In the layered old city of Jaipur, where havelis, bazaars, and monuments accumulate across centuries, the City Palace occupies a category entirely its own. Built between 1729 and 1732 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II — the same visionary ruler who founded Jaipur itself — it served as the royal seat of the Kachwaha Rajput clan and continues to be the residence of Jaipur’s royal family to this day. The palace is not a museum in a building; it is a living royal complex where museum galleries, royal courtyards, ceremonial spaces, and a private royal home exist simultaneously within the same walls.
All ticket prices below are sourced directly from the official citypalace.org website.
City Palace Jaipur Ticket Price 2026 — Official Entry Fee
Indian National / Resident Tickets
| Ticket Type | Adult | Youth Concession (Student / Child below 12) | Adult Concession (Senior Citizen / Defence) |
| City Palace Museum | ₹400 | ₹200 | ₹200 |
| Composite (Museum + Jaigarh + Royal Cenotaphs) | ₹500 | ₹300 | ₹300 |
| Museum at Night | ₹510 | ₹260 | ₹210 |
Chandra Mahal Royal Tour (Indian Residents)
| Category | Price |
| Adult | ₹4,000 |
| Youth / Child below 12 | ₹2,000 |
Jaipur Centre for Art
| Category | Price |
| Adult / Youth | ₹150 |
Additional Services
| Service | Price |
| Golf Cart Hire | ₹150 per person |
| Guide Hire | ₹300 – ₹500 (additional fee) |
Important 2026 Updates:
- The Textile Gallery in Mubarak Mahal is temporarily closed from 27 March 2026 for restoration
- Museum at Night is temporarily closed — verify current status on citypalace.org before booking
- Chandra Mahal Royal Tour tickets can only be purchased at the ticket counter; online booking is not available for this option
What Each Ticket Covers
City Palace Museum (₹400 for Indians): Access to all City Palace Courtyards and Galleries — the full standard museum experience covering Mubarak Mahal, the Armoury, the Art Gallery, and all accessible public sections.
Composite Ticket (₹500 for Indians): Everything in the Museum ticket plus Jaigarh Fort and the Royal Cenotaphs — this is the best-value option for visitors spending multiple hours in the area and wanting to combine the palace visit with Jaigarh.
Museum at Night (₹510 for Indians): Entry to the City Palace Courtyards and Galleries plus the Light and Sound Show — currently temporarily closed.
Chandra Mahal Royal Tour (₹4,000 for Indians): A curated private experience of portions of the Chandra Mahal — the seven-storey royal residence still occupied by Jaipur’s royal family. Includes access to Sri Niwas, Chhavi Niwas, Shobha Niwas, and Pritam Niwas floors, with a personal guide and refreshments included. The most intimate and exclusive experience the palace offers.
City Palace — Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | City Palace, Jaipur |
| Official Museum | City Palace Museum |
| Address | Jaleb Chowk, Near Jantar Mantar, Tripolia Bazar, Jaipur – 302002 |
| Built By | Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II |
| Construction Period | 1729–1732 (with additions over centuries) |
| Architecture Style | Rajput, Mughal, and European fusion |
| Museum Hours | 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM (last tickets sold by 6:00 PM) |
| Royal Tour Hours | 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM |
| Museum at Night | 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM (temporarily closed) |
| Nearest Metro | Badi Chaupar, Pink Line |
| Nearest Railway Station | Jaipur Junction (~5 km) |
| Nearest Airport | Jaipur International Airport (~12 km) |
| Parking | Gate 2, near Jaleb Chowk |
| Website | citypalace.org |
City Palace Timings 2026
| Session | Timing |
| Museum Tour | 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM |
| Last Ticket Sale | 6:00 PM |
| Royal Tour | 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM |
| Museum at Night | 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM (temporarily closed) |
The palace is open every day of the year. The Museum at Night ticket includes a Light and Sound Show — check the official website for its current operational status.
