Best things to do in Jaipur, India

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If you’ve stumbled upon this article, I hope it is because you are planning a trip to the magical city of Jaipur. If you’re not already familiar, Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan, a state in the west of India. This guide will break down all of the best things to do in Jaipur, India.

I visited Jaipur for the first time on 2013, and it was my goal to make it back here. This year I had the opportunity to do just that! We planned to stay in Jaipur for only 3 times but extended our stay twice. Compared to other cities in Rajasthan, we found Jaipur to be very livable, and less hectic.

Before you dive into the article, here are a few of the most popular tours to check out:

Best time to visit Jaipur

The best time to visit Jaipur, and the rest of Rajasthan, is between October and March. This is when you can expect the coolest temperatures throughout the city. We visited at the end of March, and had perfect temperature, although we were informed that we were lucky as it is usually much hotter.

Although I’ve personally visited Jaipur in mid-May, I wouldn’t recommend it as it makes touring the sights rather difficult when the temperatures soar above 110 degrees daily.

How to get to Jaipur

The most common way to get to Jaipur from outside of India is via Delhi. There is an international airport in Jaipur that is mostly serviced by domestic flights, however you can also fly directly from Dubai or Bangkok to Jaipur. Otherwise, you will likely fly to Delhi, and from here take a train or bus to Jaipur. Here is a breakdown of the different ways to get to Jaipur from Delhi.

By train

The most common way to get from Delhi to Jaipur is by train. Depending on which train you choose, travel time ranges from 4 hours to 8+ hours. If you are booking trains in India, you have a few options for securing your ticket. You can purchase a ticket in-person at the train station or a travel agency once you’re arrived in India. An agency fill cost you just a few extra dollars, and it is an easy and quick process. However, you risk the trains filling up.

Another option is to book online through the IRCTC website. You’ll need to make an account, and from here you can book directly on the website or on the ixigo trains app. If you have an Indian SIM (which you can easily purchase on arrival), then you can book normally. If you do not have an Indian number, then you will need to book in the Tourist Quota. These tickets have an added fee, and there are only a few held per class for each train.

By bus

Another common way to get from Delhi to Jaipur is by bus. India is well connected by buses, some 24+ hours. A bus from Delhi to Jaipur takes between 5 and 7 hours, depending on the number of stops. Prices tend to be just a bit less than train prices, although less comfortable in my opinion.

By flight

Another option is to fly from Delhi to Jaipur, or from whichever origin city you are arriving from. The airport is located about 12 km outside of the city center.

Check out cheap flights from your city here:

Getting around

Ola/Uber 

Uber, and India’s local Uber alternative Ola, are both very affordable ways to get around the city. With both standard cards and autos (rickshaws) available, they tend to be cheaper than standard taxis. We found in Jaipur, however, that very few Uber drivers wanted to pick us up. We always had more success when our homestay host ordered one for us.

Many drivers will ask you to cancel the ride and pay them the same price in cash. This is done so they can avoid paying Uber a fee. It is your decision if you want to do this. If you are traveling solo as a female, I would advise against it.

Rickshaws 

In my opinion, the most fun way to explore Jaipur, and most cities in India, is by rickshaw (or tuk tuk or auto). They are readily available and can be easily hailed on most streets in the city. Otherwise you can book one in advance with Uber.

As a tourist, especially a white tourist, you can expect to receive a much higher rate. While some of those tourist fees are inevitable, it is still important to haggle to make sure you aren’t being totally ripped off. One way to fact check prices for routes is to check the rates for the same route on Uber.

Where to stay

I usually like to suggest a number of places to fit any budget, but we loved our homestay so much so it is the only one that I’m planning to really call out. We stayed at Le Fort Homestay, just outside of the C Scheme district. Rooms range between $20-24 per night when booked online. We stayed in the Deluxe room, which had a private outdoor area, and it was perfect.

There is truly nothing bad that I can say about this homestay. The owner Alif is beyond helpful and welcoming. The rooftop, filled with plants, is the perfect place to hang out. Whether you’re enjoying some of the delicious food that they have to offer, or taking a private yoga class. We extended our stay twice, and never wanted to leave.

I would recommend Le Fort Homestay to anyone traveling to Jaipur, including solo female travelers.

