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Udaipur vs Jodhpur vs Jaisalmer — Which City Should You Visit First?

Best-Time-to-Visit-Udaipur,-Jodhpur,-and-Jaisalmer

By Travelcix | Rajasthan Travel Guide | Updated 2025

Have you been trying to figure out where to start while planning your Rajasthan tour package from Delhi? You are not the only one confused about it. Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer are among the best cities that India has to offer, each one unique in its own way. Deciding on how to go about your Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer trip will either make or break your experience there.

For the past seven years at Travelcix, we have been arranging private car tours all around Rajasthan for numerous local and foreign tourists. With our expertise and experience, we present to you an honest review of each one of these cities and suggest which one should be visited first while travelling to these places.

Quick Comparison: Udaipur vs Jodhpur vs Jaisalmer at a Glance

 UdaipurJodhpurJaisalmer
NameCity of LakesBlue CityGolden City
Best ForCouples, RomanceCulture, PhotographyAdventure, Desert
Top AttractionLake Pichola, City PalaceMehrangarh FortSam Sand Dunes, Sonar Quila
Ideal Stay2–3 nights1–2 nights2 nights
Distance from Delhi~660 km~600 km~900 km
VibeRoyal & RomanticRaw & MajesticWild & Mystical

Udaipur — The City of Lakes That Steals Every Heart

Of the best cities of Rajasthan, if there is any that beats others hands down, it has to be none other than Udaipur, a city bound by the Lake Pichola and the Aravalli hills, and one of the three, if not the most, picturesque in the country, not only because of its lakes but also because it is the most photographed city in the country.

City Palace with many courts and the Museum is the most stunning work of Rajasthani architecture and leaves the breathless, even the most discerning viewer. A trip to the Jag Mandir island palace and a ride around the Lake Pichola at the time of sunset is something no camera could capture.

Udaipur is a perfect place for honeymoons, family vacationers looking for peace, and heritage hotel lovers. The arts in Udaipur, from the renowned miniature paintings of Rajasthan to the markets surrounding Jagdish Temple, give a cultural experience that exceeds tourism.

Go to Udaipur First If: You travel as a couple, are a tourist more interested in beauty than adventures, or lack the time to visit multiple locations and seek just one stunning city.

Jodhpur — The Blue City Where History Hits Hard

Jodhpur is meant for those who seek pure, raw, and glorified Rajasthan. No wonder then, when one comes across the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort rising from a volcanic rock formation to a height of 122 meters.

It is in the form of palanquins, swords, and royal chambers that one will come to know about the Rathore dynasty within Mehrangarh, thus making it the finest fort museum in all of Rajasthan. The old town of Jodhpur exists beneath the shadow of the imposing Mehrangarh Fort, which is alive with colours as its markets specialize in spices, while its winding narrow alleys are painted blue.

The Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar) market area in the old town of Jodhpur is where the real energy of the city is experienced in the form of the pungent smell of mirchi bada, negotiations with sellers, and colorful fabrics heaped up in the bazaar stalls. Jodhpur can easily become heaven on earth for a photographer due to its enchanting blue city in the early mornings.

Visit Jodhpur First If: You have a passion for forts, history, and street photography or want to explore the real Rajasthan before moving to Udaipur.

Jaisalmer — The Golden Desert City at the Edge of the World

The distance from Jaipur to Jaisalmer is 550 km towards west and the city lies deep inside the Thar Desert where everything is different from other cities of India. The fortification of Jaisalmer is constructed with golden yellow sandstone and known as Sonar Quila which means a gold fort in India. This is one of the rarest living forts in the world where people still live, trade and eat food.

However, the desert of Jaisalmer is an attraction for the tourists as well. About 42 km away from the city lie Sam Sand Dunes which provide camels rides and jeep safaris. Moreover, tourists can spend their night in desert camps which are built under the stars. To watch sunrise over dunes is an experience which travelers cannot miss.

Though reaching Jaisalmer is difficult yet tourists who visit this city find experiences here, something which cannot be found anywhere else. Thus, Jaisalmer is more different and unique as compared to other two cities which makes it favorite among all travelers who visit Rajasthan.

Go To Jaisalmer First If: Arriving at Jaisalmer or Jodhpur airports or when structuring your trip to start from the west and end towards the east.

Recommended Itinerary Order – Why Most People Get It Right

Geographically and logistically speaking, the best and most sensible order to visit Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer on a trip starting from Delhi is:

Delhi -> Agra -> Jaipur -> Udaipur -> Jodhpur -> Jaisalmer

Going west to east logically allows one to do the “Golden Triangle” first and then venture into Rajasthan. One should visit Udaipur first amongst these three cities, thereby allowing oneself to build up the experience of Rajput culture, and then experience the grandeur of Jodhpur before ending in the alien-like landscape of Jaisalmer.

It is precisely this circuit that the most successful travel package of Travelcix, the Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer Tour by Car – 10 Days 9 Nights has been able to cover, earning itself an impeccable 5-star rating among its tourists. The 10-day Rajasthan tour by car includes visits to all six cities through a totally private car, accompanied by a driver, without having to join any bus trips or be bound by any predetermined time limits.

For those who may have some restrictions on their time but would still like to see the best of this region in a limited period of time, Travelcix has designed another travel package, namely the Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur & Udaipur Tour by Car – 8 Days 7 Nights (44+ verified reviews).

Why a Private Car Tour Is the Best Way to See All Three Cities

These three important western cities of Rajasthan are located over a huge geographic expanse, where trains are infrequent, buses are slow and tiresome to travel by, and driving by yourself on unfamiliar Indian roads is difficult and stressful for an otherwise joyous holiday.

Travelling by car with Travelcix takes care of all these hassles of travel. Travelcix’s car-with-driver service enables you to relax on your own schedule and stop at the sightseeing points and marketplaces of villages that buses would never visit, while reaching each place fresh and not tired from the journey.

Travelcix’s vehicles come in different forms like sedans, SUVs, and tempo travellers based on party strength, with ACs, GPS, and professional, English-speaking drivers cum local guides. All packages offered by us from Delhi include airport and hotel pick-up services and road transfers between cities and WhatsApp assistance round-the-clock.

Best Time to Visit Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer

Three important western cities of Rajasthan are geographically dispersed. There are very few trains, slow and tiring bus services, and self-driving is an exhausting option while visiting India due to traffic.

Travelling through a private car rental in Rajasthan eliminates all these concerns. You get to travel according to your schedule and enjoy visiting villages or scenic spots that are never listed in bus tours. Travelcix will ensure that you visit all the destinations fresh and relaxed.

Our vehicle options include sedan cars, SUVs, and tempo travellers, as per the number of people. All vehicles have air conditioning and are equipped with GPS tracking systems. The driver will be English-speaking and act as your personal guide. Each of our packages for Rajasthani city tours from Delhi includes airport/hotel pickup, intercity road transfers, and 24/7 WhatsApp support.

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