Udaipur Travel Tips — What to Know Before You Go
The practical stuff nobody tells you until it's too late. Transport, money, culture, and packing — sorted.
The Essentials
One rule above all others: buy boat tickets at the official City Palace jetty only. Touts near the ghats charge double for the same ride. That single tip saves you more than this entire page. Beyond that, Udaipur is straightforward. Old City is walkable. UPI works everywhere. Locals speak enough English. You will be fine. Everything below is the stuff that saves you time, money, and the specific headaches we have watched hundreds of visitors walk into.
Getting Around
Walking
FreeOld City is walkable. City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Bagore ki Haveli, all ghats: 15 minutes of each other on foot. Walk it.
Auto-rickshaw
₹30–200Don't trust the meter. There is no meter. Agree on fare before you sit down. ₹100 to Fateh Sagar, ₹200 to Sajjangarh base. If they quote higher, walk to the next auto.
Scooter Rental
₹300–400/dayBest option for freedom. Available near Lal Ghat. Need a valid license. Petrol runs about ₹100/day extra. Gives you Fateh Sagar, Shilpgram, and the outskirts without depending on anyone.
Uber / Ola
₹50–300Uber works sporadically, mainly for airport runs. Ola is functionally dead in Udaipur. For getting around, rely on auto-rickshaws (₹30-100 per trip) or rent a scooter (₹300-400/day from shops near Lal Ghat).
Hired Car + Driver
₹2,000–3,000/dayEssential for day trips to Kumbhalgarh, Chittorgarh, Haldighati. Book through your hotel. Price includes fuel and driver. Agree on AC upfront.
Two Railway Stations
—Udaipur has two railway stations. Udaipur City (main, 3 km from Old City) handles most trains. Rana Pratap Nagar station is newer and closer to the Fateh Sagar area — some trains stop here too. Check your ticket carefully.
Where you base yourself changes how much transport you need. Our where to stay guide breaks down areas by walkability so you can pick a neighbourhood that matches your travel style.
Money & Safety
- →UPI works everywhere. Restaurants, shops, autos. Set up Google Pay or PhonePe before you arrive. Carry ₹2,000-3,000 cash as backup for street food and small vendors.
- →ATMs: SBI, HDFC, or ICICI. Old City and Sukhadia Circle. Skip the no-name ATMs.
- →Boat ride touts near the ghats will charge you double. Only buy from the official City Palace jetty. From ₹400 is the standard rate — verify at the jetty counter.
- →Bargaining: expected at bazaars, start at 50-60% of asking. Fixed-price at Sadhna and government emporiums. Do not bargain at Sadhna. They are a non-profit.
- →Tipping: 10% at restaurants if not included. ₹50-100 for guides. ₹20-30 for autos is appreciated, not required.
- →Hotel safe for valuables. Pickpocketing is rare here but crowded markets are crowded markets.
- →Buy a Jio or Airtel SIM from any mobile shop in the city (₹200-300, bring passport and photo). You need an Indian number for UPI payments, which are accepted almost everywhere. Do not buy at the airport — markups are high and activation takes hours.
- →Rajasthan bans alcohol sales on certain days — Republic Day (Jan 26), Independence Day (Aug 15), Gandhi Jayanti (Oct 2), and some election days. Bars and restaurants will not serve alcohol on these dates. If your trip coincides, stock up the day before from a government English Wine Shop.
- →Medical stores (pharmacies) are scattered throughout the Old City and near Sukhadia Circle. Basic medicines, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent are readily available without prescription. For serious medical needs, GBH American Hospital and Pacific Medical College are the main facilities.
For solo women wondering about safety: Udaipur is consistently rated the most comfortable city in India for solo female travellers. Our solo traveller guide has specific tips on hostels, meetups, and navigating the Old City alone.
Culture & Etiquette
- →Shoes off in temples. No exceptions. Jagdish Temple, Eklingji, all of them.
- →Cover shoulders and knees at religious sites. Both men and women. Carry a scarf.
- →Photography allowed at most palaces, included in ticket. No tripods inside. Ask before photographing people. They will usually say yes.
- →Do not joke about the Maharana or the Mewar royal family. Locals take their heritage seriously. This is not trivia to them.
- →Alcohol is available but expensive. Rajasthan has high liquor taxes. Lakeside restaurants serve beer and cocktails. Budget accordingly.
- →Learn two words: Namaste and Dhanyavaad. Hello and thank you. Use them. The response you get will change your entire experience.
- →Google Maps works for major roads but the Old City lanes are poorly mapped. WhatsApp location sharing is how locals navigate the alleys. Save your hotel's location pin before venturing into the lanes.
Packing by Season
winter (Oct–Mar)
- •Layers. Mornings hit 8°C, afternoons reach 22°C. You will be adding and removing clothes all day.
- •Warm jacket or fleece. Absolutely required for early morning boat rides and Sajjangarh (the hilltop is noticeably colder).
- •Comfortable walking shoes. Old City lanes are uneven cobblestone. Flip-flops will betray you.
- •Sunscreen. Winter sun here burns before you notice.
summer (Apr–Jun)
- •Cotton, cotton, cotton. Synthetic fabrics will make you miserable.
- •Wide-brimmed hat and SPF 50. The sun is not playing.
- •Reusable water bottle. 2L minimum per person per day. Not a suggestion.
- •Sunglasses. The reflected light off the lakes is blinding.
monsoon (Jul–Sep)
- •Light rain jacket or compact umbrella. Not optional.
- •Quick-dry shoes or sandals with grip. Wet marble steps are treacherous.
- •Waterproof phone pouch if boat rides are running.
- •Mosquito repellent. Essential. Apply twice a day during monsoon.
Quick Answers
Is Udaipur safe for solo female travelers?
Yes. One of the safest cities in India. Our solo traveler guide covers this in detail.
Do I need cash or cards?
Both. UPI handles 90% of your payments. Carry ₹2,000-3,000 cash for street food, small vendors, temple donations, and the occasional heritage site that only takes cash. Yes, the water is safe at good hotels. No, do not drink from taps.
What should I not do in Udaipur?
Do not buy boat tickets from touts. Do not photograph people without asking. Do not wear shoes in temples. Do not drink tap water. Do not skip the Dharohar dance show. Do not schedule only one day. Every single person who does one day says the same thing on the way out.
Do I need a SIM card?
Strongly recommended. An Indian SIM gives you UPI payments (accepted almost everywhere), Google Maps, and Uber. Jio and Airtel both work well in Udaipur. Buy from any mobile shop — ₹200-300 with passport and photo. Activation takes 2-4 hours.
Can I drink alcohol in Udaipur?
Yes. Udaipur has bars, rooftop restaurants serving cocktails, and government liquor shops (called English Wine Shops). However, alcohol is banned on certain national holidays and election days. Hotels usually stock up for guests, but bars and restaurants will not serve on dry days.
Written by
The Udaipur Itinerary Team
We're a small team of Udaipur-based writers and locals who've spent years navigating the ghats, haggling with boat operators, and watching sunsets from every rooftop in the Old City. We test every route, eat at every restaurant we recommend, and update our guides when prices or timings change.