Delhi to Rishikesh: the Best Travel Options
The best options to travel from Delhi to Rishikesh are train, plane or taxi/private transfer. I’m going to outline the fastest, easiest and cheapest ways to make the trip.
Rishikesh is only 250 km from Delhi, and my dog and I have made the journey a few times to visit friends that live there. It’s a nice break for both of us from Delhi.
How to Travel from Delhi to Rishikesh
Rishikesh used to be a nice quiet, spiritual town, but it’s a lot busier now.
Domestic tourism exploded after the pandemic, and the main road leading into Rishikesh can be a traffic nightmare, especially on weekends. Keep this mind when you plan your trip.
Delhi to Rishikesh By Air
Flying is the fastest option. Rishikesh doesn’t have an airport but you fly into the closest one, which is Dehradun. The flight is less than an hour.
From the Dehradun airport you take a taxi, private transfer or Uber intercity to Rishikesh. When I wrote this article Uber was advertising Dehradun to Rishikesh for INR 1200 (14.00 USD). It’s less than 40 km away.
I know several expats that live in Rishikesh, and they swear flying into Dehradun is the best way.
SpiceJet, Indigo and Air India all have flights from Delhi to Dehradun. Domestic flights are not expensive in India.
I like Air India – it’s the flagship carrier and has a better on-time track record than the others. Indigo is good too, SpiceJet would be my last choice.
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport recommends you arrive 2 hours before a domestic flight.
➡️ If you’re travelling directly into Delhi from overseas and onto Rishikesh, give yourself at least 3 hours between flights. You’ll have to clear customs, pick up your luggage and change terminals.
I book my flights through Kayak.com or MakeMyTrip.
Delhi to Rishikesh By Train
Rishikesh does have a train station, but it doesn’t have good rail service from Delhi. The trains that do travel from Delhi to Rishikesh are the slowest ones, doing the journey in 7-9 hours.
Instead, take one of the express trains to Hardiwar. The Vande Bharat Express makes the journey is less than 3.5 hours, and the Jan Shatabdi does it in just over 4 hours. Hardiwar is 25 km from Rishikesh, so take an Uber or taxi from the Hardiwar railway station to Rishikesh.
Many of these trains terminate in Dehradun, but stop in Hardiwar first.
India has an impressive rail network, and there’s a few ways to buy a train ticket in Delhi. Plus an Indian train journey is an iconic experience every visitor should try at least once!
➡️ Delhi has more than one main train station. Make sure you check which station your train is departing from.
Delhi to Rishikesh By Taxi or Uber
This is the easiest and most convenient way – as long as you don’t end up in the awful Rishikesh weekend traffic. If traffic is good, the drive takes 5 hours.
The first time I went to Rishikesh was by private taxi. I had my dog with me, and at the last minute decided to join a Canadian friend living there for Christmas. Because of the extra steps required travelling by train or plane in India with a dog, I just took a taxi.
This was a few years ago before Uber started offering intercity rides, and I paid INR 5500 for a private transfer. Now you can get an Uber for 4500 INR (52.00 USD).
You can also book private transfers through MakeMyTrip.
Delhi to Rishikesh By Bus – Not Recommended
The cheapest option is by bus. The journey takes 5 to 7 hours. Unless you are on a super tight budget, I don’t recommend it.
You can buy bus tickets on MakeMyTrip or at the bus station. Most of these buses depart from Kashmiri Gate ISBT (Inter State Bus Terminal) and make a stop at the Anand Vihar ISBT in Delhi.
I have taken the bus, and it’s a miracle the bus survived the journey. The windshield was cracked in a spider web pattern that stretched from the driver’s side to the passenger side, and the bumper was literally tied onto the bus with string.
I have also heard lots of stories from friends who booked tickets on the better Volvo class bus, only to arrive at the bus station to find the bus downgraded to something like the one above.
Is It Worth Going to Rishikesh?
Yes, absolutely! There’s lots to see and do, whether you are a spiritual seeker, yoga enthusiast or adrenalin junkie.
For Indians it is considered a holy city because of the location on the sacred Ganges River. Each evening there are mesmerizing aarti ceremonies at the river bank.
➡️ Because Rishikesh is a holy city you cannot purchase alcohol or meat. Restaurants are vegetarian and dry.
Rishikesh is considered the birthplace of yoga. There are several amazing yoga ashrams, like Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram, considered one of the best in India.
If you want to stay active, there’s great hiking in the area (these are the foothills of the Himalayas), and white water rafting.
Where to Stay in Rishikesh
I always stay with friends in Rishikesh, so I have not stayed at these properties. BUT, I am familiar with them so can recommend them based on reputation and location.
It’s a good idea to make accommodation bookings in advance. Rishikesh is a popular tourist destination for foreigners and Indians.
The Wrap-up on Delhi to Rishikesh: The Best Travel Options
Now that you know how to travel from Delhi to Rishikesh, there’s no excuse not to go! I think it’s one of India’s nicest cities, and well worth the trip.
You Might Also Like…
- 8 Best Yoga Studios for Classes in South Delhi
- Best Ashrams in Delhi for Meditation and Reflection
- Golden Triangle India: How to Do It On Your Own
Don’t forget travel insurance! It’s always a good idea to carry travel insurance just in case something goes wrong. I really like and
