Maharana Pratap Airport Udaipur (UDR): The Only 2025 Guide You’ll Need
Shimmering lakes, ivory palaces and narrow lanes lure more than a million travellers to Udaipur every year—but the journey almost always starts 22 km away at Maharana Pratap Airport. Still called “Dabok Airport” by taxi drivers, the hub may be modest in size, yet it now handles daily jets from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, with a brand-new international terminal on the horizon. Whether you’re a first-time visitor, a destination-wedding planner, or a job seeker hunting airport vacancies, this guide walks you through codes, schedules, ground transport, hotels, eateries, history and future expansion—sprinkled with insider tips that even frequent flyers overlook.
Airport Basics: Code, Location & Fast Facts
- Official name: Maharana Pratap Airport, Udaipur
- IATA / ICAO: UDR / VAUD (remember these when you book)
- Address: NH-76, Dabok, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313023, India
- Elevation: 513 m | Runway: 2 743 m asphalt
- Operator: Airports Authority of India (AAI)
- Distance between Maharana Pratap Airport and Udaipur Old City: 22 km (≈45 min)
- Google–Maps-style co-ordinates: 24.617° N, 73.896° E
Why the Name “Maharana Pratap”?
The airport honours the 16th-century Rajput king famed for his guerrilla resistance against the Mughal Empire—a heritage that still shapes Mewar pride.
From Dust Strip to Maharana Pratap International Airport: A Short History
1957 A four-seat Piper Super Cub lands on a gravel strip—the airport’s first flight.
2008 ₹80 crore glass-and-steel terminal inaugurates; capacity jumps to 6 lakh passengers.
2023 AAI breaks ground on a 40 000 m² international wing with six aerobridges and 42 check-in counters.
2026 (planned) “ Maharana Pratap International Airport Udaipur” goes live, opening customs & immigration for direct Dubai, Doha, Bangkok and Singapore routes.
Current Maharana Pratap Airport Flight Schedule & Airlines
| Airline | Route | Frequency | Typical Block Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| IndiGo | Delhi (DEL) | 4 daily | 1 h 20 m |
| IndiGo | Mumbai (BOM) | 3 daily | 1 h 35 m |
| Air India | Bengaluru (BLR) | 1 daily | 2 h 20 m |
| SpiceJet | Hyderabad (HYD) | 1 daily | 2 h 00 m |
| Alliance Air | Jaipur (JAI) | 6× week | 55 m |
| IndiGo | Surat (STV) | 4× week | 1 h 15 m |
Tip-Box
How to Check Live Maharana Pratap Airport Flight Status
Download your carrier’s app or visit the AAI flight-info page; fog delays (Dec–Jan) affect morning departures most.
Arriving at Maharana Pratap Airport Udaipur: Step-by-Step
- Disembark via aerobridge or coach.
- Follow signage to baggage claim (2 belts).
- Lost-and-Found counter sits beside Belt 2 (items stored 90 days).
- Exit sliding doors to prepaid taxis, app-cab bay and RSRTC bus stop.
Departures Guide: Check-In, Security & Facilities
- Recommended report time: 90 min domestic, 3 hrs once international opens.
- Check-in area: 4 island counters; SpiceJet desk far left.
- Security: single X-ray lane during peaks—don’t cut it close.
- Amenities after security:
– Free Wi-Fi 45 min (SSID ‘AAI-Free’)
– Snack Bar (samosa ₹60) & Café Coffee Day kiosk
– Gift Hut (miniature Pichwai paintings, marble elephants) - No paid lounge yet; IndiGo’s “6E Prime” seats offer chargers and free water.
Ground Transport: Distances, Fares & Driving Time
Pre-Paid Taxi Fares (fixed—collect coupon inside terminal)
- Udaipur City Palace / Lake Pichola hotels – ₹650 (sedan), ₹800 (SUV)
- Nathdwara temple – ₹1 700 (sedan)
- Chittorgarh Fort – ₹3 000 (sedan, 120 km)
App Cabs & Bus
- Ola / Uber: similar cost but driver “no-shows” spike at peak waves.
