Delhi to Jaipur: Complete 2026 Guide -- Train, Bus and Flight

📅 Last updated: September 2026

✍️ By PlanRouteAI Editorial Team — Researched, written and verified by our travel editors • About us

Delhi to Jaipur is one of India's most travelled intercity routes and the most popular leg of the Golden Triangle tourist circuit (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur). The distance is approximately 293 km, and the journey is served by an extraordinary number of options: 38 trains daily including the Vande Bharat Express which covers the route in just 3 hours 37 minutes, the excellent Ajmer Shatabdi, frequent luxury buses, and flights for those in a genuine hurry. This guide covers every option with verified September 2026 prices, IRCTC booking tips, and essential Jaipur arrival information.

All Ways to Travel Delhi to Jaipur

Transport	Duration	Cost	Best for
Vande Bharat Express	3h 37-50m	Rs 1,200-1,855 (CC/EC)	Fastest train, most comfortable
Ajmer Shatabdi (12015)	4h 25m	Rs 700-1,500 (CC/EC)	Daily reliable AC service, multiple departure options
Other express trains	5-7 hours	Rs 260-1,600	Budget sleeper, overnight options
Luxury bus (Volvo AC)	5-6 hours	Rs 500-1,500	No booking needed, frequent departures, door closer
Flight	1h (+ transfers)	Rs 3,500-8,000	Speed only -- rarely faster than train door-to-door
Driving / taxi	4.5-5.5 hours	Rs 3,000-6,000 for private taxi	Flexibility, stops at Neemrana or Abhaneri

Vande Bharat Express: Fastest Train

The Vande Bharat Express (20978) is the fastest train on the Delhi to Jaipur route. It departs Delhi (Delhi Cantonment/DEC) at 18:28 and arrives at Jaipur (JP) at 22:05, covering the distance in just 3 hours 37 minutes.

A second Vande Bharat (26482) also operates on this route: Train 26482 Vande Bharat Express departs New Delhi (NDLS) at 15:10 and reaches Jaipur at 19:00 -- running Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday (not Tuesday).

Chair Car (CC) fare: Approximately Rs 1,200-1,500 including catering
Executive Chair Car (EC) fare: Approximately Rs 1,855 including catering
Departure stations: Delhi Cantonment (DEC) or New Delhi (NDLS) depending on which service
Arrival: Jaipur Junction (JP) -- city centre, 10-15 min auto-rickshaw to most hotels
Book on IRCTC: 60 days in advance at 00:10 AM. Fills very fast for weekend and holiday travel.

Ajmer Shatabdi: The Classic Daily Service

The Delhi-Jaipur Shatabdi Express (12015/12016) is the gold standard for this route -- a fully AC chair car service departing New Delhi in the morning and Jaipur in the evening, allowing a day trip or an easy start to a Rajasthan tour.

Train 12015: Departs New Delhi at 06:05 (approximately), arrives Jaipur around 10:30
Return 12016: Departs Jaipur around 17:30, arrives New Delhi around 22:00
Classes: Chair Car (CC) and Executive Chair Car (EC). Meals and beverages served at seat.
Chair Car fare: Approximately Rs 700-900
EC fare: Approximately Rs 1,200-1,500
Runs daily: 7 days a week -- excellent reliability for the Golden Triangle itinerary

Golden Triangle tip: For the Delhi-Jaipur leg, Chair Car or EC on a Shatabdi or Vande Bharat is the optimal choice. The morning Shatabdi (12015) departing New Delhi at 06:05 gets you to Jaipur by 10:30 -- a full day for Amber Fort and the Pink City. Book on IRCTC exactly 60 days ahead; this train is very popular with both domestic and international tourists doing the Golden Triangle circuit.

Other Train Options

There are 19 trains found between New Delhi (NDLS) to Jaipur (JP) on any given day, with additional services from Delhi Cantonment, Hazrat Nizamuddin, and other Delhi stations. Budget options include:

Sainik Express (19702): Departs Delhi at 00:07, arrives Jaipur at 08:30 -- Sleeper class Rs 260, 3AC Rs 685, 2AC Rs 965. Good overnight option arriving in Jaipur early morning.
JP Double Decker (12986): Departs New Delhi at 17:42 and reaches Jaipur at 22:00 -- daily service, economy AC double-decker coaches.
Swarna Nagari Express (12249): Departs New Delhi at 17:59 and reaches Jaipur at 22:30 -- daily, multiple classes.

