Udaipur Travel Guide Plan Your Trip
What to know before a trip to Udaipur: when to go, how to get here, which area to stay in, what to see, what to eat and which festivals to plan around.
Planning a Trip to Udaipur
Last updated: November 2026
Udaipur is a compact city built around a chain of lakes, with the old city, City Palace and most heritage hotels packed close together on the eastern shore of Lake Pichola.
That makes it an easy place to visit. Most of the famous sights sit within a few kilometres of each other, the old city is best explored on foot, and day trips to forts and temples in the Aravalli hills are simple to arrange.
This guide brings together the practical side of a trip: the seasons, travel options, the main neighbourhoods to stay in, the places worth your time, local food and the yearly festival calendar. Each section links to our detailed pages, so you can go deeper on anything that matters to your plans.
Udaipur at a Glance
Key facts for planning your trip.
Best Time
October to March is the main season. Our local pick is September: monsoon clouds, green hills and thin crowds.
How Many Days
Two to three days covers the main sights. Add a day for Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur or Chittorgarh.
Getting In
Maharana Pratap Airport at Dabok is roughly 22 km from the old city. Udaipur City railway station is close to the centre.
Getting Around
Walk the old city lanes, then use autos, taxis or a rented scooty for Fateh Sagar, Sajjangarh and beyond.
Where to Stay
Haridas Ji Ki Magri for quiet lakeside stays, Jagdish Chowk for old city buzz, Udaipole and the station for budget.
Must Try
Unlimited dal baati, a Rajasthani thali with gatte ki sabzi and ker sangri, and a rooftop dinner facing the lake.
Best Time to Visit Udaipur
Udaipur is open all year, but each season feels very different. Your choice depends on whether you want cool evenings, full lakes or lower hotel rates.
Winter: The Main Season
This is when most travellers come. Days are warm and sunny, evenings turn cool, and mornings in December and January can feel properly cold, so pack a light jacket. Sightseeing in the afternoon is comfortable, and lakeside evenings are at their best.
From November to January, weekdays stay manageable but weekends get crowded. The busiest stretch of the whole year runs from about 24 December to 5 January, when Christmas holidays, New Year and wedding season overlap. If those are your dates, book rooms and taxis early and expect higher prices in the old city.
Summer: Hot but Quiet
Summer days in Udaipur get very hot. If you travel now, plan sightseeing for early morning and late evening, keep afternoons for indoor museums or a rest at the hotel, and carry water. The upside is quieter streets and better room rates.
Monsoon: Green Hills and Fuller Lakes
The rains turn the Aravalli hills green and, in a good year, fill the lakes. It is a good season for weekend trips, drives to Badi Lake and evenings at Fateh Sagar. Rainfall varies a lot from year to year, so keep plans flexible.
Why We Love September
If you ask us to pick one month, we would say September. The rains are still around, tourists are fewer and the city feels relaxed. It is the time for a long drive on Rani Road along Fateh Sagar, an outing to the Rayta Hills, and the ride up to Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace), which is at its best when clouds roll over the hills.
Festivals and Events by Month
Several of the city’s biggest celebrations follow the Hindu calendar, so their dates move each year. Check our Udaipur events page for confirmed dates, along with concerts, parties, expos and café nights happening around the city.
Shilpgram Utsav (December)
A large crafts and folk arts fair held every December at Shilpgram, the rural arts village on the edge of the city. Expect artisans from across India, folk music and dance, and rows of food stalls. It usually runs from 21 to 30 December.
Gangaur and the Mewar Festival (March or April)
Gangaur is one of the most important festivals for women in Rajasthan. In Udaipur it is celebrated alongside the Mewar Festival, with processions to Gangaur Ghat on Lake Pichola, folk performances and fireworks.
Holi and Diwali
Holika Dahan at City Palace is a well known Holi eve tradition, and the old city lanes fill with colour the next morning. During Diwali, ghats, havelis and markets are lit up, which makes it one of the prettiest times to walk around the lakes.
Hariyali Amavasya (July or August)
A monsoon fair held around Sahelion Ki Bari and Fateh Sagar, popular with local families and a good way to see the city celebrate the rains.
How to Reach Udaipur
Udaipur is well connected by air, rail and road, with Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Delhi as the most common starting points.
