How to Reach Rishikesh from Delhi - Train, Road & Air

The classic weekend escape from Delhi - yoga capital, adventure hub and Char Dham gateway, close enough to reach in a morning. Worth knowing before you book: Rishikesh has no significant railway station of its own, so nearly everyone routes via Haridwar.

🚆 By train

Rishikesh has no major functioning railway station - most trains stop at Haridwar and continue to Dehradun, bypassing it. The standard approach is a train to Haridwar Junction (HW), then 40-50 minutes by road. A few direct services exist but are infrequent and slow.

🚗 By road

About 240 km via NH-334, taking 6-7 hours through Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Roorkee and Haridwar. Direct Volvo AC and state buses run from Kashmere Gate ISBT and Anand Vihar. Starting early helps considerably with traffic around Delhi and Meerut.

✈ By air

Rishikesh has no airport. Jolly Grant Airport (DED) in Dehradun is the nearest, roughly a 40-minute drive away, with frequent flights from Delhi taking about an hour. Note that airport buses toward Rishikesh run only about hourly, so a taxi is usually the practical choice.

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Rishikesh have a railway station? ▼

Not a significant one. Most trains stop at Haridwar and continue to Dehradun, bypassing Rishikesh. The usual route is a train to Haridwar Junction, then 40-50 minutes by road.

How long does it take to reach Rishikesh from Delhi? ▼

Roughly 6-7 hours by road via NH-334, or a train to Haridwar plus a short road transfer. Flying to Dehradun takes about an hour plus a 40-minute drive.

What is the nearest airport to Rishikesh? ▼

Jolly Grant Airport (DED) in Dehradun, about a 40-minute drive away. Airport buses run only about hourly, so most travellers take a taxi.

Are there direct buses from Delhi to Rishikesh? ▼

Yes - Volvo AC and state buses run daily from Kashmere Gate ISBT and Anand Vihar, both overnight and daytime services.

When is the best time to visit Rishikesh? ▼

October to March for comfortable weather. River rafting season generally runs from around September to June, closing during the monsoon.

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