How to get the train Delhi to Jaipur safely, smoothly and comfortably.

Wondering about first steps creating an itinerary for the famous cities of India? Welcome to India, by the way!  There are many choices for travel, but a train journey in India is one of the bucketlist adventures of the subcontinent.  Here is everything you need to know for a safe, smooth and enjoyable journey by train Delhi to Jaipur. 

• Train Delhi to Jaipur
• What is it really like taking a train in India? 
• Options by train Delhi to Jaipur 
• Which train to choose? 
• Our (honest) review
• Things to know about train travel in India
• Tickets
• Classes
• Delhi Railway Stations 
• Station facilities
• Boarding
• Food
• Toilets
• Arriving in Jaipur
• Accommodation

Is there a direct train Delhi to Jaipur? 

Yes.  This is a popular train journey in India.  And the good news (before we get onto ticket and the impenetrable booking system of India Railways) is that there is a direct route by train Delhi to Jaipur.  

What is it really like taking a train in India? Is it as bad as you hear? 

Most of the trains Delhi to Jaipur are express train services and they are a fantastic way to travel in India.   

India Railway does move 23 million passengers daily around the country.  That’s a huge, unfathomable sort of number.  But it is nothing like the media images, just in case you are picturing riding on the roof with crowds of locals.  

Making the journey by train Delhi to Jaipur can be smooth and comfortable.  And give or take a few chapati and the crowds and potentially cows congesting the station itself.  You could – almost – be anywhere in the world.

• Read our complete guide to train travel in India.

Is it just one train operating the route from Delhi to Jaipur?

As a matter of fact, there are 31 options of train Delhi to Jaipur! 

It is a convenient way to travel between the two cities.  However the question is where to start with choosing one train over the others.  

There are differing services with some super-fast daytime trains and some that depart overnight or early hours of the morning and travel very slowly. 

And the other thing to note is that the trains depart from different railway stations in Delhi.

*IMPORTANT to know about trains departing from Delhi to Jaipur

There are four main railway stations in Delhi and each of the trains Delhi to Jaipur departs from a different station. 

• New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS)
• Old Delhi Railway Station (DLI) or Delhi Junction Railway Station
• Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station (NZM)
• Delhi Cantt (DEC)

It is IMPORTANT to check the departure station at the station code of your train ticket so you know which Delhi railway station you are leaving from. 

Options of daytime train Delhi to Jaipur

To keep options simple (it is actually easy), these are main daytime trains Delhi to Jaipur that connect the two cities. 

• AJMER SHATABDI #12015
  Departs daily from New Delhi (NDLS) at 06:10am arriving to Jaipur (JP) at 10:40am making the journey in 4hrs 35mins. 

• SHALIMAR* MALANI #14662 
  Departs daily from Delhi (DLI) at 11:00am arriving to Jaipur (JP) at 17:35pm taking 6hrs 35mins. 

• ASHRAM EXPRESS #12916 
  Departs daily from Delhi (DLI) at 14:55pm arriving to Jaipur (JP) at 20:15pm taking 5hrs 20 mins. 

• AII VANDE BHARAT #20978
  Departs daily from Delhi Cantt (DEC) at 18:33pm arriving to Jaipur (JP) at 22:05pm making the journey in 3hrs 30mins. 

*This also operates as the SHALIMAR EXPRESS #14646 train Delhi to Jaipur departing on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. 

The fastest train Delhi to Jaipur is the Vande Bharat Express which covers the distance of 293 kilometres in 3 hours 32 minutes.  This is the fastest train in India.   

Which train Delhi to Jaipur should I pick? 

The fastest of those options is the VANDE BHARAT superfast train.  It does operate daily, and the journey is smooth and comfortable with seated Chair Class (CC) only.  However, it isn’t always relaxing to travel by train at night in India.  Mainly because of the added stress of arriving to a new destination and busy station in the dark.  

• AII AJMER VANDE BHARAT #20978

But the other options of daytime train are slower.  

The SHALIMAR MALANI is a regular daily train from Old Delhi Railway Station (DLI) though it takes over six hours for the journey.  Or the early morning AJMER SHATABDI makes the journey in four and half hours. 

• AJMER SHATABDI #12015
• SHALIMAR MALANI #14662

These trains both arrive at Jaipur Junction (JP) during daytime hours. 

Our (honest) review of taking the train Delhi to Jaipur 

We have travelled between Delhi and Jaipur a lot over the last few years and every time we do the journey by train.  There is just something exciting and adventurous about a train journey in India that keeps us coming back for more! 

