Getting Around Bikaner
Bikaner is a desert city of narrow lanes and wide highways, and how you move around depends a lot on where you are and how far you are going. In the old city, three-wheeled auto-rickshaws dominate; for longer trips, a car with a driver is the most comfortable option. There is no metro or tram here, and the city's public bus network is used mainly by residents rather than visitors.
Auto-Rickshaws: The Main Way to Move
Auto-rickshaws (often called tuk-tuks) are the most common form of local transport in Bikaner. They are cheap, plentiful, and well suited to the city's narrow streets, which are deliberately kept narrow so they do not clog with sand during the frequent summer sandstorms. A full day's hire is inexpensive, and short city hops cost only a little more than pocket change.
- Agree on the fare before you get in — meters are not the norm.
- Pay in cash, in Indian rupees; carry small denominations.
- You will find autos waiting outside the railway station, the bus station, and the airport.
- Auto-rickshaws are the practical choice for the old city and market areas, where cars struggle.
Rail: Reaching Bikaner and Moving Between Stations
Bikaner is well connected by train to Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Agra, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and other major Indian towns. Daily services include the Bikaner Mail and the Bikaner Express, alongside a range of special and passenger trains on regional routes. For railway enquiries, the national railway enquiry number is 139.
The city has two railheads: Bikaner (Lalgarh) Railway Station and Lalgarh Railway Station, which sit a short drive apart within the city. If you are arriving or departing, check which station your train uses before arranging your transfer.
There is no metro and no tram network in Bikaner — rail here means intercity trains, not urban transit.
Buses and Public Transport
City buses are the main public transit option, but they are used mostly by residents. They run through the day, roughly from early morning until around 9pm, with more frequent service on busy routes and at peak hours. Tickets are bought from the conductor in cash and are inexpensive. English-language route maps are not readily available, and language barriers at stops are possible, so buses are best treated as an adventure rather than a convenience for a short visit.
For longer journeys, Bikaner has extensive intercity bus services, including deluxe, air-conditioned and state-owned buses, plus sleeper coaches for overnight trips. Connecting routes include Kota, Udaipur, Jhunjhunu, Delhi, Ganganagar, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Agra, Nadiad and Pali.
Note that buses are generally not wheelchair accessible — the vehicles are older and have high steps.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis in Bikaner are typically yellow-and-black or white. City rides are reasonably priced, and full-day hire is a common arrangement for sightseeing. You can book taxis through your hotel or at designated stands, and you should always negotiate the fare before the ride begins. Payment is almost exclusively in cash.
App-based services such as Ola and Uber have only a limited and unreliable presence in Bikaner, so do not count on them as your primary option. Taxis and auto-rickshaws are available outside the airport, the railway station and the bus station.
For tourists who want flexibility, a car with a driver is widely used and can be arranged through hotels and local tour operators; the cost varies by vehicle, duration and distance. Self-drive rentals are uncommon because of local driving conditions, and motorcycle or scooter rentals are only sensible for experienced riders. There is no formal bicycle-sharing scheme, though some hotels offer bicycle rentals.
Walking and Cycling
The Old City and the area around Junagarh Fort are best explored on foot, and the Kote Gate and market areas are walkable. Ganga Singh Park is a pleasant spot for a stroll, and local guided walking tours are available.
Beyond these pockets, walking is less comfortable: dedicated bicycle infrastructure is limited, and main roads are hazardous for cyclists and pedestrians. Avoid highways and congested main roads on foot or on a bike. Accessibility infrastructure is limited overall — public transport, older attractions and uneven pavements all pose difficulties, though newer hotels may have ramps and elevators. If access is a concern, a private car with a driver is the most flexible option, and it is worth confirming access with venues in advance.
Getting In from the Airport
Bikaner Airport (IATA code BKB) has daily flights from Delhi, Jaipur and other cities. Taxis and auto-rickshaws are available outside the airport to take you into the city.
Be aware that some sources state that Bikaner has no airport of its own and point to Jodhpur Airport as the nearest alternative, with Jaipur International Airport as a second option. If your plans depend on flying in, confirm your arrival airport before you book ground transport, since the onward road journey from either Jodhpur or Jaipur is long.
Practical Tips
- Carry your hotel's name and address in both English and Hindi, and note and share your vehicle's licence plate with someone you trust.
- Expect crowded buses at rush hour; a few words of basic Hindi go a long way.
- Road accidents do occur. Night driving on highways is not recommended because of poor lighting, and animals may be on the roads.
- Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas, and avoid isolated areas at night.
- Parking exists at major attractions but is chaotic in busy market areas.
- Camel carts operate as a short-ride novelty rather than serious transport.
- There are no hop-on-hop-off bus services, but local operators run day tours by bus or mini-van. There is no water transport, cable car or funicular — unsurprising for a landlocked desert city.