Looking at taking the train Ajmer to Jaisalmer? We are self-confessed and bias. But we love Jaisalmer and riding the rails through Rajasthan is one of the ultimate Indian travel adventures!
Leaving behind the bustling chaotic spiritual hub of Ajmer and heading into the golden sands of the Thar Desert to Jaisalmer is like straight out of a storybook. Covering roughly 500 kilometres across Rajasthan’s changing landscapes, taking a sleeper train is smooth, budget-friendly, and a classic way to travel across the desert state.
Which, also seriously, coming from little old New Zealand where train travel isn’t really a thing. We have loved and journeyed all over India by train!
Here is our complete guide on the best train options between Ajmer and Jaisalmer, Indian train classes, how to book with 12Go Asia, and what to do in both cities with our favourite local contacts!
Best Train Options: Ajmer to Jaisalmer
The main railway station in Ajmer is Ajmer Junction (AII), and you’ll be arriving at Jaisalmer Railway Station (JSM).
- Ranikhet Express (Train #15014): This is the most popular direct overnight option. It departs Ajmer Junction in the late evening (around 10:00 PM) and rolls into Jaisalmer early the next morning (around 8:30 AM). You sleep through the journey and wake up right as the desert sun comes up.
- Leelan Express (Train #12468): Another great direct option that runs daily between Ajmer and Jaisalmer, taking approximately 9 to 10 hours.
Understanding Indian Train Classes
Deciding which class to book can feel confusing for first-timers, but here is a quick cheat sheet:
| Class | Name | What to Expect |
| 1AC | First AC | Lockable 2-berth or 4-berth coupes, bedding included, privacy and quiet. |
| 2AC | 2-Tier AC | Our Family Favourite!4-berth open bays with privacy curtains, air-conditioned, bedding supplied. |
| 3AC | 3-Tier AC | Budget-friendly AC with 6-berth open bays (3 levels of bunk beds). |
| SL | Sleeper | Non-AC with open barred windows. Very cheap and energetic, but no bedding and can get dusty in the desert! |
How to Book Easily Using 12Go Asia
Navigating the official Indian Railways (IRCTC) website can be tricky for international travellers due to foreign credit card checks and phone number requirements.
The easiest, most stress-free workaround is booking through 12Go Asia:
- Search Your Route: Enter Ajmer as your departure and Jaisalmer as your arrival point.
- Select Your Class: Compare real-time train schedules, travel times, and available berths (1AC, 2AC, or 3AC).
- Instant Confirmation: Pay securely using an international credit card – no local Indian SIM or complex IRCTC verification required.
- E-Ticket Received: Your 12GoAsia train ticket is sent straight to your email. Keep it saved on your phone to show the train conductor (TTE).
Tips for Train Travel in India
Some are obvious tips but there are a few things that pay to remember for your trip as they will make it that much smoother…
- Download “Where is My Train”: This offline-friendly app tracks your train using cell towers, so you always know exactly how far away your destination is.
- Pack a Daypack Essentials Kit: Keep a small bag with hand sanitiser, wet wipes, tissues, and a small cable lock to secure your luggage under the bottom berth while you sleep.
- Mind the Sand: On desert routes like this, keep your carriage window closed if you’re in non-AC to avoid waking up covered in a fine layer of Thar Desert sand!
- 12GoAsia: This is absolutely the best booking app for train tickets in India and will make Ajmer to Jaisalmer as simple as Indian trains can be!
Stop 1: What to Do & Where to Stay in Ajmer
Ajmer is a historic city surrounded by the Aravalli Hills, famous for its deep spiritual heritage.
Things to Do in Ajmer
- Ajmer Sharif Dargah: One of India’s most sacred Sufi shrines, the tomb of Saint Moinuddin Chishti. It welcomes people of all faiths, and the atmosphere inside is electric with devotional qawwalimusic.
- Ana Sagar Lake: A massive 12th-century artificial lake lined with beautiful white marble pavilions (Baradari) built by Shah Jahan – perfect for a peaceful sunset stroll.
- Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra: A historic mosque featuring magnificent, ruined arches and carved pillars just beyond the Dargah.
Where to Stay in Ajmer
- Stay in heritage guesthouses near Ana Sagar Lake or central boutique hotels near the station for easy access to the Dargah and your train connection.
Stop 2: What to Do & Where to Stay in Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer – the “Golden City” – looks like something straight out of One Thousand and One Nights, with its yellow sandstone fort rising out of the desert. It is our favourite place in India!
Things to Do in Jaisalmer
- Explore Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Qila): Unlike most forts in India, this is a living fort! Around a quarter of the city’s population still lives inside its ancient walls, alongside ornate Jain temples and bustling artisan shops.
- Overnight Desert Camel Safari: Ride camels out into the sweeping dunes of the Thar Desert, cook a simple dinner over a campfire, and sleep under a blanket of stars.
- Patwon Ki Haveli: A breathtaking cluster of five intricate sandstone mansions showcasing unbelievable stone carving craftsmanship.
Where to Stay in Jaisalmer: The Wanderlust Guesthouse
At the risk of sounding repetitive, The Wanderlust Guesthouse is our absolute favourite place to stay in all of India!
Located just outside the Fort walls in easy walking distance to everything in the old city, this wonderful guesthouse is run by Padam and his awesome team. They treat you like family from the moment you step through the door.
The Best Camel Safari in Jaisalmer
Padam and the Wanderlust team organise the absolute best, most authentic camel safaris out into the desert. Away from the noisy, overcrowded commercial camps, their trips take you out to peaceful dunes where you can ride camels, watch the sunset, and sleep under the stars.
We love these camel safaris so much that we have taken our Group Trips and both grandmothers out with us to do it!
Trusted Local Contacts in Jaisalmer
Having local friends makes all the difference in Jaisalmer:
- Padam at Wanderlust Guesthouse: (+91 94611 57753) Contact Padam to book your stay, arrange seamless station pickups, or organize your dream desert camel safari.
- Phoenix (Bhawani): (+91 94147 63000) Based out of the Desert Art Gallery, Bhawani is an exceptional local guide and artist. He offers fantastic city walking tours, deep insights into local desert culture, and is the kind of heartwarming host who might even invite your family over for a home-cooked lunch in his family home!
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Travel Planning for India & Beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in Asia through 12Go.
- Skyscanner – Our favourite flight search engine. They can search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide – A huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for short or longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance before planning any more trains Ajmer to Jaisalmer!
Hi! I’m Sarah. I am the self-confessed dreamer, travel-schemer and the main editor behind this blog. I love to write, and it is a dream come true to share so many experiences together and inspire others in our stories.
