City Trip Jaipur

When is the best time to visit Jaipur?

October through March is the ideal travel period for Jaipur. In November and December, daytime temperatures are pleasant (22 to 28 degrees Celsius), nights are cool (8 to 12 degrees) and air quality is at its best. January is the busiest month but brings the international Jaipur Literature Festival and the spectacular International Kite Festival on 14 January.

February and March are excellent alternatives: spring begins, flights are cheaper outside peak season and the major monuments are less crowded. Avoid April to June: temperatures reach 40 to 45 degrees Celsius and sightseeing becomes exhausting. The monsoon season (July to September) brings daily rainfall but also lower prices and a lush green landscape.

The four neighbourhoods of Jaipur you need to know

• Old City / Pink City The historic heart of Jaipur, surrounded by six-metre high walls and painted in the characteristic terracotta-pink shade from 1727 (originally in honour of Prince Albert's visit). Here you find City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and the bustling bazaars of Johari Bazaar (jewellery) and Bapu Bazaar (textiles). Ideal for those who want to be in the middle of the action, but noisy and crowded.
• Bani Park A quiet, leafy residential area within walking distance of the Pink City. Popular with backpackers and mid-range travellers due to the large supply of boutique B&Bs and guesthouses in renovated havelis. Safe, relatively clean and an excellent base without the chaos of the Old City.
• C-Scheme The modern, cosmopolitan heart of Jaipur: trendy cafes, shopping centres (Gaurav Tower) and good restaurants. Tapri Central for coffee, Rawat Misthan Bhandar for the best kachori in the city. Best choice if you want comfort and convenience; central location with good taxi connections to all sights.
• Civil Lines Colonial avenues, wide boulevards and a quiet atmosphere. Transition between historic and modern Jaipur. Suitable for travellers seeking something more exclusive, with boutique hotels and good restaurants within walking distance of the city centre.

Top 6 attractions in Jaipur

• Amber Fort The unmissable highlight of Jaipur: a stunning Rajput-Mughal palace-fort on a hill above Man Sagar lake, approximately 11 kilometres outside the city centre. Entry for foreigners: approximately 500 rupees (5.55 euros); open daily 8:00 to 17:30. Hire an audio guide (approximately 200 rupees extra) for context. Go early for less crowds and morning light on the water reflection. The fort is also illuminated in the evenings at the sound and light show (approximately 200 rupees). Accessible by tuk-tuk (approximately 150 rupees) or Uber from the centre.
• Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) The icon of Jaipur: a five-storey facade with 953 small honeycomb lattice windows, built in 1799 so that the women of the royal court could observe the street without being seen themselves. Entry: approximately 200 rupees (2.20 euros); open 9:00 to 17:00. The building itself is relatively small inside; the view from the top is spectacular. Come early for good light conditions and before the crowds at the entrance on Johari Bazaar.
• Jantar Mantar (UNESCO World Heritage Site) One of five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the 18th century; the largest and best preserved of the five. Nineteen instruments of stone and brass measure time, eclipses and planetary positions with remarkable precision. Entry: approximately 200 rupees (2.20 euros); open 9:00 to 16:30. Located directly next to City Palace in the Pink City.
• City Palace The impressive palace complex that is still partially inhabited by the Jaipur royal family. The palace halls, marble courtyards and Mubarak Mahal museum are open to visitors. Standard entry: approximately 700 rupees (7.80 euros) for foreigners; composite ticket with Amber Fort and other monuments available. Open daily 9:30 to 17:00.
• Nahargarh Fort The "Tiger Fort" high on the Aravalli hills offers the best panoramic view over Jaipur, particularly spectacular at sunset. Entry: approximately 200 rupees (2.20 euros); open 10:00 to 17:30. The road up is steep; take a tuk-tuk or Uber up and walk back through beautiful nature. Far fewer crowds than Amber Fort.
• Jal Mahal (Water Palace) The palace that appears to float on Man Sagar lake is one of the most photographed spots in Jaipur. The palace itself is closed to visitors (private property), but the view from the bank is completely free. Best time: early morning or evening twilight. Located on the road to Amber Fort: combine it on the same day.

Flights and transport from the Netherlands to Jaipur

There are no direct flights from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) or Eindhoven Airport to Jaipur (JAI). The most direct and popular route is via Delhi: Air India flies daily direct from AMS to Delhi Indira Gandhi Airport (DEL) in approximately 8 hours 15 minutes, after which you fly onward to Jaipur with IndiGo or Air India Express (approximately 1 hour, departs several times daily). Total travel time: approximately 13 to 15 hours including layover.

Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi is an alternative with a total travel time of approximately 13 to 16 hours; sometimes cheaper outside peak season. Return tickets AMS-JAI (via Delhi, including domestic connection) start from approximately 540 to 620 euros (Air India, book early).

From Delhi to Jaipur you can also take the train: the Shatabdi Express and Ajmer Shatabdi run several times daily and take approximately 4 hours 30 minutes (approximately 3 to 6 euros in AC Chair Car). This is a pleasant alternative if you want to see the Rajasthani countryside.

What does a trip to Jaipur cost?

Return flights AMS-JAI from approximately 540 euros (including domestic flight Delhi-Jaipur). Accommodation in Jaipur: hostel (dormitory) from approximately 6 to 12 euros per night, budget guesthouse/haveli 11 to 22 euros, mid-range hotel 28 to 67 euros, boutique heritage haveli 55 to 133 euros. Food: street food (kachori, chaat, samosa) 0.55 to 1.10 euros, thali local restaurant 0.90 to 2.20 euros, restaurant meal 2.20 to 5.50 euros. Attractions: Amber Fort approximately 5.55 euros, City Palace approximately 7.80 euros, Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar each approximately 2.20 euros. Composite ticket for multiple monuments (2 days) approximately 11 euros. Local transport: tuk-tuk 0.55 to 1.65 euros per ride, Uber/Ola taxi airport-centre approximately 2.80 to 4.40 euros. Daily budget (excl. flights): approximately 20 euros (backpacker) to approximately 80 euros (mid-range).