Getting Around Bhilwara
Bhilwara is a city in the Mewar region of Rajasthan, known across India as a textile centre. For a visitor, the practical reality is that this is a city best navigated by road, whether that means buses, taxis, auto-rickshaws, or your own two feet in the older quarters. There is no metro or tram system here, and no local rail network within the city itself — the railway station serves intercity travel, not daily movement around town.
Arriving by Train
Bhilwara is served by Bhilwara railway station, which lies on a broad gauge line running through the district. Trains connect the city with destinations across Rajasthan and beyond, including Ajmer, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Kota, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Delhi, Agra, Gwalior, Lucknow, Kanpur, Patna, Kolkata, Indore, Ujjain, Ratlam, Vadodara, Surat, Mumbai and Hyderabad.
For travel onward to southern India, Kota is often the more convenient railhead, while Ajmer is a major nearby junction for connections toward Delhi and Ahmedabad. If you are planning a longer journey, it is worth checking whether your route is better served by changing at one of these junctions rather than trying to find a direct train from Bhilwara.
Trains that run via Bhilwara include the Bhopal–Jaipur Express, the Ajmer–Hyderabad Special, the Chetak Express, and the Udaipur–Jaipur Intercity Express. Tickets can be booked through the usual Indian Railways channels — online or at the station — and it is wise to reserve in advance for longer journeys.
Buses and Public Transport
The city has a government bus depot in its heart, and Bhilwara is connected by road to all the important cities of Rajasthan and other states. Both government and private bus services operate. Rajasthan Roadways (RSRTC) runs services to areas around Bhilwara, including premier services branded as Pink Line, Silver Line and Sleeper Coaches (Gray Line). Numerous private operators also connect Bhilwara to major Indian cities.
Bus services run to Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Bundi, Kota, Udaipur and other major cities. If you are arriving by bus, the bus stand sits between the old and new city, which makes it a convenient starting point — many hotels are within a short distance of it, and the textile industry area lies further out.
Within the city, public transport is limited to buses and shared auto-rickshaws rather than any formal metro or tram system. For most visitors, buses are useful mainly for reaching the city from elsewhere or for longer trips within the district; for short hops around town, autos and taxis are more practical.
Taxis and Auto-Rickshaws
Auto-rickshaws and taxis are the main way to move around Bhilwara once you have arrived. There is no metro or tram network to fall back on, so for door-to-door travel — from your hotel to a temple, a fort, or the textile district — you will be relying on road vehicles. Ride-hailing apps may have limited availability in a city of this size, so it is sensible to agree on a fare with a local auto-rickshaw driver before setting off, or to ask your hotel to arrange a taxi.
For day trips to nearby attractions such as Badnore Fort, Harni Mahadev Temple, Smriti Van, Mansarovar Lake, Joganiya Mata Temple, Kyara Ke Balaji, Sanganer Fort, Meja Dam or Pur Udan Chatri, hiring a car or taxi for the day is the most straightforward option.
Walking
Walking is a reasonable way to explore the older parts of the city, where the streets are compact and the historic core — including the Bada Mandir, the oldest temple in town — is best seen on foot. Mansarovar Jheel, the man-made pond near Azad Nagar, is a popular spot that gets crowded on weekends and is pleasant to stroll around.
That said, Bhilwara is a working textile city rather than a purpose-built tourist town, and much of it is spread out. For anything beyond the immediate neighbourhood, you will want a vehicle. Comfortable shoes and an awareness of traffic are both advisable.
Getting There from the Airport
Bhilwara has no airport of its own. The nearest airport is at Dabok, serving Udaipur, which is roughly two and a half hours away by road. Dabok has daily air service from New Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad and Mumbai, making it the most practical arrival point for most visitors flying in.
Two other airports are within reach. Jaipur is about four hours away by road. Kishangarh Airport, near Ajmer, is a newer option at around two hours by road.
From any of these airports, the onward journey to Bhilwara is by road — typically by pre-booked taxi or by bus. If you are flying into Udaipur, arranging a taxi in advance is the simplest approach, since the drive is long enough that you will not want to be negotiating at the airport curb. Alternatively, you can travel from the airport into Udaipur city and pick up a bus or train onward to Bhilwara.
Practical Tips
- Book train tickets in advance for long-distance journeys, especially on popular routes toward Delhi, Mumbai or Jaipur.
- For getting around town, autos and taxis are the default; agree on the fare beforehand.
- The bus stand is centrally located between the old and new city, with many hotels nearby.
- Allow roughly two and a half hours by road from Udaipur's Dabok Airport, and around four hours from Jaipur.
- If your journey involves southern India, consider Kota as a railhead; for Delhi and Ahmedabad connections, Ajmer is often the better junction.
- Hire a car or taxi for day trips to the forts, temples and dams around Bhilwara.