City Palace: Essential Entry Information
Most visitors reach City Palace, Udaipur’s main ticket counter, at 10:30 AM, creating 30-45 minute queues at the entrance. By arriving at opening (9:30 AM), you skip the wait and see the palace before large tour groups arrive at 11:00 AM.
We run daily tours through Udaipur and book City Palace tickets for 200+ visitors monthly. This guide covers prices, timings, entry process, and practical details that help you visit efficiently.
Architecture of City Palace Udaipur
City Palace combines Rajasthani fortress design with Mughal decorative elements, which affects how you get around the complex. The zigzag corridors were built to slow enemy attacks but now create confusion for first-time visitors.
Marble flooring can be slippery because of the heavy rain season. Guests cannot access elevators because the upper part of the hotels is situated above the ground floor level, accessible only through small staircases.
What You See Inside City Palace
City Palace is not a single building but a complex of 11 interconnected palaces, built over 400 years. Instead of listing historical facts, here’s what is relevant for your visit:
Mor Chowk (Peacock Courtyard):
- Three glass mosaic peacocks representing seasons
- Photography allowed (no flash)
- Best natural light: 9:30-11:00 AM
Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace):
- Small room with intricate mirror work
- Limited space—only 10-12 people at once
- Queue builds after 11:00 AM
Zenana Mahal (Queens’ Quarters):
- Now houses museum galleries
- Royal weapons, miniature paintings, ceremonial clothing
- Audio guide recommended for this section
Badi Mahal (Garden Palace):
- Elevated section with panoramic lake views
- Requires climbing stairs (no elevator access)
- Wheelchair users cannot access this section
After your City Palace visit, head to Bagore ki Haveli for the evening cultural show.
City Palace Museum
The City Palace Museum occupies the Zenana Mahal (former queens’ quarters) and contains three main galleries spread across the upper palace sections.
What You’ll See:
- Royal weapons collection (18th-19th century swords, shields, armor)
- Miniature painting gallery (Mewar school artwork, 16th-18th century)
- Ceremonial clothing section (royal turbans, traditional Rajasthani garments)
- Silver artifacts room (maharanas’ personal items, decorative pieces)
Museum Navigation Issues:
The museum has no clear linear path. Galleries connect through numerous doors and very little signage. Most visitors miss the silver artifact room completely because it is located down a non-indicated side corridor.
Audio guides (₹200) cover basic historical facts but don’t explain where to find specific galleries.
Accessibility: Museum galleries have stairs between sections. Wheelchair users can access the ground-floor ceremonial hall but cannot reach upper galleries where most artifacts are displayed.
Photography: Prohibited in all museum sections. Still cameras are allowed in courtyards but must be kept in bags inside the museum.
Visit Jagdish Temple, just 150 meters from City Palace, as part of your old city route.
City Palace Ticket Price
City Palace Udaipur charges separate fees for palace entry and museum access:
Palace Complex Entry:
- Indian adults: ₹300
- Foreign adults: ₹700
- Indian children (5-18 years): ₹100
- Children under 5 years: Free
Camera Charges (Additional):
- Still camera: ₹250
- Video camera: ₹500
Important: The ₹300/₹700 ticket covers the entire palace complex, including courtyard access, but audio guides cost ₹200 extra.
Tickets are sold at two counters:
- Badi Pol (Main Gate) – Usually crowded after 10:00 AM
- Sheetla Mata Gate – Shorter lines, recommended for families
You can book tickets online through the official City Palace Udaipur website or purchase them at the gate without advance booking.
City Palace Operating Hours
City Palace is open 7 days a week with these timings:
- April to September: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- October to March: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Last entry: 30 minutes before closing
Ticket counters close 30 minutes before palace closing time.
Crowd Pattern (based on our tour operations):
- 9:30-10:30 AM: Light crowds, best photography light
- 10:30 AM-2:00 PM: Busiest period (tour groups)
- 2:00-4:00 PM: Moderate crowds
- After 4:00 PM: Rushed visits (insufficient time)
How Much Time Is Needed for City Palace Udaipur?
Many visitors underestimate the size of the palace.
- Entry process: 15 minutes
- Main courtyards: 45 minutes
- Museum galleries: 60 minutes
- Crystal Gallery: 20 minutes
- Photography: 20-30 minutes
Total: 2.5 to 3 hours minimum
Visitors who rush through in 90 minutes typically miss the museum sections and leave without understanding Mewar history.
Best Time to Visit
By Time of Day:
- 9:30-10:30 AM: Best (fewer crowds, good light)
- 10:30 AM-2:00 PM: Avoid (peak tour group hours)
- 2:00-4:00 PM: Moderate (acceptable)
By Season:
- July to September: Monsoon (light crowds, occasional closures)
- October to March: Pleasant weather (16-28°C)
- April to June: Very hot (32-42°C), visit early in the morning only
Festivals like Mewar Festival, Diwali, and Holi bring cultural vibrancy to the palace, despite the larger crowds.
How to Reach City Palace
- By Air: Maharana Pratap Airport is around 24 km from the palace. Taxis are easily available.
- By Train: Udaipur City Railway Station is about 3 km away.
- By Road: Udaipur is well-connected by road from Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Ahmedabad. Parking facilities are available near the old city.
Nearby Attractions (Same Day Visit)
The City Palace is situated in Old City so you can easily walk to nearby attractions.
- Jagdish Temple (very close to the palace)
- Lake Pichola boat ride
- Jag Mandir Island Palace
- Old city local markets
- Sunset views at Fateh Sagar Lake
Common Visitor Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting too late: Arrive 11 am (30-minute ticket queue)
- Skipping the museum: Many people visit courtyards and miss Zenana Mahal
- Not budgeting enough time: 90 minutes is rushed; plan 2.5 hours minimum
- Assuming full wheelchair access: Upper level has stairs only
- Bringing large bags: Security requires bags to be checked; use small bags only
FAQs
Yes, you can book City Palace tickets in advance via our website. Also, tickets can be purchased at the entrance. Please note that you cannot use the online reservation to skip the line during peak hours.
City Palace is essential for understanding Mewar dynasty history. The museum section houses original royal artifacts, weapons, and manuscripts that explain Udaipur’s founding and royal traditions better than any other site in the city.
Reach City Palace around 9:30 AM when it opens. Large groups of tourists typically arrive from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, leading to a lot of crowds in the main attractions (Mor Chowk and Sheesh Mahal).
Yes, most visitors combine the City Palace (9:30 AM-12:30 PM) with a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola (5:00-6:00 PM). Both attractions are 200 meters apart, making same-day visits convenient without vehicle transport.
City Palace does not have parking available, so the closest spots are Bapu Bazaar (300 m and ₹40 for 4 hours) and Gulab Bagh (500 m and ₹30 for 4 hours). Access by vehicle is not permitted on the Old City roads to reach the palace entrance.
Leave a Comment