From the Capital City to the Pink City; Delhi to Jaipur

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is one of the most travelled to cities in India with flamboyant and opulent palaces reflecting the city’s majestic past. Its colourful and buzzing streets are nothing short of a fairy tale. The royal city was built in the 18th century (1876). Maharaja Ram Singh painted Jaipur pink when the then Prince of Wales and the Queen visited Jaipur. Lord Albert began referring to the city as “the pink city.” Thousands of stories are embedded in each brick and building in Jaipur; if you have an appetite for learning historical events, shopping, adventure and food, then you must visit the Pink City.

 

Delhi To Jaipur By Road

There are plenty of options to get to Jaipur, but nothing beats the joy of a road trip from Delhi because you get to explore beautiful places along with the rustic towns and villages along the route. There are three route options for a road trip from Delhi to Jaipur, read and pick up a route that suits you the best.

Route 1: Delhi To Jaipur Via The Neemrana Route (Delhi → Gurgaon → Manesar → Bhiwadi → Neemrana → Kotputli → Shahpura → Jaipur)

View Map 

Distance: 280 kilometres

Duration: 5 hours via NH 48

Toll Charges: Rs 320 (one way)

 

Popular Stopovers On Your Delhi To Jaipur Roadtrip Along Neemrana Route

Neemrana-Fort-Palace

Sultanpur National Park and Bird Sanctuary:

If you are travelling with kids or love being close to nature, then you must stop by Sultanpur National Park and Bird Sanctuary, as there are a variety of animal and bird species to watch.

NeverEnuf Garden Railway:

It is an open-air museum with a one-acre landscaped park that features interactive scale-model towns and miniature model trains.

Heritage Transport Museum:

If you love cars, its conceptual novelty and history of human transportation, then you should visit the Heritage Transport Museum in Haryana.

Soka Bodhi Tree Garden:

Sprawling over 170 acres of land near the Jaipur highway 60 km southwest of Delhi at Bilaspur Khurd lies Soka Bodhi Tree Garden. The place is surreal and an ideal stop for a short break from your drive.

Ancient Vrindavan Palace:

The Ancient Vrindavan Palace is a historical landmark in the proximity of the Neemrana Highway in Rajasthan.

A Short Heritage Tour To Neemrana Fort:

If you seek adventure, you will enjoy zip-lining over the Neemrana Fort.

Nahargarh Biological Park:

Situated about 12 km from Jaipur, the Nahargarh Biological Park is worth visiting for Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, panthers, hyenas, wolves, deer, crocodiles and more. The sunset views from this serene place are truly magical.

 

Places To Eat On Your Delhi–Jaipur Road Trip Via Neemrana Route:

The Neemrana route off NH 48 in Gurgaon has lots of roadside eateries offering traditional Rajasthani cuisines. Rao Dhaba is especially great for its appetizing thalis. Try vegetarian fare at Haldiram’s in Rewari, Haryana, and check the village-themed restaurant, Just Desi, on the way to Kotputli, Rajasthan.

 

Route 2: Delhi To Jaipur Via The Alwar Route (Delhi → Gurgaon → Bhiwadi → Alwar → Jaipur)

View Map

Distance: 297 km

Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes via NH 48 & NH 248A

Toll Charges: Rs 255 (one way)

 

Popular Stopovers On Your Delhi To Jaipur Roadtrip Along Alwar Route

Alwar:

An ancient rocky royal estate well known for an 18th-century palace adorned with marble pavilions and lotus-shaped bases in the courtyard, Alwar is a popular tourist spot in Rajasthan. If you are nearby, do visit Bala Quila, which is noted as Alwar Fort from this hilltop you can catch panoramic views of beautiful Alwar city and is definitely a great place for photography.

Garwaji Waterfalls:

If you are travelling in monsoon, then Garwaji Waterfalls is a must-visit.

Sariska Lake:

Located between Alwar and Sariska National Park, the Sariska lake offers boating activities. If you don’t want to paddle, you can still sit at the gorgeous marble palace on the banks of the lake and savour the placid view. Also, you can go on a jungle safari through the Sariska National Park and will spot a tiger if you are lucky.

Bhangarh Fort:

From the Sariska lake, head to Bhangarh Fort, which is a 17th-century fortress in Rundh Bhangarh, Rajasthan. The fort is said to be the most haunted fort in India and the drive to this fort is an eerie experience. Explore this place with your friends, alone if you have nerves of steel. Note that the entry to the fort is prohibited after sunset.

 

Places To Eat On Your Delhi–Jaipur Road Trip Via Alwar Route:

You can have a healthy and tasty breakfast at Sohna Tourist Complex, Gurgaon. If you are looking to grab a bite late into the night, then go to Patel restaurant by NH248A near Mubarakpur, and if you are seeking for contemporary ambience, Citrus Café in Alwar serves food outdoors with a modern touch.

 

Route 3: Delhi To Jaipur Via The Faridabad Route (Delhi → Faridabad → Manesar → Bhiwadi → Neemrana → Kotputli → Shahpura → Jaipur)

View Map

Distance: 348 Km

Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes 

 

Popular Stopovers On Your Delhi To Jaipur Roadtrip Along The Faridabad Route

Asola-Bhatti-Wildlife-Sanctuary

Surajkund:

Located between South Delhi and Faridabad, Surajkund is an ancient reservoir built in the 10th century in the backdrop of Aravalli hills. Each year, an international art and crafts festival is held by the Surajkund lake, where artisans from countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, etc. visit and showcase their artwork. Apart from art shows, the lake and the hills alone offer a great deal of leisure and recreation.

