My Delhi to Udaipur Trip on a Budget & Everything in Between
If you’ve ever thought about taking a solo trip to Udaipur or Ajmer, this article might give you a glimpse of what to expect. I’d been planning a Delhi to Udaipur trip since 2024, but things didn’t work out until recently. In between, I ended up exploring Dehradun and Shimla instead. When I finally did travel, the trip unfolded in four parts: Delhi to Ajmer, Ajmer to Udaipur, Udaipur to Ajmer, and finally Ajmer back to Delhi.
Today, I’ll break down each aspect of the journey, what it cost, where I stayed, how I travelled, and all the moments in between.
Delhi to Ajmer
Your solo trip to Udaipur might not start exactly as you planned, and that’s okay. I hadn’t originally intended to stop in Ajmer. The goal was to reach Udaipur directly, but flights from Delhi to Udaipur were quite expensive and would have cost me around Rs. 9,000 to Rs. 10,000 for a round trip. A direct train was an overnight 12–13 hour journey, which wasn’t ideal for me.
So, I decided to take a train to Ajmer, stay the night, and continue to Udaipur the next morning. The train from Delhi departed at 6:10 AM, and I reached Ajmer by 1:00 PM.
Located about 130 km from Jaipur and 14 km from Pushkar, Ajmer gets its name from ‘Ajay Meru’, which can be roughly translated as ‘invincible hill’. This city is known as a pilgrimage hub for both Hindus and Muslims, offering a fascinating mix of spirituality, history, and culture. Though it’s most popularly known for the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, it’s also home to the golden Jain Temple and the historic Taragarh Fort.
If you’re planning a solo trip to Ajmer, you’ll find that it’s a city deeply rooted in its spiritual and historical legacy. Founded by Raja Ajaypal Chauhan in the 7th century AD, Ajmer remained the epicenter of the Chauhan dynasty.
The Chauhan dynasty was responsible for the construction of the first hill fort of India, Taragarh. Ajmer became home to a number of dynasties after the defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan by Mohammed Ghori.
👉 The first meeting between the Mughal King Jahangir and the Ambassador of the Court of King James 1 of England, Sir Thomas Roe, in 1616 was hosted in Ajmer. Eventually, the British East India Company took control, making Ajmer the only Rajputana region to be under the direct control of British rule.
Where I Stayed in Ajmer
For the night, I booked a dorm in Zostel Pushkar – a decision I had mixed feelings about. The hostel was fantastic with chill vibes, friendly hosts, good food, and even better people, but it was 25–30 minutes from the Ajmer railway station, which made getting around quite expensive.
The distance meant higher auto/cab fares. I negotiated with an auto driver and paid Rs. 400 to reach the hostel, but you can expect fares starting from Rs. 500.
Later, I hired the same auto driver for a city tour of Ajmer for Rs. 1,000. It was a decent deal considering I had planned to explore 3-4 tourist spots in Ajmer within 3 to 4 hours. Generally, you can expect to pay Rs. 1,200 to Rs. 1,500 depending on your hostel location, the number of places you want to explore and for how long.
When it was time to leave for Udaipur the next morning, I tried to book an Uber. While the app estimated Rs. 300-Rs. 400, every driver I contacted quoted around Rs. 700-800 instead. Eventually, I gave up on cabs and was lucky enough to find an auto ride to Ajmer railway station at Rs. 400.
Best Time to Visit Ajmer
If you’re planning a solo trip to Ajmer, visit between October and February when the weather is comfortable and perfect for sightseeing. Avoid the summer months of March to May, when the temperature easily crosses 40°C.
Ajmer to Udaipur
There are so many reasons to visit Udaipur. Often referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’, it’s a beautiful, romantic, peaceful, and historical city, surrounded by lush green Aravalli hills and picturesque lakes. The city’s known not just for royalty, but for art, culture, and craftsmanship.
Udaipur was founded in 1553 by Maharana Udai Singh II, and its heritage is deeply rooted in the Mewar Kingdom. It is located in the circular Girwa Valley to the southwest of Nagda, around azure water lakes, and hemmed in by lush green hills of the Aravallis.
👉 Nagda was the first capital of Mewar.
