By Train: The Most Popular Way to Reach Jaisalmer
The Jaisalmer Express (14659/14660) is the direct, most-used route from Delhi — it's an overnight journey of roughly 17 to 18 hours, with sleeper and AC class options, and it terminates right in Jaisalmer, so there's no onward road transfer to arrange.
This is the single biggest advantage of the train over flying: you board in the evening in Delhi and step off the next day already in the city, without needing to book a separate cab for the last leg.
From Mumbai or Jaipur, direct services are less common — you may need to connect via Jodhpur or another junction, so check current routes and timings before booking rather than assuming a direct train exists from every city.
By Air: Fly to Jodhpur, Then Drive
Jaisalmer has its own small airport, but flight connectivity there is limited and can be seasonal, so most air travelers instead fly into Jodhpur Airport, roughly 275 km away, which has much better connectivity from Delhi, Mumbai, and other major Indian cities.
From Jodhpur, the road transfer to Jaisalmer typically takes around four to five hours by cab. Arrange this in advance rather than expecting to find one easily on arrival, especially if you're landing late in the day.
Flying is the fastest overall option if you're short on time and coming from a city with good Jodhpur connections, even accounting for the road transfer at the end.
By Road: Driving to Jaisalmer
From Jaipur, Jaisalmer is about 575 km away, roughly a 9 to 10 hour drive on mostly well-paved highway. Many travelers break this up with a stop in Jodhpur along the way rather than driving it in one stretch.
From Delhi, it's a considerably longer haul — roughly 780 km, around 12 to 14 hours of driving — which is why most Delhi travelers take the train instead of driving directly. It's more commonly done as part of a multi-day Rajasthan road trip (Jaipur, Jodhpur, then Jaisalmer) than as a direct one-day drive.
From Mumbai, the distance is roughly 1,300 km, well over a day's drive — flying or taking the train is far more practical than driving this route directly.
Which Route Should You Choose From Delhi, Mumbai, or Jaipur?
From Delhi, the Jaisalmer Express is the standout choice — direct, comfortable overnight travel with no transfer required at the other end.
From Mumbai, flying into Jodhpur and continuing by road is generally the fastest and most practical option, given how far Jaisalmer is by train or road from the city.
From Jaipur, driving directly works well if you're already road-tripping through Rajasthan — the 575 km distance is very manageable in a day. If you'd rather not drive that far, a train or bus is also an option.
Practical Tips for the Journey
Book train tickets — especially AC classes on the Jaisalmer Express — well in advance during peak season (December through February) and Desert Festival week, when demand spikes. For a sense of when that peak window falls, see our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit.
If you're flying via Jodhpur, arrange your onward transfer to Jaisalmer before you land rather than expecting to arrange it on arrival, particularly for evening flights.
Whichever way you're arriving, build in a buffer if your itinerary is tight — long train and road journeys in India can run late, and you don't want your first day in Jaisalmer eaten up by a delay.