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Getting There & Away in Rishikesh

Overall9.5/10Easier to reach than about 95% of cities

Good to know

Good to Know

  • Rishikesh has only limited direct trains; using Haridwar Railway Station (25 km away) is the better rail option for connections to major cities.
  • Delhi-bound buses from Rishikesh depart in morning and late evening; book in advance during peak travel seasons.
  • Auto-rickshaw fares are negotiable and not metered; determine price before boarding.
  • Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) is the closest airport at 20 km; flights to Delhi are frequent and sometimes cheaper than overland transport.
  • National Highway 58 connects Rishikesh to Delhi; road conditions are generally good but traffic in certain towns (Modinagar, Roorkee) can be heavy.
  • Taxi fares from Dehradun airport to Rishikesh typically range from ₹800–₹1200 (approximately $10–$14).
  • Haridwar is a convenient 25 km away and makes a natural day trip or stopover point.
  • Rishikesh bus stand (ISBT) is centrally located and accessible by auto or local taxi from the railway station (1.5 km).

Buses

Booking
Online (UTC website: utconline.uk.gov.in, RedBus, EaseMyTrip), at bus stand ticket counters

Major Routes

  • Delhi (ISBT Kashmeri Gate)
    Frequency
    Frequent departures morning and evening
    Fare Range
    ₹400
    Distance Km
    233
    Journey Time Hours
    5.5-6
  • Haridwar
    Frequency
    Regular
    Distance Km
    25
    Journey Time Minutes
    45
  • Dehradun
    Frequency
    Regular
    Distance Km
    45
  • Chandigarh
    Frequency
    Daily services
  • Jaipur
    Frequency
    Regular
  • Agra
    Frequency
    Regular

Main Bus Stand

Operated By
Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) and private operators
Name
Rishikesh ISBT (Inter-State Bus Terminus)
Location
Adarsh Gram, near Natraj Chowk, ISBT Road
Bus Types
Ordinary, deluxe, AC, Volvo, sleeper coaches, tourist buses
Facilities
Ticket counters, waiting hall, toilets, refreshments, 24/7 operation
Distance From Railway Station Km
1.5

Local Stations

  • Rishikesh Railway Station
    Code
    RKSH
    Platforms
    3
    Trains Through
    59+ trains pass through; limited direct long-distance connections
    Description
    Branch line connection; limited direct trains (primarily short-distance services)
  • Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station
    Code
    YNRK
    Distance From City Center Km
    2
    Description
    Newer station to increase capacity; better for some routes

Major Nearby Station

Name
Haridwar Railway Station
Distance Km
25
Distance Miles
15.5
Journey Time To Rishikesh
approx. 1 hour by bus, cab, or auto
Description
Better connected alternative; well-connected to all major Indian cities

Key Trains

  • Shatabdi Express
  • Jan Shatabdi
  • Hemkunt Express
  • Yoga Express

Airports

  • Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun)
    Code
    DED
    Type
    Domestic airport
    Access
    Taxi (pre-paid counters available), shared cab, bus
    Key Routes
    Daily flights from Delhi; connects to major Indian cities
    Distance Km
    20
    Distance Miles
    12.4

    Airlines

    • Air India
    • SpiceJet
    • IndiGo
  • Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi)
    Code
    DEL
    Type
    International airport
    Access
    Bus (approx. 5-6 hours), flight to Dehradun, taxi
    Distance Km
    261
    Distance Miles
    162

Day Trip Access

  • Haridwar
    Attractions
    Har Ki Pauri ghat, Mansa Devi Temple (ropeway access), temples, Ganga Aarti
    Distance Km
    25
    Transport Options
    Bus, taxi, shared jeep
    Journey Time Minutes
    30
  • Devprayag
    Distance Km
    60
    Description
    Confluence point where river officially named Ganga; scenic mountain and river views
  • Rajaji National Park
    Description
    Wildlife sanctuary with tigers, leopards, elephants, birdwatching
  • Kunjapuri Temple
    Description
    Mountain temple with panoramic views
  • Neer Garh Waterfall
    Description
    Natural waterfall; nature and picnic spot

Ferries

Description
Ferry services for long-distance transport do not apply to Rishikesh. Local ferries operate across the Ganges from Ram Jhula for crossing the river to the eastern bank; not a transport mode to/from the city.

Booking

Indian Railways official website (www.irctc.co.in) or railway station counters

Local Ground Transport

Taxi

Availability
Available from local operators and Swarg Ashram taxi stand
Notes
More expensive than auto-rickshaw; negotiate fare

Walking

Description
Most of Rishikesh city center is walkable; recommended for religious attractions and local areas

Auto Rickshaw

Metering
Not metered; agree on fare before travel
Hire Locations
Found everywhere; auto stand at railway station, Laxman Jhula area
Fare Example Local City
₹100
Description
Known locally as 'Vikrams'; widely available
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

  1. 1.thomascook.in
  2. 2.rome2rio.com
  3. 3.rishikesh.uttarakhandonline.in
  4. 4.rishikeshdaytour.com
  5. 5.milehacker.com
  6. 6.thelandofwanderlust.com
  7. 7.euttaranchal.com
  8. 8.en.wikipedia.org
  9. 9.railyatri.in
  10. 10.euttaranchal.com
  11. 11.ixigo.com
  12. 12.athitidevobhavo.in
  13. 13.easemytrip.com
  14. 14.thrilltourism.com
  15. 15.travelchardham.com
  16. 16.happytovisit.com

More About Rishikesh

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.