Finding flights to Jaisalmer is the first challenge that travellers to India’s far away desert town encounter. And in reality there aren’t flights year-round to Jaisalmer. Instead, getting to and from the beautiful Golden City of Rajasthan is narrowed down to be navigated by train. But before we go any further, let me tell you that however you get to Jaisalmer will be absolutely 100% worth it. Departing is hard. But the journey continues and a train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur is yet another India adventure worthy of adventure on its own!
Here is everything you need to know – and everything you wanted to ask – about how to take the train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur.
Is there just one train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur?
There are three regular direct trains running from Jaisalmer to Jaipur.
- RANIKHET EXP (15013)
- SHALIMAR EXP (14645)
- LEELAN EXP (12467)
RANIKHET EXP (15013) departs daily from Jaisalmer (JSM) at 03:00H and arrives at Jaipur (JP) at 15:15H, covering the distance in 12 hours and 15 minutes.
SHALIMAR EXP (14645) departs Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday from Jaisalmer (JSM) at 23:35H and arrives at Jaipur (JP) at 10:15H.
LEELAN EXP (12467) departs daily from Jaisalmer (JSM) at 00:30H and arrives at Jaipur (JP) at 13:15H.
Is it a different train from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur?
Each of these trains above stops in Jodhpur. The journey from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur by train is around six hours.
Buying tickets for the train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur
Once you have decided on which train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur, the next step is tickets.
Because trains in India get booked in advance I recommend buying tickets online before you travel. (Preferably before you arrive in the country). Alternatively if you have a friend or contact in India it might be easier to book through them ahead of time.
Otherwise there are three options for you to book and buy tickets for the train to Jaipur:
- Go to a railway station (in Delhi) and book in person when you arrive
- Book online directly from Indian Railways at the IRCTC websitewww.irctc.co.in
- Book online through third party 12GoAsia.
Because there aren’t a huge amount of options for train travel Jaisalmer to Jaipur, I recommend booking online through ticketing agency 12go.asia.You can type in the different options for dates, days and classes of travel and pay by credit card.
To use the IRCTC website you will need a VPN to book train tickets from outside of India. But the website is useful to see exactly when and which days there are tickets available for the train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur and from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur.
How long is the train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur?
Traveling from Jaisalmer to Jaipur by train takes between 12 – 15 hours. And as with all train travel in India it does pay to allow at least a buffer of a few hours in case of delays.
The train from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur should take around 6 – 7 hours.
Which train should I book?
We have travelled by train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur and return on both the Shalimar and Ranikhet Express.
We most recently made the journey on the SHALIMAR EXP.
Are there different classes of train travel from Jaisalmer to Jaipur?
Yes. And this is an important factor when deciding which train to take from Jaisalmer to Jaipur.
There are 8 classes of train travel in India.
Different classes of travel suit different options of distances and comfort (and adventure!) around India.
These are the classes listed below in descending order according of price per fare.
- First Class (1A)
- Second AC / 2-Tier AC (2A)
- Third AC / 3-Tier AC (3A)
- AC Executive chair class (EC)
- Seated AC / AC Chair Car (CC)
- Sleeper Class (SL)
- General / Second Class Seats (2S, II)
- Unreserved General Class (UR)
However, not all of these classes are available on every train.
Of the three trains listed above from Jaisalmer to Jaipur, two of them operate with 1st and/or 2nd Class (1A, 2A) travel. The LEELAN EXP (12467) only operates with Sleeper Class and Third Class overnight options.
Classes of travel on the train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur
- RANIKHET EXP: 1A, 2A, 3A, SL
- SHALIMAR EXP: 1A, 2A, 3A, SL
- LEELAN EXP: 3A, SL
We most recently travelled from Jaisalmer to Jaipur on the SHALIMAR EXP in First Class AC (1A). We have also made the same journey on the RANIKHET EXP in First Class AC (1A). And we have made the return journey by train all the way from Delhi to Jaisalmer on both the SHALIMAR EXP and the RANIKHET EXP in First Class (1A) and Second Class AC (2A). (We have travelled on lots of different trains in India!).
How much does it cost to get from Jaisalmer to Jaipur by train?
Fares vary for train travel in India depending on class and distance. Train ticket prices are also higher when booking through a third party (like 12GoAsia).
Booking the SHALIMAR EXP (14645) from Jaisalmer (JSM) to Jaipur (JP) is quoted on 12GoAsia in USD:
- First Class (1A): $35 USD
- 2-Tier AC (2A): $22 USD
- 3-Tier AC (3A): $17 USD
And before we get any further ahead – in case you are concerned you might have missed out on the 20 First Class (1A) tickets on one of the trains from Jaisalmer to Jaipur (remember there are only two First Class carriages). Don’t panic!
Hopefully it won’t take much convincing but read on, because truthfully travel in Second Class (2A) is a great experience. (Have we mentioned the iconic calls of the Chai Wala? And the vendors that we wait in suspense on their calls in Hindi to see each time what they are selling?!).
Departing by train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur
There is only one train station in Jaisalmer which makes it easier to be sure you are in fact at the correct departing station:
- Jaisalmer Railway Station (JSM)
RANHIKET EXP, LEELAN EXP and SHALIMAR EXP all depart from Jaisalmer Railway Station (JSM).
