Bangalore to Jaisalmer is about as far as a domestic trip in India gets — close to 2,000 km, cutting diagonally across the country from the Deccan plateau to the edge of the Thar Desert. It's not a trip people do on a whim, which is exactly why it's worth planning properly rather than booking the first package that shows up in a search. This guide walks through the route, the timing, and how to pick a desert camp package that actually makes sense for a trip this long.
Getting From Bangalore to Jaisalmer
Flying is really the only practical option here. There's no direct flight into Jaisalmer from Bangalore, so the standard route is a flight into Jodhpur, sometimes with a layover in Delhi or Mumbai depending on the day and airline, followed by a roughly five-hour drive to reach the desert camps near Sam. Total door-to-door travel time usually lands somewhere between eight and eleven hours, which sounds like a lot until you compare it to the alternative.
That alternative is the train, and honestly, it's not a great option for this particular route. You're looking at well over 30 hours with at least one change, which eats close to two full days each way. Unless the journey itself is part of what you're after, flying into Jodhpur and driving the last stretch is going to save you a meaningful chunk of your trip for actually being in the desert instead of getting there.
One thing worth checking before you book: flight schedules into Jodhpur from Bangalore aren't always daily on every airline, so it's worth locking in dates a few weeks ahead rather than assuming you can fly out whenever suits you.
Choosing a Desert Camping Package
Given the distance, this is not a trip anyone does for one night. Most Bangalore travelers who make it this far treat Jaisalmer as the centerpiece of a longer Rajasthan trip, often combining it with Jodhpur or Udaipur on the same itinerary. That changes how you should think about a desert camp package — it's worth choosing one that gives you real time in the desert rather than the shortest, cheapest option, since you've already spent the better part of a day just arriving.
If you're traveling as a couple and treating this as a once-in-a-while trip rather than a regular getaway, it's worth looking specifically at packages with a private dinner setup and a proper AC tent rather than the budget tier. The extra cost is small relative to what you've already spent on flights, and it makes a longer journey feel worth the effort once you're actually there.
Best Time to Visit, Specifically for Bangalore Travelers
Bangalore's mild year-round climate can make it easy to underestimate what the Thar Desert actually feels like. Summers here (April to June) push well past 40°C during the day, which is a different kind of heat than anything Bangalore sees. Winters (October to March) are the better window for most first-time visitors from the south — daytime temperatures stay comfortable, and nights get properly cold, cold enough that the blankets and bonfires at camp aren't just for atmosphere. If you can only travel during summer due to work or school schedules, plan activities for early morning or late afternoon and treat midday as rest time at camp.
A Sample 5-Night Itinerary From Bangalore
Day 1: Fly Bangalore to Jodhpur, drive to Jaisalmer, check into camp by evening, rest after a long travel day.
Day 2: Full day of Jaisalmer city sightseeing — the Golden Fort, Patwon Ki Haveli, Salim Singh Ki Haveli, and Gadisar Lake — back to camp for the evening.
Day 3: A camel safari to the Sam dunes for sunset, followed by dinner and the evening cultural program at camp.
Day 4: A jeep safari out to the quieter dune belts in the afternoon, then a stargazing session once it's fully dark.
Day 5: A free morning to relax at camp or explore a nearby village, drive back to Jodhpur in the afternoon.
Day 6: Fly home to Bangalore.
Five nights might sound like a lot for a desert stop, but given that you're already committing two full travel days to getting there and back, stretching the stay makes the trip feel proportionate rather than rushed.
What to Actually Do Once You're There
With this much travel invested, it's worth going beyond the single camel-and-dinner combo that shorter trips often settle for. Splitting the safari activities across two separate days, rather than cramming a camel ride and a jeep safari into the same afternoon, gives each one room to actually land instead of blurring together. The stargazing session tends to be the one Bangalore travelers remember most, mostly because a genuinely dark sky is hard to find near a city, and the difference is more striking than most people expect going in.
If jet lag from a long day of flights and driving is a concern, keep day one light. Check in, have an early dinner, and save the bigger activities for when you've actually had a chance to rest.
Book Your Jaisalmer Trip From Bangalore
We can help plan flight and drive combinations that make sense for your dates, recommend the right package for a longer trip, and take care of everything once you're on the ground in Jaisalmer. Get in touch with your travel dates from Bangalore, and we'll work out the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a direct flight from Bangalore to Jaisalmer?
No, there's no reliable direct flight between Bangalore and Jaisalmer. Most travelers fly into Jodhpur, sometimes with a layover in Delhi or Mumbai depending on the airline and day, and then cover the remaining stretch to Jaisalmer by road, which takes roughly five hours. It's worth checking flight schedules a few weeks ahead, since not every airline flies this route daily, and booking early also tends to bring the fare down noticeably compared to last-minute tickets.
Is the train a good option from Bangalore?
Not really, for this specific route. The journey typically takes over 30 hours with at least one change along the way, which eats close to two full days each direction. Unless the train journey itself is something you specifically want to experience, flying into Jodhpur and driving the last stretch will save you meaningful time that's better spent actually in the desert rather than in transit getting there and back.
How many days should I plan for a trip from Bangalore?
Given the distance and travel time involved, five to six days works better than a quick weekend trip. That accounts for two travel days, one day for Jaisalmer's city sightseeing, and at least two days for the desert camp experience itself, including a camel safari, a jeep safari, and an evening or two at camp. Shorter trips are possible, but they tend to feel rushed once you factor in how much of the schedule is travel alone.
What's the best time of year to visit from Bangalore?
October to March is the most comfortable window, with manageable daytime temperatures and genuinely cold desert nights that suit the whole camp experience. Bangalore's mild climate doesn't really prepare you for how intense the Thar Desert gets in summer, when daytime temperatures regularly cross 40°C. If summer travel is unavoidable due to work or school schedules, plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon and rest indoors during the hottest hours.
Can Jaisalmer be combined with other Rajasthan cities on this trip?
Yes, and given how far Bangalore is, many travelers do exactly that rather than treating Jaisalmer as a standalone destination. Jodhpur is a natural add-on since you're likely already routing through it by air, and Udaipur or Jodhpur together make for a fuller Rajasthan circuit. Building this into your itinerary means the long flights are working harder for you, covering more of the state in one trip instead of a single isolated stop.
Is this trip suitable for a family with young kids?
It can be, but the travel distance is the main thing to plan around rather than the desert activities themselves. A long travel day followed by immediate sightseeing can be tiring for younger kids, so building in a rest afternoon after arrival helps. Family-specific packages with private safaris and larger tents tend to work better than standard ones for this kind of trip, since they reduce the amount of waiting and shared scheduling involved.