By Air
Maharana Pratap Airport is at Dabok, roughly 22 km from the old city along NH-27. The drive into town usually takes 35 to 45 minutes. Uber, Ola and Rapido now work at the airport and the railway station, and fares are usually close to normal city rates. Drivers sometimes argue or ask for more when your hotel is far from the centre. To avoid that, you can book an airport taxi with Udaipur Ride, and if you book your sightseeing with them too, the transfer comes at a discount.
By Train
Udaipur City railway station has direct trains to cities including Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. The station is a short auto or taxi ride from the old city. If you want to stay nearby, see our guide to hotels near Udaipur railway station.
By Road
Ahmedabad is about 260 km away on NH-48, and Jaipur about 410 km via Chittorgarh. Overnight and day buses arrive at the Udaipole bus stand, which is a few minutes from the old city. For a door to door drive, Udaipur Ride runs Ahmedabad to Udaipur and Jaipur to Udaipur taxis.
Getting Around Udaipur
The best way to move depends on where you are going. The old city is best on foot, while the outer lakes and hills need wheels.
On Foot
City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Bagore Ki Haveli, Gangaur Ghat and the market lanes around Jagdish Chowk are all within walking distance of each other. The streets are narrow and busy, so comfortable shoes help more than a car here.
Autos and Taxis
Auto-rickshaws are everywhere and work well for short hops. Agree on the fare before you sit in. For a full day of sightseeing, a taxi with a driver is easier, and Udaipur Ride offers a sightseeing taxi as well as general cab service in Udaipur.
Scooty on Rent
A rented scooty is a popular way to reach Fateh Sagar, Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) and Badi Lake at your own pace. Carry your driving licence and a helmet. See scooty on rent in Udaipur for models and suggested routes.
Where to Stay in Udaipur
Choosing the right area matters more than choosing the fanciest room. Here is how the main neighbourhoods compare. Every hotel we list is reviewed on its own page, with real room photos, pros and cons, and our InsideUdaipur Score.
Haridas Ji Ki Magri and Quiet Lakeside Areas
Our first suggestion for a first visit. Haridas Ji Ki Magri, near Malla Talai, and the calmer lakeside pockets around it give you the lakes without the crowds and noise of the busiest lanes, while the old city is still a short ride away. One example we have reviewed is Atithi Bhanwar.
Old City and Jagdish Chowk
The heart of heritage Udaipur, with havelis, rooftop restaurants and lake views, all a short walk from City Palace and Gangaur Ghat. Best for first time visitors and couples who want atmosphere. Lanes can be noisy and cars cannot reach every door. See hotels near Jagdish Chowk.
Gulab Bagh
Slightly removed from the busiest lanes but still close to the old city, with easier road access. Good for families who want the car to reach the hotel door. See hotels near Gulab Bagh.
Udaipole
Close to the main bus stand and well placed for onward travel, with many budget and mid-range options. Good for short stays and late arrivals by bus. See hotels near Udaipole.
Near the Railway Station
Practical for early trains and value focused trips, with quick auto rides into the old city. See hotels near Udaipur railway station.
A Warning About “Lake View” Rooms
This is the most common disappointment we hear about. A listing says lake view and the photo shows the water, but from the actual room the lake is far away, or only visible from the rooftop. Being near Lake Pichola does not mean every room faces it. Before booking, ask the hotel which room numbers face the lake, or check our reviews, where we note which rooms really have the view, as in Hotel Pichola Haveli and our best hotels list.
Stay by Budget or Category
If price comes first, start with hotels under ₹2,000 or our wider list of budget hotels in Udaipur. For more comfort, compare 3 star hotels, or see our overall picks in best hotels in Udaipur. All reviews are collected on the hotels page.
Places to Visit in Udaipur
These are the landmarks most visitors put at the top of their list. Each one has a full guide with history, timings, tickets and how to plan the visit.
City Palace
The great palace complex of the Mewar rulers, facing Lake Pichola. Give it several hours, including the museum. Read our City Palace guide.
Jagdish Temple
A finely carved temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, a few steps from City Palace. Read our Jagdish Temple guide.
Jag Mandir
The island palace on Lake Pichola, reached by boat. Read our Jag Mandir guide.
Bagore Ki Haveli
A restored haveli on Gangaur Ghat, known for its museum and evening folk dance show. Read our Bagore Ki Haveli guide.
Our Favourite Sunset Spots
Near Lake Pichola, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Park and the neighbouring Eklavya Vatika are our pick for a sunset. They are quieter than the ghats, and the garden and the area around it are pleasant to walk through, a spot many visitors miss. At the time of writing, Eklavya Vatika entry is ₹20 for Indians and ₹100 for foreign visitors, and it is open to everyone for morning walks. Check at the gate, as rates can change.
