Away With The Steiners

How to book and travel by bus Jaisalmer to Jodhpur or Jaisalmer to Bikaner.

Sarah Steiner

Are you looking at logistics of how to make it work visiting the amazing golden city of Jaisalmer in the far west of Rajasthan? We couldn’t wait to get there.  But flights to Jaisalmer only operate for part of the year and trains arrive and depart at all odd hours of the night.  And so, the next question was of how to get back and whether to brave the bus Jaisalmer to Jodhpur or Jaisalmer to Bikaner…

Now we’ve visited Jaisalmer more than six times and for each trip we arrive by plane, train or bus.  We can confidently say that while trains are the most popular way of traveling mid to long distances in India, taking a local bus is a great alternative and a good way to get around India.

And spoiler alert; the bus Jaisalmer to Jodhpur or to Bikaner is nothing like the images of riding on rooves or being seated with chickens and wide-open windows you might be anxiously picturing! 

Here is everything you need to know – and all the questions we wanted to ask first – about travel by local bus in India and how to get the bus Jaisalmer to Jodhpur or Bikaner.

Why travel by bus between Jaisalmer and Jodhpur or Bikaner? Isn’t it easier by train?

The reality of getting to and from Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is slightly trickier than other parts of the huge desert state.  This is simply because of the geographical location of Jaisalmer all the way to the far west of Rajasthan.  And this means that Jaisalmer is the end of the railway line.  Not only does it make for arrivals and departure by train at odd and ungodly type hours of the morning.  But trains are limited as it is not a through-junction.

Flights to Jaisalmer only operate for part of the year.  This is because the high tourist season and common time for domestic travel to the region is during the winter months.  In India, the cooler months from October to March, and including the festivals of Diwali (November) and Holi (March) make for the most popular season in Jaisalmer. 

The closest and next large cities from Jaisalmer are Jodhpur and Bikaner. 

So, with limited trains and flights only for a short period of the year, the next best choice is a bus Jaisalmer to Jodhpur or Jaisalmer to Bikaner. 

What options are there for a bus Jaisalmer to Jodhpur and Jaisalmer to Bikaner? 

In fact, there are more than ten operators that run buses between Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner meaning there are plenty of choices.  

How long is the bus Jaisalmer to Jodhpur and bus Jaisalmer to Bikaner? 

The travel time by bus Jaisalmer to Jodhpur or to Bikaner is similar and takes around 5 to 6 hours. 

As with all travel in India, be prepared to be flexible with travel times and promised times of arrival…

Sleeper bus in India.
A typical Indian sleeper style bus with berths and seats.

What time does the bus Jaisalmer to Jodhpur depart from in Jaisalmer? 

There are various buses operating from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur on a day and night basis.  However, during the daytime there is a bus departing hourly from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur.  

The first bus from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur starts at 06:00 am from Jaisalmer. The last daytime bus from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur leaves at 16:00 pm from Jaisalmer arriving at night in Jodhpur. 

An afternoon departure with Hanuman Travels bus Jaisalmer to Jodhpur.

What time does the bus Jaisalmer to Bikaner depart from in Jaisalmer? 

There are two daily buses (in theory) from Jaisalmer to Bikaner departing from Jaisalmer at 06:00am and 2:00pm. 

Departing before sunrise on the 6:00am bus Jaisalmer to Bikaner.

How do you get a ticket for the bus Jaisalmer to Jodhpur or Bikaner? 

There are various travel agency companies in Jaisalmer that advertise bus tickets and train ticket bookings.  But we found the easiest way is to ask your accommodation to call and book a bus ticket directly on your behalf. 

We always stay at Wanderlust Guesthouse in Jaisalmer and the owner, Padam, called the day before and booked a ticket for the bus Jaisalmer to Bikaner for us. 

A random travel and ticket agency in Jaisalmer near Gandhi Chowk.

How much is a ticket for the bus Jaisalmer to Jodhpur or Bikaner? 

Prices for a bus Jaisalmer to Bikaner or Jodhpur, or vice versa, start from 250 INR per person. 

If you are taking the bus Jaisalmer to Jodhpur, we recommend researching the bus company before booking.  There are more options for this bus route (as opposed to the bus to Bikaner) and it’s often worth paying a bit more to go with a more reliable operator. 

Where does the bus depart from in Jaisalmer? Is there a central bus stop in Jaisalmer? 

There isn’t a central bus station in Jaisalmer but most of the buses Jaisalmer to Jodhpur and to Bikaner depart from Hanuman Circle.

