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Things to Do in Bikaner (2026)
Junagarh Fort is the crown jewel of Bikaner, built in 1589 by Raja Rai Singh. Unlike many Rajasthan forts, it was never conquered, so its original palaces, temples, and coβ¦ π° Explore Junagarh Fort
Junagarh Fort is the crown jewel of Bikaner, built in 1589 by Raja Rai Singh. Unlike many Rajasthan forts, it was never conquered, so its original palaces, temples, and courtyards remain remarkably intact. The fort is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with an entry fee of around 200 INR for Indians and 300 INR for foreigners. An audio guide costs 150 INR and brings the history to life, but a local guide (available for 300-500 INR) adds insider stories about the royal family.
π Visit the Rat Temple
The Karni Mata Temple in Deshnoke, 30 km south of Bikaner, is famous for its thousands of black rats considered sacred. It is open from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and entry is free, though you must remove your shoes and socks before entering. The rats are harmless and well-fed, and spotting a white rat is considered a blessing. To get there, take a local bus from Bikaner's main bus stand (30 minutes, 20 INR) or hire an auto-rickshaw for around 400 INR round trip.
πͺ Ride a Camel in the Desert
The Thar Desert around Bikaner offers some of the best camel safaris in Rajasthan. The National Research Centre on Camel on Jodhpur Road is a great starting point; it's open from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM (closed Fridays) and entry is 30 INR. For a proper desert experience, head to the Sam Sand Dunes near Jaisalmer, but if you're short on time, the dunes at Deshnoke are a closer option. A one-hour camel ride typically costs 300-500 INR, and overnight safaris with dinner and folk music start at 1,500 INR per person.
ποΈ Shop at Kote Gate
Kote Gate is the main shopping hub of Bikaner, bustling with markets selling textiles, handicrafts, and local snacks. The area is best explored on foot, and you can find everything from colorful bandhani dupattas to leather juttis. For authentic Bikaneri bhujia, head to Haldiram's or local favorite Bhikharam Chandmal. Most shops open around 10:00 AM and close by 9:00 PM, and bargaining is expected.
π Taste Bikaneri Cuisine
Bikaner is a food lover's paradise, known for its spicy snacks and sweets. Start with a plate of Bikaneri bhujia at Chhotu Motu Mal, a shop near Kote Gate that has been serving since 1947. For a full meal, try the thali at Gallops Restaurant in the Laxmi Niwas Palace, which offers a royal dining experience for around 800 INR. Don't miss the local specialty, rasgulla, at Chhappan Bhog, and wash it down with a glass of buttermilk from a street vendor.
ποΈ Discover Rampuria Havelis
The Rampuria Havelis are a cluster of ornate mansions built by the wealthy Rampuria family in the 19th century. These red sandstone buildings feature intricate carvings and are a photographer's delight. They are located in the old city, near the Junagarh Fort, and while some are privately owned, a few are open to visitors for a small fee (50-100 INR). The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when the light brings out the details.
π Getting Around Bikaner
Bikaner is well-connected by train and bus, with the main railway station just 2 km from the city center. Auto-rickshaws are the most convenient way to get around, with short trips costing 50-100 INR. For a full day of sightseeing, you can hire an auto for around 800 INR or a taxi for 1,500 INR. Cycle rickshaws are also available for shorter distances and cost about 30-50 INR.
π Catch a Sunset at Gajner
Gajner Palace, located 30 km from Bikaner, is a former hunting lodge of the Maharaja and now a heritage hotel. The nearby Gajner Lake is a peaceful spot to watch the sunset and spot migratory birds during winter. Entry to the palace grounds is free, but you can enjoy high tea at the hotel for around 500 INR. To get there, take a taxi (about 600 INR round trip) or a local bus from the main bus stand.
Good rundown of Bikaner, it's a city most itineraries skip and that's their loss. One angle the guide misses is timing your trip around the camel festival, held every January at the Research Centre on Jodhpur Road. It's the one time the desert actually comes alive here, with decorated camels, folk performances, and a fur and wool market, and it's a far better reason to visit the centre than the ordinary 2 to 6 pm viewing.
On Junagarh, the 200 INR Indian ticket only covers the fort. If you want to see the Prachina Museum inside and the royal cenotaphs at Devi Kund Sagar a few km out, budget extra, and Devi Kund is worth the detour for the marble chhatris alone, especially late afternoon when it's empty. Also, the entry fee they quote for foreigners is on the low side, it's closer to 500 now, so check at the gate before you commit.
solid writeup, covers most of what a first-timer needs. one thing i'd push back on is the Rampuria Havelis tip, most of them are still family-owned and you can't just wander in, only a couple open up and usually only if you ask nicely or a local takes you. the carvings are best seen from the lane itself around 7-8 am before the shop shutters go up and block the lower facades.
also for food, skip the palace thali if you're on a budget and hit Chhotu Motu Mal early, like 8 am, because the bhujia is freshest then and by noon it's teh stuff they packed the day before. and yeah the Rat Temple bus for 20 rupees is fine but they get crammed, an auto split between two people works out similar and saves the wait.
The guide covers the main spots well, but I'd add a couple of things that made my last Bikaner trip better. For Junagarh, go right at 10 AM opening, because by noon the tour groups from Jaipur arrive and the Karan Mahal courtyard gets packed. Also, the guide mentions Karni Mata but doesn't say this: check the temple's timing around aarti, roughly 7 PM, since the rats swarm the offerings then and it's quite a sight, though you'll want to stand still.
One correction worth flagging: Sam Sand Dunes are near Jaisalmer, about 330 km away, not a short hop from Bikaner. If you want dunes closer, the ones past Deshnoke toward Nokha work fine and you won't spend half a day in a car. And for bhujia, Bhikharam Chandmal at Kote Gate is solid but I actually prefer the smaller shop just inside the gate on the left, fresher batches and less queue.