Bus from Delhi to Jaipur

The Delhi-Jaipur Expressway (NH48) has dramatically improved bus journey times -- modern coaches now complete the route in 5-6 hours. Options:

RSRTC Volvo AC: Rajasthan's state transport Volvo coaches, Rs 500-700. Departs from Bikaner House near India Gate and Sarai Kale Khan ISBT. Highly reliable and comfortable.
Private Volvo buses: Rs 600-1,500 depending on operator and service level. Operators include Raj National Express, Mandawa Travels, and many others. Book on Redbus.
Advantages of bus: No advance booking usually needed on weekdays; picks up from multiple points in Delhi (Sarai Kale Khan, Dhaula Kuan, some from Connaught Place); drops near Sindhi Camp Bus Stand in Jaipur (central location).
Expressway stops: Some buses stop at Neemrana (2 hours from Delhi) -- worth breaking the journey here if you want to visit the spectacular Neemrana Fort Palace heritage hotel.

Driving Delhi to Jaipur

The Delhi-Jaipur Expressway (NH48) is one of India's best roads -- 6-lane controlled-access expressway. Distance: 293 km. Typical journey time: 4.5-5.5 hours. Toll approximately Rs 420-470 for a car one-way. Scenic stop: the step wells (baori) at Abhaneri (Harshat Mata temple and Chand Baori, one of India's deepest step wells) are 90 km before Jaipur -- an extraordinary detour of 20 minutes off the highway. Best for travellers wanting flexibility or travelling with heavy luggage who will explore multiple Rajasthan destinations by road.

Getting Around Jaipur on Arrival

Auto-rickshaw: Most practical for exploring the Old City and tourist sites. Negotiate fare before boarding -- approximately Rs 100-200 for most inner-city journeys. Prepaid auto stands at Jaipur Junction railway station.
Ola/Uber: Available throughout Jaipur. Transparent pricing, Rs 80-250 for most central journeys.
City bus (JCTSL): Air-conditioned city buses cover main routes including station to Old City, Amber Fort, and beyond. Rs 15-30. The AC bus to Amber Fort runs from near the Hawa Mahal.
Amber Fort: 11 km from the railway station -- Ola/Uber Rs 200-300, auto Rs 250-400. The shared jeep from Jaleb Chowk (Hawa Mahal area) is the most authentic and cheapest option (Rs 30 per person).

Top Things to Do in Jaipur

Amber Fort: Rajasthan's most spectacular hilltop fort -- Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors), elephant rides, panoramic lake views. Open sunrise to 5:30 PM. Admission Rs 700 foreign nationals. Allow 3-4 hours.
City Palace: The royal palace complex still partially inhabited by the Jaipur royal family. Museum, Mubarak Mahal textile gallery, and the famous pair of giant silver urns. Admission Rs 700 foreign nationals.
Jantar Mantar: UNESCO World Heritage astronomical observatory with 19 giant stone instruments including the world's largest stone sundial. Admission Rs 200 foreign. Guided tour strongly recommended.
Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds): The iconic 953-window honeycomb facade -- best photographed from a rooftop cafe opposite. Admission Rs 200 foreign. 30-45 minutes sufficient.
Nahargarh Fort: Hillside fort with the best sunset city view in Jaipur. Less crowded than Amber. Admission Rs 200 foreign. Padao restaurant inside has cold beer and panoramic views.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Vande Bharat Express (20978) is the fastest option, covering the Delhi-Jaipur distance in just 3 hours 37 minutes. Departing Delhi Cantonment at 18:28, it arrives at Jaipur Junction at 22:05. A second Vande Bharat (26482) departs New Delhi at 15:10 and reaches Jaipur at 19:00. Both run 6 days a week. Flying takes 1 hour in the air but 4.5-5 hours door-to-door when airport transfers are included -- the Vande Bharat is faster for most travellers.

Yes -- a day trip is possible but tiring. The Shatabdi (12015) departing New Delhi at 06:05 arrives Jaipur by 10:30, giving 6-7 hours before the return train. This is enough for Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, and Jantar Mantar if you move quickly. Most travellers find Jaipur deserves at least one overnight stay to see Nahargarh at sunset, explore the Old City bazaars, and visit City Palace at a relaxed pace. 2-3 nights is ideal.

Train is generally better -- faster (Vande Bharat 3h 37m vs bus 5-6 hours), more comfortable on AC chair cars, and arrives at Jaipur Junction in the city centre. The bus advantage is flexibility -- no advance booking needed for weekday travel, multiple departure times throughout the day, and it picks up from several Delhi points. For tourists on a fixed itinerary, book the Shatabdi or Vande Bharat on IRCTC 60 days ahead. For spontaneous travel or if trains are sold out, an RSRTC Volvo AC bus is an excellent fallback.

The Jaipur Composite Ticket covers Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh Fort, Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall Museum, Sisodia Rani Garden, and Vidyadhar Garden -- all for Rs 2,500 for foreign nationals (2-day validity). If you plan to visit 4 or more covered sites, the composite ticket saves money versus buying individual tickets. Buy at any of the covered sites or in advance through Rajasthan Tourism (tourism.rajasthan.gov.in).

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