local Sights by RTDC (Rajasthan Tourism Dept. Corp.) There will be one guide with each bus to give you brief info about all sights. The full day tour, as of 2019, costs ₹600.

By metro

The Jaipur Metro provides a fast, reliable and inexpensive way to get around the city. The Pink Line Metro runs from Mansarovar to Badi Chaupar station, which is in the centre of the walled town (a.k.a the Pink City). Fares range between ₹5 and ₹25.

By autorickshaw

Autorickshaws (tuk-tuks) are probably the best way to reach places in the outskirts of Jaipur such as Amber Fort or Galtaji, where getting a taxi or Uber/Ola to go back to the city may be tricky. They are generally more expensive than Uber/Ola, but they are readily available and don't require waiting time. Hiring an autorickshaw for a whole day to go to Amber Fort, Tiger Fort, Jal Mahal, and other areas costs anywhere between ₹450 to ₹550 (as of 2018). A common scam is drivers asking for extra money throughout the day for parking fees, petrol, and other things along the way. Always agree on an ‘all-in’ price that includes their time, petrol, lunch, and parking fees. It's not uncommon for people to agree to ₹500 and pay close to ₹1000 with all of the surprise fees. Lastly, make sure you and the driver agree that they will take you to the site and not close to it ‘just for photographs’. Prepaid autos are available at the Jaipur railway station and the Sindhi Camp bus stand, although prices are a little inflated and often the same as you get with minimal bargaining. At a certain point, the rates were revised to ₹350-400. The autorickshaw wallas will tell you to take the slip from the police booths. You can also go directly without the slip, but don't forget to bargain over the price in that case; it could be much cheaper. It'll be best if you start your sightseeing by 10:00 as some of the major spots close by 16:30 and each spot takes a lot of time, especially the forts. Some autorickshaw drivers will try to trick you into paying more than the agreed amount after the trip is over, but you should stick to the original amount decided. Police in Jaipur are very friendly, so in case you feel the autorickshaw driver is trying to misguide you or force you to hand over extra money, just refer the dispute to the police officers at various spots. Also some autorickshaw drivers will tell you to buy artefacts and gifts from some shops especially some on the way to Amber Fort. These shops operate on commission to the auto driver and fleece you. If you want to buy souvenirs, get them in city's main shopping areas like Bapu Bazaar. Take along some of your own information about the eating and shopping places as the drivers have their fixed commissions at shops and eating outlets, so you might end up paying more for an item or eating at an undesirable place. Autorickshaw drivers have been known to work together with the gem scammers. If you hire an autorickshaw for the day, he may suggest that you 'go for a beer' afterwards, and if you accept you will be introduced to the main man on the scam attempt, usually a very charismatic person who is clearly much wealthier than his rickshaw-driving 'friend'. Use common sense: why would a rickshaw driver who earns ₹350 per day (minus petrol) want to take you to a bar where beers are ₹75? Politely decline these invitations as they are invariably more trouble than they are worth.

See

Amber Fort

1 Amber Fort (अंबेर क़िला Amber Qilā) (11 km North of central Jaipur, local bus #5 from Hawa Mahal or New Gate), ☏ +91 14 1253 0293. 8AM-6PM. This massive fort-palace complex built in hybrid Hindu-Muslim style dates back to Raja Man Singh and was the royal palace of the Kachwahas from c. 1600-1727. It's one of six UNESCO World Heritage forts in Rajasthan. The name has nothing to do with the rather pretty pastel yellow colour; instead, the fort is named after the area of Amber, in turn named after the goddess Amba. ₹100/20 for Indian adult/student and ₹500/100 for foreign adult/student. Included in the Composite Ticket. There is a special evening viewing from 6:30-9AM, ₹100 for all, Composite Ticket not valid. Camera: free. Audioguides ₹200. Elephant rides: ₹1100. Consider not taking elephant rides as there have been many reports of these animals not being kept and cared for in humane ways. (updated Oct 2018) The fort grounds are sprawling and the information panels (Hindi/English) are somewhat limited, so it might be worth getting an audio guide or a real guide. It's a bit of a hike up from the town, and the touristy thing to do is to ride on an elephant to the top (in order to get an elephant it is better to arrive there in the morning, otherwise at midday the elephants are done working; however, the road that the elephants walk on is not so long). If you hire a genuine guide, you will be taken not only to the Amber Fort but also to the Rajasthan Kala Mandir (a government operated shop) to buy souvenirs. Guides get a 2% commission on the items you buy there. Also see the Amber Light Show below. The site has come under scrutiny as tourists claim to have witnessed the elephants being beaten by handlers. If you walk up the hill to the Jaigarh Fort be prepared to pay the entry fee as the path terminates at a ticket window and there is no way around to the road. The main sights within the fort include the following:

