Jaisalmer by road: taxi and self-drive

The short answer

From Jodhpur, a taxi is the easy choice: about 285 km and 5–5.5 hours, roughly ₹4,250 one way in a sedan on our sample rates. From Jaipur or Delhi it is a full day or more on the road, so many people break the drive or take the train instead.

Road routes on the map

The lines follow the roads drivers usually take. Pins mark good places to stop. Tap a city under the map to see only its route and fare.

Distances, drive times and taxi fares

Each city opens its own route page with a live fare for every vehicle size, from a sedan to a mini coach.

Hiring a taxi: one way, return and what is included

• One way: you pay the distance plus a share of the empty return. Ask whether tolls and state taxes are included.
• Round trip or a multi-day tour: fares are usually counted per day with a minimum of about 250 km a day, plus a driver allowance of roughly ₹300 for each night away.
• Vehicle: a sedan suits two or three people with luggage; an Innova or Ertiga is better for families; tempo travellers carry groups. Compare them on the cab fares page.
• Get it in writing: confirm the fare, pickup time, vehicle type and what happens if the car breaks down.

Driving yourself

The highways into Jaisalmer are mostly in good shape, with long straight stretches and little traffic. That is part of the risk:

• Drive in daylight. Roads are unlit, and camels, cattle and trucks without lights are common after dark.
• Fill up whenever you can past Pokaran or Barmer; fuel stations thin out, and network coverage is patchy.
• Carry water, snacks and a phone charger. In summer, heat is a real danger if the car stops.
• Sand can drift onto the road near the dunes. Slow down when the surface turns pale.
• Inside Jaisalmer, cars cannot enter most fort lanes. Park outside the fort gate and walk up.

Worth a stop on the way

• Pokaran: Fort and the midway tea stop on the Jodhpur road.
• Ramdevra: Temple town just north of Pokaran; very busy during the Ramdevra fair.
• Phalodi: On the Bikaner–Jodhpur side; Khichan's demoiselle cranes nearby in winter.
• Barmer: Town to the south, with bus links to Jaisalmer.
• From Jodhpur: Osian temples (detour), Pokaran fort, Ramdevra.
• From Bikaner: Kolayat lake, Phalodi (demoiselle cranes at Khichan in winter).
• From Jaipur: Pushkar (detour), Jodhpur, Pokaran.

Detours add time; tell your driver at the start if you want to stop, so the fare covers it.

When to drive

October to March is the best time for a road trip: clear skies, cool mornings and pleasant afternoons. Leave early enough to arrive by late afternoon, and you will reach Jaisalmer with the fort glowing in the evening light.

From April to June, daytime heat on these roads is severe. Start at dawn, keep the AC running, and avoid stopping in the open at midday. In July and August, short heavy showers can cause local flooding on low stretches; ask your driver about conditions before setting off. See the best time to visit for the full year.

From Jodhpur airport

If you fly into Jodhpur outside the Jaisalmer flight season, a taxi from the airport is the simplest way on. Book it in advance so the driver meets you at arrivals with your name. The drive is about 285 km and 5–5.5 hours, so an afternoon landing gets you in after dark; in that case, consider a night in Jodhpur and an early start. See flights to Jaisalmer and Jodhpur.

Breaking a long drive

From Delhi or Ahmedabad, the drive is a full day or more. Most people split it:

• From Delhi: a night in Bikaner or in the Shekhawati towns such as Mandawa, then on to Jaisalmer.
• From Jaipur: a night in Jodhpur, which also lets you see Mehrangarh.
• From Ahmedabad: a long day via Barmer, or a night in Jodhpur if you go that way.
• From Udaipur: Ranakpur temples make a fine detour, with a night in Jodhpur after.

With a driver for several days, the fare is counted per day, so a night stop costs little extra beyond the driver allowance.

Arriving in Jaisalmer by car

Most hotels near Gadisar and on the Sam road have parking. For fort hotels, the driver drops you at the gate and you walk up; porters are usually around. If you are going straight to a desert camp at Sam (~42 km · 50–60 min from town), plan to arrive before sunset so you do not miss the dunes. Your driver can usually take you on to the camp and collect you the next morning for the onward drive.