Jodhpur to Jaisalmer: Distance, Time by Road and Train

Jodhpur to Jaisalmer: distance, drive time, train options, the best stops on the way and how to plan the transfer between the Blue City and the Golden City.

By the Lux India Tours Team·Oct 19, 2026

Destination GuideItinerary InspirationPlanning GuideRajasthan

The golden sandstone walls and bastions of Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan

Jodhpur to Jaisalmer is the long leg of the western Rajasthan route. The road crosses open desert country, the towns are small and the traffic is light. It is an easy drive, and it is worth planning it well.

This guide covers the distance, the time, the train options and the stops worth making.

Jaisalmer Fort.

Mode	Distance	Typical time	Best for
Car with a driver	About 285 to 300 km	5 to 6 hours	Stops and flexibility
Train	About 300 km by rail	5 to 6.5 hours	Comfort on a budget
Bus	About 285 to 300 km	6 to 7 hours	Budget
Flight	Limited	Not usually practical	Rarely worth it

Check train timetables, since schedules and timings change.

By road

The highway runs west from Jodhpur across flat, dry country, with a few small towns and a long, straight run. Allow six hours with a break, and leave in the morning so that you reach Jaisalmer before dark. The road is generally good, but trucks and the occasional animal on the road call for care.

By train

A few trains run between the two cities, usually overnight or in the early morning. A day train gives you the desert views but takes the same time as the drive. Book ahead, as seats on the better trains fill early.

Stops worth making

Osian: a desert town about 65 km north of Jodhpur with a group of early medieval temples, off the direct line. It adds time, so only add it with an extra day.
Pokaran: a small fort town on the way, with a modest fort. A tea stop at best.
Lunch at a highway restaurant: usually simple dhaba food, with fresh rotis and dal.

Most travellers go direct. Plan the afternoon in Jaisalmer rather than adding stops that cut into it.

Plan the arrival

Reach Jaisalmer by mid-afternoon, check in, and spend the late afternoon at the fort. See our Jaisalmer fort and desert camp guide. The next day, visit the Sam dunes for sunset. See the Sam Sand Dunes guide.