Exploring Jodhpur: The Blue City in India
Have you ever heard of the Blue City in India? Well, it's not far from the Pink City in India, and it's also definitely a destination you won't want to miss out on while in northern India.
Jodhpur makes the perfect addition to the Golden Triangle in India, and is also great for pairing with other nearby destinations like Jaisalmer and Udaipur.
In this guide we're going to share everything you need to know for visiting Jodhpur, so that you can enjoy the incredible blue city in India like we did.
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An Intro to the Blue City in India
Let's start with some basic info about this beautiful place.
📍 Where is the Blue City in India?
The Blue City in India is Jodhpur, which is a city located in the state of Rajasthan. It makes a great addition to any northern India itinerary, as it is conveniently linked to Jaisalmer, Udaipur, and Jaipur, which are other popular cities surrounding Jodhpur.
🤩 What is Jodhpur Famous For?
It's pretty simple! Jodhpur is famous for being the "blue city in India".
Not only is it known for its beautifully blue painted houses though. It's a city full of interesting historical sites, is great for fabrics and handicrafts, and is known for being the second biggest city in Rajasthan.
💙 Why Are the Houses in Jodhpur Painted Blue?
There are a few different theories about why the houses are painted blue.
The first one is that the blue color reflects the sun, which keeps the houses cool in the intense Jodhpur heat. Another reason is thought to be to keep termites away.
Some others believe it has to do with the caste system in India, and blue was a color that was used to differentiate from the lower classes.
The final reason we've heard is that the blue is in rememberence of Lord Shiva, who turned blue after being poisoned, and a lot of his followers moved to Jodhpur, where they painted their houses blue in honor of him.
How to Get to the Blue City in India
Jodhpur is very well-connected to other cities in northern India, and you can easily reach there from Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer.
✈️ Does Jodhpur Have an Airport?
Jodhpur does have a small airport, and has domestic flights coming from Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Indore. Most flights go during the high season, which is from October to March.
Flight Tip: Using Skyscanner you can try out the calendar feature to see which are the cheapest dates for flying to Jodhpur.
How Can I Go to Jodhpur From Delhi?
Other than flying, you can also find trains to Delhi, which is certainly the most comfortable option. You can also get a bus from Delhi to Jodhpur, which is the most affordable option.
How to Get to Jodhpur from Jaipur
Jaipur has plenty of train rides and buses that go to Jodhpur. which are 5-6 hours.
How to Get to Jodhpur from Udaipur
You can't get a train from Jodhpur to Udaipur. However, there are overnight buses which we took, and they actually have beds on them!
How to Get to Jodhpur from Jaisalmer
The easiest way to get from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer is by train, which takes about 5-7 hours.
What are the Travel Guidelines for Rajasthan?
Before planning your trip to the blue city in India, you'll want to make sure you know what the requirements for entering India are.
🛂 Visa Entry Requirements for India
India requires a visa to enter, and you can purchase your visa online for $25.
Nationals of Japan, South Korea, and the UAE can get their visa upon arrival, and citizens from Bhutan and Nepal are visa-exempt.
🇺🇸 Can US Citizens Travel to India Without a Visa?
US citizens do need a visa to travel to India, and it can be purchased online for $25.
Every hotel asks for your visa, so you'll want to keep it handy when you are arriving to your hotel and checking in.
Another thing to note is that you may need to have your marriage certificate on you if you'd like to sleep in the same room at most hotels.
💉 Do You Need to Be Vaccinated to Go to India?
As an American or European, you do not need to be vaccinated in order to go to India. However, there are other countries that need vaccines.
Also, it's recommended to get a rabies vaccine, as there are a ton of stray animals (mostly dogs and monkeys) in Jodhpur, and it's quite common for tourists to get bitten.
Countries Who Need Vaccines for India
Nationals coming from a country where yellow fever may be prevalent must bring proof of a yellow fever vaccine before visiting India.
African countries which need a yellow fever vaccine to go to India include Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Cote d’ Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Central & South American countries which need a yellow fever vaccine for India include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad (Trinidad only), Venezuela, Panama, Paraguay, and Peru.
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Local Adjustments for the Blue City in India
If you're traveling to a new country, there are some things that may be different than from where you are coming from (such as the language, currency, or tipping culture).
As India is such a massive country, these things can even change from state to state!
Here are some of the local adjustments to keep in mind when you travel to the blue city in India.
