I suppose railway is the more comfortable way to travel, and then it’s more comfortable plus flexible to travel by taxi. But if you are traveling alone, or unable to get train ticket, or not planning to go to Jaipur by taxi, then bus is really fine.
The Bus Station in New Delhi
The bus station in New Delhi is at Bikaner’s House, close to Khan Market Metro station. You can go to New Delhi Station by taking Airport Express for INR60, and then either get a rickshaw to Bikaner’s house, or take a metro. Ideally, just take a rickshaw, it will be easier and faster.
But if you have time, light luggage, and don’t mind having to transfer for 1 time with Delhi’s very crowded metro, then here’s what you’d see when you get out from Khan Market Station. Turn left, walk, and turn left again.
Then walk straight. Then once you spot some rickshaw drivers on your left, then that’s the station! There’s no sign, so keep your eyes open. If you are traveling at night, like said, maybe taking a rickshaw from New Delhi Station would be more practical.
It’s really just a building with no sign. But you’d see buses there, and it’d be obvious that you are in the right place. There might be some trolleys there too! The white bus is the one I took!
Bus Cost to Jaipur:
The basic one is INR490 ($7.3) in Jan 2016, and the volvo deluxe one is more expensive (probably between INR600-700 now). This tariff says INR 40o and INR 580, though it must be old prices.
Journey Duration to Jaipur: 5-6 hours
There’s a 15-min break in between. The rest stop has a very clean washroom with western style toilets. You can get some snacks from a shop there too.
Bus Schedule/Time Table Delhi-Japur and Other Cities
It’s not so easy to read, so I made this chart. So it’s true that there are frequent buses, but it’s nice to know the schedule in advance as there’s like nothing you can do in the nearby area (except you could walk to India gate). Bus seats don’t get sold out quickly, I went there at 11:30am and got a seat easily for the 11:45am bus. But it wasn’t an AC DLX, I guess the bus type is just for reference!
Other Things
There’s a small snack bar and toilets at the station. There isn’t anything else to do in the area, so you’d probably be sitting in the lounge staring at a TV.
The Bus Stop in Jaipur
It’s very confusing. I think there are 2 stops. The second last stop is Narayan Singh Circle, that’s in the city and many people got off from there. There’s no bus terminal, and rather it’s just a bus stop by the road. But you’d somehow realize it’s the right stop and not just a random stop as rickshaw drivers will come into the bus to make offers. I was offered Rs.100 to take me to Hawa Mahal, but INR150 to the hostel where the driver had no idea where it was. Rs.100 is okay. I took a bus instead, and it cost me Rs.10.
Note: If you want to take a bus to Hawa Mahal, you need to get to the opposite side of the road.
There’s a bus terminal in Jaipur with smelly toilets. I had been there once, but that stop is further away from the old city.
So, here’s the calculation. From New Delhi Station to Bikaner’s House, it’s probably INR60 by rickshaw. And then bus is INR490. Then by rickshaw to Hawa Mahal is INR 100.
The total is INR650 ($10). It’s cheaper than traveling by train!
Traveling Mega
