Arrivals

Getting between Delhi and Jaipur

A taxi will be arranged for anyone who'd like one - just let us know when you land. If you'd rather take the train, here are a few good options. Jaipur station code: JP.

Tip: Delhi Cantt (DEC) is the station closest to Delhi airport. All three trains call there on the way to Jaipur; coming back, Vande Bharat and Shatabdi both stop at Delhi Cantt too - only the Double Decker runs straight through to Delhi Sarai Rohilla without stopping there.

Delhi → Jaipur

Jaipur → Delhi

Book at irctc.co.in (India's official rail site - needs a quick account signup) or through apps like ixigo or MakeMyTrip. Seats fill up fast in peak season, so book a week or two ahead if you can.

The short version

• Apply only at the official site: indianvisaonline.gov.in - choose "e-Visa", then e-Tourist Visa. Beware lookalike agent sites that charge double; the official one is the only one you need.
• When: apply 2-4 weeks before you fly. The 30-day e-Tourist visa covers the whole trip.
• Cost: roughly USD $25-40 depending on visa type - the exact fee shows before you pay (card payment).
• Approval: arrives by email as an "ETA" - print it and carry it with your passport. At Delhi airport, follow the e-Visa immigration queue.

What you'll need before you start

• Passport - valid at least 6 months beyond arrival, with 2 blank pages. You'll upload a clear photo/scan of the photo page.
• A passport-style photo - plain white background, no glasses; a phone photo against a white wall works if it's sharp and square.
• Arrival details - port of arrival (Delhi), arrival date, and your return flight date.
• Where you're staying in India - use the address we'll share in the WhatsApp group (message Raj if you need it before you apply).
• An Indian reference - use Raj: full name Rajesh Kumar, phone +91 88907 77686; message him for the address to enter.
• A home-country reference - any family member or friend's name, address and phone in NZ/Australia.
• Occupation details - employer name and address, or "retired"/"student".

e-Arrival Card

Since April 2026, India has done away with the old paper disembarkation form. Every foreign traveller now needs a digital e-Arrival Card as well as the visa - it's a separate step.

• Apply at: indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival (or the Su-Swagatam app) - don't use third-party sites.
• When: within 72 hours before you land - not earlier. Two to three days before your flight is the sweet spot.
• What it needs: passport details, arrival date, contact info, and your address of stay in India - no documents to upload, and it's free.
• Travelling together? you can add family or friends on the same flight to one form.

• Tue 24 NovVilla day at The Royal Haveli Farm Stay · Map
  Morning: Haldi in the garden · Afternoon: break - pool, gardens, family time · Evening: Mehndi & Sangeet with dinner
• Wed 25 NovThe wedding at Castle Kalwar (Kalwar Fort) · Map
  Bhat Welcome, then the ceremony from around 3pm - Varmala at the castle staircase, pheras at the garden mandap - followed by the wedding dinner. Around 300 guests join us for the day.

24 November - Villa Day

25 November - Wedding Day

Where to stay

You don't need to book anything yourself - we've got you. A family base in Jaipur is being arranged for the whole stay (around 20-27 Nov), so everyone's together under one roof and can explore the city easily. On the 24th the villa has plenty of room to stay over, and on the wedding night (25th-26th) a few rooms at Castle Kalwar mean some of us actually get to sleep in a castle. Room details will be posted here once finalised.

Getting around

You won't need to organise your own transport: a taxi will be arranged for exploring Jaipur and shopping trips, and we'll arrange airport pickups plus shared cars between the accommodation and venues on event days. Uber and Ola also work in Jaipur city if you ever want your own ride. See Contacts below.

Good to know

Late-November weather is lovely: sunny days around 25°C, cool evenings around 10°C - bring a layer for the evening events. Power plugs are Indian type C/D/M (bring an adapter). Data: get an Airtel/Jio tourist eSIM or SIM at Delhi airport.

The Lay of the Land

Not to scale - but this is roughly how everything sits.

Mangli

Raj's mum - the heart of the house

Rajal

Raj's sister

Vihaan

the nephew - here with Momo

Ravi

Rajal's husband, Raj's brother-in-law

• Momo - the pomeranian; security, self-appointed
• Mili - the shih tzu; chief of naps (you may spot them both running around this page)

• Amber FortThe big one - hilltop fort-palace with mirror halls and valley views. Go early morning to beat crowds and heat. Allow half a day. · Map
• Hawa MahalThe iconic pink "Palace of Winds" facade. Best photo is from the café across the street at sunrise. 20-30 min stop. · Map
• City PalaceStill the royal family's residence - courtyards, museums, the famous blue room if you take the guided tour. · Map
• Jantar Mantar18th-century astronomical instruments, UNESCO-listed, next door to City Palace - worth the hour with a guide. · Map
• Nahargarh FortBest sunset view over the city. Go up for the golden hour, stay for the lights coming on. · Map
• Jal MahalThe palace floating in Man Sagar Lake - quick photo stop on the way to Amber Fort. · Map
• BazaarsJohari Bazaar for jewellery, Bapu Bazaar for textiles and mojari shoes. Haggle cheerfully - start at half the asking price. · Map
• Patrika GateThe rainbow-arched Instagram favourite - go at sunrise if you want it empty. · Map