🗣 What Language is Spoken in Jodhpur?
The language of Rajasthan is Rajasthani. Our friend speaks Hindi though, and was able to communicate with a lot of the locals there. English is also taught in schools, although we found that a lot less people spoke English than we thought would.
💵 What is the Currency in Rajasthan?
The currency used in Jodhpur is the Indian Rupee (INR). Currently (September 2024) each 1 USD is equal to approximately 84 INR.
It's important to note that there are a lot of things in Jodhpur that can only be paid with cash, including the majority of tickets for tourist attractions. Because of that, we highly suggest taking out quite a bit of cash from an ATM.
Is Jodhpur a Cheap City?
Overall, traveling in India is really cheap! We had a ton of small expenses, as almost all of the things to do in Jodhpur have an entrance fee, but everything ends up being just a couple of dollars here and there.
🔌 Electrical Outlets in Jodhpur
India uses the same electrical outlets as Europe, which are for plug types C, D, & M. Plug type C is the one which has two round pins, plug type D is the one that has three round pins in a triangular pattern, and plug type M also has three round pins.
Jodhpur, India operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
🚰 Can You Drink Water in Jodhpur?
The water is not safe to drink in Jodhpur, so you'll have to stick to bottled water while you're there. We suggest buying large jugs of water from a supermarket, and investing in an insulated water bottle to refill during your travels around the country.
💸 Tipping Culture in Jodhpur, India
The tipping culture in India is typically 10% in restaurants, and sometimes the tip is even included in the bill. Make sure to look for a service charge, and if the tip is not included then you can leave cash on the table for the server.
We'll be honest, we had pretty awful and inattentive servers in the majority of the restaurants in India, and this was no exception in Jodhpur. Even at the nicest restaurant we dined at the server was high and could barely function!
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Things to Do in Jodhpur, India's Blue City
Now that you know the basics for visiting the blue city in India, let's dive into all of the fun things to do in Jodhpur!
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🦋 Wander the Blue Streets of Jodhpur
The best part of the blue city in India is the splash of blue you can find. Not all of Jodhpur is blue, but there is a particular area near the fort that is full of blue painted houses, beautiful murals, and art scattered around the streets.
We definitely recommend spending a couple of hoards to simply wander around, and snap away at the picturesque alleys you'll be discovering!
🏰 Explore the Mehrangarh Fort
The number one attraction in Jodhpur is the Mehrangarh Fort, which overlooks the entire blue city in India.
The hilltop fortress sits 400 feet high, and has several areas you can explore inside.
🎫 600 INR foreigners
400 INR foreigner child
100 INR Indian adult
25 INR Indian student
15 INR Indian child
🕘 9 am- 5 pm
🏛 Check Out Jaswant Thada
Jaswant Thada is a cenotaph and now important palace museum of Jodhpur. It is truly the most beautiful site of the blue city in India, and is located just down the road from the Mehrangarh Fort.
🎫 50 INR
🕘 9 am -5 pm
🎤 guide fee
- 1-4 people 150 INR
- 5-15 people 200 INR
- 16-30 people 250 INR
- 31-50 people 300 INR
🪨 Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park
Originally a wasteland, the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park was created in 2006 to restore the geologic area next to the Mehrangarh Fort.
🎫 100 INR
🕘 7 am -6:15 pm
🚘 Visit Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum
The Umaid Bhawan Palace is one of the world's largest private residences, and is now a running luxury hotel.
While you can't go inside the hotel area unless you are a guest, you can get a ticket to visit the museum which includes a classic car area outside, and a few different rooms inside.
Umaid Bhawan Palace is also well known now because it's where Nick Jonas got married!
🎫 200 INR foreigners
100 foreign student
60 INR Indian adult
30 INR Indian student
30 INR child
🕘 9 am -5 pm
🎤 guide fee
- 1-4 people 250 INR
- 5-15 people 300 INR
- 16-30 people 400 INR
- 31-50 people 500 INR
🪜 Go to the Famous Step well
Most people know about the famous step well in Jaipur, but there is also a very similar one in Jodhpur. The only difference is, this one is completely free of charge to visit, and is open 24/7.
We arrived very early in the morning to Toorji Ka Jhaira and found local teenagers jumping in the water from the top!
🌳 Roam the Mandore Gardens
Located 15 minutes north of the city center lies the most stunning set of gardens in Jodhpur, including cenotaphs, statues, monuments, and a temple.
