Backpacking Rajasthan – Hostel Hopping Guide For Backpackers

The sands of Thar Desert. The glory of Rajputs. The land of Maharajas. The rich culture and heritage.

You can put all this and more under one state – a state that’s most colourful and vibrant states of India – Rajasthan. The blend of culture, history, music, cuisine, warm welcome that attracts every traveller, every backpacker. Its breath-taking natural beauty, awe-inspiring palaces, rich historical sites and majestic forts, all contribute in making Rajasthan one of the most visited destinations of India. From local food delights to majestic palace tour, from discovering hidden lanes to landing in colourful flea markets, from getting to know the locals to getting lost in the mighty desert – it’s a jewel of a place for backpackers to explore, escape and discover a place like no other!

Besides the diversity and the richness, Rajasthan is absolutely safe and budget-friendly for travellers – something backpackers most prefer. Rajasthan offers an opportunity to explore more with less. How? Say hello to Backpackers most favourite mode of stay – Hostels. Although the idea of hostels while travelling is still relatively new in most parts of India, but not in Rajasthan. It’s quite a breeze to pick hostels in Rajasthan that are branded yet budget friendly offering Rajasthani hospitality and unique experiences. Let’s begin the hostel hopping in Rajasthan.

Jaipur – The Pink City Tour

The capital of the royal state of Rajasthan, Jaipur has been ruled by Rajput kingdoms for many centuries and developed as a planned city in the 17th century AD. The city which has successfully retained its old world charm forms one of the most famous tourist circuits of the country. Home to a few UNESCO World Heritage sites including Amer Fort and Jantar Mantar, Jaipur offers sightseeing tour to many magnificent forts, palaces, temples and museums. Alongside the old world charm, Jaipur is home to bustling local bazaars where you can shop for local handicrafts and trinkets – a treat for shoppers. And shopping seems incomplete without indulging in local delicacies like Ghewar, Pyaaz Kachori and Dal Baati Churma – a treat for foodies. You can also take yourself away from the city, and park yourself amongst nature Jhalana reserve forest.

Must Read: The Best Backpacking Guide to India 

Hostel Hopping In Rajasthan

• Backpackers Headquarter – Exploring the city gets better when you park yourself centrally. So, if you want a centralised location, this hostel in Rajasthan serves the purpose. Situated conveniently in the M.I. Road district of Jaipur, Backpackers Headquarter is set 1.4 km from Sindhi Camp, 2.8 km from City Palace and 2.9 km from Jantar Mantar, Jaipur.
• Housetel – Hostel in Rajasthan with a continental twist. Wake yourself up for a continental breakfast surprise at Housetel before hitting the streets of Jaipur. Pretty centralised, cosy and situated at the close proximity of the Jaipur International Airport (just 12 km away).
• Hometales – If any place can offer facilities in abundance, it is this hostel In Rajasthan. From air-conditioned rooms to free WiFi facility, from a beautiful garden to unwind to barbecue facility as a sumptuous delight – you got to hop-in to this hostel when in Jaipur.
• The Hosteller Jaipur – Unwinding has a different definition here – there’s an evening entertainment that is put up for the guests. There’s also a lounge for the guests where one can simply sit back and relax. Besides the common amenities, the hostel offers a concierge service and a tour desk, along with free WiFi throughout the property – staying here is fun.

Jaisalmer – Take a Golden Tour

The city gets its name from the bounteous golden dunes and castles clad in golden honey sandstone. Jaisalmer is adorned with lakes, ornate Jain temples and Havelis. Jaisalmer is an amalgam of exotic Indian desert culture, heritage and adventure – spend your time taking a tour to the grand forts that fence the city or opt for a relaxed outing while boating around the Gadisar Lake or climb on to the camel saddle and make your way through this desert or camp under the night sky in this golden land or do it all for an unforgettable experience in Jaisalmer.

Hostel Hopping In Rajasthan

• Moustache Jaisalmer – Dorms with a touch of tradition and modernity. Social spaces painted with bold splashes of neon.  Sand-stone archways form a perfect amalgamation of the history of yesterday and the contemporary tale of today. Moustache’s rustic feel and complementing the tradition of the city is sure a treat for backpackers. Imagine if a hostel can offer so much what can the city offer!
• Romany Hostel – Backpackers often run on a budget and this hostel with its 20 dormitory beds and 9 Rajasthani Style decorated rooms is ideal to fit into any budget. Expect to board into pristine, comfortable and delightfully decorated rooms. The relaxed atmosphere and friendly service makes your stay peaceful.
• Toffu Safari – Like the name suggests, the property is known to arrange safari for the guests (yes and it’s in no way touristy). It’s in close proximity to Jaisalmer Fort. Besides great hospitality and amenities, Toffu Safari offers a great roof-top restaurant with Rajasthani music.
• HostelaVie – When was the last time you visited a hostel’s dorm which offered reading light and a charging point at every bedside? Well, this could be your first. Plenty dorm rooms along with private rooms with stylized bathrooms and LCD TVs – all this is sure to make your stay comfortable. Rates are inclusive of free self-laundry – what a breeze.

Udaipur – Tour to the Lakes

Surrounded by the beautiful Aravalli Hills from all directions, and home to four lakes, Udaipur stands as a crown jewel. This city has an abundance of natural beauty, mesmerising temples and breathtaking architecture which makes it a must-visit destination in India. A boat ride through the serene waters of Lake Pichola, watching over the beauty of Aravallis will be enough to prove why Udaipur is the pride of Rajasthan. To take a dig on the vintage charm, one can visit the Vintage Car Museum.

