Is it safe to drink the tap water?

No. Only drink bottled water or filtered water provided by hotels.

Should I tip my driver?

Yes. It is customary to tip your driver 300-500 INR per day for good service.

Is the train system easy to use?

It is efficient if you understand the class system. Stick to AC classes for comfort and security.

Planning a Rajasthan Palace and Temple Circuit

To see Rajasthan's major palaces and temples efficiently, follow a 14-day loop starting and ending in Delhi. Use a mix of private drivers for inter-city travel and overnight trains for longer legs to minimize transit time.

Map your route clockwise. The most logical route is Delhi -> Jaipur -> Pushkar -> Udaipur -> Jodhpur -> Jaisalmer -> Bikaner -> Delhi. This covers the desert triangle and the major lake cities without backtracking.
Hire a private driver for inter-city legs. Do not rely on buses for city-to-city travel; they are slow and unreliable. Rent a car with a dedicated driver for the duration of your trip. Budget approximately $40-$50 per day for the driver, fuel, and tolls.
Book your trains 60 days in advance. For long stretches like Jaisalmer to Delhi, use the Indian Railways AC-2 or AC-3 class. Book via the IRCTC website or the 'ConfirmTkt' app as soon as booking windows open.
Schedule temple visits for early morning. Temples like the Dilwara Temples in Mount Abu or the Brahma Temple in Pushkar are crowded by 10 AM. Arrive at 7 AM to avoid long lines and the midday heat.

Is it safe to drink the tap water?: No. Only drink bottled water or filtered water provided by hotels.
Should I tip my driver?: Yes. It is customary to tip your driver 300-500 INR per day for good service.
Is the train system easy to use?: It is efficient if you understand the class system. Stick to AC classes for comfort and security.