Nestled in the magnificent Aravalli ranges of Rajasthan, Udaipur or the City of Lakes is one of the most romantic and beautiful destination in India. Udaipur is known for its beautiful palaces, serene lakes and rich Rajputana heritage which attracts a number of travelers from all over the world. Before you soak in this royal city’s charm, however, it is necessary to plan your trip properly. In this full guide, I will cover in detail about all the travel options available through air, train, and road, to reach Udaipur and help you decide which one is the best for you according to your budget, comfort, and style.
By Air: 1.5-hour direct flight.
By Train: Other methods to reach Udaipur by train are Mewar and Chetak Express that are overnight trains.
By Bus: Overnight Volvos (12-14 hrs).
By Road: ~660 km, 11-12 hrs via NH48.
By Air: Daily direct flights (~1.5 hrs).
By Train: Overnight Udaipur-Bandra Express (16 hrs).
By Road: ~750 km, 14 hrs drive.
By Air: Flight time is approximately an hour by Air
By Train: Daily trains (6-7 hrs)
By Road: ~395 km, 6-7 hrs via NH58
By Bus/Car: Only 260 km (~5 hrs); great for a short trip.
By Train: You can also get there by train (5-6 hrs) multiple times a day.
By Air: Short 1-hour flight available.
Getting around in Udaipur once you have arrived is easy and enjoyable.
Auto rickshaws: Best for short distances.
App-based cabs (Uber/Ola): Affordable and reliable.
Private Taxis: for those wanting to use private taxis for full day sightseeing.
Rental Scooters/Bikes: Great for budget travelers and solo explorers.
There are most of the tourist spots so clustered within a few kms of each other that commuting is convenient and scenic.
Ideally October till March is the best time to visit Udaipur as the climate is pleasant and you can sight see comfortably. As the days approach winter, the city also comes alive due to various festivals such as Diwali, Mewar Festival and Shilpgram Utsav.
It is best to stay away from April to June, when summer temperatures can rise above 40°C. Greenery and less crowds are brought on by monsoon (July-September), though some sightseeing plans may be affected.
Early booking of tickets and accommodation, especially during the winter season and festival season is advisable.
One should carry light woolens during the winter as nights may turn chilly.
You should plan at least 3 days in Udaipur to get the thrill of visiting major attractions such as City Palace, Lake Pichola, Jagmandir, Sajjangarh Fort, and other lakes in proximity.
It is best to stay in the old city or near Lake Pichola.
Local Rajasthani food and culture activities like puppet shows, folk music and art shopping at Hathipole Bazaar are recommended.
Udaipur is not that easy to reach, but the destination is not the only way to enter the soul of Rajasthan. Whatever the way your journey unfolds, over the Aravallis by a plane or taking a slow train across the desert or cruising down a scenic highway, the road leading to Udaipur readies you for the lure that lies ahead. In all it is all about the charm of each travel option, which one can choose or decide to spend their vacation on.
Air travel is ideal if you have little time, trains give you a taste of the heart of India, and road trips allow you flexible exploration of any hidden gems you come across along the route. There is nothing that gives second thoughts to Udaipur City when it comes to reachability as it has a great connectivity to major cities and important facilities for tourists.
Hence, pack your luggage prepare for the path, and get prepared to jog into a storybook town of palaces, lakes, much more timelessness. And once he reaches Udaipur, he will find out that the city has a way of not just welcoming you but also amazing you.
Enjoy the flight experience and reach Udaipur through Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR), a domestic airport that is situated 22 kilometers away from the city center in Dabok. The airport is efficient, modern and has daily flights from several of the major Indian cities.
- Delhi (Approx. 1.5 hrs)
- Mumbai (Approx. 1.5 hrs)
- Jaipur
- Ahmedabad
- Bengaluru
- Hyderabad
- Kolkata (via connecting flights)
Regular services are available with IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, and SpiceJet that can be reached easily and quickly.
You can book pre paid taxis, app based cabs such as Uber/Ola or local auto to reach your hotel or the city center. Usually, the ride takes about 30 to 40 minutes.
Pro Tip: Realistically, ticket fares are likely to be higher than the tourist season months (October to March).
Private bus companies and the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) both provide transportation to Udaipur. The common bus types that travel between the closest cities and large metro areas are Volvo AC buses and non-AC sleeper/seater buses.
- Jaipur – 7-8 hrs
- Ahmedabad – 5-6 hrs
- Jodhpur – 4-5 hrs
- Delhi – 12-14 hrs
- Indore – 10 hrs
- Mount Abu – 3 hrs
RedBus, MakeMyTrip or on RSRTC’s portal RSRTC Official website are the portals where you can book tickets online.
The drive to Udaipur can be a wonderfully fulfilling experience to those who love to be on the open road. Most of the roads are in excellent condition, and particularly so on well used routes such as:
Ahmedabad to Udaipur: 260 km (~5 hrs via NH48)
Jaipur to Udaipur: 395 km (~7 hrs via NH58)
Jodhpur to Udaipur: 250 km (~5 hrs via NH62)
In most major cities, it is possible to hire self drive cars or private taxis. You are able to explore charming towns and rural Rajasthan en route.
Pro Tip: When driving long passages of deserted roadway, do not drive at night and stay prepared with a spare tire and water for emergencies.
By rail networks, Udaipur is very well connected with major Indian cities. The city is home to two major train stations.
The Udaipur City Station (UDZ) is located in the centre of the city.
Rana Pratap Nagar (RPZ) – about 3 km away
The train journey also is not unpleasant and you get to see the scenic view as the train reaches the hilly terrains of southern Rajasthan in due time.
Mewar Express (12963/64) – Delhi to Udaipur
Chetak Express (12981/82) – Delhi to Udaipur
Ananya Express – Kolkata to Udaipur
Udaipur Express – Jaipur, Ajmer to Udaipur
Udaipur-Bandra Terminus Express – Mumbai to Udaipur
If you have the budget, there are AC Sleeper classes and General classes that you can opt for.
- Delhi: ~12 hrs (overnight trains)
- Jaipur: ~7 hrs
- Mumbai: ~16 hrs
- Ahmedabad: ~6 hrs
Besides, Rajasthan also serves as a part of various luxury train itineraries such as Palace on Wheels and The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, a royal way of traveling through Rajasthan.
Pro Tip: Book in advance if at all possible and especially during festivals or popular tourist seasons.
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