Ultimate Guide: Reaching Rishikesh from Delhi by Taxi, Train & Flight

You can travel by train from New Delhi (or Delhi station) to Haridwar, a city near Rishikesh. The journey typically lasts 4 to 7 hours, depending on the train. Ticket prices range from 400 to 1200 rupees, varying by train and carriage class. If you arrive in Delhi in the evening, consider taking a night sleeper train to Haridwar. However, be mindful not to miss your stop in Haridwar, as it is not the final destination.

If you arrive early morning, you can take an Express train to Haridwar, with a journey time of approximately 4.5 hours, and possibly even enjoy breakfast service onboard. The daily 12017 Dehradun Shatabdi Express departs from New Delhi Railway Station at 6:45 AM, arriving in Haridwar at 11:20 AM. As of May 2017, the Executive Class fare was 1190 rupees, while the AC Chair Class cost 595 rupees. This train offers only these two classes. I recommend the AC Chair Class as the comfort difference is minimal.

If you arrive in the afternoon, you can take another Shatabdi Express Train, 12055, which departs from New Delhi Train Station at 3:20 PM and arrives in Haridwar at 7:30 PM. This train offers more affordable fares, with an AC Chair Class seat costing 600 rupees and a Second Class seat costing 180 rupees.

Train Timetables

For checking train timetables and availability, I recommend websites like Cleartrip, MakeMyTrip, and Yatra.com due to their user-friendly navigation, which is often superior to the official Indian government railway site. When searching, you may need to experiment with different seat classes as these websites might not display all available seats across all classes on all trains. Some trains offer only sitting carriages, while others have sleepers, AC2, AC3, and so on. To view all your options, modify your search and select various seat classes. You can also book train tickets directly through these websites, though an IRCTC account is required.

If you choose to travel by train, your journey will involve several stages:

Airport to New Delhi Train Station: From Indira Gandhi Airport, take either the metro train or a pre-paid taxi to the New Delhi train station.
New Delhi to Haridwar: From the New Delhi Train Station, board a train to Haridwar.
Haridwar to Rishikesh: Upon arrival in Haridwar, you have two options:
- Take a taxi directly to Rishikesh, specifying your exact destination (e.g., Rishikesh Ram Jhula or Lakshman Jhula). This will cost 1000-1200 rupees.
- Walk approximately 5 minutes from Haridwar railway station to the Haridwar bus station. From there, take a bus to Rishikesh. This option costs 60-70 rupees, departs once or twice an hour, and takes about one hour.
Rishikesh Bus Station to Destination: Once you reach the Rishikesh bus station, take a rickshaw to Ram Jhula or Laxman Jhula for 200- 250 rupees.

This travel plan, while adventurous, requires careful preparation. It’s crucial to understand the following:

Indian trains can be overbooked. You cannot board a train without a ticket (in most classes), and tickets are not available for purchase on board. Buying a train ticket in India is an experience in itself.

Purchasing tickets on the day of departure is highly unlikely. If you manage to buy a ticket at a cash desk, it will most probably be for the lowest class carriage. These carriages are often depicted in images with people traveling on roofs and hanging from windows and doors.

Why You have to book in Advance?

To avoid such a challenging journey, it is essential to purchase tickets for higher classes in advance. Tickets for these classes are reserved quickly, often requiring you to buy them well before your trip to India. Aim to purchase your tickets at least 1-2 weeks prior to your journey from the official Indian railway website, Cleartrip, or MakeMyTrip.

For your return journey, you can secure tickets by visiting one of the many travel agents in Rishikesh a week or two before your intended travel date.

When purchasing train tickets in India, you’ll encounter various carriage classes. Here’s a breakdown to help you choose:

Sleeper Class: This is a sleeper carriage for the truly adventurous. Often, passengers without tickets or on the “waiting list” (explained later) may occupy these carriages. They might sit or even sleep in your reserved spot, place their belongings on your seat, or involve you in their journey by asking you to hold children.

For a more comfortable travel experience, consider:

AC2 or AC3 (Sleeper Carriages): These are air-conditioned options for overnight journeys. Their main advantage is the absence of unauthorized passengers, ensuring more personal space.

- AC3: An air-conditioned sleeper carriage with three berths on each side of the compartment.
- AC2: An air-conditioned sleeper carriage with two berths on each side of the compartment, offering more space than AC3.

AC Chair Car (CC) or Executive Chair Car (EC) (Sitting Carriages for Daytime Trains): These are designed for day travel.

- Second Sitting (2S): A simpler, non-air-conditioned sitting carriage.
- AC Chair Car (CC): A higher-end, air-conditioned sitting carriage, often a preferred choice for comfort.
- Executive Chair Car (EC): Similar to AC Chair Car but features newer seats, more legroom, and a touch of luxury. While offering enhanced comfort, EC seats can be significantly more expensive.

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Avoid “waiting list” tickets at all costs.

A “waiting list” ticket means you’ve paid for a ticket but are not guaranteed a seat. While you might get a seat if someone cancels at the last minute, these chances are slim. If you don’t secure a seat, you may be asked to leave the train or risk standing in a sleeper or lowest-class carriage. Although online purchases allow for refunds, this option is highly inconvenient, especially if it disrupts your travel plans and forces you to seek alternative transportation (as same-day train tickets are rarely available).

Be vigilant about your Haridwar stop.

Most trains will continue to Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, with Haridwar being the station before Dehradun. Train stations are often not announced, so you must know your estimated arrival time in Haridwar. Crucially, adjust your phone or watch to local Indian time and set an alarm to ensure you don’t miss your stop. Missing it means a longer journey to Rishikesh from Dehradun (2 hours instead of 1), and less frequent bus services.

Rishikesh in India — Rishikesh Rafting in India

Flight from Delhi to Rishikesh

Flying is often the fastest and most comfortable way to reach Rishikesh, and can even be more economical than a taxi. The flights from Delhi to Dehradun are available for as little as 3000-5000 rupees, which is more than some train tickets. However, prices fluctuate seasonally, so it’s wise to book in advance.

When planning your arrival in Delhi, search for Delhi-Dehradun flights on websites like Cleartrip, MakeMyTrip, or Yatra.com. Remember that domestic flights depart from a different terminal at Indira Gandhi Airport. Therefore, book a connecting flight that departs no sooner than 3 hours after your international arrival to allow ample time for potential delays, baggage claim, terminal transfer, and security checks.

You will arrive at Dehradun’s airport, which is actually closer to Rishikesh than Dehradun city itself, and even closer than Haridwar. From the airport, a taxi to Rishikesh, just 22 km in 1 hour (specify “Rishikesh-Ram Jhula” or “Rishikesh-Lakshman Jhula”) will cost approximately 100-1200 rupees.

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