2 Dalaram Bagh. (updated Mar 2026) 3 Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience). (updated Mar 2026) 4 Sheesh Mahal (Glass Palace). A palace adorned with thousands on thousands of mirror tiles on the walls and ceiling. (updated Mar 2026)

Forts

5 Jaigarh Fort (A 1 km walk uphill from Amber Fort, or ₹100/200 for motorbike/auto-rickshaw), ☏ +91 14 1267 1848. 9AM-4:30PM. Never conquered in battle, this was considered the strongest of the three forts in the area. It is best-known as the site of the world's largest cannon, the Jaivana, which was test-fired only once — according to legend, despite using only the half the design amount of gunpowder, the cannonball flew 35 km (22 mi)! A better reason to visit the fort, though, are the scenic gardens at the other end and the spectacular views over the Amber Fort and the hills around. The remains of the foundry where the Jaivana (and many more) were cast are also in the fort grounds. There are multiple boards with "no tips allowed," in case someone is bothering you. ₹35/100 for Indian/foreigner. Camera: ₹50 (if you do not disclose that you have a camera and later the police/their person sees you talking a photo (e.g. with your phone) they may ask you to show your ticket, and if you don't have one, will either ask you to buy the ₹50 ticket or penalise you). Video ₹200. Automobile ₹50. (updated Mar 2026) 6 Nahargarh Fort, Krishna Nagar, Brahampuri, ☏ +91 14 1518 2957. 10AM-6PM. The smallest of the three forts, notable primarily for excellent views over Man Sagar lake and the vast sprawl of Jaipur. Built in 1734 by the Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in a mix of Indian and European styles, the fort also houses the (relatively) compact Madhavendra Bhawan palace, although its former splendour is fading under layers of graffiti and pigeon droppings. Some of the film Rang De Basanti were shot at this fort. To get to the area where the "Pathshala" song was shot, take a left turn as soon as you enter the fort. An autorickshaw can be taken from the stand in front of the Amber fort. The fort also houses the Jaipur's Wax Museum and Sheesh Mahal, although tickets for these have to be bought separately and are ridiculously expensive. Beware if buying the Wax Museum and Sheesh Mahal combo ticket, you'll be paraded through the largely unimpressive museum and then be told to queue for the Sheesh Mahal which can last from 30 minutes to 2 hours. ₹50/200 for Indians/foreigners. Included in the 5-monument Composite Ticket. ₹400/₹700 (Indian/foreigners) for the tour of the Wax Museum and the Sheesh Mahal.. (updated Aug 2017)

Do

1 Amber Fort Sound and Light Show, Lower Amber Fort, ☏ +91 14 1270 9162, sel.amber@ids.co.in. 7-8PM. Experience the history, culture and life of Amber through this spectacular show. Amitabh Bachhan narrates the story of Rajasthani kings with a script written by Gulzar. Don't forget the mosquito repellent. The light show can be watched from outside the fort, but the sound won't be audible from there. There is also a sound and light show at Jantar Mantar for ₹100. ₹200. Cricket: 2 Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Lalkothi. With a capacity of 30,000, this hosts the Rajasthan team and Rajathan Royals in IPL. (updated Mar 2026) 3 B.M. Birla Auditorium and Conference Hall, Birla Institute of Scientific Research, Statue Circle, ☏ +91-141-2385224, seemachopra25@yahoo.com. These are at the heart of Jaipur. This auditorium is spread over 9.8 acres and includes a computer centre, interactive science museum, an information processing centre, library, a processing planetarium, eight research divisions, a dissemination cell and an auditorium. The auditorium has a seating capacity of 1,350 and is among the largest in India. This auditorium is built up to international conference standards. However, people visiting Jaipur for leisure are likely to be most interested in the Planetarium (all shows in Hindi) or Science Museum (under renovation as of November 2015) that are part of the complex. 4 Rajmandir Cinema, C-16, Panch Batti, Bhagwan Das Rd, C-Scheme, ☏ +91-141-2374694, +91-141-2379372. An experience in itself, and another "don't miss". Once known as the best cinema India, and still the best in Rajasthan, it offers an overwhelming experience. From the pushing, shoving, and general chaos in the ticket queue, to an audience that laughs, cries, cheers, claps, and consistently talks through the entire film, the Rajmandir provides an insight into Rajasthani culture. The films can be interesting; Masala movies are action, drama, mystery, suspense, and epics all wrapped into one single film, teeming with dances and obligatory wet sari scenes, and unabashedly lifting generous amounts of plot devices from Western films. The theatre-goers are very friendly and genuinely curious about overseas visitors who come to the Raj. Don't be put off by "House Full" notices at the entrance. The box office opens again a nominal 45 minutes before the next performance, and there are usually tickets available. Box seats at ₹120 go first, so it's worth going early to avoid disappointment. Shows at 12:30PM, 3:30PM, 6:30PM and 9:30PM. A great place to meet locals, with the nearby McDonald's as a central congregation spot. Heiwa Heaven The Resort (Heiwa Heaven), Jaisinghpura Khor, Jamdoli Chauraha, Agra Rd, ☏ +91 9828844474, info@heiwaheaven.com. Heiwa Heaven is a Jaipur-based luxury resort that hosts parties and destination weddings. (updated May 2017)

