Fenno

Hi all, am considering adding a side trip to Bikaner during my trip to Delhi. Anyone been lately? Is the train okay? If so, is it a night train? Or should we fly and if so, what was the cost? Best hotel? Best things to do there? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Vicki

Fenno

What, nobody's been to Bikaner?

Cicerone

I have been once, about 12 years ago so I don't know how relevant my experience will be. IMO, it is kind of hard to get there if the only other place you are going in India is Delhi. The train ride from Delhi takes about 11 hours. Take a look at indianrail.gov.in Many people go to Bikaner as part of a longer trip to Rajasthan generally, as it is far from Delhi.

You can fly from Delhi, but the nearest airport is Jodhpur, which is about a 4-6 hour drive from Bikaner, so it won't save you a lot of time. Good news is that you can fly on Jet Airways, which is a private airline much superior, IMO, the Indian Airlines the national carrier. Website for Jet Airways is jetairways.com. The flight from Delhi to Jodhpur will take about 1.5 hours and looks like it would cost US$115 round trip. Bad news is that it looks like there is only one flight a day, which arrives and departs mid-day; so with drive time to Bikaner, etc it looks like you would spend 2 days travelling and have only 2 days in Bikaner itself.

Jodhpur is worth 1-3 days itself IMO, but if you only have 4 days total you will be hard pressed to get to Bikaner and see the are in that limited time.

I can't remember our hotel (some hostel type that I have erased from my memory). The town and area was not on the main tourist track at the time (which is still somewhat the case I understand). The desert area is pretty, but not really different from other parts of Rajasthan which are more accessible from Delhi (Jaipur esp). Are you going to ride camels or go to a camel fair? That might be one reason to go. If that is your interest, you could also go to Puskar which is only a 3 hour drive from Jaipur, and Jaipur is a very interesting city in itself as well.

Fenno

Thanks for the advice Cicerone. Sounds like it won't come off, too much time to get there. I've been to most places in Rajasthan, but not Bikaner, hence the interest. I will be in Jaipur as well, but the side trip was with a friend who will be in Delhi during my trip - she is off to a yogafest in Rishikesh and wouldn't have the time to do both Jaipur and Bikaner. Thanks again, will have to think of something else. Well, I spose we could do the Shekawati region. I did take her there a couple of years ago as I took a group to the Pushkar camel fair, but the road was not great, travelling from Pushkar to Mandawa, etc., took the whole day and some of the group were getting road weary. Heard the road is better from Jaipur to Mandawa so perhaps I will be able to realise my dream to stay in a little haveli hotel near to the Mandawa Castle (used to be a museum). Wanted to take a group there last time, but we did Jodhpur instead. Or maybe Ranthambhore, but at least you have helped me decide to forego Bikaner, thanks.

Sameera_Anand

Sorry, Vicki, must have missed your qn then saw your post on the anatara! The site www.heritagehotels.com has info on Bikaner incl hotels. Cicerone is right in that most people plan Bikaner along with other detinations in Rajasthan. Are u still considering it?

Fenno

Hi Sameera, thanks anyway, but have decided against it. Decided to pop up to Jodhpur instead with a night at Rehat Garh (www.rohetgarh.com)and will save Bikaner for another time, hopefully. Got in touch with Dreamingofindia Bonnie's agent and all is arranged!
Cheers, Vicki