Lake Pichola Boat Ride Tip
Take the boat in the evening, around sunset. The light on City Palace and the ghats is at its best, and it is the most memorable time to be on the water.
More to Explore
Fateh Sagar Lake, Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace), Sahelion Ki Bari, Ambrai Ghat for sunset views and Shilpgram are also worth a visit. For the bigger picture, see royal heritage in Udaipur and our full list of places to visit.
How Many Days Do You Need?
Udaipur can be seen in a rush, but it is much better at a slower pace.
One day is enough for City Palace, Jagdish Temple, a boat ride on Lake Pichola and a sunset at Ambrai or Gangaur Ghat. Two days adds Fateh Sagar, Sahelion Ki Bari and Sajjangarh. Three days leaves room for a day trip out of the city.
Our sister site Udaipur Ride has ready-made, stop by stop plans: 1 day in Udaipur, 2 day itinerary and 3 day itinerary.
Day Trips from Udaipur
The countryside around Udaipur is full of forts, temples and hill roads. These are the most popular outings, with approximate road distances from the city.
Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur
Kumbhalgarh Fort, with its famous long wall, is about 85 km away, and the marble Jain temple at Ranakpur can be combined in a single loop of roughly 225 km. Start early. See the Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur taxi.
Nathdwara and Eklingji
Eklingji temple is about 22 km north and Nathdwara, home of the Shrinathji temple, about 48 km, both on NH-48. Easy to cover in half a day. See the Nathdwara taxi.
Chittorgarh
One of the largest forts in India, about 115 km each way. Plan a full day. See the Chittorgarh taxi.
Mount Abu
Rajasthan’s only hill station, with a winding final climb from Abu Road. Possible as a long day, but more relaxed as a two day trip. See the Mount Abu taxi.
What to Eat in Udaipur
Mewari cooking is rich, filling and largely vegetarian, with a few famous meat dishes for those who want them.
Start with dal baati churma, the classic Rajasthani combination of baked wheat balls, lentils and sweet crumble. A full Rajasthani thali is the easiest way to taste several dishes at once, often including gatte ki sabzi and ker sangri. Meat lovers usually look for laal maas, a fiery mutton curry.
Our tip for dal baati: Honey Dal Baati, where at the time of writing ₹100 gets you as much as you can eat. Hard to beat for value.
For the evening, one of the old city’s rooftop restaurants facing the lake is the classic Udaipur dinner. We are building a full restaurant and café section next, with honest reviews of places across the city.
Practical Tips for Udaipur
- Dress modestly for temples, and remove shoes where asked.
- Ticket prices and timings for palaces and museums change from time to time, so check the official counter or website before you go.
- Carry some cash in small notes for autos, boat tickets and street food.
- Bargaining is normal in markets around Jagdish Chowk and Hathi Pol, but stay friendly.
- For the peak weeks of December and New Year, book rooms, boat rides and taxis well ahead.
- Sunrise and sunset are the best light for photos on the ghats and at Fateh Sagar.
- Do not trust a “lake view” label on its own. Ask which rooms actually face the lake.
Udaipur Travel FAQ
Quick answers to the questions travellers ask most.
October to March is the main season with the most comfortable weather. Locals often recommend September for monsoon clouds, green hills and far fewer tourists. Avoid 24 December to 5 January if you dislike crowds.
Two to three days covers the main sights at a relaxed pace. Add one more day if you want a trip to Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur or Chittorgarh.
Maharana Pratap Airport at Dabok is roughly 22 km from the old city, usually a 35 to 45 minute drive.
For a first visit, we suggest Haridas Ji Ki Magri or other quiet lakeside areas. The old city around Jagdish Chowk is livelier and close to the main sights, Gulab Bagh suits families who want easier road access, and Udaipole and the railway station area are practical for short or budget stays.
Yes, if you enjoy green hills and fuller lakes. July to September is quieter, but rainfall varies from year to year, so keep some flexibility in your plans.
Walk in the old city, use autos for short rides, and take a taxi or rented scooty for Fateh Sagar, Sajjangarh and day trips.
Our pick is Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Park and the neighbouring Eklavya Vatika near Lake Pichola, which are quieter than the ghats. An evening boat ride on Lake Pichola is another great way to see the sunset.