Pushkar is a small holy town wrapped around a sacred lake in Rajasthan. White temples and 52 ghats surround the water, hills rise on every side and rooftop cafés play music late into the evening. It is calm, friendly and one of the cheapest places in Rajasthan. Many travellers plan two days in Pushkar and end up staying two weeks.
This guide covers Pushkar on a budget. You will find cheap stays, free and low-cost things to do, food tips, camel fair advice, a 3-day itinerary and a full cost breakdown.
Pushkar at a Glance
- Best time to visit: October to March.
- Daily budget: ₹900 to ₹1,500 per person.
- Nearest railway station: Ajmer Junction, about 15 km away. Pushkar Terminus has limited trains.
- Nearest airport: Kishangarh, about 40 km, or Jaipur, about 150 km.
- Getting around: walking, and shared jeeps or buses to Ajmer.
How to Reach Pushkar Cheaply
Most travellers take a train to Ajmer, which is well connected to Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Mumbai. From Ajmer, local buses and shared jeeps to Pushkar run often and cost about ₹20 to ₹50. The road crosses Nag Pahar hill and takes around 30 minutes. Direct buses also run from Jaipur and Jodhpur.
Where to Stay in Pushkar on a Budget
| Stay type | Location | Price per night |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorms | Near the main bazaar and lake | ₹350–600 |
| Budget guesthouses | Old town lanes | ₹600–1,200 |
| Lake-view rooms | Near the ghats | ₹1,000–2,000 |
| Desert camps | Outskirts (fair season) | ₹1,500+ |
Pushkar has some of the best-value hostels in Rajasthan, many with rooftop cafés, music nights and views over the lake. Long-stay discounts are common, especially outside the peak months. Prices rise sharply during the camel fair.
Free and Cheap Things to Do in Pushkar
Walk Around Pushkar Lake
The lake is the heart of Pushkar. Walk around its ghats, watch pilgrims bathe and listen to temple bells. Be respectful: remove shoes near the water and avoid photographing people bathing. Ignore anyone pushing “puja” services with flowers and fixed donations.
Sunrise at Savitri Temple
Climb the hill to the Savitri Temple before dawn for one of the best views in Rajasthan. The climb takes about 45 minutes, and a ropeway is available for a fee. The sunrise over the town and desert is magical.
Brahma Temple
Pushkar is home to one of the very few temples in the world dedicated to Lord Brahma. Entry is free; leave bags and phones in lockers outside.
Sunset at Gau Ghat or Pap Mochani Temple
Watch the sun set over the lake from the ghats, or hike to the Pap Mochani Temple on a smaller hill for a quieter view.
The Main Bazaar
The bazaar is full of clothes, bags, silver jewellery, leather goods and music shops. Bargain politely, and compare prices before buying.
Evening Aarti
Several ghats hold evening aartis with bells, drums and lamps. It is free to watch.
Rose Gardens and Village Walks
Pushkar is famous for its roses, used in gulkand and rose water. Walk to the nearby rose fields and villages to see rural life.
Pushkar Camel Fair on a Budget
The Pushkar Camel Fair takes place in late October or November, depending on the lunar calendar. Thousands of camels, horses and cattle are traded, and the town fills with music, folk performances and competitions. It is spectacular but crowded, and room prices can triple.
To save money:
- Book months in advance.
- Stay in Ajmer and travel in each day by bus.
- Visit in the early days of the fair, when trading is busiest and tourists are fewer.
- Avoid the full-moon days, when pilgrims crowd the ghats.
What to Eat in Pushkar on a Budget
Pushkar is a vegetarian town; meat, eggs and alcohol are restricted in the main area.
- Malpua: sweet fried pancakes, a Pushkar speciality.
- Kachori and samosa: cheap breakfasts in the bazaar.
- Rajasthani thali: ₹150 to ₹250.
- Falafel and hummus: popular in cafés thanks to Israeli travellers.
- Lassi and chai: everywhere for very little.
Food costs ₹300 to ₹500 a day if you mix local stalls with occasional café meals.
3-Day Pushkar Itinerary on a Budget
Day 1: Lake and Temples
- Arrive from Ajmer and check into a hostel.
- Walk around the lake and ghats.
- Visit the Brahma Temple.
- Sunset at Gau Ghat and dinner on a rooftop.
Day 2: Sunrise and Bazaar
- Sunrise hike to Savitri Temple.
- Malpua breakfast.
- Afternoon shopping in the bazaar.
- Evening aarti at the ghats.
Day 3: Villages and Ajmer
- Morning walk to rose fields and nearby villages.
- Afternoon bus to Ajmer. Visit Ajmer Sharif Dargah and Ana Sagar Lake.
- Evening train home.
3-Day Pushkar Budget Breakdown
| Expense | Cost per person |
|---|---|
| Train to Ajmer (return) | ₹500–2,000 |
| Bus Ajmer–Pushkar (return) | ₹50–100 |
| 2 nights in a hostel | ₹700–1,200 |
| Food | ₹900–1,400 |
| Ropeway and small extras | ₹200–500 |
| Total | ₹2,350–5,200 |
Money-Saving Tips for Pushkar
- Stay in hostels and ask for long-stay rates.
- Walk everywhere; Pushkar is tiny.
