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How to Reach Rishikesh

Rishikesh, the Yoga Capital of the World, sits in the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, about 25 km north of Haridwar. It is well-connected by road, rail, and air, with th

Overview

Rishikesh, the Yoga Capital of the World, sits in the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, about 25 km north of Haridwar. It is well-connected by road, rail, and air, with the nearest airport at Jolly Grant in Dehradun. The town itself is compact, but the iconic Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula areas are pedestrian-only, so expect plenty of walking.

Transport Options

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By Air

The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport (DED) in Dehradun, about 20 km from Rishikesh. It receives regular flights from Delhi and a few other major cities. From the airport, you can take a prepaid taxi or a shared cab to reach Rishikesh in about 35-40 minutes.

Jolly Grant Airport (DED)

Small but functional airport with limited flight connections, primarily from Delhi.

•Distance from Rishikesh: ~20 km
•Travel time: 35-40 minutes by taxi
•Prepaid taxi counters available outside arrivals
•Shared cabs (sumo/tempo) are cheaper but wait for full occupancy

Getting to Town

Taxis and shared cabs are the main options; no train or bus from the airport.

•Prepaid taxi to Swarg Ashram area: ₹800-₹1,000 (as of 2024)
•Shared cab to Rishikesh bus stand: ₹150-₹200 per person
•Uber/Ola not available at the airport
•Negotiate fares before boarding

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By Train

Rishikesh has its own small railway station with only a few trains, mostly from Delhi and Haridwar. For better connectivity, Haridwar Junction (about 25 km away) is the major railhead with trains from all over India. From Haridwar, you can take a taxi, bus, or shared auto to Rishikesh.

Rishikesh Railway Station (RKSH)

Limited service, but convenient if you find a direct train.

•Trains from Delhi (e.g., Yoga Express) run daily
•Station is about 3 km from the main town
•Auto-rickshaw to Swarg Ashram: ₹50-₹80
•Check current schedule as services may change

Haridwar Junction (HW)

Major station with excellent connections from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and more.

•Frequent trains from Delhi (e.g., Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi, AC Special)
•Travel time from Delhi: 4.5-5 hours
•From Haridwar, take a taxi (₹800-₹1,000) or bus (₹50) to Rishikesh
•Shared autos and e-rickshaws also available from the station

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By Road

Rishikesh is well-connected by road, with NH-58 (now NH-34) linking it to Haridwar and Delhi. The drive from Delhi is about 240 km and typically takes 6-7 hours. Regular state-run and private buses ply between Delhi, Haridwar, and Rishikesh.

From Delhi

The most common route is via NH-34 (formerly NH-58) through Haridwar.

•Distance: ~240 km
•Drive time: 6-7 hours (depending on traffic)
•Toll charges apply (approx. ₹300-₹400)
•Last stretch from Haridwar to Rishikesh is 25 km, about 45 minutes

Buses from Delhi and Haridwar

Uttarakhand Roadways and private operators run frequent services.

•Delhi to Rishikesh: AC and non-AC buses from ISBT Kashmere Gate (₹400-₹800)
•Haridwar to Rishikesh: local buses every 15-20 minutes (₹50-₹70)
•Private Volvo buses from Delhi take about 6.5 hours
•Buses drop at Rishikesh bus stand, then take an auto to your hotel

Practical Tips

•Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula are pedestrian-only—be prepared to walk or cross the bridges on foot.
•Auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws are available in the main town, but they cannot enter the restricted bridge areas.
•Keep small change for local transport and tips.
•If you have heavy luggage, consider staying near the main road or bus stand to avoid carrying it over the bridges.
•Check the weather—monsoon (July-September) can cause landslides and road closures, so plan accordingly.