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The short answer
Take an overnight train. From Delhi a direct train takes roughly 17–19 hours; from Jodhpur it is about 5.5–6.5 hours. If nothing direct suits your dates, ride to Jodhpur first, which has many more trains, and continue by the overnight link, a bus or a cab.
Book early for winter. AC sleeper berths on the Delhi trains can sell out weeks ahead around Christmas, New Year and the Desert Festival.
Where the trains come from
Each pin is a city with a direct train. Tap one to see which trains run and how long they take. Weekly trains can be hidden with the legend.
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Lines show where trains come from, not the railway track. Tap a city for its trains.
Direct trains to Jaisalmer
| Train | Number | From | Runs | Hours (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi – Jaisalmer Express | 14659 / 14660 | Delhi | Daily | 17–19 |
| Runicha Express | 14087 / 14088 | Delhi | Daily | 17–19 |
| Ranikhet Express (from Kathgodam) | 15013 / 15014 | Delhi / Jaipur | Daily | 12–13 from Jaipur |
| Leelan Express | 12467 / 12468 | Jaipur / Bikaner | Daily | 6–7 from Bikaner |
| Jodhpur – Jaisalmer Express (overnight) | 14810 / 14809 | Jodhpur | Daily | 5.5–6.5 |
| Bandra Terminus – Jaisalmer Superfast | 22931 / 22932 | Mumbai / Ahmedabad | Weekly | ~22 from Mumbai |
| Howrah – Jaisalmer Superfast | 12371 / 12372 | Kolkata | Weekly | ~40 |
The first number in each pair is usually the train towards Jaisalmer and the second the return, but check the direction when you book.
Which train from your city
- Delhi: daily direct trains leave in the afternoon or evening and arrive the next morning or midday. This is the most popular way in.
- Jaipur: the Delhi trains and the Leelan Express pass through Jaipur, so you can join there and cut several hours off the journey.
- Jodhpur: an overnight train covers the last stretch. It suits people who fly into Jodhpur or spend a night there first.
- Bikaner: the Leelan Express links the two desert cities in a short day journey.
- Mumbai and Ahmedabad: a weekly superfast runs direct. On other days, go to Jodhpur and change.
- Kolkata: a weekly superfast runs the whole way, a journey of nearly two days.
- Anywhere else: head for Delhi, Jaipur or Jodhpur and connect. Leave a few hours between trains on separate tickets.
Booking: classes, quotas and the waiting list
Tickets are sold on the IRCTC website and app, at station counters, and through agents. Reservations usually open about two months before departure.
- Classes: sleeper (SL) is non-AC and cheapest; AC three-tier (3A) is the usual choice for comfort; AC two-tier (2A) gives more space and curtains; first AC (1A) has lockable coupés on some trains.
- Tatkal: a small last-minute quota opens the day before travel. It sells out in minutes, so do not depend on it.
- Waiting list and RAC: a waitlisted e-ticket that does not clear is cancelled automatically. RAC lets you board and share a berth until one frees up.
- Berth choice: lower berths go first. Side berths are shorter; tall travellers prefer the main bays.
Foreign visitors can book on IRCTC with an international account, or buy at the foreign tourist counter in big stations such as New Delhi.
Jaisalmer station and getting to your hotel
Jaisalmer railway station (JSM) is about ~2 km · 10 min from the centre. It is the end of the line, so you cannot miss your stop.
Auto-rickshaws wait outside for every train. Agree the fare before you get in. Hotels inside the fort cannot always be reached by car, so expect a short walk up the lanes. Many hotels and camps will send a car if you share your train number; a sedan transfer to a Sam camp costs roughly ₹1,150 on our sample fares.
Touts meet most trains with offers of cheap rooms and camp deals. A polite no is enough; go to the place you booked. See common scams.
Coming via Jodhpur
Jodhpur is the rail gateway to western Rajasthan. Far more trains reach it from Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and the south, and it has an airport with flights all year. From there you have three easy ways to finish the trip:
- The overnight train to Jaisalmer, about 5.5–6.5 hours, arriving in the early morning.
- A day bus, about 5.5–7 hours; see Jaisalmer by bus.
- A taxi for about ₹4,250 in a sedan, with a stop at Pokaran on the way.
Many travellers spend a night in Jodhpur to see Mehrangarh fort, then continue. It breaks a long journey into two comfortable halves.
What an overnight train is like
If you have not taken an Indian sleeper train before, it is easier than it sounds. Coaches are numbered on a chart at the station and on the side of the train, and your berth number is on your ticket. Bedding (sheets, a pillow and a blanket) is provided in AC classes; in sleeper class, bring your own.
Lights go down around 10 pm, and the middle berth folds flat for sleeping. Vendors walk the train in the evening and morning with tea and snacks. Toilets are at both ends of each coach; carry tissues and hand sanitiser.
The last hours into Jaisalmer cross open desert. Wake early, take a window seat if you can, and watch the dunes and the golden city appear.
Tips for the journey
- Carry a light blanket or shawl in winter; the desert gets cold at night even in AC coaches with the vents on.
- Pantry service is limited on some trains. Take water and snacks, especially on the Jodhpur leg.
- Chain your bag to the berth on overnight trains and keep phones and passports with you.
- Early arrivals are common. Tell your hotel your arrival time, or head to Gadisar Lake for sunrise while your room is readied.
- Check the running status on the day; trains on this route can run late in fog season (December to January).
Plan it with our free tools
Arriving by train?
Share your train number and we will arrange a pickup from the station to your hotel or desert camp.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Delhi to Jaisalmer?
Yes. Daily direct trains usually run from Delhi, taking roughly 17–19 hours. Check the current timetable before you book.
How far is Jaisalmer railway station from the fort?
About ~2 km · 10 min. An auto-rickshaw is the usual way; agree the fare first.
Which is better, train or bus to Jaisalmer?
For long journeys the train is usually more comfortable, because you can lie flat and move around. From Jodhpur, a day bus is quick and easy. See Jaisalmer by bus.
Can foreigners book Indian trains online?
Yes. IRCTC accepts international accounts, and big stations have a foreign tourist counter.
What if my train ticket is waitlisted?
A waitlisted e-ticket that does not confirm is cancelled and refunded automatically. Have a backup, such as a bus or cab from Jodhpur.
Do trains arrive in Jaisalmer at night?
Some do, especially long-distance weekly trains. Arrange a pickup with your hotel if you arrive between midnight and dawn.