Getting Your Bearings
Pali sits in Rajasthan, south-east of Jodhpur, and is well connected by both road and rail to the surrounding region. It has no airport of its own, so most visitors arrive by train, bus or car, and then get around the city by car, taxi or bus. The sections below cover each of these options in turn.
Arriving by Train
Rail is one of the most practical ways to reach Pali. The city's main station, Pali Marwar, sits on the Jodhpur route and has services from major cities including Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Chennai, Bikaner, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. The Jodhpur rail route links Pali with northern India, while Marwar Junction — the only railway junction in the district — connects the area with southern India and with Ajmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Ahmedabad. Long-distance connections to Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi are also available.
Other stations in the district include Rani, Jawai Bandh, Sojat Road and Falna. Falna, on the Ahmedabad route, is a significant station in the Ajmer division. If your train does not stop at Pali Marwar itself, one of these nearby stations may be a useful alternative, though you will need to arrange onward road transport from there.
For booking tickets, several travel agents operate in Pali, including Srinath Travel Agency on Sumerpur Road, Chandra Travels opposite Town Hall, V K Jain Marwar Travels opposite the Session Court, New Kalpana Travels at the Old Bus Stand, M R Ambika Travels near Manthan Cinema on Station Road, and Laxmi Tours and Travels in Shubhash Nagar. Opening hours vary, so it is worth calling ahead.
Arriving by Bus
Pali is connected by road to all districts of Rajasthan and to major Indian cities. Private and government bus services run to destinations including Sirohi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Jodhpur and Delhi. The government network is operated by RSRTC, and online booking is available, with seat and bus type selection and payment by credit or debit card or net banking. The Pali Bus Depot can be reached on 02932 232778 or 02932 232978.
The district is served by a network of national highways, state highways and major district roads, so road connections in most directions are straightforward.
Getting Around the City
Within Pali city itself, the main ways to move around are car, taxi and bus. Cabs and taxis can be hired for fixed periods, and several taxi hiring agencies in the city offer vehicles to suit different budgets and requirements — useful if you plan to make several stops in a day or want a vehicle on standby.
Local bus services cover the city and are the cheapest option for short trips. For longer or more flexible journeys, hiring a car or taxi is the more practical choice.
Reaching Pali from the Airport
Pali has no airport, and there is no airport in the district, so air travellers arrive via a neighbouring city. Jodhpur Airport is the nearest major airport and the one most people use; it is well connected with regular domestic flights from Delhi and Mumbai. From Jodhpur, you continue to Pali by road or rail.
Two other airports are options if your plans take you that way: Jaipur International Airport and Maharana Pratap Airport near Udaipur, which handles domestic flights. Both are considerably further from Pali than Jodhpur, so Jodhpur remains the most convenient arrival point for most visitors.
Practical Tips
- Book train and bus tickets in advance where possible, especially on long-distance routes; RSRTC bus tickets can be booked online, and local travel agents can handle rail and other bookings.
- If you arrive at a station other than Pali Marwar, arrange road transport onward before you travel, as these stations are outside the city centre.
- For a day of sightseeing or multiple errands, hiring a taxi or cab for a fixed period is usually more convenient than relying on individual trips.
- Keep the Pali Bus Depot numbers handy if you need to check bus services.