Parks

5 Central Park. The largest park in Jaipur, at the middle of the city. A big lush green beautiful garden and Rambagh Polo Ground and golf club nearby makes it an enjoyable place. The park also has a 4 km (2.5 mi) long jogging and walking track. A number of migratory and native birds visit the park during the year. Furthermore, there's a 269 ft (82 m) tall flag of India flying at the middle, one of the largest in India. (updated Mar 2026) 6 Nevta Dam. A popular destination among bird enthusiasts, with about 150 bird species flock around the eastern side of the dam every year, including the uncommon lesser whistling-duck and the widespread eastern cattle egret. (updated Mar 2026)

Nearby

7 Chokhi Dhani, 12 Miles Tonk Road, Via Vatika, ☏ +91-141-516 5000, +91-141-516 5015, +91-9667222203, cdrajasthani@chokhidhani.com. The restaurants are open from 5-11PM. Around 18 km from Central Jaipur on the Jaipur-Tonk highway, Chokhi Dhani (Fine Hamlet in Rajasthani dialect) is a kind of virtual village and also a 5-star resort. There are lodging facilities available, but the real attraction is the evening fun-fairs. There are two excellent places to enjoy Rajasthani food served in the traditional mode at their resort. Chokhi Dhani a.k.a. Lalten Restaurant is a more popular place because it is on the main road near the airport and also has other attractions, such as horseback riding, camel riding, bullock cart rides, a maze, boating and kathputli (puppet) shows. You can also watch live folk dances and listen to live folk music for free. It gives the visitor a glimpse of culture from different parts of Rajasthan, and could be nice if you will not have time to see much of Rajasthan yourself. It opens at 5PM, and be sure to get there early as many of the sites are difficult to see when it gets dark. It's a 30-min rickshaw ride from Central Jaipur, or you can go there by bus or taxi, but you are best off making sure you have a ride back.Consider buying the pass for AC hall, because the outdoor seating is a self-served buffet, while in the AC Dining you'll be served food. This makes a massive difference when there are too many people at the restaurant, as the restaurant is unable to keep up with the demand for buffet food.If you would prefer to sleep at the resort, have a look at their accommodation. Avoid going there during the rainy season. Traditional Rajasthani dining: Adult: ₹700; Kids up to 3.5 feet high: ₹350; AC Royal Rajasthani Dining: Adult: ₹900; Kids up to 3.5 feet high: ₹500; Multicuisine buffet: Adult: ₹950; Children up to 1 m tall: ₹650. Rooms: ₹5999-34999/night per double room. (updated Jul 2016)

Shopping

Nothing is 'fixed price' in Jaipur, even in the government (RTDC) approved shops and malls. There are a few RTDC approved shops along "Amer Road" claiming to be government-owned and 'fixed price', but beware: they are frequently overpriced by as much as three times. Almost everything, from food to transportation to handicrafts, even accommodation can be bargained down to as much as a 60% discount off the quoted price. The lowest rates will be found in the bazaars of Bapu & Johari. Even here, keep inquiring in several shops as each one will have a different price for the same item. Don't be ashamed to spend an hour or more in each shop with the friendly shop owners sharing stories over masala chai as you look at their goods. While they are doing their best to run a business, do not overlook the genuinely hospitable culture of Rajasthani people. Jaipur has tens of bazaars of different sizes and specialising in different products. Expect a brilliant, colourful explosion of flowers, elephants, ox carts, and wares; a complete assault on the senses. Travellers would smell the deep aroma of spices in canvas bags, the fetid smell of animals and open sewers, the sweet waft of tea, and the crusty acrid burn of dust and exhaust. There are different specialist zones, whether it's food, flowers, textiles, carved statues or plumbing. It is chaotic and noisy, people may stare if you are a Westerner, and anybody who has something to sell will try to sell it to you, repeatedly. Watch cobras dance out of their wicker baskets, and don't be too surprised if the snake charmer slaps his cobra for having a wayward eye. Be prepared to be asked for money if you plan to take photographs of snake-charmers and beggars. While you should always be wary, be sure not to completely close yourself out to the locals as one of the highlights of Rajasthan is the chance to interact with the friendly people.

