Experience The Best Of Jodhpur, India In 72 Hours
Whether you have two days or two weeks to travel, our Jodhpur, India city guide covers the must see sites, local food recommendations, where to stay, how much the city will cost, an example itinerary, and how to get around the city - including how to get to and from the airport, bus and train stations.
Jodhpur, the second largest city in the state of Rajasthan, has historically been the capital of the kingdom known as Marwar. Jodhpur is a popular tourist destination, featuring many palaces, forts and temples, set in the stark landscape of the Thar Desert. It is popularly known as Blue city and Sun city among people of Rajasthan and all over India. Jodhpur city was founded in 1459 and today has a population of over 1 million people who have mastered the handicrafts industry - bringing in many foreign tourists. From the rooftop views of the city from any restaurant, the breathtaking forts, palaces and temples, to the tiny overcrowded roads full of color, smells, and virgin sights, Jodhpur is sure to offer every visitor a souvenir of the senses and mind.
Getting To & From The Airport, Bus & Train Stations
Regardless of your point-of-entry into Jodhpur, the fastest, cheapest, and most recommended way to get anywhere in the city is by Tuk-Tuk. You can either contact your hotel or hostel and pre-arrange a pick-up with them or simply exit the terminal and find a driver (very easy).
First Things First - What/Where To Eat & Drink?
Jodhpur is a Rajasthani foodies paradise. It is easy to get lost in the maze of alleyways, exuding spicy, sweet and crude smells. Go on a walk, find some hole-in-the-wall restaurants and allow your tastebuds to surrender to Indian cuisine.
Ragda Pattice - This is an amazing street food find. Ragda which translates to gravy and Pattice which translates to patties (potato to be exact) is a light stew of rehydrated dried white peas cooked with a variety of spices and topped with herbs such as coriander. The pattice will be served to you in a bowl covered in the spicy ragda and topped with a chutney. So good!
Jodhpur Sweets - This city is famous for its sweets. So much so you will easily find ‘sweet shops’ around all of India, under the name Jodhpur Sweets. Whatever it is, whatever it looks like, regardless if you have a sweet tooth or not, do not miss your chance to try any Jodhpur candy or dessert. Prices vary from 10-40 INR.
Masala Tea and Pyaz Kachori - A typical Rajasthani breakfast and something you mustn’t miss. A Kachori is very simalr to a samosa - a deep fried pastry, filled with potatoes, spices and vegetables - especially onions. You can find either of these items at any time of the day. Both items are 10 INR each.
Gypsy Restaurant - A well known restaurant in the city made famous for its Thali. Thali is typical Rajasthani food that has been around for ages. It is breads, chutneys, curry’s and salads that can last for days without refrigeration or heating. Think of it as a starter platter of Indian food.
Must-See's Of Jodhpur
Jodhpur is a thriving ancient city, rich with color, history, and small side streets that act like a maze…But with the right plan, the city can be explored and mastered in 72 hours. Here are 6 must see sights in the city you can’t miss:
Mehrangarh Fort and Museum - 600INR entrance ticket + 100INR camera fee - This is the second largest fort in India and most impressive as far as we are concerned. This fort still has many rooms adorned with the same gems and furniture from the last 100 years and still has an armory, women’s quarters, and museum featuring jewels, ancient paintings and much more. Many films, such as Batman: A Dark Knight Rises were filmed in part here. A must see!
Clock Tower/Sardar market Square - An overwhelming square smack-dab in the middle of the city chalk-full of food stalls, family run shops pushing textiles on every passerby, and awesome sights of cows, elephants, goats, dogs, children, ancient motorbikes, and old women balancing bags of unknown weight on top of their head. This square has an old clocktower in the middle (go to the top of the clocktower for this view for only 30INR).