In fact, we have made the journey by SHALIMAR MALANI, VANDE BHARAT, AJMER SHATABDI and even one of the weekly trains, the UTTARANCHCAL EXPRESS. 

Most of these trains serve a longer distance than just the train Delhi to Jaipur.  Some have been traveling for over a day already and heading south from Jammu and Kashmir or are leaving Delhi en route for Jaisalmer and the faraway Thar Desert.  

The biggest difference between the express trains and the superfast Vande Bharat for shorter distances is the classes of travel that are available.  But overall, the journey by train Delhi to Jaipur is a short-mid distance length and leaving Delhi by train just feels like the right way to do it! 

Most recently we took the train from Old Delhi Station (DLI) to Jaipur (JP) on the SHALIMAR MALANI and we travelled this time in Second Class (2A). It is the first time we have taken a 2A during the daytime and I’m not going to lie, the air conditioning was a much appreciated luxury in the six hour journey!

Either way, the length of this journey from Delhi to Jaipur makes for a great first train trip. It is a common travel route (among the +13,000 trains running daily) and in case you are making the Golden Triangle itinerary in the other direction, it’s easy to make the journey in return too.

Things to know before arriving to catch the train from Delhi to Jaipur

If this is your first train journey in India, it’s a good place to start.  The train Delhi to Jaipur is a common route and a straightforward one to make during the daytime. 

The main things to know before taking a train in India is all about the boarding and where to stand on the platform.  

Arriving at the railway station in Delhi to catch the train from Delhi to Jaipur

The first thing is to check you eTicket and find these details:

• Train Name and Number 
  eg. SHALIMAR MALANI #14662

• Platform 
  eg. PL 2 

• Carriage 
  eg. A1 or A2

• Seat 
  eg. 22 or 23

Arriving at the station in Delhi, look for the large electronic board with the scheduled departure times, expected arrival/departure times and the platform numbers. 

You can confirm the platform number by using your train name or number. 

Waiting at Delhi Junction (DLI) or New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS)

Both Delhi Junction (DLI) and New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) have options for waiting passengers. 

• Executive Lounge (NDLS)
• Premium Lounge (DLI)
• AC Class Waiting Room (both)

The IRCTC Executive Lounge and Premium Lounge are small,  fully air-conditioned waiting areas, for passengers while waiting for their trains. There is a small café and shop as well as lounge chairs, charging points, a TV and toilets. 

• Tip: The cost to wait in the Premium / Executive Lounge is 200 INR for two hours, and it is subject to availability. 

The AC Class Waiting Room is also air conditioned with seats for passengers traveling in 1^st or 2^nd Class or Chair and Executive Class (1A, 2A or CC, EC).  There is no charge for waiting inside, you simply need to show your ticket on entry to the Waiting Room. 

Booking tickets for trains with Indian Railways in India 

Once you have decided which train from Delhi to Jaipur fits your India itinerary, the next step is tickets. 

The trains in India get booked well in advance.  So I recommend buying tickets online before you travel, and preferably before you arrive in the country.  

Or, alternatively if you have a travel agent or booking contact in India it might be easier to book through them ahead of time.  

How to buy tickets for the train Delhi to Jaipur yourself 

These are three options for you to book and buy tickets yourself 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. 

However, note that not all of the train journeys open for sale online at the same time.  

Some trains open for bookings 90 days in advance, others only go on sale 30 days prior to travel.  But due to the volume of travellers moving by train in India they can sell out fast.  It isn’t advisable to leave it till the last minute!  And certainly it is a popular journey by train Delhi to Jaipur. 

So, because there are limited options for fast and daytime trains Delhi 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.  Just be aware that if you are trying this way too far in advance it might not actually give you the eTicket until the journey goes on sale (eg. 30 or 60 days prior). 

To use the IRCTC website you will need a VPN to book train tickets from outside of India.  And there is the added challenge of needing a local Indian contact phone number (which most often defeats the purpose of even using a VPN while out of the country).  It’s a pain. 

But the IRCTC website is useful to see exactly when and which days there are tickets available for the trains Delhi to Jaipur.  

• Read our complete guide to train travel in India and how to buy tickets for India Railways.

About classes of train travel in India 

There are eight different classes of train travel in India, and it can be more than a little overwhelming trying to decipher the class codes for a first time. 

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, the decision of which class to take for the train Delhi to Jaipur is more straight forward as not all these classes are available on every train.  

Classes of travel on the train Delhi to Jaipur  

Only the SHALIMAR MALANI offers First Class (1A) berths.  However, the VANDE BHARAT and AJMER SHATABDI have Chair Class (CC). 