Bapu Bazaar and Nehru bazaar. Bapu and Nehru bazaars are for budget and traditional shoppers. They are popular and chaotic bazaars selling many different items ranging from handicrafts to western outfits. (updated Apr 2015) Johari Bazaar and Chameliwala Market. Johari bazaar and Chameliwala Market both best known as jewellery bazaars. There are hundreds of shops lined up in each bazaar selling jewellery of all types. Local jewellery along with authentic gems and stones can also be purchased. (updated Apr 2015) Jaipur also has other markets like Civil Lines Market and MI Road and nearby markets. It also has a few malls like Crystal Palm Shopping Mall, Gaurav Towers, MGF Metropolitan Mall, Pink Square Mall, Triton Mall and World Trade Park.

Jewels

Jaipur is famous for its many jewel merchants where you can get great deals on semi-precious gems such as turquoise, lapis, tiger eye and the star ruby (a gem found only in India that is distinctive for the 6-pointed star it shines under natural light).

Eat

Sweet

1 Gangaur Sweets, J-32, Subash Marg, C-Scheme, ☏ +91-141-382-835. Sweets for chamcham, also baked sweets and crispy samosas. ₹180-580 per order. 2 Jal Mahal, 85, MI Road (Near Panch Batti), ☏ +91-141-2373520, info@jalmahalicecreamparlour.com. A popular ice-cream parlor on MI Rd. An assortment of ice cream shakes, and some indigenous ice cream flavours. Excellent after a hearty meal at one of the MI Rd restaurants. (updated Mar 2015) Zolocrust, Hotel Clarks Amer, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Near Malviya Nagar. The gourmet bakery and Italian restaurant is operated by chefs of Hotel Clarks Amer and serves exquisite bakery items, it also serves vegan and vegetarian food.

Savoury

3 Anokhi Cafe, 2nd Floor, KK Square, C-11 Prithviraj Road, ☏ +91 141 400 7245. Mostly organic non-Indian-style ("international flavour") home-style cakes, freshly prepared sandwiches, pastries, savoury snacks plus organic coffee and a selection of good teas. Quiet, relaxing, good value for money, situated outside the Anokhi shop (see Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing listing in "See"). Salads: ₹120-200; sandwiches and savoury dishes: ₹150-300; desserts: ₹80-230; beverages: ₹25-250. 4 Ambrosia, In the Hotel Ramsingh Palace, B 2, Hathi Babau Ka Bagh, Kanti Nagar, Banipark (Right next to Statue Circle), ☏ +91 141 3153900. Open 24 hours. Serving vegetarian and vegan, Chinese food and barbecue atop a 100-foot-high building providing a breathtaking view of the city. 5 Old Take Away, 146, Subhash Corner, MI Roa, ☏ +91 9828101014. Various chicken and mutton dishes for take-away. ₹130-400 for main dishes. (updated Apr 2015) 6 Peacock Rooftop Restaurant, 51, Hari Kishan Somani Marg (at Hotel Pearl Palace), ☏ +91 94 14 236323. Daily 7:30AM-11:30PM. A rooftop restaurant serving Indian, Western and Chinese food. Fast service and good value. Soups and salads: ₹95-195; Tandoori starters: ₹245-495; Vegetarian mains: ₹185-325; Non-veg mains: ₹295-615; Continental cuisine: ₹295-395; etc. (updated Apr 2015) 7 Shrinat Lassiwala, Irza Ismail Road. Simple place for lassis, snacks and breakfast. Claiming to be the oldest lasso place in Jaipur. ₹ 50-100 for snacks, ₹ 80-150 for lassis. (updated Oct 2025) 8 Rawat Mishthan Bhandar, Opposite Polo Victory Cinema, Station Road, Sindhi Camp (Very close to railway station and bus stand), ☏ +91-141-236-7460. Do not miss the famous Pyaz ki Kachori, a spicy onion dish. Also, the ghewar and mawa kachori is famous. Nothing on the menu costs more than ₹250, including thalis, except for a special ₹450 tasting menu. (updated Mar 2015)

