Bikaner travel guide

Both the following are especially spectacular in Junagarh Fort in the Old City near Kote Gate and some smaller palaces.

Getting around

The fort and the Old City are within easy walking distance from the station. Auto- and cycle-rickshaws transfer passengers between the station and the New Bus Stand. Taxis can be difficult to get from the Lalgarh Palace area at night.

Bus

The New Bus Stand is 3 km north of town. Private buses leave from south of the fort.

Rajasthan Roadways, enquiries, T0151-252 3800; daily deluxe buses to Ajmer, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer (8 hrs), Udaipur. 2 daily to Delhi via Hissar (12 hrs).

Rickshaw/taxi

Autos between station and bus stand or Lallgarh Palace, Rs 25. Taxis are unmetered. Shared tempos run on set routes, Rs 5.

Train

Enquiries, T0151-220 0131, reservations, Mon-Sat 0800-1400, 1415-2000, Sun 0800- 1400. For tourist quota (when trains are full) apply to Manager’s Office by Radio Tower near Jaswant Bhawan Hotel. There are 2 direct trains to Delhi: Assam Awadh Express 5610, 2000 (12 hrs) arrives Old Delhi station; Sampark Kranti Express 2464, 1720 (12 hrs Tue, Thu, Sat) or take a train to Rewari and change. Rewari: Link Exp 4710, 1750, 8 hrs; Rewari Mail 4792, 1955, 8 hrs; Rewari Exp 4790, 0835, 8½ hrs. Jaipur: Intercity Exp 2467, 0500, 6½ hrs. Jodhpur: Ranakpur Exp 4707, 0945, 5½ hrs, continues to Ahmedabad, 16 hrs, and Mumbai (Bandra), 27 hrs.

Banks

Bank of Baroda, Ambedkar Circle, cash against Visa; State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur, Ambedkar Circle; also near fort’s Suraj Pol. Changes TCs but may charge up to 10% commission. Harasar Haveli Hotel charges 1%.

Internet

Meghsar Castle, Hotel Sagar and Harasar Haveli, Rs 2 per min; others at Sadulganj, Sagar Rd, Jaipur Rd and near the fort.

Medical services

PBM Hospital, Hospital Rd, T0151-252 5312.

Post

GPO: behind Junagarh Fort.

Useful contacts

Police: T100/T0151-252 2225.