Sunset Point - Go the far western point of the wall and watch the sunset from here. Absolutely spectacular! Make sure to get there about 45 min before sunset to get a viewpoint unobstructed by other tourists ;)
Water Well - There are a few of these in the city (like most ancient Rajasthan cities) and will make you say ‘wow’ every time. The biggest is located inside the fort (this is prison where Bruce Wayne (Batman) gained back his strength in The Dark Knight Rises. Walk to the bottom of any water well you find to get a cool breeze and cool photo.
Umaid Bhawan Palace - Still lived in to this day by the current King of Jodhpur, this massive palace is part residence, part hotel and part museum. This 347 room palace was built at a slow pace as its initial objective was to provide employment to the famine-stricken farmers in the area. This gorgeous palace is worth visiting, as the museum features the old collection of exotic cars from the royal family and exhibits of stuffed leopards.
The Blue City - Most people (including us) think the entire city of Jodhpur is blue when they first arrive. Well it is actually just a small part of the city which is located on the other side of the fort from where you will be staying (most likely). Take a half day and go explore these beautiful streets. The contrasting colors are unreal and make it easy for a compelling photo.
Fly Around Jodhpur Like Batman
As mentioned above many movies have been filmed at the Mehrangarh Fort, most notably in Hollywood being Batman: The Dark Knight Rises. After a day of exploring the fort and blue city, if you’re feeling frisky you can fly through the air on 6 different zip lines (about 45 minutes) around the fort, blue city, and lakes. The company is called Flying Fox and the cost is 2000INR ($30) or 1200INR for students ($17.50). Make sure to buy your tickets a day in advance. If you can, book the last available slot of the day - this will have you zip-lining right before sunset which would be pretty cool.
*Note - we are not getting paid for this plug, we just thought it was really fun ;)
Where We Stay
There are tons of accommodation options in Jodhpur, from hostels, Airbnbs, bed & breakfasts, and many 5-star hotels.
“Located close to the Ghanta Ghar around which Jodhpur is built, Zostel Jodhpur manages to stay in Heart of The City : Makrana Moholla. Welcome to the town's coolest backpacker hostel where you can chill in our common area, watch hustle of the town from the cafe & gang up with others to explore Jodhpur. The chilled vibes oozing from the city resonates perfectly with Zostel Jodhpur. Built with the inspiration of Jodhpuri Architecture and Interior. Overlooking the city with their protective gaze. Zostel Jodhpur is close to all the major attractions of the city. The colorful interiors of the hostel mirror the spirit of the city perfectly. Also, enjoy variety of food at our rooftop Multi-cuisine café. Being bored is not an option here. ”
($7/night for a 6 bed mixed dorm or $30/night for a private double room).
Travel Tips & Helpful Hints
Do I need a visa? Pretty much every country needs a visa for India. However, 140+ countries are eligible for an E-Visa. The application is long and the fee $100US (for Americans at least) but it makes arriving and getting into India a breeze. Apply and learn more here.
What is the power voltage? The voltage is 220v whereas the US is 110V - so your devices may get a little warm while charging.
What about smoking weed or drinking in the streets? Weed is illegal but is not a huge deal. In Udaipur it is especially relaxed and every tuk tuk driver will offer to sell you a joint. We really recommend this travel bloggers post about weed in India. She breaks down the legality of it all, where you can buy it, when and who you can buy it from and what to do if you get caught.
As far as drinking goes, it is not permissible to drink in public and the police will fine you. So have a good time at the bars.
*Note: A lot of restaurants here sell beer illegally (it is an expensive license) - therefore it will not be on their menu. Ask the price of their beer first, otherwise you will be charged 1.5x - 2x what you should - and there is nothing you can do about it (yes, I learned this the hard way).
What is the currency and its value? The currency used in India is called the Indian Rupee (INR). The current value (at the time writing) is INR 70 = $1 USD.
What is the weather like? Always hot!? The weather in India substantially differs depending what part of the country you are in. The monsoon seasons are different for different regions of this massive country. Believe it or not, India can be brutally cold certain times of the year. Research the weather for every location you plan to visit before you leave.