Mid-range

9 Apno Gaon, 14, New Loha Mandi, Sikar Road, Vishwakarma Industrial Area, ☏ +91 941 334 3477. 11AM-11PM. Vegetarian food, including fresh vegetables and fruits. Slightly away from the main city: One has to go on a bumpy ride to reach there. ₹330 for lunch or dinner thali. (updated Mar 2015) 10 Four Seasons Restaurant, D-43A, Subhash Marg, C Scheme, ☏ +91 141 237 5221. 11AM-11:30PM. Indian and Chinese food, among the most popular vegetarian restaurants in Jaipur. Most main dishes cost ₹100-200; Thalis: ₹250-300. (updated Apr 2015) 11 Handi Restaurant, Maya Mansion, Opp GPO, MI Rd, ☏ +91 141 237 2275. noon-3:30PM, 7-11PM. Specialising in meat dishes; chicken, mutton, kebab, tandoori and the super spicy Rajasthani speciality lal maas. ₹171-562 for mains dishes.. (updated Apr 2015) 12 Little Italy, C/11, K.K. Square, Prithviraj Marg, C-Scheme, ☏ +91 141 402 3444. noon to 11:30PM. Part of a chain with restaurants around India and some other Asian countries, as the name reveals, this is a place to go to for Italian food. Wide selection of pizza, pasta and other typical Italian food, also some Mexican dishes. Large range of wines. pizzas and pastas are mostly in the ₹300-500 range. (updated Apr 2015) 13 LMB, LMB Hotel & Restaurant, 100 Johari Bazaar. 8AM-11PM. Good mid-range north Indian vegetarian restaurant. The restaurant sells good sweets and chat, Indian sweet and savory snacks, and is most famous for its Aloo ki Tikiya and Paneer Ghewar. Snacks, sandwiches, pizza: ₹50-310; breakfasts are mostly ₹130-280; lunch and dinner mains: ₹190-430; sweets: ₹60-200. (updated Feb 2015) 14 Loharu House, ☏ +91-141-222-5251, +91-141-222-5945. This is the house of a Royal Family in Civil Lines. Primarily a hotel, but they also serve food. You can call in advance and request a special dinner. Otherwise, dinners are served for in-house guests. (updated Mar 2015) 15 Mamu's Infusion, 101, 1st Floor, Mangalam Ambition Tower, Subhash Marg, C Scheme, ☏ +91 141 5108290. 11AM-11PM. Serves Indian, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Thai and Middle Eastern dishes. Quirky decor, large servings and friendly staff. Starters: ₹180-425; soup: ₹170-190; salad: ₹210-295; pizza: ₹370-450; pasta: ₹350-475; risotto: ₹320-430; Mexican items: ₹190-350. (updated Apr 2015) 16 Natraj, Panch Batti, M.I. Road, ☏ +91 141-237-5804, natrajrestaurant@rediffmail.com. Vegetarian, speciality is the Rajasthani thali. Credit cards are accepted and they do not serve alcohol. They also have a mithai (sweets) shop. Thalis are ₹200-450. (updated Mar 2015) 17 Okra, Ashram Marg, Jawahar Circle (at Jaipur Marriott Hotel), ☏ +91 141 4567777. Both a large buffet and à la carte. Reservations are required. Appetisers, soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta, pizza, risotto: ₹225-535; Western mains: ₹575-1675; Indian and other Asian mains: ₹210-695. (updated Mar 2026) 18 Zodiac, Fortune Park Bella Casa, Cityplex, 1, Ashram Marg, Tonk Road (in the MGF Metropolitan Mall), ☏ +91 141 2720532. 24 hr. A buffet restaurant with North Indian dishes. Mains: ₹225-450. (updated Apr 2015)

Drink

Coffee

Step Out Cafe, P 14, Sahdev Marg, Near Secretariat, C Scheme, Ashok Nagar, ☏ +91 86192 46464. 7:30AM-10PM. Bright and airy. Secluded garden seating. Excellent coffee. Mouth-watering desserts. Lebanese, Mexican, Italian Cuisine. Wide-rage of vegan and gluten-free options.

Alcohol

1 Amigos Bar & Discoteque, Church Road, MI Road (at Hotel OM Tower), ☏ +91 141 404 6666. noon to 4:30PM, 7PM to midnight. Mexico-themed bar at the 9th floor of the OM Tower hotel, in the adjoining room there's a dance floor. Apparently a wider range of beverages and cocktails than at restaurants. (updated Apr 2015) 2 Colorbar, Radisson Blu, Plot 5 & 6, Airport Plaza,Tonk Road, Durgapura, ☏ +91 141 5198845, colorbar@rdjaipur.com. 8-11PM. On the top of the roof of Radission Blu Airport hotel, with nice views of the planes landing and taking off. Barbecue, pool and interesting luminescent chairs and tables. (updated Apr 2015) 3 District 9 Lounge, E-20, Prem Plaza, Girdhar Marg, Opposite Reliance Fresh, ☏ +91 141 2553903. noon-11PM. Rooftop and indoor seating. More of a restaurant than a bar, with dishes from all over the world ranging from spring rolls to pizzas and fajitas to burritos. ₹100-200 for a pint, food ₹150-250. (updated Apr 2015) 4 Drop Zone Lounge Bar, 14/82 & 83, Niti Nagar, Opposite Capt Amit Bhardwaj Petrol Pump, Malviya Nagar, ☏ +91 141 2723594, +91 141 3155220. 11AM to 11PM. A bar with a pleasant rooftop seating with fantastic views, and they serve food as well. Approx ₹600 for two (without alcohol), VAT extra. 5 Henry’s – The Pub, Park Prime Hotel, Prithviraj road, Near Statue Circle, ☏ +91 141 236 0202, ppj@parkprime.in. noon-11:30PM. Cozy pub in the basement of the Prime Park Hotel, reportedly great for an evening out with your friends. Many different snacks and cocktails. On the downside some guests find the service is a bit slow. 6 Skyfall By Replay, SB-57, Riddhi Tower, 5th Floor (Opposite SMS Stadium), ☏ +91 141 403 1026. 11AM to midnight. Bar, restaurant and lounge with Mexican and Italian cuisine. Different sitting areas, which makes it a good place for private events. (updated Apr 2015)

