Jaipur is the main transport hub for Rajasthan and has daily air and train services to most major Indian cities. Buses are also frequent to destinations in and around the state. If your nerves are up to it, short journeys to destinations like Agra, Bharatpur, Ajmer (for Pushkar) and towns in Shekhawati are best made by road; one exception is Sawai Madhopur, the jumping-off place for Ranthambore National Park, which is most easily reached by train. Heading west for Jaisalmer , think about breaking the 631-kilometre trip at Pushkar and/or Jodhpur; otherwise brace yourself for a long overnight bus journey (depart 9.45pm, arrive 9.45am the next day), or a change of trains at Jodhpur (there are no direct rail services to Jaisalmer from Jaipur). For a full summary of transport services from Jaipur, giving departure frequencies and journey times, see Travel Details.
By air
Indian Airlines fly to six destinations nationwide (listed in Travel Details) in competition with Jet Airways on their most popular routes to Delhi, Mumbai and Udaipur, and Air India, who fly daily to Mumbai. Jet are a shade pricier than the two national carriers, but offer a much swisher service. Tickets may be booked direct through the airlines' offices or with an accredited travel agent
By bus
Frequent RSRTC buses to most destinations reachable by road from Jaipur leave from the Inter-state Bus Station on Station Road. For longer routes, faster (but less frequent) "deluxe" services guarantee seats. Enquiries can be made by phone (tel 0141/206143), but it's less hassle to turn up at the bus stand and head for the relevant booking office (destinations are listed outside each cabin). The deluxe services have their own separate booking hatch behind platform 3 (open 24 hrs). Private bus services are a slightly cheaper alternative, although they tend to cram too many passengers on board and make unnecessary stops at dhabas along the way. You can book tickets for these at the string of agents on Station Road, but avoid desperately uncomfortable video buses . A reliable company for direct buses to Pushkar is Jai Ambay Travels, next door to the Bank of Punjab on MI Road (tel 0141/205177 or 214777), whose comfortable twenty-seater coach leaves at 9.30am and 1pm; you can buy tickets (Rs80) just prior to departure, but it's a good idea to get them in advance. The same outfit also runs buses to Ajmer (11.30am, 5pm & 6pm; Rs85), Jodhpur (3 daily; 7hr; Rs110), Jaisalmer (1 daily; 12hr; Rs225), Udaipur (1 nightly; 9hr; Rs120) and Agra (hourly; 5hr 30min; Rs95).
By train
Some train services from Jaipur have been disrupted over the past few years by track work, so check your departure and arrivals times when you buy your ticket. Bookings should be made at least a day in advance at the computerized reservations hall in the main station (Mon-Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 8am-2pm; tel 0141/201401); there's a special "Foreign Tourist and Freedom Fighter" counter.
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