Udaipur needs no persuasion to visit. The City of Lakes — its white marble palaces rising from Pichola and Fateh Sagar, the Aravalli Hills framing every rooftop view, the Jagdish Temple towering above the ghats, and the City Palace complex spreading across the eastern shore in a five-century accumulation of Mewar architecture — is consistently ranked among the world’s most beautiful cities. It is also a premier wedding destination and an important Rajasthan tourism anchor that brings domestic and international visitors year-round rather than just in the cooler season. Maharana Pratap Airport — named after the legendary Mewar warrior-king who never surrendered to Mughal authority — carries IATA code UDR and ICAO code VAUD, sits at Dabok approximately 22 kilometres east of the city, handled 16,50,607 passengers in 2024–25, and connects Udaipur to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Surat, and Ahmedabad through IndiGo, Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Star Air. A new terminal expansion targeting enhanced capacity and international readiness is underway.
Quick Overview: Maharana Pratap Airport
| Detail | Information |
| Official Name | Maharana Pratap Airport (also: Udaipur Airport; Dabok Airport) |
| Location | Dabok, Udaipur district, Rajasthan, India |
| Airport Type | Public — Domestic (with international potential) |
| IATA Code | UDR |
| ICAO Code | VAUD |
| Operator | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Named After | Maharana Pratap (16th-century Mewar king and warrior) |
| Runway Designation | 08/26 |
| Runway Length | ~1,524–1,800 m (depending on source; extended) |
| Elevation | 513 m / 1,684 ft AMSL |
| Coordinates | 24°37′03″N, 73°53′40″E |
| Distance from City Centre | ~22 km east |
| Distance from City Palace | ~23–25 km |
| New Terminal | Under construction; targeted completion 2025 (per earlier reports) |
| Passengers (2024–25) | 16,50,607 (+10.9% YoY) |
| Aircraft Movements (2024–25) | 13,821 (+2.2% YoY) |
| Cargo Tonnage (2024–25) | 344 tonnes (−9.8% YoY) |
| Current Airlines | IndiGo, Air India Express, SpiceJet, Star Air |
| Active Routes | Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Surat, Ahmedabad |
Udaipur Airport Location: Dabok, 22 km From the City of Lakes
Maharana Pratap Airport is located at Dabok, approximately 22 kilometres east of Udaipur city centre on the Udaipur-Chittorgarh highway corridor. The coordinates are 24°37′03″N, 73°53′40″E, at an elevation of 513 metres above sea level — the Aravalli plateau terrain east of the lake basin where Udaipur’s historic city sits. The 22-km distance means the airport journey takes 35 to 50 minutes by taxi depending on traffic — manageable for most travellers, though notably longer than airports like Jodhpur (5 km) or Amritsar (11 km) in the Indian context.
Udaipur’s tourism geography makes the airport’s catchment extensive. The City Palace complex — the largest palace in Rajasthan — is approximately 23 to 25 km from the airport. The Jagdish Temple, Pichola Lake, Fateh Sagar Lake, Saheliyon ki Bari, and the Bagore ki Haveli are all within the city. Day-trip options from Udaipur include Kumbhalgarh Fort and Wildlife Sanctuary (approximately 85 km), Ranakpur Jain Temples (approximately 95 km), Chittorgarh Fort (approximately 115 km), and the Nathdwara temple complex (approximately 50 km). The airport serves as the air gateway to all of this.
Kankroli with its Rajsamand Lake and Dwarkadheesh Temple is approximately 17 km from the airport — making UDR the nearest commercial aviation facility for Kankroli’s residents and visitors as well.
Udaipur Airport Code: IATA UDR and ICAO VAUD
The IATA code is UDR and the ICAO code is VAUD. UDR is the booking identifier across IndiGo, Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Star Air platforms. VAUD places it in the VA western India block — one of the few Rajasthan airports in the VA rather than VI block, reflecting its southwestern Rajasthan position closer to the Gujarat-Maharashtra zone. The airport publishes METAR weather data confirming full operational status.
Udaipur Airport Terminal: Expansion Underway for Growing Tourism Traffic
The current terminal at Maharana Pratap Airport is a single domestic building handling all arrivals and departures. It has check-in counters for IndiGo, Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Star Air; security screening; a departure lounge; and baggage claim. Basic food and beverage outlets, retail shops carrying Rajasthani crafts, ATMs, and passenger amenities serve the terminal’s traffic.