As with all travel in India, double check with the travel agency or your accommodation host for the most up-to-date point of departure.  Some of the bus companies depart from their own company bus stop in Jaisalmer.  And the departure point could be different depending on your destination. 

An early morning departure before 6:00am on the bus to Bikaner.
An afternoon bus to Jodhpur and destinations of Hanuman Travel buses from Jaisalmer all over Rajasthan and beyond.

What is it like taking a local bus in India? 

We found taking a bus in India a good experience.  There are obviously a huge range of buses and companies that over travel services.  But most of the main bus companies operating the route by bus Jaisalmer to Jodhpur and Jaisalmer to Bikaner are reasonably modern, air-conditioned seated and sleeper buses. 

These sleeper busses are outfitted with actual berths, allowing you to lie flat in a semi-private cubicle. However, they are quite narrow and not as comfortable as train berths.  

There are rows of two seats on the lower level (beneath the upper berths) and one row of berths on the lower level too. 

It’s a busy and bustling hustle getting everyone seated when the bus pulls in.  But there are two staff on the bus – a driver and a second attendant.   The attendant will take your ticket and show you to your seat as well as help to store your luggage. 

The friendly attendant on board the bus from Jaisalmer.
The attendant checking tickets and an insight to the layout of a typical bus Jaisalmer to Jodhpur or Bikaner.

How is the journey? 

We found it comfortable and were pleased to have chosen an early morning departure.  The sun is hot through the window in the morning and although for part of the journey I had my window open, they eventually close all windows to best operate the air conditioning. 

The seats were comfortable.  And the driver that we had made the journey feel safe.  (I can tell you about other stories of getting a sleeper bus in India down the mountains from Darjeeling which felt far less so!).   

It is a bit of a rush getting on and getting everyone seated.  

We were pleased also to have booked seats up the front of the bus.  And very glad that for the shorter and daytime journey, that we had opted for seats instead of upper sleeper berths. 

Does the bus stop on the way from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur or Bikaner?

Yes. The bus stops twice on the journey between Jaisalmer and Jodhpur or Jaisalmer and Bikaner. 

The first stop is around 2 – 2.5 hours into the journey and the bus stops for about 20 minutes.  There are shops and kiosks selling snacks and drinks.  

The second stop is just for 5 – 10 minutes and is around four hours into the journey. 

Fresh fruit right by the bus door. Great service right?
Snacks and drinks at a first stop on the bus Jaisalmer to Bikaner.

Are there toilets on board the bus? 

No.  The local buses in India do not tend to have toilets on board.  However, the main stop on the bus Jaisalmer to Jodhpur does have shops (basic) and there are toilets (extremely basic) too.  

The toilets at the stop are as you would imagine.  Functional, but not particularly pleasant (sorry). 

A stop somewhere near Pokhran and feeling thankful not to be needing the port-a-loo in the distance…

Any challenges worth noting taking a local bus in India? 

The main challenge as a backpacker taking a bus in India is the lack of immediate storage for your bag.  Whereas on a train there is space underneath the berth or bunk or up above the seats in Chair Class (CC).  On a local bus in India there isn’t necessarily immediate luggage storage as space is maximised for passengers instead. 

However, like with all adventures and travel in India, anything is possible.  And there will be a second attendant staffing the bus to assist with finding a spot for your luggage. 

There is not much leg-room but the front seats were a good choice for the journey.

Arriving in Jodhpur by bus from Jaisalmer

There are two main bus terminals in Jodhpur and the good news is that they are next to each other.  

It is easy to get a rickshaw or taxi from the bus stand to your accommodation.  You won’t be short for choice! 

Arriving in Bikaner by bus from Jaisalmer 

There is one main bus stop for the bus Jaisalmer to Bikaner.  The bust does stop a few times on the outskirts of Bikaner though it’s easy to tell these aren’t major bus stops.  Rather they look like industrial areas of the outer city where locals are disembarking (and potentially a few more may hop on). 

The main bus stop in Bikaner is busy and obvious with auto rickshaws and taxis and PEOPLE everywhere.  

Brace yourself to be swarmed with drivers as soon as you hop off the bus.  But people are generally friendly and like everywhere in India you should be ready to negotiate firmly and fairly for a fare to your accommodation in Bikaner. 

Prepare to be swarmed by rickshaw drivers when arriving by bus in Jodhpur or Bikaner.

Where to stay in Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner 

There are some great places to stay in India.  These are the hotels and accommodation we use regularly on our travels in Rajasthan and that we can recommend for your trip. 

Inside our room at Wanderlust Guesthouse in Jaisalmer.
A small double room at Prince Haveli in Bikaner.

More about travel planning for India and beyond…

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

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