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3 Days in Bikaner: Itinerary 2026
Start your day at Junagarh Fort, which opens at 10:00 AM and closes at 5:30 PM; entry costs 200 INR for Indians and 400 INR for foreigners. Spend about three hours explorinβ¦ π° Day 1: Old City Fort
Start your day at Junagarh Fort, which opens at 10:00 AM and closes at 5:30 PM; entry costs 200 INR for Indians and 400 INR for foreigners. Spend about three hours exploring the palaces, temples, and courtyards. After lunch, walk 10 minutes to the nearby Rampuria Havelis, a cluster of ornate merchant mansions in the old city. In the evening, head to Kote Gate for street shopping and snacks like kachori and mirchi vada.
πͺ Day 2: Camel Research Farm
Take an auto-rickshaw from the city center to the National Research Centre on Camel, about 8 km away; the ride takes 20-25 minutes and costs around 150 INR. The farm is open from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with entry fees of 20 INR for Indians and 50 INR for foreigners. You can ride a camel for 100 INR and try camel milk ice cream at the on-site parlor. On your way back, stop at the Gajner Palace, a 30-minute detour, for a lakeside tea break.
π Day 3: Deshnoke Temple Trip
In the morning, take a bus or taxi to Deshnoke, 30 km south of Bikaner, to visit the Karni Mata Temple, famous for its rats. Buses leave from the main bus stand every 30 minutes and take about 45 minutes; a taxi costs around 500 INR one way. The temple is open from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and there is no entry fee. After returning to Bikaner, spend the afternoon at the Prachina Museum inside Junagarh Fort, which showcases royal costumes and art.
π½οΈ Where to Eat
For authentic Rajasthani thalis, try Chhotu Motu Joshi Sweet Shop near Kote Gate, where a full thali costs around 250 INR and is served from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Another favorite is Gallops, a restaurant inside the Bhanwar Niwas hotel, offering continental and Indian dishes for 400-600 INR per person. For quick bites, head to the Bhujia Bazaar for fresh bhujia and rasgullas at Haldiram's or local vendors. Most restaurants close by 11:00 PM, so plan dinner accordingly.
πΊ Getting Around
Auto-rickshaws are the main mode of transport within the city; a short trip costs 50-100 INR, while longer rides to the camel farm or bus stand cost 150-200 INR. You can also rent a bicycle from many guesthouses for 100 INR per day. For day trips to Deshnoke or Gajner, hiring a taxi for the day costs around 1500-2000 INR. Walking is feasible in the old city, but be prepared for narrow lanes and heavy traffic during peak hours.
π¨ Where to Stay
For a heritage experience, book a room at Bhanwar Niwas, a restored haveli with rooms starting at 4000 INR per night. Budget travelers can stay at Hotel Harasar Haveli near Junagarh Fort, with doubles from 800 INR. Mid-range options include Hotel Bhairon Vilas, a converted nobleman's house with a pool, from 2500 INR. Book in advance during the winter months (October to March) as Bikaner hosts several festivals.
π° Budget Tips
Allocate about 1500-2000 INR per day for a budget trip, covering accommodation, meals, and local transport. Entry fees for major attractions like Junagarh Fort and the camel farm are modest, but keep small change handy for auto-rickshaws and tips. Street food meals cost 50-100 INR, while sit-down restaurants charge 300-500 INR for two. Avoid peak tourist season (December-January) when hotel prices can double.
π Best Time to Visit
The ideal time to visit Bikaner is from October to March, when daytime temperatures range from 20Β°C to 30Β°C. The Bikaner Camel Festival in January is a major highlight, featuring camel races and folk performances. Summers (April to June) are extremely hot, with temperatures soaring above 45Β°C, so avoid outdoor activities then. Monsoon (July to September) brings occasional rain but also lower hotel rates.
solid writeup, covers most of what a first timer needs. one thing i'd add: the camel farm timing in your day 2 is actually fine for the morning slot too, i went around 10am once and they let us in even though the "official" hours say 2pm, just fewer animals out. also nobody warns you that the road to Deshnoke on the bus is bumpy as hell, take the front seat if u can
for food, skip Gallops tbh. Bhanwar Niwas is gorgeous but the restaurant is overpriced for what it is. walk 5 min to Ristorante Italiano near Kote Gate instead, weird name but the local thali there is 180 and better. and bhujia from Bhikharam Chandmal on Rampuria street beats Haldiram's, fresher and you can watch them fry it
The itinerary is solid, but Day 2 has a timing problem. The camel farm actually opens at 2 PM, which means you can't pair it with Gajner Palace on the way back since the palace gets dark and quiet by then. Better to flip it: do Gajner in the morning for the lakeside tea, then hit the camel farm at 2. Also, the camel milk ice cream is worth trying but order the kulfi version, it's less of an acquired taste than the plain scoop.
been going to Bikaner for work for years and this is honestly more organized than most paid guides. one thing nobody mentions: the Junagarh audio guide is 100 INR extra and totally worth it, the guides inside will quote you 500 for a "tour" that's basically the same info.
for Junagarh specifically, go right at 10 when it opens. by 11:30 the school groups show up and the mirror hall (Sheesh Mahal) gets shoulder to shoulder. also the fort has a section near the back with old biplane and Rolls Royce, easy to miss if you're just following the crowd.
on the bhujia thing, agree with the earlier comment about Bhikharam Chandmal but fwiw the rat temple stalls outside Karni Mata sell a surprisingly good one too, cheaper and fresher than city shops. weird but true.