History — What Makes City Palace Unique
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II built City Palace when he moved the capital of his kingdom from Amber to the newly planned city of Jaipur in the early 18th century. The palace was designed by two architects: Vidyadhar Bhattacharya — a Bengali architect who also laid out the grid plan of Jaipur’s old city — and Samuel Swinton Jacob, who brought European design influences to the complex.
What followed over the next two centuries was a process of continuous royal expansion. Each successive Maharaja added new buildings, courtyards, and ceremonial spaces, which is why the complex today shows architectural signatures from multiple periods and styles — Rajput, Mughal, and European Baroque coexist across different structures without contradiction.
The last Maharaja of Jaipur to rule as a sovereign was Raja Man Singh II, who merged his kingdom with independent India. The royal family continues to occupy the Chandra Mahal portion of the complex — making City Palace one of very few royal palaces in the world where the original ruling family still lives within an active museum complex.
What to See Inside City Palace
Chandra Mahal — The Seven-Storey Royal Residence
The most visually arresting structure within the City Palace complex is Chandra Mahal, rising seven storeys in the western section of the palace. Each floor carries a unique name and decorative identity:
- Sukh Niwas — White with blue accents; the name means “House of Pleasure”; its peaceful atmosphere is immediate
- Rang Mandir — The mirror floor; walls, pillars, and ceiling covered with mirrors of all sizes in an effect that multiplies light dramatically
- Shobha Niwas — Mirror walls with blue tiles and gold leaf designs
- Chhavi Niwas — The monsoon retreat of the Maharajas; decorated for cool-season use
- Sri Niwas, Pritam Niwas — Upper ceremonial floors accessible via the Royal Tour
- Mukut Mandir — The pavilion at the summit where the flag of Jaipur is unfurled daily
The ground floor of Chandra Mahal is now a museum. Access to the upper floors (Sri Niwas, Chhavi Niwas, Shobha Niwas, Pritam Niwas) is available only through the Chandra Mahal Royal Tour at ₹4,000 per adult.
Mubarak Mahal — Textile Museum
Built in the late 19th century, Mubarak Mahal now houses the Textile Gallery — one of the most significant collections of royal costumes, shawls, and silk saris in Rajasthan. It displays garments belonging to former Maharajas and Maharanis, including some of extraordinary craftsmanship. Note: The Textile Gallery is temporarily closed from 27 March 2026 for restoration — it will not be accessible during this period.
The Armory — Maharani’s Palace
Formerly known as the Maharani Palace, the armory houses one of the most dramatic collection entries at the palace — a life-size horse in full battle armour at the entrance immediately establishes the tone. The collection includes daggers, swords, knives, rifles, knuckle braces, and various weapons used by Rajput forces in battle, many with intricate decorative inlay work on their handles and scabbards.
Diwan-i-Khas — Hall of Private Audience
The Diwan-i-Khas is the intimate royal reception hall where the Maharaja received private visitors and conducted court business. Two enormous silver urns — the Gangajali vessels — are displayed here and hold a remarkable distinction: they are the largest silver objects in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records. The vessels were used to carry sacred Ganga water to London when Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II travelled there for King Edward VII’s coronation in 1901, as he refused to use foreign water for his daily rituals.
Diwan-i-Aam — Hall of Public Audience
The Diwan-i-Aam served as the public durbar hall where the Maharaja held court and received ordinary citizens. The space is architecturally impressive — a large open-air hall with ornately decorated pillars and ceiling, used today as an art gallery showcasing miniature paintings and royal manuscripts.
Peacock Gate — Pritam Niwas Chowk
The inner courtyard of Pritam Niwas features four gates representing the four seasons. The most celebrated is the Peacock Gate — a stunning painted archway depicting peacocks in various postures with extraordinary colour and detail. It is the most photographed element of the palace complex and a genuine high point of any visit.
Jaleb Chowk
The outer courtyard — Jaleb Chowk — was historically used for assembling cavalry and elephants for royal processions. Today it serves as the main entry point and orientation space. Large and open, it gives visitors their first sense of the palace’s scale before entering the inner sections.
