Amer Fort, also known as Amber Fort, is the jewel of the heritage circuit in Jaipur. The red-sandstone ramparts of its fort, which command the lake of Maota (Maots), together with its ornate gateways, mirror-adorned Sheesh Mahal and stratifying courtyards, are the finest examples of Rajput pomp at its most filmic. Still, when is the best time to visit Amer Fort, Jaipur? The guide fully responds to that question: when to visit (season, time of the day), what to see at various times of the day, logistics - such as when to visit Amer Fort in Jaipur, when does Amer Fort open, transport and distances, and how to avoid crowds and get the best shots.
The average opening time of Amer Fort to tourists is early morning; the majority of the official sites indicate that gates open between 7:00 and 8:00 AM and close in the evening.
The fort is a big Jaipur attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you are likely to spend 3-4 hours walking around the courtyards, visiting the Sheesh Mahal, and the museum.
Evening show: the Light and Sound show (timings are different depending on the season and are conducted in English and Hindi).
When you intend to escape to an elephant, pay attention to the official elephant ride windows and any changes in regulations, and book them. Recent reports show restart and renegotiated tariffs - see the current on-site or official portals.
Amer Fort is definitely seen during the cooler months of the year, which is approximately between October and March. Winters in Jaipur are arid and clean: the daytime is generally pleasant to take a walk (around 20s -30s °C) and the night is cold. These are the months to go strolling through sunlit courtyards, up and down fort ramparts, and by Maota Lake, without fighting heat, dust, etc. The seasonal attractions (festivals and events) also coincide with this season, thus you will have the best weather and the most cultural activity.
The uphill walk and the open courtyards become nice due to cooler days and pleasant mornings.
When the winter skies are clear, there are clean shots of the fort and the Aravalli ridges(Aravalli Hills) that surround the fort.
The light & sound performance operates dependably during the season when the weather is comfortable in the evening.
You can — but be prepared. Summers (April–June) in Jaipur are hot (mid-30s-40s °C), and midday sightseeing is uncomfortable and tiresome. Monsoon (July-September) is a short rainy season, but also provides much greenery, with humidity and access problems at times. The shoulder months (March or September) are good months to travel, so you should strive to enter early in the morning or get there late in the afternoon to avoid heat and traffic.
Morning, evening, afternoon, or at sunrise?
Visiting the Amer Fort at what time may depend on what you desire:
Why: Better weather, less harsh light to take photos, fewer people.
How: Make it a point to get there early enough (around opening time, which is usually 7:00-8:00 AM, depending on season/day) to explore the courtyards, the Sheesh Mahal, and the narrow passages where you will be able to walk comfortably. Early time also gives an opportunity to have a peaceful and meditative time and a clear photographic view.
Why: When you are visiting Amer Fort with other nearby attractions ( Jaigarh, Nahargarh, Jal Mahal ), then the latter in the morning is recommended, but make sure that you are prepared for the heat in the summer. Carry water and sunscreen.
Why: Sunset will provide you with dramatic silhouettes and a cold breeze; the fort lights will provide you with romantic sights above Jaipur. In case you desire the Amer Fort Light and Sound show, then make sure that during the day you spare time to attend the evening performance (during different seasons, the timing is different). It is worth noting that the show is evocative, but the fort complex itself is more to be seen in the daytime.
Timings of the official Amer Fort are seasonally different, as well as by which part of the complex is available at that time (day visiting vs evening events). A lot of official resources and tourist websites include the hours of the gates 07:00 to 21:00 with the museum and inside areas available during the daytime and special events (light and sound) at night. The Light and sound performance is typically in two languages; the schedule is also modified during the year (early in the winter, a little later in the summer) when you arrive or make a booking, always check up on the current show schedules.
Pro tip: In case you can only afford the show, buy your tickets early, as during high season, the English/Hindi shows are likely to be full quickly.
The number of visitors seeking to know the distance between Amer Fort and the famous Jaipur points is enormous. The following are approximate road distances that can be estimated at the current time (because of traffic) and are practical distances and travel times:
Distance between Jaipur Railway Station and Amer fort: approx 11-13km by road; approximately 30-45 minutes by road (traffic depends). Make advance plans in the high seasons.
Hawa Mahal to Amer Fort distance: it is around 7-8km and around 15-25 minutes by car (traffic and route dependent). This renders the use of Hawa Mahal and Amer Fort on the same day reasonably practical.
Jaipur to Amer Fort (airport): Jaipur International Airport is approximately 1213km away, a straight taxi will take you there, in 3040 minutes (approximately).
Transport: taxis/ rideshare (Ola, Uber), pre-reserved cabs, personal tour vehicles, short-haul autorickshaws, and buses. Most of the visitors prefer to book a morning taxi in advance in order to show up at the opening time.
The elephant ride to the Amer Fort is also a famous activity (which in the past was also in the morning windows). The past has had regulatory changes and temporary suspensions; the recent reporting on the same shows that rides are on again with safety checks and new fares- always enquire about current status and welfare practices before booking. When opting to take an elephant ride, make sure that you know the number of hours allowed (usually in the morning) and make reservations through official counters so as to shun unscrupulous operators.
Options: Jeep up hill, or walk, both alternatives are good, and there is no animal welfare issue.
Weekends, public holidays, and festival dates should be avoided if you do not want to be in big crowds. The high tourist season in Jaipur is from October to February. The visitor numbers and traffic are massive during local festival days (Diwali, Holi, national holidays). Recent reports indicate that there is a lot of congestion during the Diwali weekends.
Your friend on weekdays and early mornings. Enter during the opening hour to walk through the larger courtyards where there are not so many people.
The best directional lighting on fort facades and reflections on the Sheesh Mahal are during golden hour (sunrise and an hour after sunrise).
Recommended October to March is the best time to visit Amer Fort in Jaipur, and to get the best experience, it is best to arrive just in time, say at opening (around 7 -8 AM). Early morning offers you cool weather, softer light, and lighter crowds, and evening visits are only to be taken up during the Light and Sound show or a panoramic view. In case of those experiences, which are time sensitive (elephant rides, the sound-and-light show), you always need to check the Amer Fort Jaipur schedules and Amer Fort opening hours on the official websites or with your hotel and confirm before you go
