Reaching Bikaner — An Overview
Bikaner, the camel city of Rajasthan, is well-connected to major Indian cities by road and rail. While there is no commercial airport in Bikaner itself (Nal Airport has limited operations), the city is easily accessible from Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, and other cities. This guide covers every transport option to help you plan your journey to Bikaner in 2026.
From Delhi to Bikaner
By Train (Recommended)
Delhi to Bikaner has excellent rail connectivity with multiple daily trains. Major trains include:
- Delhi Sarai Rohilla - Bikaner Superfast (14701/14702) — Departs evening, arrives early morning. Duration about 10-11 hours. Sleeper fare around Rs 350, AC 3-Tier Rs 900.
- Bikaner Express (12458) — Departs from Old Delhi, overnight journey.
- Leelan Express (14707/14708) — Via Churu and Ratangarh. Duration 12 hours.
- Ananya Express (14713/14714) — Another daily option from Delhi.
All trains arrive at Bikaner Junction (BKN), the city's main railway station located in the heart of the city near Lalgarh Palace. From the station, auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, and taxis are readily available.
By Bus
RSRTC operates daily buses from Delhi ISBT Kashmere Gate and Dhaula Kuan to Bikaner. The journey takes about 8-10 hours (450 km via Jhunjhunu-Churu route or Jaipur bypass route). Fare ranges from Rs 500 (ordinary) to Rs 1,200 (AC Volvo). Private operators like RSRTC Volvo, Hans Travels, and Shrinath Travels also run this route.
By Flight + Taxi
The nearest functional airport to Bikaner is Jodhpur Airport (JDH), approximately 250 km away (4-5 hours by road). Delhi to Jodhpur flights are frequent (IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet) with fares from Rs 2,500-5,000. From Jodhpur Airport, you can hire a taxi from Luxury Tour & Travels Bikaner for a comfortable pickup. The alternative is Jaipur International Airport (JAI), which is 330 km from Bikaner (5-6 hours by road). Jaipur has more flight options and often cheaper fares.
From Jaipur to Bikaner
By Train
Several trains connect Jaipur to Bikaner daily:
- Jaipur-Bikaner Intercity Express (14737/14738) — Morning departure, arrives by afternoon. Duration 6 hours. This is the most popular option.
- Jaipur-Bikaner Express (14722) — Evening departure, overnight.
Fares: Sleeper Rs 250-350, AC Chair Car Rs 650-800, AC 3-Tier Rs 800-1,000.
By Bus
Frequent RSRTC buses from Sindhi Camp Bus Stand, Jaipur to Bikaner. Journey time 6-7 hours. Fare Rs 350-600. Both AC and non-AC options available. Buses run every 30-60 minutes throughout the day.
By Taxi
For door-to-door comfort, hire a taxi from Jaipur to Bikaner. Luxury Tour & Travels Bikaner offers Jaipur to Bikaner cabs starting from Rs 3,500 (sedan). The 330 km drive on NH 11 takes about 5-6 hours. Call +91-8949357492 for booking.
From Mumbai to Bikaner
By Train
Direct trains from Mumbai to Bikaner:
- Mumbai Bandra - Bikaner Superfast (22931/22932) — Runs 2-3 times a week. Duration approximately 18-20 hours. Goes via Ahmedabad and Jodhpur.
- Ranakpur Express (14707/14708) — Via Jodhpur.
Alternatively, take a train to Jaipur or Jodhpur and then connect to Bikaner.
By Flight + Road
Fly from Mumbai to Jodhpur (1.5-2 hours, fares Rs 3,000-7,000) and then take a taxi to Bikaner (250 km, 4-5 hours). This is the fastest option.
Bikaner Railway Station Details
Bikaner Junction (Station Code: BKN) is the main railway station. It is a major junction in North Western Railway zone. Key details:
- Location: Near Lalgarh Palace, central Bikaner
- Platforms: 5 platforms with foot overbridges
- Facilities: Waiting rooms (general and AC), retiring rooms, cloak room, IRCTC food stalls, ATM, medical room, Wi-Fi
- Pre-paid Auto Counter: Available outside the station for fair-priced auto rides
- Parking: Available near the station entrance
Lalgarh Junction (Station Code: LGH) — A secondary station, 3 km from the main station. Some trains stop here. It is closer to Lalgarh Palace and the residential areas of new Bikaner.
Bikaner Bus Stand Locations
- Central Bus Stand (Main Bus Stand) — Near Ambedkar Circle, central Bikaner. All RSRTC buses and most private buses depart from here. Routes to Jaipur, Delhi, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Ajmer, Nagaur, Salasar, and Khatu Shyam.
- Private Bus Operators — Private sleeper and Volvo buses often depart from different locations near the bus stand or designated pickup points. Confirm with the operator at booking time.
Nearest Airports
- Nal Airport, Bikaner (BKB) — Military airbase with very limited/seasonal civilian operations. Not reliable for regular travel.
- Jodhpur Airport (JDH) — 250 km from Bikaner. Well-connected with daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Udaipur. The best option for air travelers.
- Jaipur International Airport (JAI) — 330 km from Bikaner. India's 11th busiest airport with flights from all major cities. More flight options and often cheaper than Jodhpur.
Local Transport from Station / Bus Stand
Once you arrive in Bikaner, local transport options include:
- Auto-Rickshaws — Available at station and bus stand. Fare Rs 30-100 within city. Negotiate before boarding.
- E-Rickshaws — Cheap rides within the old city area (Rs 10-20 per person, shared).
- City Taxi — Book through Luxury Tour & Travels for hassle-free pickup from station or bus stand. Call +91-8949357492 and your driver will be waiting at the exit.
- Ola/Uber — Limited availability in Bikaner. Best to book a local taxi.
Tips for Arriving in Bikaner
- If arriving by overnight train, many hotels allow early check-in (by 8-9 AM) if informed in advance.
- Pre-book your taxi for station/airport pickup, especially for early morning arrivals.
- Bikaner can be very hot from April to June. Carry water and sunscreen.
- The best time to visit is October to March for comfortable weather.
- Hindi and Marwari are the main languages spoken. English is limited to hotels and tourist areas.
हिंदी में जानकारी
बीकानेर पहुँचने के कई तरीके हैं। दिल्ली से: ट्रेन (10-11 घंटे, स्लीपर Rs 350, AC Rs 900), बस (8-10 घंटे, Rs 500-1200)। जयपुर से: ट्रेन (6 घंटे, Rs 250-800), बस (6-7 घंटे, Rs 350-600), टैक्सी (5-6 घंटे, Rs 3,500 से)। मुंबई से: सीधी ट्रेन (18-20 घंटे) या फ्लाइट + टैक्सी (जोधपुर होकर)। बीकानेर जंक्शन (BKN) मुख्य रेलवे स्टेशन है, लालगढ़ पैलेस के पास। मुख्य बस स्टैंड अम्बेडकर सर्कल के पास है। निकटतम हवाई अड्डा जोधपुर (250 किमी) और जयपुर (330 किमी) है। स्टेशन या बस स्टैंड से पिकअप के लिए Luxury Tour & Travels बीकानेर को कॉल करें — +91-8949357492।