Check current prices

If it is not in your budget, then here are a few popular hostels in Jaipur:

• Moustache Hostel
• The Hosteller

How many days do you need in Jaipur?

The longer that I travel, the more I struggle with this question as the answer is always quite subjective. I recommend at least two full days in Jaipur to see the main attractions, however you can easily stay much longer. We stayed in Jaipur for five days on this recent trip and easily could have stayed much longer. There is so much to see and do, so much good food to be eaten.

Things to know before visiting Jaipur

Getting short changed – unfortunately it is extremely common to be short changed, especially if you are still unfamiliar with the currency, so it is important to always check the change that is handed back to you.

Currency – the currency in Jaipur is Indian Rupees, which is equal to about $1 USD = 80 INR.

Don’t drink the water – please please please, whatever you do, do not drink the water. This includes brushing your teeth. It is important that you only consume bottled or safe filtered water.

Crossing the street – crossing the street, especially the busier streets, can be extremely difficult and overwhelming in my opinion. My best advice is to put out your hand and follow any locals crossing.

Best things to do in Jaipur

There are so many incredible things to do in Jaipur, you could spend days and days exploring. We had five days in Jaipur, and we didn’t even manage to see everything on my list. However, the longer that I travel, the more that I realize that this is okay. I am not traveling for a checklist. There is a beauty in visiting the same place more than once, or slowing down for a day. Alas, let’s dive into the best things to do in Jaipur, whether you have two days or two weeks.

Amer Palace (Amber Palace)

If you’ve researched any of the best things to do in Jaipur then I’m sure Amer Palace (or the Amber Palace) is on your radar. Located at the top of a big hill, you’ll find the fort and an extensive palace complex. This is a good example of Rajput and Mughal architecture styles. Both the fort and palace complex are huge, with so many different rooms to explore.

I recommend visiting right when they open as it gets extremely crowded during the middle of the day. Visiting in the morning will guarantee a much more pleasant experience.

How to get to Amer Palace: The fort and palace complex are located 11km from Jaipur. I recommend hiring a taxi or rickshaw driver for the day to explore the palace and surrounding areas. If you’re on a budget, there is also a local bus.

Hours: Amer Fort is open daily, from 8am – 5:30pm.

Cost: an entrance ticket for foreigners costs 550 INR ($7), there is also an option to purchase a composite tickets which grants you access to other attractions in Jaipiur

City Palace

The City Palace is easily the most popular attraction in Jaipur. The palace was built by Sawai Jai Singh, who has been credited with founding Jaipur. The City Palace was constructed in the 17th century.

Hours: City Palace is open daily, from 9:30am – 5:00pm, 7:00-10:00pm

Cost: Tickets for foreigners costs 700 INR ($8.50). There is also an option to purchase a night ticket for 1000 INR ($12). There is also a grand tour ticket available starting at 2000 INR ($24).

The main palace has four smaller gates in the courtyard (pictured below). It is believed that these gates were constructed to represent the four seasons, as well as four Hindu deities: Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Ganesha.

Gaitore Ki Chhatriyan

A visit to Gaitore Ki Chhatriyan is easily one of the best things to do in Jaipur. We love this serene place so much that we visited twice during our five days in Jaipur. Unlike the other attractions in Jaipur which tend to be very busy and filled with tourist, Gaitore Ki Chhatriyan was incredibly peaceful. Both times we visited we only saw a small handful of other tourists.

Gaitore Ki Chhatriyan is the royal crematorium grounds for the Kachwaha, a Rajput clan that ruled in the region. Locals will visit often to show respect to those that have passed.

Hours: Open daily from 10am-6:30pm

Cost: 50 INR ($0.60)

You’ll find tons of these royal cetrographs scattered throughout the complex. Each one intricately decorated, and most of which have been carved by hand with incredible detail.  Each is topped with an a chhatri, or dome, in Indian memorials cremation sites

Shri Jagat Shiromani Temple

When we first asked our driver to stop at this temple, he had never even heard of it. He was surprised that we wanted to go here, and was almost hesitant to bring us. I’m glad I pushed though, and it was one of my favorite things that we did in Jaipur.

This small temple is located just down the road from the famous Panna Meena ka Kund, but yet it was virtually empty when we visited in the middle of the day.