There isn’t really much to see or do at Jaisalmer Railway Station. And each time we visited Jaisalmer in 2023 the railway station was under construction so there is no (none obvious) waiting room. However departing by overnight train means it is likely already there waiting and you can board as soon as you arrive.
Jaisalmer is the end of the line so this is one station stop you do not have to worry about being speedy to board or disembark.
Taking the train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur – about the journey
Whether you are leaving on the overnight train departing before or after midnight, don’t forget to book an extra night at your accommodation in Jaisalmer.
Because Jaisalmer is the end of the line, the train will already be there and available to board around 45 minutes before the scheduled departure. And especially because the trains to Jaipur each depart late at night, this is a helpful advantage.
From Jaisalmer (anywhere nearby the Fort) to the Jaisalmer Railway Station it only takes around 15 minutes. We suggest departing your accommodation 60 minutes prior to departure for your train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur. Although unlikely to be full, the trains are huge and can carry a lot of passengers. It is much more relaxing to be early and ready to board than panicking on the platform!
We are grateful for the amazing staff at Wanderlust Guesthouse in Jaisalmer (see below if you are wondering where to stay in Jaisalmer!) who not only drop us off at the late train to Jaipur, but make sure we board the right train and find our cabin.
Boarding the train to Jaisalmer
We had booked First Class (1A) tickets for both the Shalimar Express and Ranhiket Express from Jaisalmer to Jaipur. We found our carriage (it’s useful to look ahead at the IRCTC app) and 4x berths. Each carriage and class are staffed by a railway attendant and likely already there should be a package inside your cabin with sheets, pillowcases and a small towel.
Checking in for either of these trains is late at night and to be honest I think we were tucked up in our bunks before even leaving Jaisalmer.
Are meals included in the ticket price?
Unfortunately, on each of these trains from Jaisalmer to Jaipur there are no meals included in the ticket price.
Is food available on the train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur?
Depending on which class you travel on there are vendors that board the train at different stations. India Railways also has staff that move up and down the entire train selling chai and coffee, snacks and taking orders for breakfast, lunch, or dinner (depending on the time of day).
In our honest opinion, the biggest downside of travel in First Class (1A) is that there are generally less vendors that walk through the First-Class carriage. This is mainly because in First Class (1A) each cabin has a lockable door and vendors can’t be seen.
In the Second and Third Class (2A + 3A) carriages there is a steadier stream of food and drinks vendors, and it is part of the India train experience…
Is it safe to take the overnight train in India?
We have always felt safe taking the overnight trains in India. After all, millions of passengers travel overnight every day around the country. We travelled most recently by train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur in Second Class (2A) on the Shalimar Express and had a great experience.
Toilets on the train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur
Albeit the all-time least favourite topic of train travel in India is the toilets. So I’ll keep it short. But the gist of things is; don’t panic. The toilets on the train are functional. The journey is less than 15 hours. And if you are travelling by train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur or Jaisalmer to Jodhpur in either First, Second or Third Class (1A, 2A or 3A) there will be a squat toilet and western toilet in your train carriage. You will be fine…
Arriving in Jaipur
Jaipur Junction Railway Station (JP) is a busy, busy train station. Jaipur is the capital of the desert state of Rajasthan and accordingly the railway station gets a lot of daily traffic.
However, the train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur (whichever train you are taking) stops at Jaipur for 10 minutes.
It definitely pays to set an alarm on your phone so that you know when to start checking the map (and app) to see if you are nearing Jaipur. Because there isn’t a whole lot of other warning that you are approaching your final destination of the journey.
The trains continue on their route across India. And these are popular train routes from Jaipur onwards. So also just a heads-up to be ready that there may be people lined up and ready to board the exact doorway and carriage you are exiting.
Disembark with confidence! You have completed your train journey from Jaisalmer to Jaipur.
Where to stay in Jaisalmer and Jaipur
Finding where to stay in many of India’s cities is something like finding a needle in a haystack! But after our fourth trip to India for four months in 2023 we have narrowed it down to our favorites that we can truly recommend…
- Jaisalmer: The Wanderlust Guesthouse
AMAZING guest-house! We love staying here and can highly recommend. Great rooms; rooftop restaurant overlooking the fort; awesome camel safaris! This is our favourite place to stay in India. - Jaipur: Jaipur Haveli
A friendly family run accommodation right in the centre of Jaipur (walking distance to Hawa Mahal) that has been in the family for five generations! Currently four generations live onsite in the 200 year old traditional Haveli. It is a stunning place to stay with meals that can be highly recommended too.
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.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance before riding those trains in India!
Read more from travel in South Asia
- Taking an overnight train in Pakistan from Islamabad to Karachi.
- How to apply for a Pakistan e-Visa: And can you use it at the Wagah Border?
- Crossing the Wagah Border from India to Pakistan.
- Pakistan with kids: A complete guide to travel in Pakistan.
- Money in India: Using ATM’s, withdrawing and carrying your money safely.
- How to use a squat toilet: Everything you didn’t want to ask…
- Our complete packing list for travel in India.