The 10.9% passenger growth to 16.50 lakh in 2024–25 reflects a consistent upward trajectory — Udaipur’s international tourism profile and its wedding destination status contribute to year-round demand that most Rajasthan airports cannot claim. Udaipur’s December-February season is peak tourism and wedding season simultaneously, generating the highest airline load factors.
A new terminal expansion for Maharana Pratap Airport has been in active development. Plans called for a significantly larger building with expanded check-in counters, aerobridges, a more comprehensive commercial zone, and international customs and immigration infrastructure — the last element reflecting Udaipur’s aspiration for direct international flights, particularly from Gulf cities with large Rajasthani diaspora populations. Udaipur tourism stakeholders have consistently pushed for direct connectivity to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Per Wikipedia sources, the new terminal work was ongoing with a 2025 completion target that saw delays — confirm current construction status before travel planning.
Star Air serves Udaipur as part of its regional network, connecting UDR to destinations that IndiGo and Air India Express don’t serve from this city — adding route diversity beyond the trunk metro corridors.
Udaipur Airport Connectivity: Seven Domestic Destinations, International Aspirations
By Air: IndiGo is the dominant carrier at UDR, operating multiple daily Delhi flights alongside Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad connections. Air India Express serves Delhi and Mumbai. SpiceJet covers Delhi and Mumbai routes. Star Air adds Surat and additional destinations to the network. Total aircraft movements of 13,821 in 2024–25 represent approximately 38 daily movements — a healthy frequency for a city of Udaipur’s size. Confirm current schedules before booking; wedding season (October-February) sees maximum capacity on most routes and advance booking of 3 to 4 weeks is advisable.
By Road: Taxis from the airport to Udaipur city centre take 35 to 50 minutes — ₹500 to ₹800 range for a standard sedan. Ola and Uber operate in Udaipur with good coverage. The Udaipur-Chittorgarh highway (NH-76 zone) passes near the airport. Kankroli is approximately 17 km south of the airport — around 25 minutes by taxi.
By Rail: Udaipur City Railway Station is approximately 22 km from the airport, on the Ahmedabad-Udaipur broad-gauge line. Trains connect to Ahmedabad (approximately 6 hours), Jaipur (approximately 9 hours), and Delhi (approximately 14 hours). The Chetak Express and Udaipur City-Jaipur Express are among the key services.
Udaipur Airport Amenities: Tourism-Oriented Regional Gateway
The terminal’s amenities are well-suited to Udaipur’s leisure and wedding tourism profile. Food and beverage counters serve Rajasthani thali and café items — the dal baati churma and buttermilk are reliably available pre-departure staples. Retail shops carry miniature paintings from the Udaipur school, Rajasthani block prints, silver jewellery, and craft souvenirs. ATMs and currency exchange are accessible.
Wheelchair assistance and free trolleys are provided. Medical support is in place. The departure lounge has adequate seating and charging points. Arriving 90 minutes before departure is advisable at peak season when check-in queues lengthen.
FAQs: Maharana Pratap Airport
Q1. What is the IATA code for Udaipur Airport?
The IATA code is UDR and the ICAO code is VAUD. The airport is officially Maharana Pratap Airport, located at Dabok, approximately 22 km east of Udaipur city.
Q2. Who was Maharana Pratap and why is the airport named after him?
Maharana Pratap Singh I (1540–1597) was the ruler of Mewar who famously refused to submit to Mughal Emperor Akbar’s sovereignty. His resistance — including the Battle of Haldighati in 1576 — made him an enduring symbol of Rajput pride and self-determination. He remains one of Rajasthan’s most revered historical figures.
Q3. Which airlines and routes serve Udaipur Airport?
IndiGo (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Ahmedabad), Air India Express (Delhi, Mumbai), SpiceJet (Delhi, Mumbai), and Star Air (Surat and others) as of mid-2026. Confirm current schedules before booking.
Q4. Are there international flights from Udaipur Airport?
No regular scheduled international flights operated as of mid-2026. The new terminal expansion includes international customs and immigration infrastructure for future Gulf route operations. Confirm current status.
Q5. How far is Udaipur Airport from the City Palace?
The City Palace complex — Udaipur’s primary heritage landmark and the seat of the Mewar royal family — is approximately 23 to 25 km from the airport, about 40 to 55 minutes by taxi.
