Overview
Dehradun to Badrinath is 330 km by road — approximately 8–9 hours. Dehradun serves as the entry point for travellers flying into Jolly Grant Airport from Delhi or other cities. The route from Dehradun joins the main Rishikesh → NH-58 Char Dham highway at Rishikesh (43 km from Dehradun).
| From | To | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dehradun city | Rishikesh | 43 km | 1–1.5 hrs |
| Jolly Grant Airport | Rishikesh | 30 km | 45 min |
| Dehradun city | Joshimath | 288 km | 7–8 hrs |
| Jolly Grant Airport | Joshimath | 278 km | 6–7 hrs |
| Dehradun city | Badrinath | 330 km | 8–9 hrs |
| Jolly Grant Airport | Badrinath | 330 km | 8–9 hrs |
Planning
Dehradun to Badrinath by road:
From Dehradun, the quickest route is: Dehradun → Rishikesh (43 km, NH-72 via Doiwala) → join NH-58 at Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar (Garhwal) → Rudraprayag → Chamoli → Joshimath → Badrinath. Total 330 km. The NH-72 from Dehradun to Rishikesh is a good 2-lane road — straightforward. All the mountain winding begins at Rishikesh where NH-58 starts. Fuel up at Rishikesh or Chamoli. Overnight at Joshimath is strongly recommended before the final 50 km to Badrinath.
Jolly Grant Airport to Badrinath (flight travellers):
For visitors flying in from Delhi (45 min, ₹3,000–₹8,000 one-way on IndiGo/SpiceJet/Air India), Jolly Grant Airport is 30 km from Rishikesh. Arriving at Jolly Grant morning, the plan is:
- Land at Jolly Grant by 10:00 AM (first flight from Delhi typically 7:00–8:30 AM departure)
- Taxi from Jolly Grant to Joshimath: ₹6,000–₹9,000 (Innova, 6 seats), 6–7 hrs. Or take the Jolly Grant prepaid taxi to Rishikesh (₹1,200) and join a shared taxi from Rishikesh ISBT.
- Arrive Joshimath 4:00–6:00 PM: Check in, rest, acclimatise at 1,890 m.
- Next morning — Badrinath: Depart Joshimath 5:00 AM → temple by 6:30 AM for first darshan.
Dehradun bus options:
Uttarakhand Roadways buses from Dehradun ISBT (Parade Ground) to Badrinath/Joshimath run during Yatra season. Overnight AC Volvo sleeper: ₹700–₹1,100 (dep ~9:30 PM, arr Joshimath ~6:00 AM). Non-AC bus: ₹350–₹600 (dep 5:00 AM onwards). Shared taxis from Dehradun Clock Tower area: ₹600–₹900/seat to Joshimath (7–8 hrs). Note: shared taxis are more frequent from Rishikesh — many Dehradun travellers take a local bus/auto to Rishikesh (1 hr) and join mountain taxis there.
Travel Tips
- Flight timing from Delhi to Jolly Grant: IndiGo, SpiceJet and Air India all have early morning Delhi → Dehradun flights (departure 6:00–8:00 AM, arrival 7:00–9:00 AM). This allows a Jolly Grant → Joshimath same-day drive and overnight there. A later flight (10:00 AM or after) means arriving Joshimath at night — tiring but possible.
- Jolly Grant Airport taxi: Prepaid taxis at the airport counter. Rishikesh: ₹1,100–₹1,400. Joshimath: ₹7,000–₹10,000 (airport premium). Better to book a private taxi through your hotel at Joshimath the day before — ₹6,000–₹7,500 from airport is the negotiated rate.
- Dehradun as a last-night city: For pilgrims from far cities, Dehradun is a comfortable last-night stop before the Badrinath journey. Dehradun has excellent hotels (₹1,500–₹8,000), multiple ATMs, pharmacies and a good market to stock up on supplies (sunscreen, warm layers, medicines) before the mountain road.
- No helicopter from Jolly Grant to Badrinath: Unlike Kedarnath (which has a helicopter service from Phata/Guptkashi), there is no helicopter to Badrinath. The motor road goes all the way. Helicopter is available for Hemkund Sahib (seasonal, from Govindghat) but not for Badrinath temple.
Accommodation
- Joshimath overnight (50 km before Badrinath): Best base for all Dehradun/Jolly Grant arrivals. 288 km from Dehradun, 278 km from Jolly Grant. Hotels from ₹700–₹6,000. See hotels guide.
- Dehradun overnight (before starting journey): If flying in late evening or arriving by train in the afternoon, stay in Dehradun and start early next morning. Hotel Madhuban, Hotel Great Value, Hotel Pacific — good Dehradun hotels ₹2,000–₹5,000.
- Rishikesh stop: Some Jolly Grant arrivals prefer staying at Rishikesh (30 km from Jolly Grant, 43 km from Dehradun) which has more options at lower prices than Dehradun, and is already 43 km into the mountain journey. Budget Rishikesh: ₹700–₹2,000 near Lakshman Jhula.
FAQs
- What is the distance from Dehradun to Badrinath?
- 330 km via Rishikesh + NH-58. Time: 8–9 hrs. Recommended: overnight at Joshimath (288 km, 7–8 hrs) + Badrinath next morning (50 km, 1.5 hrs). Jolly Grant Airport to Joshimath: 278 km, 6–7 hrs.
- How to reach Badrinath from Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun?
- Private taxi Jolly Grant → Joshimath: ₹6,000–₹9,000 (6–7 hrs). Or prepaid taxi to Rishikesh (₹1,200) + shared taxi to Joshimath (₹500–₹800/seat). No helicopter from Jolly Grant to Badrinath. Flights from Delhi: 45 min, ₹3,000–₹8,000, multiple daily.
- Is there a direct bus from Dehradun to Badrinath?
- Yes — Uttarakhand Roadways from Dehradun ISBT (Parade Ground). Non-AC ₹350–₹600, AC Volvo ₹700–₹1,100. Overnight Volvo dep ~9:30 PM → Joshimath ~6:00 AM. Shared taxi from Clock Tower: ₹600–₹900/seat to Joshimath (7–8 hrs).