Night clubs

7 3D's Restro Lounge, A2 Corporate Tower, Near Jawahar Circle, ☏ +91 9166048000, 3drestrolounge@gmail.com. 11AM-11PM. A lounge bar with two restaurants (fine dining and casual). A good place to hang out with your friends, and fairly popular among students. (updated Apr 2015) 8 Blackout, 9th floor, Golden Oak Hotel, Landmark Building, Ahinsa Circle, C Scheme (at Golden Oak Hotel), ☏ +91 96801 67016. 11AMto midnight. Bar and nightclub popular with the party crowd, though their food is apparently not very good. Great views of the city from the rooftop lounge. (updated Apr 2015) 9 Club Seven, The Byke Grassfield Resort, Kishan Nagar (near Bansal Hospital), ☏ +91 9549876525. A nightclub with electronic music and different events every few weeks at the Byke Grassfield Resort, some 6-7 km southwest of the city centre. (updated Apr 2015) House of People (HOP), Hotel Las Vegas, A1, Sehkar Marg, Bais Godam, ☏ +91 141 3391479. 11AM-1PM. House of People is a nightclub offering a wide variety of drinks and an amazing lounge to hang out. A pint of beer would cost about ₹250. It also attracts good gentry in general. (updated Apr 2017)

Sleep

Budget

Jaipur being a prime destination for the tourists of all ages, both international and domestic, has a plethora of budget accommodation options. Almost all of the pan-Indian hostel chains are present in the city, including Zostel, Moustache, Backpacker Panda, Roadhouse and others. These places are generally dominated by young backpackers. Homestays and guest houses that are hosted by local residents and offer to give you an authentic experience from interiors, to ambiance, to the food they serve. Try to find a place near the Pink City, or Hawa Mahal.

