Udaipur is not a city you rush through. It rewards the traveller who slows down, takes the long way around the lake and stops when something catches their eye. But getting around it well requires a little planning, especially if this is your first visit.
On a map, Udaipur looks compact. In practice, the old city around Pichola Lake, the newer areas around Fatehsagar, the City Palace complex and the markets around Hathi Pol all feel like distinct neighbourhoods. Walking between them is possible in the cooler months but impractical in summer. A cab gives you the freedom to move between them without planning around auto availability or surge pricing.
The lanes around the old city, particularly near Jagdish Temple and the ghats, are too narrow for cars. This is actually a feature, not a problem. Drop yourself at the edge of the old city and walk in. Give yourself two to three hours to wander without a fixed route. The best things here, the tiny temples, the views from unexpected rooftops, the chai stalls at odd corners, are not on any itinerary.
The area around Fatehsagar Lake and Moti Magri is worth a separate visit, ideally in the late afternoon when the light on the water is at its best. Saheliyon Ki Bari, the garden built for the royal ladies of the court, is nearby and is one of those places that surprises most visitors with how quietly beautiful it is.
A rough structure that works well for most visitors: mornings for the old city and City Palace, afternoons for Fatehsagar and the western parts of the city, and evenings back at the lake for the light show or simply for dinner with a view. Keep one full day free for a day trip out of the city.
Autos and e-rickshaws are fine for short hops within the old city. For anything further, a pre-booked cab gives you more control over your time and removes the negotiation that most travellers find exhausting.
Aavre offers airport transfers at a flat Rs 499 and full-day cab hire at Rs 2,500 for 10 hours and 180 kilometres. Fixed prices, pre-confirmed, no negotiation. Book on WhatsApp in under a minute.
Book on WhatsAppRead more from Aavre: The best day trips from Udaipur and Everything you need to know about Udaipur airport.