Pune sits much further from Rajasthan than most cities in western India, and that changes how to reach Rajasthan from Pune quite a bit. Flying is the only mode that keeps the traveling time to a single day for most travellers taking 1.5 to 2 hours. Jaipur has frequent direct flights under 2 hours. Udaipur, Jodhpur, and the rest of the state are usually reached by connecting through Jaipur, Delhi, or Mumbai instead taking 5 to 6 hours. Trains remain a reasonable option too, though most run overnight and into the following day, and cost far less but take 21 to 22 hours.
Jaipur is close to 1,270 km by road, Udaipur is around 873 km, and Mount Abu, the nearest destination in the state, is still about 862 km away. Most Pune to Rajasthan trips come down to a choice between a two-hour flight and a full day, or more, of travel by road or train.
WanderOn has been putting together Rajasthan tour packages for Pune-based travellers for several years, with most groups flying into Jaipur or Udaipur and joining the itinerary from there. Several trains and flights on Pune to Rajasthan route run weekly rather than daily, so knowing which ones to book and how far in advance makes a real difference to how the trip actually comes together. Let’s find out!
This depends entirely on the mode and the destination. A flight to Jaipur takes under two hours in the air. A train to Udaipur or Jodhpur runs closer to 18 to 19 hours. A full road trip to Jaipur takes over 21 hours of driving alone, more once you add stops. As a rule, budget a full day for the journey unless you are flying direct to Jaipur.
The table below covers the best way to reach Rajasthan from Pune across all four modes, by time, cost, and what each one is actually suited for.
The Pune to Rajasthan distance changes considerably depending on which city you are heading to. Mount Abu, the closest, is around 862 km away. Jaipur, at the far end of the usual circuit, is closer to 1,270 km.
These are road distances via the main highways, checked against Google Maps, and can shift a little depending on traffic, construction, and the exact route taken on the day.
A road trip from Pune to Rajasthan is a serious undertaking, closer to a planned journey than a quick drive. The best route from Pune to Rajasthan for Mount Abu and Udaipur runs through Nashik and Dhule before crossing into Gujarat and joining NH48 near Pune, then continuing on to Udaipur or branching toward Abu Road for Mount Abu. This stretch covers 870 to 900 km and takes 14 to 16 hours, depending on how many stops you make.
For Jodhpur and Jaipur, the route usually runs through Dhule, Indore, and Ratlam before entering Rajasthan near Chittorgarh. This is the longer leg of any Pune to Rajasthan road trip, and the drive to Jaipur alone takes 21 to 22 hours.
Given the distance, this is not a drive most people manage in one sitting. Splitting it across two days, with an overnight stop near Nashik, Vadodara, or Udaipur, is the more realistic plan.
Transport options:
- Your own car works reasonably well for the Mount Abu and Udaipur leg, provided you are comfortable with a long first day. Tolls on this stretch usually add up to Rs. 1,200 to Rs. 1,800 one way.
- An outstation cab to Udaipur starts around Rs. 17,000 to Rs. 20,000 and costs more for Jaipur given the extra distance.
- Self-drive rentals are available in Pune from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 18,500 a day, though most companies cap how far a one-way rental can travel, so it is worth confirming this before booking.
For Mount Abu and Udaipur, yes. The distance is manageable, the route passes a few worthwhile stops on the way, and two people sharing the driving can handle a 14- to 16-hour drive without it becoming a strain.
For Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, or Jaisalmer, the case weakens quickly. At 21 to 22 hours one way, a road trip to these cities uses up nearly two full days in transit before any sightseeing begins.
Yes, though this is the slowest of the four options. Private operators, including Zingbus and several AC sleeper and Volvo services listed on RedBus, run overnight and multi-night routes to Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur via Mumbai, Surat, and Vadodara.
Journey times run 20 to 30 hours depending on the destination, and fares range from around Rs. 900 for a basic seater to Rs. 7,000 for a private AC sleeper on the longer routes. Buses tend to suit travellers with a flexible schedule who are prioritising cost over speed.