Constructed between 1599 and 1608 AD, the temple, located in Amer, is dedicated to a number of Hindu gods.

Cost: Free to visit

Hours: Shri Jagat Shiromani Temple is open daily from 6am – 8pm.

Panna Meena ka Kund

It used to be possible to walk to the steps to capture the iconic “Instagram shot”. Although this is no longer permitted, it is still well worth the visit. It found the pathways to be absolutely mesmerizing. You don’t need a long time to visit this location, but it is located right next to Shri Jagat Shiromani Temple, so you’ll only have to make one stop.

It is free to visit Panna Meena ka Kund.

Johri Bazar

Jaipur is known for shopping, and Johri Bazaar is one of the best places to do just that. The most popular things to buy in Jaipur are textiles and jewelry. It is very common to get ripped off, so it is helpful to get inside prices from a local before visiting. We also preferred to shop on our own, rather than visiting one of “family spots” advertised by our tuk tuk drivers.

I bought a lovely ring with an emerald stone to wear as my “travel engagement ring”. I was happy to pay $19, but even that was probably a rip off as the “gold-plating” wore off in just one day.

Suraj Pol Gate

One evening when we planned to visit Nahargarh Fort for sunset, we met a local that insisted that we visit Suraj Pol Gate instead, and head to the temple above for a view of the city. It is free to visit, closer to the city, and the views were quite spectacular.

You will find a ton of monkeys on the trail, so please so not buy food for them as locals may try to sell you at the bottom. Feeding monkeys is never a good idea, speaking from experience haha.

Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal is a palace in the city center of Jaipur. It is one of the most popular things to do in Jaipur. Although you can view it up close, the best view is from one of the cafes across the street. Tattoo Cafe is rumored to have the best view

Jal Mahal

Jal Mahal is a famous water palace in the middle of lake Man Sagar. It is beautiful to look at for a minute or so, but personally I found the walkway a bit too overwhelming. There were far too many peddlars trying to sell things, and the it was quite dirty. You’ll easily pass it going to and from Amer, so it is worth a quick stop!

Here are a few other places to visit:

• Nahargarh Fort – A large fort overlook Jaipur. One of the best sunset locations in the city.
• Patrika Gate – Although Patrika Gate is technically nothing more than a gate at the entrance of Jahawar Circle Park, it attracts both local and foreign visitors everyday as a famous photo spot. You’ll often find locals doing wedding shoots at the gate. Why? As you enter the gate you’ll find an incredible rainbow walkaway. We didn’t get a chance to visit on our recent trip to Jaipur, but it is definitely on my list for next time!

Where to eat in Jaipur

“AC Family Hall” next to Shree Khandelwal Pavitra Bhojanalaya

This was easily my favorite place that we ate at in Jaipur. I’m not exactly sure of the name but the awning says “AC Family Hall” and it is directly next to Shree Khandelwal Pavitra Bhojanalaya on the map.The food was so delicious and flavor, and the waitstaff was super helpful in explaining the different dishes to us. I recommend a traditional Thali, which will allow you to try a number of different dishes.

After our meal, they even let me try a hand at making some naan myself – I was terrible at it but it was a fun experience!

It is located on Amer Rd, not far from many of Jaipur’s main attraction, so it is a great lunch stop to make after exploring all morning.

Sri Moturam Prasadam

Located in C Scheme, Sri Moturam Prasadam is a great spot to try traditional Thalis from all over India. I loved that we were able to sample so many different dishes in one meal. The establishment is super clean with fair prices and very big portions. One thali is definitely enough to share with two people.

LMB

Located right next to the bazaar, LMB is a good option to fuel up during (or after) your shopping. The menu is huge, so you’ll find something for anyone here. Prices are a bit higher (although still reasonable). Admittedly, it wasn’t my favorite place that we dined, but overall still a great option for lunch or dinner!

Lassiwala

Lassiwala is the oldest, and most famous, lassi shop in Jaipur. Lassi is a traditional drink made of yogurt, water, and spices. Lassiwala offers two size, small and large, and the option of sweet and salty. I personally prefer sweet!

Traveling throughout India? Check out these articles to help plan your trip:

• Best Things to do in Udaipur
• Grahan Village: India’s Most Beautiful Village

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