Transportation and Accommodation
Getting here
Via Delhi:
The following three routes by road have been found most suitable:
- Delhi-Gurgaon-Dharuheda-Rewari-Mahendragarh-Loharu-Pilani (220 km)
- Delhi-Gurgaon-Dharuheda-Rewari-Narnaul-Singhana-Chirawa-Pilani (225 km)
- Delhi-Rohtak-Bhiwani-Loharu-Pilani (220 km) – The new, smooth, and most recommended route.
Buses ply at regular intervals from ISBT, Kashmiri Gate, New Delhi to Pilani from 5:40 am to 10:00 pm.
By train:
Trains directly to Loharu (LHU) can be caught at the Sarai Rohilla Station (DEE) or the Delhi Cantt. Station (DEC).
Train Name | Departure from DEE | Arrival at LHU |
Sarai Rohilla-Sikar Intercity Express | 6:50 am (Only on Wednesdays and Fridays) | 9:55 am |
Salasar SF Express | 7:05 am | 10:05 am |
Sarai Rohilla-Bikaner SF Express | 8:40 am | 11:30 am |
Sarai Rohilla-Sikar Express | 10:25 pm (Only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays | 1:45 am |
Sarai Rohilla-Jodhpur SF Express | 11:15 pm | 1:55 am |
The journey to Pilani can then be completed by hailing a cab, or by bus, right outside the railway station to the campus, covering roughly 26 kilometres. Buses to, and from, Loharu are convenient as they are scheduled specifically for people wishing to catch the trains to Delhi.
Via Jaipur:
By road:
The most preferred route by road is: Jaipur-Chomu-Ringus-Sikar-Nawalgarh-Chirawa-Pilani (220 km).You can hop onto buses from the State Bus Terminal (Sindhi Camp) which ply from 4:00 am to midnight.
Others:
There are a large number of private buses that operate overnight to nearby cities in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. The Students’ Union (SU) also runs buses and arranges a cab service to Delhi and Jaipur at the end of every semester at discounted rates.
On-Campus Transport
Cycles remain the primary means of transport within the campus. It is a necessity for girls, whose hostel happens to be far away from the academic buildings. Auto drivers and rickshaw pullers, seen just outside as well as within the campus, can be used for travel anywhere within Pilani.
The Stay:
While arrangements are made to accommodate parents with their wards in the various bhawans, in the unlikely event of this facility not being available, various other options are open.
Accommodation | Contact Number |
VFAST Hostel (Visiting Faculty, Alumni, Students Transit Hostel) (Inside Campus) | 01596 515 520 |
Alumni House, Vidya Vihar Campus (Inside Campus) | 01596-242166 |
Sitaram Bhandar Yatri Niwas | 01596-244672 |
Lodge Bani Thani | 01596-245163 |
Vishram Vatika | 01596-243105 |
Hotel Sarla Paradise | 09828080170 (Mr. Manoj) |
Maheshwari Lodge | 01596-242967 |
Hotel Ganapati Yatri Niwas | 01596-242599 |
Birla Guest House | 01596-244647 |
N.L. Forman | 01596 244 151 |
Campus Facilities
The first couple of weeks on campus can be a confusing time. Although we would suggest you get on a cycle, get thoroughly lost, and find your way back, this guide should make navigating around campus a little easier.
Faculty Divisions (FDs): Initially appearing to be nothing short of a maze, FDs I, II, and III host the majority of the department offices. They also host the classrooms where most of your tutorial classes will be conducted. Be prepared to go in through one entrance and come out through another for quite some time.
Lecture Theatre Complex (LTC): LTC is where you will be attending all your lectures. This is also where the telepresence room is located.
New Academic Building (NAB): NAB is the newest addition to the academic buildings. It has air-conditioned classrooms, computer labs, and a few department offices. The numbering of the rooms is slightly confusing, so be prepared to walk in circles the first few days.
Library: The library is a beautifully designed building which houses a massive collection of books. It has several halls, an AV room, and a coffee machine. The prized few seats in the AC reading room are heavily fought over during exams.Â
The Auditorium (Audi): The auditorium hosts all the major cultural events, including club performances and inauguration ceremonies. It also hosts a plethora of fest events, movie screenings, and even the occasional cricket match.
Clock Tower: The most recognizable building on campus, the Clock Tower is the iconic feature of BITS Pilani. It also forms the backdrop of the first picture students take on campus.
Sky Lawns and Sky Lab: Whether you’re in the mood for joyful observation or pensive introspection, Sky Lawns is the perfect place to hang out on those lazy Sunday afternoons. The delicious sandwiches and shakes from Sky Lab deserve a special mention.
Akshay: Akshay is a convenience store where you can buy stationery, mattresses, food, and other essentials at subsidized prices.
C’not: C’not is primarily a collection of various restaurants. You can also find saloons, second-hand book stores, courier services, a pharmacy, and a variety of other shops in this once bustling marketplace.
Saraswati Mandir and Temple Lawns: The Saraswati temple, the outer walls of which are adorned with figurines of influential people throughout history, represents a confluence of science and religion. The stretch of greenery ahead, known as the T-lawns, is a popular spot for club and department meetings.
Student Activities Centre (SAC): SAC boasts of badminton, squash, and table tennis courts, a gymnasium, and a small amphitheatre. It also has rooms allotted to clubs and departments, and you will find it abuzz with activity throughout the year.
Gym Grounds (Gym-G): Host to the old, now-defunct gym building and to the BITS Open Sports Meet (BOSM), Gym-G is the go-to place for anyone athletically inclined. It comprises of the basketball, tennis, hockey and volleyball courts, and a football field surrounded by a running track.
Medical Centre (MedC): MedC provides basic medical facilities to the students. You can also avail the services of dentists (who consult weekly) and counsellors (who visit periodically). It also has an attached medical store where you can buy medicines using your ID card.
Workshop: The Workshop is where the first-year Workshop lessons, as well as most of the Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering lab courses take place. Since the last semester, a new workshop building has been opened near SR Bhawan, and the Foundry, Carpentry and CNC courses have already been shifted there.The new workshop also houses the Joint Indo-Germal Experience Lab (JInGEL). Technical teams such as the Inspired Karters – Formula Student team also use the equipment in the Workshop for their projects.