a table and chairs on a balcony overlooking a city

Jaisalmer

A sandstone fort town in the Thar Desert, where about a quarter of the town still lives inside the walls and the dunes of Sam lie nearby.

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Jaisalmer is a desert city in north-western Rajasthan, India, about 575 km west of Jaipur, and the headquarters of Jaisalmer district. It sits in the Thar Desert. Its yellow sandstone looks pale by day and turns a darker gold as the sun sets, which is where the nickname Golden City comes from. Rawal Jaisal of the Bhati Rajput clan founded the town in 1156, and it later became the capital of the Jaisalmer kingdom.

Jaisalmer Fort is the town's best-known sight. It is a World Heritage Site on Trikoot hill, with massive sandstone walls, 99 bastions, a royal palace and Jain temples. About a quarter of the town still lives inside the walls, so you can walk the narrow lanes and see daily life. Several of the town's havelis, ornate mansions, were built in the 18th and 19th centuries. Sam village, near Jaisalmer, has sand dunes for a desert trip. The climate is hot and arid. October to December is pleasant, January to March is cold, and April to June averages about 45 °C. The monsoon runs June to September, with rain on only two or three days a month.

Jaisalmer in five

Decide between Sam dunes and a quieter campSam is the easiest dune area but the busiest, with many camps and evening events. Quieter camps farther out cost more and add drive time; ask how far the camp is from the road and the crowds.Jodhpur
Stay outside the fort walls if you canPart of the fort is a living neighborhood with old water and drainage systems under strain. Many travelers choose lodging in the town below and walk up for the temples, the palace museum and the viewpoints.
Book the overnight train from Jaipur or JodhpurSleeper trains reach Jaisalmer overnight and AC berths go first. Daytime road transfers from Jodhpur take about 5 hours, so check the day's timetable before choosing.Jaipur
Agree what a camel safari includesAsk the length of the ride, whether meals and bedding are included, and the pickup point before you pay. A short sunset ride is plenty if camels are new to you.
Go between November and FebruaryWinter days are mild and nights get cold, so a jacket matters in the dunes. From April the desert is very hot, and many camps scale back in summer.

Things to do in Jaisalmer

See all attractions in Jaisalmer

Gallery · JaisalmerBaa Ri Haveli

a tall building with many balconies on it

Museum · JaisalmerKothari's Patwon Ki Haveli / Patwa HaveliHire a guide if you want the story behind each room.

people walking on bridge over river during daytime

Sight · JaisalmerJaisalmer's Jain Temples

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Need to know

Airport: Jaisalmer (JSA), limited flights; Jodhpur (JDH) is the main alternative
Getting there: Overnight train or about 5 hours by road from Jodhpur
Getting around: Walking in the fort and old town; jeeps and taxis to the dunes
Best base: The old town below the fort, close to the havelis
Time needed: 2 nights: one in town, one in the dunes

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear1 rainy dayHigh23°Low11°Cool, clear
FebruaryClear0 rainy daysHigh28°Low15°Desert Festival
MarchClear1 rainy dayHigh33°Low20°Warm
AprilClear1 rainy dayHigh39°Low26°Very hot
MayClear2 rainy daysHigh42°Low28°Peak heat
JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh40°Low29°Peak heat
JulyClear8 rainy daysHigh38°Low29°Humid, hot
AugustClear7 rainy daysHigh36°Low27°Monsoon, hot
SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh37°Low27°Still hot
OctoberClear1 rainy dayHigh36°Low25°Easing heat
NovemberClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low19°Pleasant
DecemberClear0 rainy daysHigh25°Low13°Cold nights

Average daily high and low in Jaisalmer, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Jaisalmer

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 22°
Humidity: 28%
Wind: 14 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Jaisalmer

03:28 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:30

Today34°20°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 34°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed34°20°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 34°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu34°20°0%Thursday: Clear. High 34°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri34°22°0%Friday: Clear. High 34°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat35°22°0%Saturday: Clear. High 35°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun35°23°0%Sunday: Clear. High 35°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 03:05 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR

Amount

Converted to

INR · Indian Rupee

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Sam Sand Dunesabout 45 to 60 min by roadThe most visited dunes for sunset rides and camps; the evening crowd is the trade-off.
Kuldharaabout 30 min by roadAn abandoned village of ruined stone houses, best early before tour groups.
Bada Bagh cenotaphsabout 15 min by roadRoyal sandstone chhatris on a ridge, popular at sunrise and sunset.

Before you go to Jaisalmer

Desert camp and camel safariSunset ride and a night in the dunesCompare day tours

Stays below the fortHaveli guesthouses in the old townCheck availability

eSIM for the Thar desertSignal fades out toward the dunesRead the guide

Cover for desert travelHeat illness and remote transfersRead the guide

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Rules for Jaisalmer, checked

Most foreign visitors need an Indian visa before arrival. Check eligibility and apply only through the official Indian e-Visa portal.Source
Take off your shoes before entering temples in the fort. Jain and Hindu temples are active places of worship.
Avoid photographing military installations near the Pakistan border, including around Tanot and Longewala.
Hotels ask foreign guests for a passport at check-in, so carry yours or a clear copy.

Plan around Jaisalmer

All of India

Entry rules, regions and trip planning

Read the guide Jodhpur

Blue city and Mehrangarh Fort, about 5 hours east

Read the guide Jaipur

The usual start of a Rajasthan loop

Read the guide Rajasthan guide

Routes between the forts and palaces

Read the guide Transport in India

Rail booking and the road-versus-train choice

Read the guide Travel insurance guides

What cover for heat and desert tours looks like

Read the guide

Jaisalmer FAQ

How many days do you need in Jaisalmer?

Two nights work for most people: one in town for the fort and havelis, and one in the dunes. A single night is possible if you arrive by overnight train and leave the next evening.

Is Jaisalmer worth the journey?

Yes if you want the fort, a sandstone old town and a desert night, and are happy with long transfers. It is a detour from the main Delhi to Jaipur line, so it suits trips of two weeks or more.

Is a desert safari in Jaisalmer worth it?

A short camel ride at sunset and a night under the stars is the highlight for many visitors. Skip heavily staged camps with loud music and quad bikes if you want quiet, and compare what each camp offers.

Can you go from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur in a day?

Yes, about 5 hours by road, or by train on a daytime or overnight service. Leave early if you want to see Mehrangarh Fort the same day, or plan a night in Jodhpur.

What should I wear on a desert trip?

Light layers by day and a warm jacket for winter nights, plus a scarf for dust and sun. Sturdy sandals suit dunes, and a hat helps from late February onward.