Badkhal Lake:

Located at a distance of 32 km from Delhi, Badkhal Lake is teeming with wildlife, Bordered by the Aravalli hills, the place offers scenic views and is a treat for nature lovers. Numerous migratory birds flock to the lake and hearing them chirp can feel like listening to a serenade. One can indulge in water adventure sports like boating, canoeing, swimming, angling and kayaking.

Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary:

Situated on the Delhi–Haryana border over an area of 32.71 sq km, Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary houses a variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Get up close with nature and discover the treasures of Indian biodiversity. You can also take a nature tour, watch the sunset, and gleam at the peacocks, koels, kites and nilgai herds. 

Nahar Singh Palace:

Located at Ballabgarh in Faridabad, Nahar Singh Palace is a royal palace built in the 18th century, but the beauty of the palace has remained untouched, attracting a pool of visitors every day. You can relax at this well-furnished heritage property and explore the ins and outs of the palace closely.

 

Tips For Seamless Travel On Your Road Trip

• The strip from Delhi to Gurgaon is pretty congested, even if you start early in the morning.
• From Neemrana to Shahpura, you will find occasional traffic jams, but it is manageable.
• You can reach Jaipur in an hour from Shahpura as the roads on this route are in good condition.
• On the Alwar route, you do not have to worry about the traffic or the roads and drive without any interruptions.
• Once you have passed Alwar, you have to beware of the diversions with poorly maintained stretches awaiting you.
• The Neemrana route is good for reaching Jaipur fast, but you should control your speed, as the highway is packed with heavy vehicles and is prone to accidents.
• To avoid confusion at intersections, bypasses or diversions on your road trip, use GPS to get through.

 

Popular Attractions In Jaipur

Jaipur embodies a fine blend of history and heritage in it that will attract artists and literary minds equally. Where there are a plethora of tourist spots, the following places one must visit for a wholesome Jaipur trip itinerary.

Amber Fort

Cushioned on the top of the Aravali Hill 11 kilometres away from Jaipur, Amber Fort is an architectural masterpiece and one of the most magnificent forts in India. The fort is significant to Indian history; it was built by close generals of Akbar and used by several Rajput rulers as their residence. The fascinating building has maze-like passages, serpentine staircases, and several gateways overlooking Maotha Lake. It will take at least 3 hours to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The elephant ride is the most popular tourist activity at the fort. But the plight of the animals is condemnable and I personally would not recommend it. Otherwise, Amber Fort is everything you’ve been told about and is a must-see place in Jaipur.

Time Required: 3-4 hours

Timings: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, Light Show timings: English: 7:30 pm, Hindi: 8:00 pm

Entry Fee: For Indian nationals Rs 25, students Rs 10, and foreign nationals Rs 200.

Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is a site for medieval astronomy built in the 18th century by a Rajput king. It features the world’s largest stone sundial that helps interpret the position of celestial bodies and calculate time. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jantar Mantar attracts tourists, architects, mathematicians, photographers, geographers, artists, poets and historians alike.

Best Time To Visit: Noon, when the sun is above, making it easier to interpret the readings on each instrument.

Time Required: 30-45 minutes

Timings: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

Entry Fee: For Indian nationals Rs 50, students Rs 15, and foreign nationals Rs 200.

Light & Sound Show Timings: 

Oct – Feb: 6:30 pm onwards 

Mar-Apr: 7:00 pm onwards 

May-Sep: 7:30 pm onwards

Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal, which translates to ‘Palace of Winds,’ is one of the popular tourist hotspots in the Pink City. The palace is a built-in embodiment of Rajput architecture; red and pink sandstone carved in a pyramid shape, 953 windows or ‘Jharokhas’ decorated with intricate designs from where the royal women used to get a peek into the everyday lives of the common folk. The mahal is believed to have been constructed in the form of the crown of Krishna (a Hindu deity).

Timings: Opened on all days except on Fridays

Address: Hawa Mahal Rd, Badi Chopad, J.D.A. Market, Kanwar Nagar

Albert Hall Museum

The Albert Hall Museum in Jaipur resembles the architecture of the Victoria and Albert Hall Museum in London and is the oldest museum in Rajasthan. The museum preserves the works of artisans from around the world in its 16 galleries. The museum looks breathtaking at night as it is lit with yellow lights. You can lay down in the garden and soak in the beauty of the palace, as the museum is flanked with lush gardens.

Time Required: 1-2 hours

Timings: 9:00 am- 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Entry Fee: Indian Visitor: Rs 40, overseas visitor: Rs 300

Jaipur Palace, Jal Mahal, and Nahargarh Fort are other places to visit on your trip to Jaipur, and if you like shopping, visit Bapu Bazaar.

Take a well-maintained cruising vehicle and follow the above points, and you can make your road trip from Delhi to Jaipur interesting.

Recommended Story –TOP 10 MONEY-SAVING TIPS FOR A MEMORABLE ROAD TRIP