Short answer
Most visitors reach Uttarakhand from Delhi by road or train, or fly to Dehradun. Dehradun's airport suits Rishikesh, Haridwar and Mussoorie, while Pantnagar and the Kathgodam railway station serve Nainital and Corbett. Haridwar is the usual start for Char Dham journeys. Hill roads are slower than distances suggest.
On this page 13 sections
Uttarakhand is unusually easy to reach for a Himalayan state. Delhi is a day's drive from most of it, rail lines reach the foothills, and an airport near Dehradun connects the state to major cities. But the last part of the journey, up the hill roads, is slower and less predictable than the plains section. This guide helps you choose the right way in for each destination.
By air
Dehradun (Jolly Grant Airport, DED) is the main airport, about 35 km from Rishikesh, 40 km from Haridwar and 60 km from Mussoorie. It has flights from Delhi and several other cities, though schedules and routes change. It is the best entry point for Rishikesh, Haridwar, Mussoorie and the Garhwal side of the state.
Pantnagar (PGH) has limited flights and serves the Kumaon side, about 65 to 70 km from Nainital and the same from Corbett. Services vary, so check current timetables. A smaller airstrip at Pithoragarh also operates with limited services.
Delhi (DEL) is the major international gateway, with onward travel to Uttarakhand by road, rail or a short flight to Dehradun.
By train
- Haridwar Junction is well connected to Delhi and other cities, with fast trains. It is the usual railhead for Haridwar, Rishikesh and the Char Dham.
- Dehradun has direct trains from Delhi and elsewhere, including fast services. It serves Mussoorie and Rishikesh.
- Yog Nagari Rishikesh is on the line but has fewer trains.
- Kathgodam is the gateway to Nainital, Bhimtal, Almora and Ranikhet, with trains from Delhi and other cities.
- Ramnagar is the railhead for Jim Corbett National Park, with an overnight train from Delhi.
- A railway line towards the Char Dham region is under construction, so check its status before relying on it.
Book early for summer holidays, festival periods and the Char Dham season.
By road from Delhi
Delhi to Haridwar is about 215 km, five to six hours; Delhi to Rishikesh about 240 km; Delhi to Dehradun about 250 km; Delhi to Mussoorie about 290 km, six to seven hours; Delhi to Nainital about 300 km, seven to eight hours; Delhi to Corbett (Ramnagar) about 250 km, five to six hours. A newer expressway has been shortening the Delhi to Dehradun journey, though sections have opened in stages, so check current status. Traffic around Meerut, Muzaffarnagar and Roorkee can be heavy, and weekends are slow.
By road from other cities
From Chandigarh, Dehradun is about 170 km via Paonta Sahib or Ambala and Saharanpur. From Lucknow or Kanpur, roads lead to Bareilly and then Kathgodam or Ramnagar. From Jaipur, you drive via Delhi. Long-distance buses run from Delhi's ISBT Kashmere Gate to Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital and other towns, with Volvo and state options.
Choosing the gateway for each destination
| Destination | Best entry point |
|---|---|
| Rishikesh | Dehradun airport or Haridwar station |
| Haridwar | Haridwar station or Dehradun airport |
| Mussoorie | Dehradun airport or station |
| Nainital | Kathgodam station or Pantnagar airport |
| Jim Corbett | Ramnagar station or Delhi by road |
| Kedarnath and Badrinath | Haridwar or Rishikesh |
Char Dham journeys
Most Char Dham journeys begin in Haridwar or Rishikesh. From there, roads lead north along river valleys, and the journey to Kedarnath or Badrinath takes a day or more. Helicopter services connect some points but depend on weather and registration. Plan for a spare day.
Sample journeys
From Delhi, a typical first trip is a morning train or drive to Haridwar, an overnight there, and onward travel to Rishikesh. From Mumbai or Bengaluru, a flight to Dehradun and a taxi to Rishikesh or Mussoorie is the quickest route. From Kolkata or Lucknow, a train to Kathgodam or Haridwar and a short road transfer is common. If you plan to visit both Garhwal and Kumaon, arrive in one and leave from the other to avoid a long return drive.
Arrival day tips
Hill roads are slow, so do not plan a heavy first day. If you land in Dehradun in the afternoon, go straight to your hotel and keep the evening light. Carry a light jacket even in summer if you are heading to Mussoorie, because the temperature drops after the climb. Keep your luggage compact, since hill hotels often have narrow stairs, and ask whether your hotel is reachable by road or involves a walk. Confirm your pickup in advance, particularly at railway stations in the early morning.
Documents and arrival
Carry government photo ID. Foreign nationals need their passport and visa. Hotels will ask for ID on check-in. Pilgrim routes require registration, and we confirm the current rules close to your dates.
Luggage and practical points
Pack light for hill hotels, where staircases are steep and rooms are small. Soft bags are easier to fit in a car boot than hard suitcases. Keep medicines, documents and a rain jacket in a day bag. If you are travelling by train, reserve seats early and arrive at the station with time to spare, since platforms are crowded at festival times.
Money and connectivity on arrival
ATMs are easy to find in towns, but rare at high shrines, so carry cash. Mobile coverage is generally good in towns but patchy on high routes. Download offline maps and tickets before you leave.
Smart combinations
A popular plan is to fly into Dehradun and fly out of Pantnagar, or to arrive by train at Haridwar and leave from Kathgodam, which avoids backtracking. If you plan to see both Garhwal and Kumaon, a one-way drive between them is usually better than a return.
Plan with us
Tell us where you are starting from and how many days you have, and we will recommend the right gateway. See our Uttarakhand tour packages or ask for a plan.
Practical tips
- Choose your arrival point by destination: Dehradun for Mussoorie and Rishikesh, Kathgodam for Nainital, Ramnagar for Corbett.
- Allow extra time for the final hill stretch, since it is slower than the plains.
- Avoid arriving at hill stations on Friday evening, when traffic peaks.
- Book trains early for May, June and festival periods.
- Keep government photo ID handy for hotels, checkposts and registrations.
