Renting out your home in Bikaner

Our advice for Bikaner

Bikaner rewards owners who accept its extremes. This desert city in the north of Rajasthan, about 330 kilometres north-west of Jaipur, has recorded 49.5 °C in May and temperatures below freezing on a January night. Guests come for Junagarh Fort, the merchant havelis, camels and food, but they judge a stay first on how comfortable the rooms feel.

Why travellers stop here

Junagarh Fort, built at the end of the sixteenth century, stands in the middle of the city rather than on a hill. In the old quarter, Rampuria and neighbouring havelis show the wealth of Bikaner's trading families. The Karni Mata temple at Deshnoke, 30 kilometres south on the Jodhpur road, draws pilgrims and curious visitors alike. The camel research centre on the outskirts and the Camel Festival each January or February add a distinctive layer, and many domestic visitors simply want to eat Bikaneri bhujia where it comes from.

Arrivals and the circuit

Bikaner usually sits on a route linking Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and the Shekhawati towns, so stays tend to be short. Nal airport, around 15 kilometres west, has flights to Jaipur and Delhi, and the city is well served by trains. Keep arrival instructions simple, because many guests reach you tired after a long road day.

Choosing and fitting a property

• Old-city havelis give atmosphere but come with narrow lanes, shared walls and ageing wiring; budget for electrical work before listing.
• Bungalows in newer colonies suit families with their own cars and wedding guests.
• Farmhouses outside the city can host small groups for bonfire evenings in winter.

Whatever the format, insulate the roof, fit air-conditioning that copes with May and June, and install water storage with filtration. In winter, heaters and heavy quilts are expected.

When the calendar fills

October to March is when the city is at its best. Summer is quiet for leisure, though family and business visits continue, and it is the sensible time for repairs.

Rules for paying guests

Under the Rajasthan Homestay (Paying Guest House) Scheme, 2026, published by the Department of Tourism, a home of up to eight rooms and 24 beds can be registered and operated by its owner, a lessee or a designated caretaker. The owner no longer has to live on site, which suits Bikaner families who have settled in Delhi, the Gulf or further abroad. We keep the guest register and report foreign guests as the scheme requires.