Jodhpur

What there is to see

Mehrangarh Fort is the reason to come. It rises 120 metres straight out of the rock and has never been taken. The audio guide is included in the ticket and is genuinely one of the best in India, so we usually suggest skipping a hired guide here and taking your time instead. Allow three hours.

Jaswant Thada, the white marble cenotaph ten minutes away, is quiet and takes half an hour. Umaid Bhawan Palace is part hotel, part museum and part family home; only the museum is open.

The old city and the clock tower market are where Jodhpur actually lives. Spices, textiles, chai. We drop you at the gate because the lanes are too narrow for a car, and pick you up when you are done.

Getting there and driving times

Jodhpur sits in the middle of every Rajasthan route, which is why it works so well. Jaipur is five to six hours. Udaipur is four to five. Jaisalmer is five, straight across the desert. Delhi is a long day at around ten hours, so we normally break that journey.

How long to stay

Two nights. One full day gives you the fort, the cenotaph and an afternoon in the market without rushing. A single night means you see the fort and leave, which is a shame.

When to come

October to March. April and May regularly pass 42 degrees here and the fort has very little shade. Monsoon arrives in July and is brief but heavy.

How we drive it

Jodhpur is almost always part of a longer Rajasthan route with us, usually Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and often Jaisalmer and the desert. Your car and driver stay with you throughout, so bags stay in the boot and you never negotiate a fare.

A suggested day and a half

Arrival afternoon: a walk through the blue lanes of the old city below the fort, ending at the Clock Tower and Sardar Market as the stalls light up.

Next day: Mehrangarh Fort at opening time, before the heat and the tour groups. Then Jaswant Thada, the white marble memorial a short drive away, and the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park below it if you like an easy walk. In the afternoon, the museum wing of Umaid Bhawan Palace, the last great palace built in India, where part of the royal family still lives.

Where to stay

For atmosphere, stay in a haveli in the old city, right under the fort walls. Many have rooftop terraces with a view of Mehrangarh lit up at night. For more space and quiet, the Ratanada and Umaid Bhawan areas have larger hotels, about ten minutes away by car.

Practical tips

• The fort has a lift up to the main palace, which helps if walking uphill is hard.
• The audio guide at Mehrangarh is one of the best in India. Opening hours and tickets are on the official Mehrangarh site.
• For something different, a zip-line course runs over the fort walls and lakes.
• Try a makhaniya lassi near the Clock Tower. It is a local speciality, thick and sweet with saffron.

Questions people ask

Why is Jodhpur called the Blue City?

Many houses in the old city below the fort are painted blue. The colour is easiest to see from the fort ramparts in the morning light.

Is one night in Jodhpur enough?

One night works if you arrive by early afternoon. Two nights is more comfortable, especially after a long drive from Jaipur.

How far is Jodhpur from Jaisalmer and Udaipur?

Jaisalmer is about 285 km, roughly five hours. Udaipur is about 250 km, five to six hours, or more with a stop at Ranakpur.

Ask us about Jodhpur

Tell us when you want to travel and how long you have. We come back with a route, the vehicle it needs and one price, usually within 24 hours. Our day rates are published in full, and your hotels stay your own choice.

Get a price for your Jodhpur trip   See our car and driver rates