Jaipur to Udaipur by Train — Rajasthan Heritage Route Guide
How to travel from Jaipur to Udaipur by train. Best trains, timings, fares, route highlights, and tips for this popular Rajasthan tourist corridor.
Jaipur to Udaipur is one of those routes that every Rajasthan tourist needs to figure out, and trains are arguably the best way to do it. The 400 km journey takes you from the Pink City through the Aravalli hills to the City of Lakes, and the landscape shifts dramatically along the way — from dry desert scrubland near Jaipur to the surprisingly green hills around Udaipur.
Route Overview
The railway line between Jaipur and Udaipur passes through Ajmer (the major junction on this route), Bhilwara, and Chittorgarh before reaching Udaipur City station. The route through Chittorgarh is the primary one, and it's worth knowing because Chittorgarh Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — some travelers break the journey here.
Best Trains Compared
| Train | Number | Departs JP | Arrives UDZ | Duration | Fare Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mewar Express | 12963/64 | 22:15 | 06:10+1 | ~7h 55m | ₹250–₹1,400 |
| Ananya Express | 12991/92 | 17:00 | 00:30+1 | ~7h 30m | ₹250–₹1,400 |
| Jaipur-Udaipur Vande Bharat | 20983/84 | 13:40 | 19:30 | ~5h 50m | ₹750–₹1,600 |
| Chetak Express | 12981/82 | 20:25 | 04:15+1 | ~7h 50m | ₹250–₹1,400 |
| Aravali Express | 19707/08 | 05:15 | 14:45 | ~9h 30m | ₹200–₹1,200 |
Which One to Pick?
The Vande Bharat is the obvious speed champion. Under 6 hours, comfortable chairs, included meals, and the afternoon timing means you get to see the Aravalli hills passing by your window. If you can get a ticket, take this one. The Mewar Express is the classic overnight option. Board after dinner in Jaipur, sleep, and wake up in Udaipur by 6 AM. You save a night's hotel cost and arrive ready for a full day of sightseeing. This is what I'd recommend for budget travelers. Avoid the Aravali Express unless you enjoy watching paint dry. Nine and a half hours for 400 km is excessive, and the early morning departure means you're waking up at 4 AM to catch it.The Chittorgarh Stopover
Both the Mewar Express and Chetak Express stop at Chittorgarh for about 10-15 minutes. But if you want to actually visit the fort, you'd need to break your journey.
Chittorgarh Fort takes 3-4 hours to explore properly. You could take a morning train from Jaipur to Chittorgarh, spend half a day at the fort, and then catch an evening train to Udaipur (1.5-2 hours). Trains between Chittorgarh and Udaipur run frequently.
The fort is genuinely impressive — the Vijay Stambh (Tower of Victory), Rani Padmini's palace, and the massive fort walls are among the best-preserved examples of Rajput architecture anywhere.
Fare Breakdown
| Class | Approx. Fare |
|---|---|
| Sleeper (SL) | ₹200–₹300 |
| AC 3 Tier (3A) | ₹600–₹750 |
| AC 2 Tier (2A) | ₹900–₹1,100 |
| AC First (1A) | ₹1,400–₹1,600 |
| Vande Bharat CC | ₹750–₹900 |
| Vande Bharat EC | ₹1,400–₹1,600 |
Jaipur Station Tips
Most trains to Udaipur depart from Jaipur Junction (JP). It's the city's main station and well-connected by auto, cab, and metro. The station has retiring rooms, waiting halls for different classes, and food stalls on platforms.
Jaipur Junction has good Wi-Fi (RailWire). Download your entertainment before boarding though — coverage gets patchy in the Aravalli section.
Udaipur City Station
Udaipur City (UDZ) is the main station. It's about 3-4 km from Lake Pichola and the old city area where most tourists stay.- Auto to City Palace / Lake Pichola area: ₹80-150
- Pre-paid taxi: Available at the station
- Uber/Ola: Work well in Udaipur
Best Season
- October to March: The golden window. Comfortable temperatures (15-28°C), clear skies, lakes are usually full from the monsoon. This is peak tourist season for Udaipur, and hotel prices reflect it.
- April to June: Extremely hot (40-45°C). Udaipur is marginally cooler than Jaipur due to the lakes, but you'll still be hiding from the sun by 11 AM.
- July to September: Monsoon turns the Aravallis green and the lakes overflow. Beautiful in its own way, but intermittent heavy rain can disrupt plans. Hotel prices drop significantly.
Connecting the Rajasthan Triangle
Many tourists do the Jaipur → Udaipur → Jodhpur triangle (or reverse). If that's your plan:
- Jaipur to Udaipur: Covered above. Overnight Mewar Express or daytime Vande Bharat.
- Udaipur to Jodhpur: The Ranakpur Express (14863/64) does this overnight in about 8 hours. Or Vande Bharat in about 5 hours.
- Jodhpur to Jaipur: Multiple trains, 5-6 hours. The Mandore Express is a good option.
A decent-quality Rajasthan trip covering all three cities can be done in 7-8 days, with trains as your primary transport. You'd spend about ₹3,000-5,000 on train tickets for the entire triangle in 3AC class. Compare that to flights or private cars, and trains win on both cost and experience.