1 Atithi Guest House, 1 Park House Scheme (Opposite All India Radio, 2 blocks from M.I. Road), ☏ +91 141 237-8679, +91 141 237-9496, atithijaipur@hotmail.com. Check-out: noon. A nice, modern and very clean hotel a few minutes from the Pink City. Has a simple restaurant, laundry service, Wi-Fi (check on current rates, which are not posted on their site). Be careful of rickshaw/taxi drivers as they don't get a commission here so may try to bring you somewhere else. Standard Room: ₹1,000 single occupancy; ₹1,100 double occupancy; Large Room: ₹1,100 - 1,200 single; ₹1,200 - 1,300 double; Air-Conditioned Room: ₹1,400 single; ₹1,600 double; Extra bed: ₹350. (updated Jul 2016) 2 Chit Chat Palace, D-160 Kabir Marg, Bani Park, ☏ +91-141-2201-899, +91-141-2202-843, chitchat07@hotmail.com. Airport/rail station/bus station pick up available, nice restaurant. Standard double with fan and hot/cold shower: ₹1,500; Family room: ₹2,000. 3 Hotel Kalyan, Hathroi Fort, Ajmer Rd (1 km from railway station), ☏ +91-141-2368355, +91-9314501591, fax: +91-141-4015919, hotelkalyan@yahoo.co.in. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. 2-star hotel with a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Free parking and pickup is available from the train station and central bus stand. Tasty restaurant and good service. ₹850-950 for non-air-con double room; ₹1,200-2,595 for air-con double room; bigger rooms are available for up to 4 guests. 4 Hotel Malak Mahal, 54, Near Jal Mahal, Amer Rd, ☏ +91 8890825040, +91 88908 25040, hotelmalakmahal@yahoo.com. This hotel, which opened in 2012, has 45 rooms, an in-house restaurant and reserved parking spaces. It also provides free Wi-Fi, air-con rooms with attached washrooms and a nice guest service system. Their reservation phone number is covered 24/7. Heritage Deluxe: ₹1,500 (double occupancy)/Negotiable; Heritage Suite: ₹2,000 (double occupancy)/Negotiable; both tariffs include taxes and breakfast. 5 Hotel Pearl Palace, 51 Hathroi Fort, Hari Kishan Somani Marg, Ajmer Road, ☏ +91 141-2373700, reservation@hotelpearlpalace.com. The place is designed as an art museum. Wonderful roof top patio restaurant. The owners are nice but the front desk clerk is very moody. They do not always honor reservations made from their website. air-con rooms from ₹1,200. 6 Hotel Ramsingh Palace, B-2, Hathi Babu Ka Bagh, Kanti Nagar, ☏ +91 141 4005191 (Mr. Mahendra Singh), info@hotelramsinghpalace.com. Check-out: noon. Comfortable beds, each room comes with LCDTV with multiple channels. Walking distance to the train station and central bus stand. Airport/rail station/bus station pick up available, multi-cuisine restaurant. Deluxe room: ₹1,700-2,200; Super Deluxe room: ₹2,000-2,500; Family Suite: ₹2800-3800; Extra bed: ₹250-500. 7 Hotel Sangam, 17 Motilal Atal Rd, ☏ +91 141 237179192, hotelsangam@rediffmail.com. Good mattress, TV, restaurant, includes breakfast toast. ₹1,000 for non-air-con room; air-con rooms starting at ₹1,500. 8 Hotel Shikha, R-14, Yudhishthir Marg, C-Scheme (2.3 km from railway station (10 minute drive), 2.8 km from Sindhi Camp Bus Stand (10 minute drive) and 10 km from Jaipur airport (25 minute drive)), ☏ +91 141 4031212, +91 9582221212, info@hotelshikha.com. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. The only hotel in Jaipur that is opposite to the deer park in c-scheme. Coffee & wine lounge in premises with Rock Pub and discotheque. Special offers on website. ₹1899. (updated Feb 2016) 9 Jaipur Inn, B-17, Shiv Marg, Bani Park, ☏ +91-141-2201121, info@jaipurinn.com. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Hot water, air-con, TV, heater, and telephone in every room. The hotel also has a backup power generator and a lift. Nice rooftop bar with great views over the city. All room rates include rooftop Wi-Fi and free cancellation. They can also serve food. During low season (April/May/June), 50% discount if you stay 2 days or more. Standard Room (non-air-con): ₹1250; Deluxe Room: ₹1500; Super Deluxe Room: ₹2000; Luxury Room: ₹2950; Service Apartment (3 rooms): ₹5000. 10 Karni Niwas, C-5 Motilal Atal Road (behind Neelam Hotel), ☏ +91 141 2365433, enquiry@hotelkarniniwas.com. Good budget hotel. Very clean with hot water, quiet room. Restaurant, includes continental breakfast. ₹650-1,000. (updated Mar 2015) 11 Moustache Jaipur, Park House 7, Mirza Ismail Rd (1 km from the train station, follow station road and turn right onto Mirza Ismail Rd, after 5 blocks turn left). Recommended by many travellers, this hostel is the headquarters of the Moustache chain. The street food tour is recommended by many. Afterwards, you can relax in the rooftop restaurant and pool. 400 INR for a 12-bed dorm (no AC), private rooms and 4-bed AC rooms cost more. (updated Apr 2023)