Golf Carts — Accessibility and Convenience
Golf carts are available for hire within the palace complex at ₹150 per person. This is particularly useful for elderly visitors, visitors with mobility limitations, or families with very young children. The palace covers considerable ground and walking between the major sections takes significant effort. Children below 5 years do not require a golf cart ticket. Availability is subject to demand and visitors may need to share a cart.
Photography Rules
Photography is permitted in most public areas and courtyards of the City Palace. Some museum gallery sections restrict camera use — signage is clearly posted and staff can be asked for guidance. Tripods and drones are not permitted. Flash photography near delicate exhibits, textiles, and manuscripts should be avoided.
How to Reach City Palace Jaipur
By Metro: Badi Chaupar Metro Station on the Pink Line is the closest metro stop, within easy walking distance of the palace entrance.
By Auto/Taxi: Easily available from any point in Jaipur. Ola and Uber both operate throughout the city. The palace is centrally located and well-known to all drivers.
From Jaipur Railway Station: Approximately 4.5 km — a 15 to 20-minute auto-rickshaw ride.
From Jaipur Airport: Approximately 12 km — a 30-minute cab ride.
Parking: Available only at Gate Number 2 near Jaleb Chowk. No private vehicle parking at other gates.
Best Time to Visit
October to March is the most comfortable season — Jaipur’s winters are mild and walking the palace grounds is genuinely pleasant. Summer visits (April to June) can be very hot, with temperatures frequently above 40°C.
Early morning (9:30 AM – 11:00 AM) offers the best light for photography, the most comfortable temperatures, and the thinnest crowds before tour groups arrive.
Combine with Jantar Mantar — Located 800 metres from City Palace, Jantar Mantar is within easy walking distance and together they make an ideal morning itinerary.
Nearby Attractions
- Jantar Mantar — 800 metres; UNESCO World Heritage astronomical observatory
- Hawa Mahal — 600 metres; Jaipur’s iconic five-storey honeycomb-windowed palace facade
- Amber Fort — 11 km; the most significant Rajput fort-palace complex near Jaipur
- Albert Hall Museum — 2 km; Rajasthan’s oldest museum in Indo-Saracenic architecture
Final Thoughts
City Palace is not simply Jaipur’s best museum — it is one of the most extraordinary royal complexes in Asia, and the combination of the museum, the Peacock Gate, the Gangajali silver urns, the Chandra Mahal Royal Tour, and the fact that a royal family still lives within the walls makes it unlike almost any other heritage site in India. At ₹400 for Indians, the museum entry is exceptional value. If budget allows, the Chandra Mahal Royal Tour at ₹4,000 provides access to the actual royal residence floors — a rare privilege that most Jaipur visitors never experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the City Palace Jaipur ticket price in 2026?
A: The standard museum entry for Indian adults is ₹400. The Composite ticket covering museum, Jaigarh, and Royal Cenotaphs is ₹500. The Chandra Mahal Royal Tour costs ₹4,000 per adult. Student and child concessions are ₹200 for the museum and ₹300 for the composite ticket.
Q2. Is the Textile Gallery open at City Palace in 2026?
A: No. The Textile Gallery in Mubarak Mahal is temporarily closed from 27 March 2026 for restoration. Confirm its reopening status on citypalace.org before your visit.
Q3. What are City Palace Jaipur timings?
A: The museum operates from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM daily. Last tickets are sold at 6:00 PM. The Royal Tour also runs 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
Q4. What is the Chandra Mahal Royal Tour?
A: The Chandra Mahal Royal Tour (₹4,000 per adult Indian) provides access to restricted floor sections of the seven-storey royal residence still occupied by Jaipur’s royal family. It includes a personal guide and refreshments. Tickets can only be purchased at the counter, not online.
Q5. Where is the nearest metro station to City Palace Jaipur?
A: Badi Chaupar Metro Station on the Pink Line is the closest station, within easy walking distance of the palace entrance.