• #20978 VANDE BHARAT EXP: EC, CC

• #12015 AJMER SHATABDI: EC, CC

• #14662 SHALIMAR MALANI: 1A, 2A, 3A, SL

We always tend to opt for Chair Class (CC) if it is available for short-mid distance train travel.   It is a comfortable way to travel and in all honesty, the allocated chair style of seating means you won’t have to worry about sharing a berth-type seat with someone else. 

The seats in Chair Class (CC) are set out like on an aeroplane with three seats on one side of the aisle and two on the other.

About the train and what to expect – can you get food and water on board? 

Yes. There are multiple shops and kiosks at Delhi Junction (DLI), Delhi Cantt (DEC) and New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) where you can buy packaged snacks and drinks. 

On board the train there are Indian Railway staff routinely coming through the carriages selling water, drinks, chips, Chai and snacks. 

• Tip: Make sure to have some small change for drinks and snacks on board. There is nothing quite like the call of the Chai wala and taste of masala chai with India whizzing by for making your train journey feel authentic. 

About the train and what to expect – are there toilets (usable) on board? 

There are toilets on board the train.  They will likely be in the condition you would expect for the busy route by train Delhi to Jaipur. 

There will be a squat toilet and Western style toilet on board in between the carriages to choose from.  And in case you wanted to know but didn’t want to ask about using a squat toilet in South Asia (we’ve done the research).

Arriving in Jaipur at Jaipur Junction (JP)

Jaipur Junction (JP) Railway Station is the largest station in Rajasthan.  But despite that title, the station is easy to navigate and arriving by train Delhi to Jaipur is straightforward.  

It is a beautiful station with huge, colourful hand painted murals.  

The platforms all connect to an overbridge with a main sign for the exit out of the station.  It is a good idea to have arranged a driver for pick up to save negotiating fares in the busy outside taxi and rickshaw area.  

Wondering about the things to see and do in Jaipur? 

Planning a trip to Jaipur and the Golden Triangle in India?  Use our detailed Jaipur travel guide to plan your 1-, 2- or 3-day itinerary in the fabulously Pink City and don’t miss any of the best things to do in Jaipur.  

Getting around Jaipur / Is it best to do a day tour of Jaipur? 

We have an awesome rickshaw driver slash unofficial guide for Jaipur!  

Meet Raja.  

Ever since meeting Raja almost four years ago we have been doing day tours of Jaipur with Raja.  And if you are fortunate to have stumbled upon this blog you are in luck.  Because you have also found a fantastic, friendly, energetic and honest driver for a great day tour of the Pink City. 

Raja can meet you from the train Delhi to Jaipur at the station or pick you up from your accommodation (see our favourite Haveli in Jaipur below). 

And he can tailor make a suitable day tour or couple of days rickshaw tour to explore all that is fantastic in Jaipur.

Just send him a message on WhatsApp: 

• Raja Rabbani 
  +91 9928130309

And you can check out his small but proof-worthy Instagram page @rajarabbani96.  I know it always makes me feel better to see other tourists (real live, actual people) have used a recommend tour in India. 

Where to stay before and after taking the train from Jaipur to Agra 

These are the hotels and accommodation we use regularly on our travels in India and that we can recommend for your trip. 

• Jaipur / Mid-Range: Jaipur Haveli 
  Incredible old haveli home in heart of Jaipur. Highly recommend with beautiful rooms and great attention to detail and very friendly staff and owners.

• New Delhi Airport / Mid-Range: Taurus Sarovar Portico [beautiful hotel only a few km’s from Delhi International Airport. A great first stop arriving in India with buffet breakfast included and a restaurant onsite. 

• Delhi / Budget: Hotel Hari Piorko 
  Good location in the heart of the Main Bazaar, Delhi. Close to restaurants and train station. No view from rooms.

• Delhi / Budget: Smyle Inn 
  Extremely basic hotel in small back alley but with very friendly, helpful staff and simple breakfast included. Just off Main Bazaar.

Other places to stay in Agra and Rajasthan

• Agra / Mid-Homestay: Aman Homestay 
  Very friendly family-run homestay with rooftop views of The Taj Mahal. Great rickshaw driver service and home cooked meals.

• Jodhpur / Budget-Boutique: Raj Mandir Boutique Homestay 
  Good location in Blue City, spacious room with small balcony inside Haveli style home. Tiny little doors, lots of unique decor and artefacts.

• Jaisalmer / Budget:The Wanderlust Guesthouse
  AMAZING guest-house! We love staying here and can highly recommend. Great rooms; rooftop restaurant overlooking the fort; awesome camel safari.

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!