Rajasthan
WESTERN
R AJASTHAN
Rajasthan
iNFORMAT
iON
Rajasthan
JA iSA lMER
the most original and intriguing of the nu-
merous craft shops around town.Bellissima ̈ HANDiCRAFTS
(Fort; h8am-9pm) Small shop selling beauti-
ful patchworks, embroidery, paintings, bags,
rugs, cushion covers and all types of Rajas-
thani art. Proceeds assist underprivileged
women from surrounding villages, including
those who have divorced or been widowed.8 Information
INTERNET ACCESS
There are several internet cafes scattered
around town. Typical cost is ₹40 per hour.MONEY
Foreign-friendly ATMs are dotted round town,
although none are inside the fort.
Thomas Cook (Gandhi Chowk; h9.30am-7pm
Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm Sun) A reliable money-
changer, changing travellers cheques and cash,
and providing credit- and debit-card advances.TOURIST INFORMATION
Tourist Reception Centre (%252406; Gadi
Sagar Rd; h9.30am-6pm) Friendly office with
a free map of town, and basic sand-dune tours.TRAVEL AGENCIES
Hanuman Travels (%9413362367)
Swagat Travels (%252557)8 Getting ̈There ̈& ̈Away
BUS
Government-run buses leave from the main
bus stand. Services are very limited, though.
One daily air-conditioned coach goes to Delhi
(₹1750, 15 to 17 hours, 5pm) via Jodhpur (₹512),
Ajmer (₹800) and Jaipur (₹1060), but it’s re-
clining seats only.
There are, though, daily services to Jodhpur
(₹197, 5½ hours) on an ordinary bus at 6.30am,
8am, 9am, 10.30am, 1pm and 4pm.
A number of private bus companies have tick-
ets offices at Hanuman Circle. Hanuman Travels
and Swagat Travels are typical. The buses them-selves leave from the private bus stand. Typical
services include the following:
Bikaner (₹180 to ₹200, three to four daily)
Jaipur (₹350 to ₹400, 11 hours, two or three
daily)
Jodhpur (₹180 to ₹200, five hours, half-hourly
from 6am to 10pm)
Pushkar (₹350 to ₹400, nine hours, two or
three daily)
Udaipur (₹350, one or two daily)TAXI
One-way taxis should cost from around ₹3000
to Jodhpur, ₹4000 to Bikaner or ₹6000 to
Udaipur. There’s a taxi rank south of Hanuman
Circle, or try Lucky Tours & Travels (%251818),
behind Hotel Maru Palace. They sometimes have
cheaper ‘returning taxis’ available.TRAIN
Three daily trains go to Jodhpur (8am, 5.15pm
and 11.30pm). They take eight, five and six hours
respectively. Unreserved ‘general tickets’ cost
₹50 to ₹75.
Two daily trains go to Bikaner (10.30am
and 10.40pm) in around six hours; unreserved
‘general’ seats cost around ₹75, reserved sleep-
ers around ₹160. One daily train goes to Delhi
(5.15pm, 18 hours) via Jaipur (12 hours).8 Getting ̈Around
AUTORICKSHAW
Around ₹30 from the train station to Gandhi Chowk.BICYCLE
A number of places hire bicycles, including
Narayan Cycles (near Gandhi Chowk; per hr/
day ₹10/60; h8am-7pm).CAR & MOTORCYCLE
it’s possible to hire taxis or jeeps from the stand
near Hanuman Circle Rd. To Khuri or the Sam sand
dunes expect to pay ₹800 to ₹1000 one way.
Shiva Bikes (scooter/motorbike per day
₹300/400; h8am-9pm) is a licenced hire place
with adequate motorbikes and scooters for
exploring town and nearby sights (helmets and
area maps included).MAJOR ̈TRAINS ̈FROM ̈JAISALMER ̈
DESTINATION TRAINDEPARTURE
TIMEARRIVAL
TIME FARE (₹)
Bikaner 14701 Jaisalmer-Bikaner Exp 10.40pm 4.35am 158 (A)
Delhi (Old Delhi) 14660 Jaisalmer-Delhi Exp 5.15pm 11.10am 317/862 (B)
Jaipur 14660 Jaisalmer-Delhi Exp 5.15pm 5.08am 252/703 (B)
Jodhpur 14809 Jaisalmer-Jodhpur Exp 11.30pm 5.15am 155/419 (B)Fares: (A) sleeper, (B) sleeper/3AC