Trains remain one of the more dependable ways to cover this distance, though it helps to know upfront that several services on this route run weekly rather than daily.
- The Palace Queen Humsafar Express runs once a week to Udaipur and covers the roughly 1,090 km route in about 21 hours 10 minutes. Sleeper fares start around Rs. 640, and 3AC is closer to Rs. 3,875.
- The Hadapsar-Jodhpur SF Express runs direct to Jodhpur in around 19 hours 35 minutes, with sleeper fares starting under Rs. 570, and 3AC is around Rs. 1465.
- For Ajmer and Pushkar, the Ajmer SF Special is the fastest option, reaching Ajmer in about 15 hours. Pushkar is a short auto ride from Ajmer Junction after that.
- The Pune Jaipur Express, along with a couple of weekly superfast services, covers the Jaipur route in 24 to 26 hours. Sleeper fares start around Rs. 855, 3AC around Rs. 2,095, and 2AC closer to Rs. 2,865.
- Bikaner and Jaisalmer do not have a consistently reliable direct service. The practical route for both is via Jodhpur, either changing trains there or continuing by road, which adds another 5 to 7 hours.
Bookings can be made through IRCTC, and compare live seat availability by class. Since many of these trains run only once or twice a week, booking 4 to 8 weeks ahead is a safer bet than the shorter window that usually works on more frequent routes.
For most travelers, flying is the more practical route from Pune to Rajasthan, and a Pune to Rajasthan flight works best for Jaipur specifically.
- IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air all run direct flights to Jaipur, with over a dozen departures a day between them. Flight time runs 1 hour 45 minutes to just under 2 hours, and fares booked 2 to 3 weeks in advance typically start around Rs. 7,500, based on current listings on Skyscanner.
- Udaipur does not have consistently available direct flights from Pune. Most routes go through Mumbai or Delhi, which brings the total travel time to around 4 to 5 hours including the layover.
- Jodhpur has a limited direct service running a few times a week. When it is not scheduled on your travel date, a connection through Delhi or Mumbai adds up to roughly 3.5 to 5 hours door to door.
- Bikaner and Jaisalmer have no meaningful direct or convenient connecting options from Pune. The more practical approach is to fly into Jaipur or Jodhpur and cover the rest of the distance by road.
For travellers considering how to reach Rajasthan from Pune through a structured group tour, WanderOn's fixed departure packages cover transport within Rajasthan, accommodation, sightseeing, and a trip captain. Pune travellers typically fly into Jaipur or Udaipur and join the group from there. To discover the most of Rajasthan tourism, you need to plan well. Find here all you need to know about before planning how to reach Rajasthan from Pune from WanderOn’s Rajasthan operations experts. - Flying to Jaipur is usually the better call. A road trip or train to most of Rajasthan runs 21 hours or more from Pune, so flying into Jaipur and arranging ground transport from there saves the better part of a day, which counts for more on a shorter trip.
- Several trains on this route run weekly, not daily. Unlike routes from nearer cities, more than one Pune to Rajasthan train operates only once or twice a week. Booking 3 to 4 weeks ahead is worth doing, particularly around the October to March peak season.
- Udaipur and Jodhpur do not have reliable direct flights. Both are better reached by flying into Jaipur first and continuing by road or train or by booking a train directly if the schedule happens to line up.
- Mount Abu is the most road-trip-friendly Rajasthan destination from Pune. At around 862 km, it is the shortest distance to any major stop in the state and the one destination where a self-drive trip genuinely competes with flying on total time.
A group tour removes most of the planning effort. Since trains on this route run infrequently and flights do not cover every city, joining a fixed-departure tour that begins in Jaipur or Udaipur and handles all onward travel within the state is usually simpler than arranging several long-distance legs on your own.
Note: Distances, fares, and travel times in this guide are approximate; checked against Google Maps and IRCTC listings, and may change with season, booking window, and route. Confirm current schedules and prices before booking.