Are cows really just roaming the streets? Yes, goats and pigs too! And it’s awesome! Don’t touch them though.
“You talk a lot about haggling with the locals - isn’t that rude”? Fair question, but no. As told to us by our local Indian friend, Raj, Indians like to haggle, its like a game, it lets them know you are interested. If you ask the price and say “too high” and walk away, they will say nothing back to you, assuming you are not interested at all. If you come back with a price (50% of what they offered) it lets them know you are interested in maybe buying something. They will be excited at this prospect and negotiate with you until you both find a happy price.
72 hours in Jodhpur Example Itinerary:
Day One:
This is a gorgeous city with so much to see. We recommend spending the first day just walking around, getting lost, shopping, talking to locals, eating everything and taking a million photos. this will be a good way to orientate yourself in the city and have a better understanding of what you want to pay for over the next 2 days. For sunset, head to the top of the clocktower in the middle of the square and watch the market and people from above head into evening. This is a really cool vantage point of the city and a cool place for unique photos.
*If you are planning on Zip-lining make sure to buy your ticket today. Your hotel/hostel can sell you tickets.
Day Two:
Enjoy some Chai and a Chapati for breakfast.
Head to the Mehrangarh Fort and Museum and spend at least 3 hours exploring (seriously its absolutely like nothing you have ever seen before - well unless you have been on the Arabian Peninsula). With the price of the ticket comes a free audio guide that takes you to, and explained 26 different parts of the fort and museum relics.
Leave the fort after exploring and grab some lunch somewhere in the Blue City.
Explore the Blue city for a while until its time for you to go Zip-lining back at the fort.
After you felt like Batman (or a bird of any kind - we don’t discriminate) flying around the city, grab yourself an awesome seat at the sunset viewpoint at the far western point of the fort.
After sunset, head back into town, grab some dinner at Gypsy Restaurant.
Day Three:
Grab some breakfast at one of the many cafes near the water well in the city.
Grab a tuk-tuk and head to the Umaid Bhawan Palace. Explore the impressive gardens, massive museum and luxurious grounds of the hotel.
If you have some extra money to spend, have lunch at the hotel restaurant. Otherwise, if you’re like us, head back into town and grab some cheap but delicious curry, naan, and pokhara paneer (fried paneer cheese - so good).
After lunch you have half a day left to explore any unexplored streets, go shopping at any of the million textile and handicrafts stores, or find a nice patio somewhere to pull out your Shantaram book (you have to read this while in India - seriously look it up), order a beer(s) or Chai(s), roll a joint and sit back and relax as the sun sets over the impressive city.
A ‘room of passion’ inside the fort. Gold, jewels, silk, and stained glass adorn this impressive room. Truly breathtaking the first time you see it in person.
So What's It Going To Cost?
Here is how much we spent, and what we spent it on, in 72 hours.
Food: Breakfast: We spent $.50 USD each morning drinking Chai and eating a Chapati from a street stall.
Lunch: $3.50 USD at local restaurants; usually ordering curry of course.
Dinner: $5 USD each evening, too.
Total for Food = $9.00 USD each/per day.
Beer: So cheap! 100INR ($1.20) for a large bottle beer.
Total for Beer = $2.40-$4.80 USD each/per day.
Accommodation: Zostel Hostel is one of the best rated/cleanest hostels in town.
($7/night for a 6 bed mixed dorm or $30/night for a private double room).
Transportation (Including getting to and from the airport): Take a tuk tuk from your point of entry to your hotel (100INR). Rent a motorbike one day if you want to explore outside the main touristy area (350INR) and walk.
Total for Transportation = $8.
Activities: If you see all the sights mentioned on this post, you can expect to spend:
Total for Activities = $40 USD.
So, What Did We Spend In 72 Hours?
That's $37-47USD per person, per day (depending on private room or dorm).
Yeah you can live off 37 bucks a day. How awesome is that!