Read More: Discover 11 Royal Honeymoon Places in Rajasthan

Hostel Hopping In Rajasthan

• Gypsy Child Lake Hostel – It’s just 1.6 km away from the famous Lake Pichola and 8 km from Sajjangarh Fort. Featuring a terrace, the 2-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom (not usual for a hostel). The accommodation features a shared kitchen, a concierge service and currency exchange for guests (again not usual for a hostel).
• Hostel Mantra – Run by a family of artists, this charming hotel is situated in the Old City and overlooks the famous Pichola Lake. Hostel Mantra features a traditional Rajasthan Haveli-style décor (a much needed feel) and houses a rooftop terrace and a restaurant!
• Castle Namahstay Hostel – Castle Namahstay Hostel & Art Space in Udaipur provides adults-only accommodation with a relaxed garden and terrace space as additions. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and free WiFi.
• The Hostel Crawl – This Hostel accommodation has everything you need – a restaurant to dine out, a bar to chill and a shared lounge to relax. Among the facilities at this property are tour desk and ticket services. Free WiFi throughout the property is available for better connectivity.

Jodhpur – Tour to the Blue City

Jodhpur is famous for its Mehrangarh fort overlooking the city, blue houses (hence the name), temples, sweets and snacks. Apart from the fort, there are multiple temples, lakes, shopping streets that are like a mirage from a bygone era. Jaswant Tada and Umaid Bhawan Palace are also among the top attractions in Jodhpur. However, with hundreds of shops, guesthouses, eating joints and vendors, the busy portrayal of small town, all add up as top attractions.

Hostel Hopping In Rajasthan

• Raahi Hostel – A boutique hostel located inside an art-deco style house in the famous blue city of Jodhpur. It opens its doors for solo travellers and backpackers, families and friends, offering en-suite dormitories and private rooms.
• THC Hostel—The facilities of this property include a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and an ATM, a shared lounge along with free WiFi. All guest rooms in the hostel are fitted with a TV. Rooms include air conditioning, and certain rooms at THC Hostel have a balcony – what more you need.
• Global Hostel – Global Hostel and Guest House is situated in Jodhpur, 1.1. km from Mehrangarh Fort and 1 km from Jaswant Thada. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. The Rooftop offers views of the Mehrangarh Fort, the Umaid Bhawan Palace and the Jaswant Thada – the best show ever!

Also Read: Coolest Women’s Hostels in India for Female Solo Backpackers

Bikaner – Take a tour of Cultural Paradise

Located in the midst of the Thar Desert, Bikaner is a “cultural paradise and a backpacker’s haven”. The magnificence of architecture, the cultural marvels, the celebration of art and festivity – the city will mesmerize you in many ways. Head to the desert and get a glimpse of the camels sauntering the beautiful sand dunes, its ancient palaces and forts. Best known as the “camel country” for breeding some best-known riding camels, Bikaner is also famous for hosting the international Camel festival which draws tourists from all over the world. Sand Dunes and the Desert Safari are among major attractions too.

Hostel Hopping In Rajasthan

• The crown hostel – The Crown Hostel offers rooms in Bikaner near Junagarh Fort and Shiv Bari Temple. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and a shared kitchen, along with free WiFi – what more a hostel hopper need!
• Shivdhra dormittory guest house – At the hostel, every room is fitted with a balcony (not most hostels offer this). Featuring a shared bathroom, rooms at shivdhra dormittory guest house also provide guests with free WiFi.

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Pushkar – Beyond a Religious Tour

“Temple town” as famously called, Pushkar is located around 15 km from Ajmer in Rajasthan. Every November, the city hosts Pushkar Mela, one of the biggest camel fairs in the country and the most notable fair one can ever witness. Known for the world’s only dedicated Brahma temple, Pushkar is primarily a pilgrimage site for Hindus, so one can visit as many temples they want to in this city. For others the city offers numerous ghats where one can sip chai or take a stroll through narrow alleys while listening to the chants from temples surrounding the ghats (a mesmerising experience). If someone is a fan of street-shopping lovers, Pushkar has shops in the main street selling everything from jewellery to merchandise swaddled in various colours.

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Hostel Hopping In Rajasthan

• Madpackers Hostels – The Madpackers have made their way down to Pushkar, bringing their famous Delhi vibe along. If you are someone who enjoys a healthy dose of traditional art, breathtaking views and unplanned adventures (a definite for backpackers), then this is where you can park your stay.
• Zostel Pushkar – It is considered as the town’s coolest backpacker hostel – one where you can chill in or by a pool (the only hostel in Rajasthan with a swimming pool), watch sunset from its cafe and find fellow backpackers who will explore Pushkar. Everything is pretty chill here, perfect for a peaceful getaway.
• The Hosteller – For quality budget hostel accommodation, for a chill place to relax, for a “not have to worry for a thing’ experience, choose The Hosteller. They believe in keeping things transparent and their processes smooth. Comfortable beds, clean bathrooms, free Wi-Fi are the obvious services that the hostel offers.

Shout-out to backpackers planning a trip to Rajasthan. Pack your bags and head to the marvellous state of Rajasthan. Begin your hostel hopping in Rajasthan as you explore and discover the charm of the culture and heritage of different cities of Rajasthan.