🎫 free
🕘 8 am-8 pm
🕰 Walk to the Top of Ghanta Ghar
Ghanta Ghar is the clock tower in Jodhpur, and marks the center of the blue city in India.
Not only is it beautiful to see and use as a meeting point, but you can also climb to the top for some great views of the bustling hub of Jodhpur.
🎫 100 INR foreigners
25 INR Indians
Free for children
🕘 7 am to 2 pm & 3 pm to 10pm
🛍 Browse the Local Shops
Jodhpur has fabulous shopping! You can find some of the most colorful and stunning textiles, beautiful jewelry, and a variety of great souvenirs to take home. Make sure to devote some hours to checking out the shops in the center near the clock tower, and bring some cash with you!
🍛 Take a Cooking Class
One of the best ways to explore the local cuisine of Jodhpur is to sign up for a cooking class! You can find a variety of classes with multiple courses in a locals home, and some even include the transportation.
💧 Kaylana Lake
Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Jodhpur's chaotic center? Well, just 8 km west of the city you can find a beautiful manmade lake that has different hiking trails, hills, and temples surrounding it.
🛻 Go on a Desert Safari
Just outside of Jodhpur you can experience a beautiful safari into the desert. Excursions typically include camel rides, exploring ancient temples, and indulging in local Rajasthani cuisine
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The Blue City in India: Local Food & Drink
Not only are there are a ton of great things to experience around the blue city in India, but you definitely won't want to miss out on having some great food while in town!
🍜 What is Famous in Jodhpur for Eating?
- Saffron ice cream: try it at Uhmaid Bawan Palace
- Ker Sangari: a dish made with dried ker berries and sangri beans
- Gatta Curry: chickpea flour dumplings in a curd based sauce
- Curry Pakora: deep fried fritters in a spicy yogurt-based sauce
- Samosa: fried snack typically filled with potato - try it at the fort!
🍴 Our Favorite Places to Eat in Jodhpur
- Omelette Shop: next to the clock tower and well-known for his omelette sandwiches
- Moon Night: a nice rooftop restaurant with views over the blue city
- GoPal Rooftop Restaurant: another restaurant with great views of the city
- The Men Cave: has a few floors, nice decor, wifi, and a great variety of both international and Indian food
- Indigo Restaurant: excellent food and a beautiful rooftop and indoor areas - also sometimes has live music
The Omelette Shop (above) and the Men Cave (below)
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Getting Around the Blue City in India
Now that you know more about the blue city in India, and all of the great things to do in Jodhpur, let's look at the different options for getting from one place to another.
🛺 What is the Best Way to Get Around Jodhpur?
Jodhpur is a small city, and most of it really is meant to be explored on foot. However, if you do need to get to or from places outside the center, then you can easily find a rickshaw (tuk tuk) to get you to where you need to go.
Rickshaws run on an agreed price rather than a flat rate, so you'll have to negotiate for where you need to go. Most rides for us costed 5-200 INR, and for places outside the city center we would recommend ordering an Uber.
🚐 Taking an Organized Tour in Jodhpur
If you don't want the hassle of negotiating or visiting attractions on your own, you can sign up for a day tour that includes all your transportation and activities.
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Where to Stay in Jodhpur
The best area to stay in Jodhpur depends on what kind of travel experience you are looking to have.
If you want an affordable stay that is in the middle of the top attractions, then we recommend you to stay in the city center near the clock tower. This is where most of the top attractions in Jodhpur are, and you'll be able to easily walk to the blue areas of the city, and even the fort.
If you'd like a quieter stay with a bit more luxury, you can stay in one of the larger, fancier hotels, that are a bit to the west of the center, and closer to the airport.
Many hotels in Jodhpur require a marriage certificate for men and women to stay together! Make sure to read the fine print before making your booking. (We got turned away from one!)
🛏 Recommended Hotels in Jodhpur's City Center
- Zostel Jodphur: a super cool backpacker's hostel with a rooftop & 2 locations in the city center
- The Hosteller Jodhpur: a popular chain hostel
- Krishna Prakash Heritage Haveli: has a great rooftop and a pool
✨ Recommended Luxury Hotels in Jodhpur
- Umaid Bhawan Palace: the most luxury hotel in Jodhpur, where Nick Jonas got married
- Indana Palace: a beautiful blend of old world customs and new world luxuries
- Ajit Bhawan: historical heritage hotel with lot of art, green spaces, restaurants, and a pool (see pictures above)
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Is it Safe to Travel to Jodhpur?
