Home › Routes › Karnal to Rishikesh

Karnal to Rishikesh

Distance, real road route and a tentative fare estimate for travelling from Karnal, Haryana to Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.

170 kmDistance
3.4 hrsDrive time

Tentative Fare Estimate

Car / Taxi
Swift Dzire₹6,569
Ertiga₹8,354
Innova₹8,711
Innova Crysta₹10,746
Tempo Traveller (12)₹14,780

Round trip · incl. driver allowance & GST

View route plan
Bus
Non-AC Seater₹190
AC Seater₹310
Non-AC Sleeper₹270
AC Sleeper₹390
Volvo / Multi-Axle₹530
View route plan
Train
Sleeper₹130
Economy₹200
Third AC₹270
Second AC₹370
First AC₹510
View route plan

Tentative estimate only, based on typical Indian public-transport tariffs (state transport bus fares, IRCTC sleeper/AC class rates, standard outstation taxi per-km rates) — not a live quote from any operator.

Route Map

By Car: Karnal to Rishikesh

170 km · ~3h 24m · About 3h of driving, plus stops.

  1. Start from Karnal

    An early start keeps you ahead of city and highway traffic.

  2. 170 km · 3h 24m drive from previous stop

    Arrive in Rishikesh

    Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Stops are typical for this road, not a fixed itinerary. Timings assume about 50 km/h on average — traffic, tolls and road conditions vary.

By Bus: Karnal to Rishikesh

170 km · ~3h 47m · Buses on this route are usually available as direct services. Operators and departure times vary — check live availability.

  1. Board at Karnal

    Go to the main bus stand / ISBT in Karnal. Overnight buses usually leave in the evening; book a seat in advance for sleeper and Volvo services.

  2. Karnal → Rishikesh

    Non-AC or AC Seater · ~170 km

    ~3h 47m|Tentative fare ₹190–₹530

  3. Arrive in Rishikesh

    Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Halts and change points are typical for this route, not a specific operator’s schedule — check live availability and timings when booking.

By Train: Karnal to Rishikesh

Nearest railway stations: Karnal for Karnal, Raiwala for Rishikesh.

No direct train found — best options with a change

1 change · 4h 55m in total

New Delhi-Amritsar Swarna Shatabdi Express#12029 · Shatabdi
08:40 AMKohand
1h 15m14 stops
09:55 AMAmbala Cant Jn

Change trains at Ambala Cant Jn — about 40m wait

Shriganganagar Haridwar Express#14712 · Express
10:35 AMAmbala Cant Jn
3h26 stops
01:35 PMHaridwar Jn

1 change · 4h 55m in total

Amritsar Shatabdi Express#12031 · Shatabdi
08:40 AMKohand
1h 15m14 stops
09:55 AMAmbala Cant Jn

Change trains at Ambala Cant Jn — about 40m wait

Shriganganagar Haridwar Express#14712 · Express
10:35 AMAmbala Cant Jn
3h26 stops
01:35 PMHaridwar Jn

1 change · 5h 15m in total

New Delhi-Amritsar Swarna Shatabdi Express#12029 · Shatabdi
08:40 AMKohand
1h 15m14 stops
09:55 AMAmbala Cant Jn

Change trains at Ambala Cant Jn — about 1h 10m wait

Amritsar Haridwar Jan Shatabdi#12054 · Jan Shatabdi
11:05 AMAmbala Cant Jn
2h 50m26 stops
01:55 PMHaridwar Jn

Waits assume each train runs daily — the timetable data has no running days, so check the days for every train before you plan a change.

Train details come from a 2015 railway timetable snapshot — newer trains, changed timings and running days are not included, so confirm on IRCTC before you plan around a train.

Karnal to Rishikesh: Route & Travel Options

Route overview

Karnal to Rishikesh is about 170 km by road, roughly 3.4 hours of travel time. The road passes near Saharanpur and Roorkee.

Tentative fare estimate

Approximate fares for about 170 km, estimated from typical Indian per-km tariffs — not a live quote from any operator.