- RSRTC green bus: every 30 min, ₹60 to Reti Stand & Chetak Circle, 06:00–22:00.
Quick-Glance Distance Table
| Destination | Km | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Palace | 24 | 45 min | narrow Old-City lanes last 3 km |
| Taj Lake Palace jetty | 25 | 50 min | add 10 min for parking |
| Raffles Udaipur | 8.7 | 20 min | speedboat transfer from jetty |
| Nathdwara | 50 | 1 h 15 m | toll ₹55 |
| Mount Abu | 175 | 3 h 30 m | scenic Aravalli ghats |
Hotels Near Maharana Pratap Airport & Good Places to Eat
Top 5 Stays within 10 km
| Hotel | Category | Distance | USP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raffles Udaipur | Luxury | 8.7 km | private island, butler service |
| Padmini Bagh Resort | 4-star | 7.3 km | wedding lawns, kids’ play zone |
| SNP House | Budget | 4.2 km | 24-h check-in, veg cafeteria |
| Hotel Blue Chip | Biz-budget | 1.4 km | walkable to terminal |
| Traavista Aravali Mahal | Mid-range | 9.7 km | infinity pool, hill views |
Highway Food Stops (NH-76)
- Bawarchi Highway Dhaba – legendary dal-bati-churma, open 24 h
- Kanhaji Fast Food – veg rolls, filter coffee
- Charcoal by Carlson (Radisson) – sit-down grill, perfect for night arrivals
Looking for Work? Maharana Pratap Airport Jobs & Vacancies
- Airports Authority of India recruits security, fire-service, junior assistants (10+2 eligibility, age ≤27). Announcements appear on aai[dot]aero.
- Ground-handling firms (AISATS, Bird Worldwide) hire check-in staff, cargo loaders, flight dispatchers; salary ₹18 000–₹30 000 + PF.
- Walk-in interviews twice a year inside terminal conference room—carry Aadhaar, PAN, passport photos, vaccination proof.
The Future: What the New Maharana Pratap International Airport Means for Travellers
- Six aerobridges = no more bus boarding at 42 °C.
- 4 million passenger capacity (vs 0.6 m today).
- Customs & immigration desks for direct Gulf and ASEAN flights—game-changer for wedding tourism and marble exporters.
- Dedicated 5 000-tonne cargo complex planned for handicrafts, spices, rose-water.
Pro-Tip
Book flights landing on Runway 26 (from Delhi/Jaipur) and choose a left-hand window seat—Lake Pichola shimmers below just before touchdown.
What is the Maharana Pratap Airport code?
The IATA code is UDR and the ICAO code is VAUD
How far is Maharana Pratap Airport from Udaipur city?
The airport sits 22 km east of the City Palace, roughly a 45-minute taxi ride.
Is Maharana Pratap Airport an international airport?
An international terminal is under construction and scheduled to open in 2026; until then flights are domestic only
Lost luggage?
Report at Lost-and-Found beside Belt 2; items held 90 days
Lockers available?
No storage lockers—use your hotel concierge.
Local Tips to Make Your Trip Smoother
- Keep ₹200–₹300 in small notes—highway dhabas rarely take cards.
- December–January fog can ripple delays; choose mid-day flights if possible.
- Marble souvenirs must go into checked bags—security flags them as blunt items.
- SIM cards: buy at arrivals kiosk; rural 4G signal dips en route to Nathdwara and Mount Abu.
Final Call: Why Maharana Pratap Airport Is the Perfect Gateway to Udaipur
Bigger hubs may boast glossier lounges, yet Maharana Pratap Airport trades scale for simplicity: luggage on belt in seven minutes, prepaid taxi prices in black and white, samosas that cost less than Mumbai’s metro ride. By 2026 you’ll step off a wide-body direct from Dubai; until then enjoy the boutique charm of an airport where staff still greet you with “Khamma Ghani” and a nod. Book that window seat, charge your camera and prepare for palaces floating on liquid mercury just beyond the runway lights.