Pushkar-Ajmer-Pushkar Buses
Replies: 5 - Last Post: Dec 7, 2012 7:54 PM Last Post By: edbarenthin
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The best way to get to/from Pushkar from Ajmer is by bus (10 to 15 rupees). From Ajmer to Pushkar, buses leave from both the bus station ("bus stand") and the train station ("railway station"). At the bus stand, buses to Pushkar leave from the last stall, nearest the exit. From the railway station, ignore the rickshaw drivers who will tell you that you have to go to the bus stand (2 km distant) and cross the pedestrian overpass in front of the station--buses to Pushar stop across the street from the station, usually under the overpass.
From Pushkar, there are two bus stands--the "Marwar" bus stand and the "New" stand, just opened this year. The Marwar bus stand has through buses on their way to Ajmer and private minibuses that go back and forth between Pushkar and Ajmer; it is convenient if your hotel is in the north end of Pushkar (Milkman, Whitehouse or, my personal favorite, Rising Star). The New bus stand, on the bypass road, is the terminal for the big, new (sort of) public buses, the ones with electric signs on their fronts which may or may not be working; it is a bit closer to central Pushkar.
In the mornings and evenings buses leave every ten minutes or so, but in mid-day service is much less frequent, so allow at least an hour waiting in addition to half an hour travel time to Ajmer. Some private minibuses from the Marwar stand and some big government buses from the New stand go to the railway station, but if they don't you may have to take a share rickshaw (5 rupees, lined up in the street at the exit from the Ajmer bus stand) to get to the station. If you want to go to the bus stand and the bus goes to the railway station, share rickshaws to the bus stand leave from the same place as buses to Pushkar (underneath the overpass).
From Pushkar, there are two bus stands--the "Marwar" bus stand and the "New" stand, just opened this year. The Marwar bus stand has through buses on their way to Ajmer and private minibuses that go back and forth between Pushkar and Ajmer; it is convenient if your hotel is in the north end of Pushkar (Milkman, Whitehouse or, my personal favorite, Rising Star). The New bus stand, on the bypass road, is the terminal for the big, new (sort of) public buses, the ones with electric signs on their fronts which may or may not be working; it is a bit closer to central Pushkar.
In the mornings and evenings buses leave every ten minutes or so, but in mid-day service is much less frequent, so allow at least an hour waiting in addition to half an hour travel time to Ajmer. Some private minibuses from the Marwar stand and some big government buses from the New stand go to the railway station, but if they don't you may have to take a share rickshaw (5 rupees, lined up in the street at the exit from the Ajmer bus stand) to get to the station. If you want to go to the bus stand and the bus goes to the railway station, share rickshaws to the bus stand leave from the same place as buses to Pushkar (underneath the overpass).
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Baggage is no problem as local passengers often get on with big bags of daal, etc. Of course if you have a lot of luggage, there are several in your party, you are tired or not feeling well, arriving late or are short of time, taxis make sense. Some hotels (Rising Star etc) will pick you up in Ajmer if you you have made a reservation.5
Beers are available "under the table" in many hotels and even restaurants in Pushkar, and hard liquor can be smuggled in. But for non-veg food, the local other no-no, a trip in to Ajmer is necessary. Fortunately, the Medina Restaurant, right across from the railway station, is a real carnefest--omelets, egg bhujiya, tandoori chicken and mutton keema are my personal foibles. And for a post-prandial, pre-bus pit stop the facilities in the railway waiting room are handy and clean.