  • Car / Taxi: Swift Dzire ₹6,569 · Ertiga ₹8,354 · Innova ₹8,711 · Innova Crysta ₹10,746 · Tempo Traveller (12) ₹14,780
  • Bus: Non-AC Seater ₹190 · AC Seater ₹310 · Non-AC Sleeper ₹270 · AC Sleeper ₹390 · Volvo / Multi-Axle ₹530
  • Train: Sleeper ₹130 · Economy ₹200 · Third AC ₹270 · Second AC ₹370 · First AC ₹510

Tentative estimates only — actual fares vary by operator, season, class and how early you book.

Want the full Rishikesh guide?

Attractions, itineraries, temples and travel tips for Rishikesh.

View Rishikesh Guide

Stops & Places Along the Route

Good places to break the journey from Karnal to Rishikesh. Distances are approximate; the road you take may pass a little away from some of them.

  1. Saharanpur80 km from Karnal

    Uttar Pradesh

  2. Roorkee115 km from Karnal
  3. Haridwar150 km from Karnal

Hotels in Rishikesh

Treebo hotels in Rishikesh. Tell us your dates and we'll get you a rate.

Itsy Hotels Nv, Tapovan

Rishikesh

Treebo Ak Residency

Rishikesh

Things to Do in Rishikesh

Attend Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan

Join the nightly ceremony at Parmarth Niketan, where hundreds of lamps are lit and offered to the Ganges, accompanied by chanting and hymns. The atmosphere is deeply…

1-2 hours

River Rafting on the Ganges

Raft the exhilarating rapids of the Shivpuri-Kaudiyala stretch, offering grades II to IV. The season runs from mid-September to mid-June, with options for both…

2-4 hours

Walk Across Laxman Jhula

Cross the iconic suspension bridge, built in 1929, and enjoy panoramic views of the Ganges and the surrounding hills. Legend says Lakshmana crossed the river here on a…

30-45 minutes

Yoga Class in an Ashram

Take a yoga or meditation class at one of the many ashrams, such as Parmarth Niketan or Sivananda Ashram. Classes are typically held in the morning and are suitable for…

1-2 hours

Explore the Beatles Ashram

Visit the abandoned ashram where The Beatles stayed in 1968, now a heritage site with vibrant murals and graffiti. It's a fascinating blend of rock history and…

1-2 hours

Day Trip to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

Drive 32 km into the hills to this ancient temple dedicated to Shiva, where he is said to have consumed the poison from the churning of the ocean. The winding road…

Half-day

See all places in Rishikesh →

Suggested Rishikesh Itinerary

Day 1Day 1

  • Cross Laxman Jhula (1929 suspension bridge) and take in views of the Ganges.
  • Explore the Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia) and its colorful murals and meditation cells.
  • Visit Swarg Ashram's vegetarian-only zone and browse its shops and cafes.

Day 2Day 2

  • Drive to Shivpuri (about 30 min) and do a 16 km rafting stretch (Grade II-III, season mid-Sep to mid-Jun).
  • Stop at a sandy beach for a cliff jump and swim (if water levels permit).
  • Walk across Ram Jhula (1986) and visit the nearby ghats and temples.

Day 3Day 3

  • Drive or take a shared taxi to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple (32 km) and offer prayers at the shrine associated with Shiva's…
  • Return to Rishikesh and visit Triveni Ghat for a morning dip or just to watch the rituals.
  • Optional: Head to Mohanchatti for bungee jumping at Jumpin Heights (if you have a few extra hours).
Full 3-day itinerary →

Extend Your Trip

Add a nearby place to your Rishikesh trip and see the full Karnal → Rishikesh → next stop route.

Rishikesh → Devprayag

About 40 km by road

Rishikesh → Dehradun

About 50 km by road

Rishikesh → Mussoorie

About 55 km by road

Rishikesh → Kotdwar

About 60 km by road

Plan My Trip: Karnal to Rishikesh

Pick how you want to travel and we'll send a complete plan with transport, hotel and sightseeing — on WhatsApp and a call back.

Other Routes