We felt pretty safe in Jodhpur, and it truly felt like one of the safest cities we visited in India. However, as there are a lot of people, and there is quite a bit of poverty, it's always good to keep your witts about you.
Always make sure to keep your belongings next to you and secured at all times. Travel with a partner or in a group, and don't wander in dark areas at night alone.
👱🏼♀️ Is Jodhpur Safe for Female Travelers?
There are many stories of bad things happening to women in India. We have friends that traveled with just females, and luckily they stayed very safe though.
We wouldn't recommend solo female travelers doing most places in India on their own. However, in this city I felt particularly more safe than in other cities we visited.
🐒 Animal Safety in Jodhpur
There are a lot of dogs on the streets in Jodhpur, and it's important to be careful, as they are known for having rabies. I actually got bitten by one when I was there, and had to go to the hospital.
Luckily the hospital isn't too far from the center, and they were very quick and efficient. It was free of charge, and the doctors were very understanding since it's quite common there.
That being said, rabies shots come in 4 rounds, and it was a true pain in the ass to have to get them in all different areas of the world. For this reason, we'd recommend getting travel insurance, just in case the healthcare is not in fact free in your next destination like India's was.
Jodhpur is full of stray dogs.
Monkeys are also quite common to come by in Jodhpur, so you'll want to watch your belongings, and never get too close to them. In case they feel threatened, they might attack, so it's better to keep your distance.
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Other Things to Know About Visiting Jodhpur, the Blue City in India
Now you know almost everything you need to know for visiting the blue city in India. But don't go anywhere just yet! We have a few other details we'd like to share with you.
☀️ Weather in Jodhpur
Jodhpur experiences 2 main seasons, with pretty mild winters, and incredibly hot summers.
Rather than "summer" though, the months of May to September are the rainy months, or otherwise known as "monsoon season", while the dry months are from October to March.
📆 Which Month is Best for Jodhpur?
The months of October to March are the dry months in Jodhpur, so therefore these are the ideal months to visit.
We visited in March, which although it was definitely too hot already, it was incredible because of Holi Festival.
For the best weather, we'd recommend visiting in November or February. While we typically recommend shoulder season for a lot of countries, India is not one of them because of its extreme weather conditions.
👗 What Should I Wear in Jodhpur?
While cities like Jaipur and Agra it didn't matter what we wore, it felt a bit different in Jodhpur.
Jodhpur is much more religious than other cities, so you'll notice that despite the intense heat, many people will be covered from head to toe.
If you are walking on the streets, we'd recommend just dressing in light casual clothing, but nothing that touches the floor since the streets of Jodhpur can be very dirty (I learned the hard way). As for sites, we weren't forced to cover up, but we'd recommend having a light shawl to cover up to be respectful.
Jodhpur is a more religious city than others in northern India.
🧳 Packing For a Trip to the Blue City in India
- Comfortable sandals for walking around
- Bag/ Backpack that zips (check out our list of favorite backpacks for travelers!)
- Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 X3 because you can use it with an extra long selfie stick to mimic a drone)
- Sunscreen
- Hat to protect yourself from the sun
- Chapstick
- Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
- Camera (we use the Sony A7Riii)
- Telephoto lens for epic pictures at the top of the fort (we use the Sony GM F2.8 70-200mm)
- Drone for cool shots of the city from above (We use the DJI Mavic Mini 4 Pro)
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks as they are super long lasting and durable)
- Cash for the tickets and street vendors
- Travel toiletries (our favorites are from Sheer Alternatives because they're all natural and 100ml)
Bring a drone for cool shots of the blue city in India from above!
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🤔 Is it Worth Going to Jodhpur?
The Blue City in India is truly special, and has a ton to offer! Jodhpur was honestly one of our favorite cities in Northern India, and has a beautiful blend of art, culture, and shopping to enjoy.
⏳ How Many Days Do You Need in Jodhpur?
You can easily see the top things to do in Jodhpur in 2 days. However, if you'd like to visit some of the sites on the outskirts of the city, do immersive experiences like the cooking class, or just take it easy, then you can add another day to your Jodhpur itinerary.
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So are you ready for your trip to the beautiful blue city in India? Jodhpur is such a unique city, and it truly has so many reasons to fall in love with it.
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