12 Krishna Palace, E-26, Durga Marg, Bani Park, ☏ +91 141 2201395, +91 94 14311252, info@krishnapalace.com. Heritage property which looks like a palace. Nice garden, quiet and very clean. Traditional-style spacious rooms with private bath and hot shower. 24-hr service. Comfortable beds, each room comes with TV with all channels. Rooftop and garden restaurant available. Walking distance to the train station. Managed by a friendly family. Very quiet and relaxing neighbourhood surrounded by greenery. Pickup service from the train and central bus station is free of charge. Standard (non-air-con): ₹850 single/₹950 double; Deluxe air-con: ₹1350 single/₹1450 double; Superior air-con: ₹1500 single/₹1750 double. 13 Moon Light Palace, S-34, Shanti Nagar, Near Labour Court (opp. NBC), ☏ +91 141-2450753, +91 141 6508059, hotelmoonlightpalace@gmail.com. It's clean with solid Wi-Fi. Free pick up from station. Restaurant has a wide range of food. From ₹2,100/day. (updated Mar 2015) 14 Pink City Guest House, 18 Motilal Atal Rd, ☏ +91 141-5106184. Clean rooms and good value with reliable hot water, TV and Wi-Fi - just ask the guy at the reception. Steps away from bus station and few min walk from old town and/or rail station. Five stores down the road south on that side of the street is an amazing vegetarian restaurant Mohal's which does great cheapish food. Make sure you get one of the rooms facing the quiet backstreet. The hotel lacks its own website, and current tariffs seem to be impossible to find online. As of 2012 or so, they charged ₹400-700 for a double room, with off season rates of ₹250 for a very basic room without attached bathroom. 15 Satkar Hotel, 187, Barodia Scheme, Banipark (Near railway station and bus stand), ☏ +91 94 14255755, +91 14 12202020. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: noon. Family run budget hotel, free pick up from railway station, bus stand, free Wi-Fi. Air-con and non-air-con rooms with attached bathrooms and TV. Hot shower, food, travel desk, laundry, 5 min walk from railway station. Not especially clean, ceiling fan noisy. Laundry is available for a charge. Walking distance to the bus station in a seedy neighbourhood. A/C Single: ₹900; A/C Double: ₹1,250. 16 Sunder Palace Guest House, No. 46, Sanjay Marg (near Hathroi Fort), ☏ +91 141 2360178, sunderpalace@hotmail.com. Clean rooms, great service, convenient location, a rooftop restaurant, a lovely garden area and a terrace. Tiled double room with cable TV, big bathroom with hot water and a Persian carpet area with a small table where you can sip tea and read. Internet available, but there was a charge for this service a few years ago, so enquire. Starting at ₹1,450 for air-con double room. Siyash Luxury Girls PG, 103/87, Sector-10, Pratap Nagar, Jaipur, 302033 (Near Kumbha Marg), ☏ +91 9829658011, contact@siyashgroup.in. Check-in: 11:00 AM, check-out: 11:00 AM (Next Day). Siyash Luxury Girls PG, Jaipur – A secure and comfortable paying guest accommodation only for women. Rooms are furnished with air-conditioning, wardrobes, and study spaces. Facilities include home-style meals, Wi-Fi, 24/7 access to washing machines, housekeeping, and round-the-clock security with CCTV. Conveniently located near Kumbha Marg, which connects to the rest of the city, it is a practical option for students, working professionals, and female travellers looking for a homely stay in Jaipur. ₹750 Single Room, ₹550 Classic Double Room (one person), ₹600 Spacious Double Room (one person), ₹550 Triple Stay Room (one person). (updated Aug 2025)

Stay safe

Beyond the standard dangers of travelling in India (thieves, hustlers, touts, questionable drinking water), Jaipur has developed its own set of unique scams.

The gem scam

You may be approached by a local, sometimes youths on motorbikes, who claim that Westerners are unwilling to engage with the Indian people. "Why don't tourists want to talk to me?" or "I am a student, I want to learn about your culture" is a common opener. They may also try to make you feel guilty by claiming "It is Indian culture to be help." If you engage them, the scam artist will invite the visitor to drink tea. Frequently, the tourist will only be told of the gem stones the next day or after dinner. Usually it is some sort of tax problem. The unwitting mark is then sold fake stones for resale in his/her home country. Even if stones are posted in front of your eyes, you are more likely to see Elvis than the gems again. As a general rule, do not accept tea from strangers, but in addition be wary of any who invite you to talk in secluded areas. The easiest is a simple and polite refusal of any offer, even if just a drink and chat. If you are a Westerner and a person outside your hotel bumps into you, then it's likely the person is trying to pickpocket you. There have been reports of smugglers trying to entice foreigners to assist in smuggling items. Under no circumstances accept: smuggling is a serious offence.

Hospitals

CKS Hospital, F 98 A, Road Number 6, Sikar Road, VKI, ☏ +91 141-3313233. 24 Hours. CKS Hospital is a trusted multi-specialty hospital, open 24 hours for emergency cases. 3 Sawai Man Singh Hospital. (updated Mar 2026)

Go next

If you are booking train tickets out of Jaipur, make sure to ask for Tatkal tickets at the reservation office, as tickets to just about everywhere sell out weeks in advance. Tatkal (last minute) tickets only open for sale the day before the train leaves, and are not always offered voluntarily by the staff, who will simply tell you the train is full. Abhaneri — you can arrange transport to this village, which contains an impressive ancient stepwell and a beautiful 9th-century temple Bikaner — a city in the Thar Desert; though less visited than Jaisalmer, it is home to several important sites such as Bikaner Fort (Junagarh Fort), Laxmi Niwas Palace and Shivbari Temple Bhandarej — a little-known town 62 km from Jaipur off the Jaipur-Agra Highway, which dates from the times of the Mahabharata and features 11th-century monuments and temples Jaisalmer — the Golden City in the Thar Desert Jodhpur — the stunning Blue City, with its awe-inspiring Mehrangarh Fort Udaipur — train #2965, Gwalior Udaipur Superfast Express (via Agra), is the best option for this beautiful City of Lakes

More pictures of Jaipur

From this destination's category on Wikimedia Commons. Each photograph is credited to its own author under its own licence.