Rajasthan · India
Jaipur travel guide
Jaipur is a city in Rajasthan, India, home to about 3,073,000 people.
- Best months
- December to February
- Nearest airport
- JAI10 km · Jaipur International Airport
- Currency
- INRIndian rupee
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
- Language
- English, Hindi
About
About Jaipur
Jaipur is the capital and the largest city of the north-western Indian state of Rajasthan. As of 2011, the city had a population of 3.1 million, making it the tenth most populous city in the country.
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.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Jaipur
See
- Amber Fort
- Dalaram Bagh
- Diwan-i-Am
- Sheesh Mahal
- Jaigarh Fort
- Nahargarh Fort
- City Palace
- Hawa Mahal
- Jal Mahal
- Mundota Fort and Palace
- Akshardham Temple
- Birla Mandir (aka The Marble Temple)
Do
- Amber Fort Sound and Light Show
- Sawai Mansingh Stadium
- B.M. Birla Auditorium and Conference Hall
- Rajmandir Cinema
- Heiwa Heaven The Resort
- Central Park
- Nevta Dam
- Chokhi Dhani
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Jaipur to stay in
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.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Jaipur
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Jaipur are December to February. May is the warmest month, with average highs of 41 °C; August is the wettest, with about 218 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Jaipur: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Jaipur International Airport (JAI), about 10 km from the city centre in a straight line; Kishangarh Airport Ajmer (KQH, 106 km) is also within reach.
Getting around
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. The Jaipur Metro provides a fast, reliable and inexpensive way to get around the city. The Pink Line 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.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
JAI · Jaipur International Airport
KQH · Kishangarh Airport Ajmer
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Jaipur
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. 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.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Jaipur: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Jaipur?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Jaipur are December to February. May is the warmest month, with average highs of 41 °C; August is the wettest, with about 218 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Jaipur?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Jaipur International Airport (JAI), about 10 km from the city centre in a straight line; Kishangarh Airport Ajmer (KQH, 106 km) is also within reach.
What currency is used in Jaipur?
Indian rupee (INR).
Nearby
Destinations near Jaipur
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.