Chandigarh to Jaisalmer is one of the longer hauls you can attempt within North India, somewhere around 875 kilometers depending on the route you take. There's no direct train and no direct bus, which catches a lot of first-time travelers off guard. It's still very doable, it just needs a bit more planning than a straightforward city-to-city trip, and that planning is where this guide starts.
Getting From Chandigarh to Jaisalmer
Flying is the quickest option, and Chandigarh's airport does help here since IndiGo and Air India both run flights toward Jaisalmer, though schedules lean seasonal and often route through a connection rather than flying direct. If a direct seat isn't available for your dates, flying into Jodhpur and driving the last stretch, about five hours, is the usual workaround, and it's often cheaper too.
The train needs a connection, since there's no single service running the whole way. The more comfortable option is the Kalka-Barmer Express, which leaves Chandigarh Junction late at night and reaches Jodhpur Junction the following afternoon, a journey of roughly 17 hours. From Jodhpur, the Jodhpur-Jaisalmer Express covers the final leg overnight, about six and a half hours, landing you in Jaisalmer early the next morning. The other route runs through Delhi: take the Paschim Express from Chandigarh to New Delhi, then pick up the Runicha Express to Jaisalmer that evening. Either way, you're looking at two trains and a bit of a wait in between, so build that buffer into your plans rather than cutting it close.
Buses work the same way, no direct service, so you're either connecting through Jaipur or through Delhi. Government buses from Sector 43 ISBT in Chandigarh run to Jaipur regularly, and from there you'd catch an onward bus or train to Jaisalmer. Going via Delhi means a short Volvo hop to Kashmere Gate ISBT first, then one of the overnight sleeper buses that run from there. It's the cheapest way to travel this route, but also the slowest, and probably not something to attempt if you're short on time.
Driving is where you get the most flexibility, and honestly, a lot of people prefer it precisely because the train and bus options both involve a change somewhere. Figure 13 to 14 hours of driving covering the full distance, usually via NH44 down toward Delhi or Hisar before cutting west through Rajasthan. Almost nobody does this drive in one push. Breaking it into two days, with an overnight stop in Bikaner or Jodhpur, turns a grueling drive into something closer to enjoyable, and gives you a second city to explore along the way.
Choosing a Desert Camping Package
Given how much effort it takes to get here from Chandigarh, it rarely makes sense to book Jaisalmer as a one-night stopover. Most travelers coming this distance build it into a longer Rajasthan trip, which changes what to look for in a desert camp package. One that bundles in a day of city sightseeing alongside the camp stay tends to be the better call, since you've already spent a full day, sometimes two, just getting there.
If you're traveling as a couple, it's worth specifically looking at camps offering private tents or a private dinner setup rather than the standard shared arrangement. The distance from Chandigarh is significant enough that a bit of extra privacy tends to make the whole trip feel worth the effort.
A Sample 5-Night Itinerary From Chandigarh
Day 1: Fly, or take the overnight train, and reach Jodhpur. Spend the day resting or exploring Mehrangarh Fort, then continue to Jaisalmer.
Day 2: Arrive in Jaisalmer, check into camp, take it easy for the rest of the evening.
Day 3: Jaisalmer Fort in the morning, the old havelis and markets in the afternoon, Gadisar Lake at sunset.
Day 4: Camel safari to the dunes for sunset, followed by a folk music evening back at camp.
Day 5: Jeep safari through the quieter dune belts in the morning, a free afternoon, stargazing once night falls.
Day 6: Begin the return journey, via Jodhpur or Delhi depending on how you came.
Five nights isn't excessive when you factor in the travel time on both ends. Trim it much shorter and the trip starts to feel like it was mostly spent in transit.
What to Actually Do Once You're There
Since travelers from Chandigarh are already committing a significant chunk of time and effort to get here, it's worth going beyond the basic camel-and-dinner package. Pairing a camel safari with a jeep safari the next morning shows you a much wider stretch of the desert than either one alone. If the long train ride or the drive has left you drained by the time you arrive, don't push through it. A quiet first evening, a short walk out to watch the sunset, and turning in early tends to work out better than trying to squeeze every activity into day one.
Book Your Jaisalmer Trip From Chandigarh
We can help work out the best combination of flight, train, or road travel for your dates, and put together the right camp package once you're there. Get in touch with your travel dates from Chandigarh, and we'll handle the planning from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is there a direct flight from Chandigarh to Jaisalmer?
Chandigarh airport has flights toward Jaisalmer through IndiGo and Air India, though schedules are seasonal and often involve a connection. When a direct seat isn't available, flying into Jodhpur and covering the last stretch by road, about five hours, is the common workaround, and it's usually the cheaper option too.
Q2. Is there a direct train from Chandigarh to Jaisalmer, and what are the options?
No direct train exists. The Kalka-Barmer Express leaves Chandigarh Junction around 10:25 PM, reaching Jodhpur Junction by afternoon, roughly 17 hours later. From there, the Jodhpur-Jaisalmer Express departs around 11:40 PM and arrives in Jaisalmer by 6:10 AM. The alternate route runs via New Delhi using the Paschim Express, then the Runicha Express onward.
Q3. Where do I catch a bus from Chandigarh toward Jaisalmer?
There's no direct bus. Government buses depart from Sector 43 ISBT in Chandigarh toward Jaipur or Delhi, where you'd catch an onward service. Via Delhi, buses reach Kashmere Gate ISBT in about five to six hours, and overnight sleeper buses to Jaisalmer, roughly 17 hours, depart from there in the afternoon and evening.
Q4. How long does it take to drive from Chandigarh to Jaisalmer, and what's the route?
Expect 13 to 14 hours of driving covering around 875 km, mostly via NH44 toward Delhi or Hisar before turning west through Rajasthan. Very few people drive this in a single stretch. Splitting it into two days with an overnight stop in Bikaner or Jodhpur makes for a far more comfortable trip and adds another city to see.
Q5. How many days should I plan for a trip from Chandigarh?
Five to six days works better than a rushed long weekend, given how much of the trip is travel. That leaves room for a stopover city like Jodhpur, a full day exploring Jaisalmer's fort and old town, and at least two days at the desert camp for both a camel and jeep safari.
Q6. What's the best time of year to visit from Chandigarh?
October through March brings the most comfortable weather for the desert, with cool nights and manageable daytime heat. Chandigarh's winter fog can occasionally delay flights and slow train schedules, so it helps to build in a little buffer if you're traveling in late December or January.
Q7. Is this trip suitable for a couple's getaway?
Yes, and given the distance and effort involved in reaching Jaisalmer from Chandigarh, it's worth booking a camp that offers private tents or a private dinner rather than a shared setup. It tends to make the long journey feel more worthwhile for a couple treating this as a proper getaway.
Q8.Can Jaisalmer be combined with other Rajasthan cities from Chandigarh?
Yes, and it often happens naturally, since most train and road routes from Chandigarh pass through Jodhpur or Delhi anyway. Adding a day or two in Jodhpur, or extending the trip to Udaipur, turns a single-destination visit into a fuller Rajasthan circuit and makes better use of the long journey out.