- Avoid “priest” touts offering paid prayers at the lake.
- Eat at local thali places and stalls.
- Visit outside the camel fair for the lowest prices.
- Use buses to and from Ajmer.
For more ideas, read Cheapest Places to Visit in Rajasthan for a Heritage Holiday and Budget Travel in India: Daily Costs for Food, Transport and Accommodation.
Best Time to Visit Pushkar
- October to March: pleasant days and cool nights.
- Late October or November: the camel fair.
- March: Holi, popular with travellers.
- April to June: very hot.
- July to September: monsoon, with green hills and low prices.
Pushkar for Different Travellers
- Solo travellers: social hostels and rooftop music. Read Cheapest Places to Visit in India for Solo Travellers.
- Couples: sunrise hikes and lakeside sunsets. Read Best Affordable Places to Visit in India for Couples.
- Backpackers: long stays and cheap living. Read Best Budget Backpacking Destinations in India for Beginners.
- Spiritual travellers: the lake, ghats and temples.
A Day in the Life of a Budget Traveller
Wake at 5 am and climb to Savitri Temple with a torch, reaching the top as the sky turns pink over the desert. Walk back down for chai and hot malpua from a bazaar stall. Spend the morning wandering the ghats, watching pilgrims and listening to bells. Have a simple thali for lunch for about ₹180. Rest during the afternoon heat with a book on your hostel rooftop. In the late afternoon, browse the bazaar for silver and fabrics. Watch the sun go down from the ghats, join the evening aarti and end the day with music on a rooftop café. A full day like this, including a dorm bed, often costs under ₹1,100.
Long Stays and Slow Travel
The town is one of the best places in India for slow travel. Many travellers stay a week or more, learning yoga, music or cooking. Hostels and guesthouses offer weekly and monthly discounts, especially between April and September. Some travellers take tabla, sitar or harmonium classes with local musicians for a modest fee. Others join short yoga courses or simply settle into a quiet routine of morning walks, café afternoons and sunset on the ghats.
Shopping Guide
The bazaar is great for budget shopping. Look for:
- Cotton harem pants, kurtas and scarves
- Silver rings, anklets and earrings
- Leather bags, sandals and journals
- Hand-painted postcards and small paintings
- Rose products like gulkand and rose water
Prices often start high, so bargain politely and compare a few shops before buying. Silver is sold by weight, so ask for the weight and the rate per gram.
Respectful Travel at the Lake
The lake is sacred, and a little care goes a long way. Remove shoes at least ten steps before the water. Do not take photos of people bathing. Dress modestly around the ghats. Some people offer flowers and then ask for large “donations” for a blessing; you can politely decline before accepting anything. Follow these simple habits, and locals will welcome you warmly.
Day Trips from the Town
- Ajmer: the famous Sufi shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Ana Sagar Lake and the Adhai Din ka Jhonpra mosque.
- Kishangarh: miniature paintings and the striking white marble dumping yard.
- Merta: the Meera Bai temple and a quiet rural town.
- Sambhar Lake: salt flats and flamingos in winter.
Buses and shared jeeps make these day trips cheap and easy.
Packing Tips
Pack light cotton clothes that cover shoulders and knees, a scarf for sun and temples, sandals that slip off easily, a torch for early hikes, sunscreen and a hat. Bring a warm layer for winter nights, which can be surprisingly cold in the desert.
Music and Culture
Music is everywhere in the evenings. Rooftop cafés host live sessions with local and travelling musicians, from Rajasthani folk to fusion and acoustic sets. Many are free to watch if you order a drink. During festivals, folk dancers and singers perform near the ghats. Small music shops in the bazaar sell instruments and offer short lessons, which are a lovely way to connect with local culture on a small budget.
Pushkar by Season: How Prices Change
Prices in Pushkar follow the seasons. From October to March, dorm beds cost ₹400 to ₹600 and private rooms ₹800 to ₹1,800. During the camel fair, the same rooms can cost three times as much. From April to September, when it is hot or rainy, many guesthouses drop prices by 30 to 50 percent and offer long-stay deals. If you can handle the heat or the monsoon, the off-season is the cheapest time to enjoy the lake town, and you will have the ghats almost to yourself.
Getting Around Pushkar
The town is tiny, and you can walk from one side of the lake to the other in under 20 minutes. There is no need for autos inside the old town. For Ajmer, Kishangarh or the railway station, use local buses or shared jeeps from the bus stand.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pushkar on a Budget
How much does a trip to Pushkar cost?
A 3-day trip usually costs ₹2,350 to ₹5,200 per person.
How do I reach Pushkar?
Take a train to Ajmer, then a short bus or shared jeep to Pushkar.
Is Pushkar safe for solo travellers?
Yes. It is small, friendly and popular with solo travellers.
When is the Pushkar Camel Fair?
Usually in late October or November, depending on the lunar calendar.
Is alcohol available in Pushkar?
No. Alcohol and meat are restricted in the main town.
Final Thoughts
Pushkar on a budget is easy, peaceful and full of charm. Climb to Savitri Temple at sunrise, walk the ghats and relax on a rooftop as the sun sets over the lake. For more Rajasthan ideas, read Cheapest Places to Visit in Rajasthan for a Heritage Holiday and Jaipur on a Budget: How to Explore the Pink City for Less.