Ranthambore by Train — Trains to Sawai Madhopur
Sawai Madhopur Railway Station is on the Mumbai–Delhi main line. Multiple express trains connect it to Delhi (4h), Jaipur (2h), and Mumbai (12h). The train is the best way to reach Ranthambore.
Travelling to Ranthambore by train is widely considered the most convenient and scenic option, particularly from Delhi and Jaipur. Sawai Madhopur Railway Station is a major stop on the busy Mumbai–Delhi main line and sees dozens of express and superfast trains daily. The journey from New Delhi takes as little as 4 hours on the fastest trains, making a Ranthambore safari a genuinely feasible weekend trip from the capital.
Sawai Madhopur Railway Station
Sawai Madhopur Station (Station Code: SWM) is located in the heart of Sawai Madhopur town, approximately 14 km from the main Ranthambore forest gate. The station is well-maintained and serves as a stop for several of India's premier express trains. Pre-arranged hotel transfers, registered taxi services, and auto-rickshaws are all available outside the station for onward transport to the park.
Key Trains from Delhi to Sawai Madhopur
Rajdhani Express (12955/12956): New Delhi to Sawai Madhopur. Journey time: approximately 4 hours. Daily. One of the fastest and most comfortable options.
Kota Janshatabdi Express (12059/12060): Hazrat Nizamuddin to Kota via Sawai Madhopur. Journey time: ~5 hours. Daily.
Superfast Express (various): Multiple superfast and express trains cover the route in 4–5.5 hours. Check IRCTC for current schedules and availability.
Trains from Jaipur to Sawai Madhopur
The journey from Jaipur to Sawai Madhopur by express train takes approximately 1.5–2 hours. Several trains run this route daily, including the Jaipur–Kota Express and various Mumbai-bound expresses that call at Jaipur before Sawai Madhopur. This is the fastest and most comfortable way to travel between Jaipur and Ranthambore.
Trains from Mumbai to Sawai Madhopur
Mumbai (CSMT or LTT) to Sawai Madhopur is covered by the Mumbai–Delhi Rajdhani and several other long-distance expresses. Journey time is approximately 12–14 hours. This is a comfortable overnight journey that deposits you in Sawai Madhopur in the morning, ready for a full day of safari.
Booking Train Tickets
Indian Railways tickets are booked through the IRCTC official website or app. Foreign nationals can book through the IRCTC tourist quota or through authorised travel agents. Booking 60–90 days in advance is strongly recommended for peak season travel (October–March), as trains on this route fill quickly. AC 2-tier (2A) and AC 3-tier (3A) are the recommended classes for comfort.