The famous Lake Palace, located in the middle of Lake Pichola, is one of the most beautiful sights of Udaipur. The city is also home to Jaisamand Lake, claimed to be the second largest man-made sweet water lake in Asia. The city is also known for its profusion of zinc and marble. Solar observatory in Lake Fateh Sagar is the only observatory in India located on an island and has been made on the pattern of Big Bear Lake in Southern California.
If you’re visiting in late December, don’t miss the Shilpgram Festival. It’s a 10-day celebration of Indian art, handicrafts, and music.
Where Did I Stay in Udaipur?
The train from Ajmer to Udaipur departed at 8:20 AM and reached Udaipur by 1:25 PM. From the station, I took an auto to my hostel. Drivers usually drop you near Daiji Ki Pulia, from where you walk to the hostel.
I stayed at Jungle by Sturmfrei Hostel, and the location was a mix of pros and cons. On the plus side, you could walk to City Palace, Gangaur Ghat, Bagore Ki Haveli, and explore the vibrant local markets filled with food, jewelry, and handcrafted goods. The hostel had a rooftop with beautiful lake views.
On my solo trip to Udaipur, I met two sisters, one was volunteering at the hostel, and they were sharing my dorm. We explored the city in the mornings together, and by night, we’d go out for dinner and tea.
For breakfast, I mostly had ‘poha’, and I also tried the famous ‘gulab jamun’ at Lala Misthan Bhandar. For dinner, we’d mostly go to Jasmine Restaurant, located near the hostel, where I tried the local, spicy and flavorful ‘dal baati’ too.
👉 Jasmine Restaurant has received recommendations from the Lonely Planet.
On the other hand, the location was packed with hostels that hosted live music nights, and not just one at a time. With multiple sound sources, it became more noise than music. These events ran till 10–11 PM, and while tolerable at first, they got exhausting over time.
Near the hostel, you’ll also find many scooter rental shops and cab booking services. These make it easy to explore the city or even join guided tours.
👉 While February is manageable, the best time to visit Udaipur is from December to January, when the weather is ideal for exploring.
Is It Worth Visiting Udaipur?
Without a doubt, yes. The city is beautiful, with a lot of places to explore, enjoy the sunsets at different lakes, and let the view of the sun shining on the water soak in.
Udaipur was in full bloom with Bougainvillea everywhere, adding bursts of color to every corner you turned.
It’s the perfect mix of natural beauty, rich culture, deep history, and calming energy, everything you could hope for during your travels.
Udaipur to Ajmer
I had to leave early to catch my 6:00 AM train back to Ajmer and managed to book an auto at dawn. I arrived in Ajmer at 11:15 AM.
Once again, I stayed at Zostel Pushkar and took an Uber from the station, which cost around Rs. 400.
Exploring Ajmer and Udaipur were major parts of my Delhi to Udaipur trip. Though I had planned to explore Pushkar, I got seriously sick with a cold and flu, accompanied by a high fever. I ended up spending the entire day resting, and finishing up work. I had lunch and dinner at the hostel.
Ajmer to Delhi
The next morning, I left the hostel at 4:30 AM and took the same Uber, which I had booked to travel from the Ajmer railway station to the hostel when I returned from Udaipur. He charged me Rs. 800. Price,y, but I didn’t want to risk missing my 5:35 AM train. I reached Delhi by 11:35 AM, already missing Udaipur and the calm it offered.
Udaipur Solo Trip Cost
Here’s the total cost of travelling by train.
| Delhi to Ajmer | Rs. 985.85 |
| Ajmer to Udaipur | Rs. 680.85 |
| Udaipur to Ajmer | Rs. 575.85 |
| Ajmer to Delhi | Rs. 680.85 |
| Total | Rs. 2,923.4 |
Here’s what I had to pay at the hostel for a single bed in a female dorm.
| Ajmer | 1 night | Rs. 453 |
| Udaipur | 3 nights | Rs. 1665.62 |
| Ajmer | 1 night | Rs. 453 |
| Total | Rs. 2,571.62 |
My Udaipur solo trip cost was approximately Rs. 15,000, covering transport, hostels, food, shopping, tickets, and local travel. Your cost may vary based on your travel style, where you stay, and the season.
Final Thoughts
This Delhi to Udaipur trip was everything I hoped for. From the cultural richness of Ajmer to the serene charm of Udaipur, every stop had its own beauty. If you’re into history, nature, culture, and food, and you’re looking for peace, perspective, and unforgettable memories, Udaipur is always worth it.
