Delhi to Jaipur by Train — Fastest and Cheapest Options

Delhi to Jaipur is one of the most frequently traveled short routes in India — about 308 km, taking between 2.5 to 5 hours by train. The route is well-served with multiple daily trains ranging from budget unreserved to premium Vande Bharat. For a weekend trip or the start of a Rajasthan tour, the train beats driving (which takes 5-6 hours on NH48 with the usual Gurugram traffic).

Best Trains at a Glance

Train	Number	Departs	Arrives	Duration	Fare Range
Ajmer Vande Bharat	22985/86	06:00 NDLS	08:30 JP	~2h 30m	₹800–₹1,700
Ajmer Shatabdi	12015/16	06:05 NDLS	10:30 JP	~4h 25m	₹700–₹1,500
Delhi-Jaipur Double Decker	12985/86	06:00 DLI	10:30 JP	~4h 30m	₹500–₹700
Ashram Express	12915/16	15:20 DLI	20:35 JP	~5h 15m	₹200–₹1,200
Ajmer Intercity	12413/14	15:40 NDLS	20:20 JP	~4h 40m	₹200–₹700
Ala Hazrat Express	14311/12	18:30 DLI	00:10+1 JP	~5h 40m	₹200–₹900

Live timings and availability at indianrail.app.

Vande Bharat — The Speed King

The Ajmer Vande Bharat (22985/86) is the fastest way to get from Delhi to Jaipur by rail. At 2 hours 30 minutes, it's legitimately competitive with flying (when you factor in airport check-in time). The train runs at up to 160 km/h on the Delhi-Jaipur stretch.

The seats are comfortable airline-style reclining chairs with charging ports and Wi-Fi (when it works). Meals are included in the ticket price — typically a breakfast box with tea since it's an early morning departure.

The 6 AM departure is early, but you're in Jaipur by 8:30 AM. Perfect for a day trip or for catching a connecting bus to Pushkar, Udaipur, or Jodhpur.

One issue: It runs New Delhi to Ajmer, stopping at Jaipur. The return Vande Bharat from Jaipur departs in the afternoon. So you have a full day in Jaipur if you're doing a day trip.

Shatabdi — The Reliable Veteran

The Ajmer Shatabdi (12015/16) has been running this route for decades. It's slower than Vande Bharat (about 4.5 hours to Jaipur) but cheaper and runs daily without fail.

The Shatabdi stops at more stations — Alwar and Dausa on the way — which adds time but is useful if you're headed to those towns. Executive Class (EC) has wider seats and better meals. Chair Car (CC) is perfectly adequate for the 4-hour ride.

Meals are included: breakfast on the morning train, dinner on the evening return. Quality is standard IRCTC fare — an aloo-puri or sandwich box with juice and tea.

Double Decker — Best Value

The Delhi-Jaipur Double Decker (12985/86) is my personal favorite for this route. It's a unique double-deck coach design with AC chair car seating on both levels. The fare is significantly lower than Shatabdi (₹500-700 range), and the journey time is similar.

The upper deck offers slightly better views, though the windows aren't as large as regular coaches. No meals included, which honestly I prefer — grab a parantha at the station or carry your own.

It departs from Delhi Junction (DLI), not New Delhi (NDLS). Make sure you go to the right station.

Budget Option: Sleeper and General

For the truly budget-conscious, several daily trains offer sleeper class (around ₹200) and unreserved/general class (under ₹100) between Delhi and Jaipur. The Ashram Express, Ala Hazrat Express, and Marudhar Express all have sleeper class.

At 4-5 hours, it's a manageable sleeper class journey — you don't necessarily need a berth. A window seat in SL or even in a general coach is fine for this distance. Just avoid evening departures on Fridays when every train is packed.

Station Info

Departure stations in Delhi:

• New Delhi (NDLS): Shatabdi, Vande Bharat, Intercity
• Delhi Junction (DLI): Double Decker, Ashram Express, Ala Hazrat
• Delhi Sarai Rohilla (DEE): Some Rajasthan-bound trains

Jaipur Junction (JP) is the main station. It's centrally located, about 4 km from the Old City (Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jantar Mantar). Auto-rickshaws, Ola, and Uber are available outside. Expect to pay ₹100-200 to most tourist areas.

Day Trip Feasibility

Can you do Delhi-Jaipur as a day trip by train? Absolutely.

Take the 6:00 AM Vande Bharat, arrive 8:30 AM. You have the entire day to explore Jaipur — Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Nahargarh Fort, lunch at a rooftop restaurant in the Pink City. Take the return Vande Bharat or evening Shatabdi back to Delhi by night.

It's tiring but very doable, and saves you a hotel night. I've done this several times.

The Drive Alternative

NH48 from Delhi to Jaipur is technically a 5-hour drive, but Gurugram and Manesar traffic can add 1-2 hours to the Delhi exit alone. Plus, the toll fees add up to around ₹700-800 for a round trip by car.

The train is cheaper, faster (Vande Bharat is half the driving time), and you arrive relaxed instead of frazzled from highway driving. Only drive if you're planning to stop at Neemrana Fort or other highway attractions along the way.

Tips

• Window side: The landscape between Delhi and Jaipur is mostly flat agricultural land — pleasant but not spectacular. The Aravalli hills start appearing near Jaipur.
• Winter travel (Nov-Feb): Fog can delay morning trains from Delhi by 1-3 hours. The Vande Bharat handles this better than older trains.
• Summer (Apr-Jun): Rajasthan gets brutally hot. AC coaches are essential. Even the 5-minute platform stops feel like walking into an oven.
• Jaipur to Agra connection: If you're doing the Golden Triangle, there's a direct Jaipur-Agra train (about 4 hours) that saves backtracking through Delhi.