Overview
Delhi to Badrinath is approximately 510 km by road. The recommended approach is: overnight train Delhi → Haridwar/Rishikesh + road to Joshimath (day 1) + Badrinath temple (day 2). This 2-day plan is used by most experienced Badrinath pilgrims from Delhi — comfortable, time-efficient and allows acclimatisation at Joshimath before reaching the 3,133 m temple.
| Route Option | Time | Cost (per person) | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight train + road (recommended) | 14–16 hrs over 2 days | ₹500–₹2,500 train + ₹800–₹1,500 shared taxi | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Flight + road | 10–11 hrs | ₹3,000–₹8,000 flight + ₹1,500–₹2,500 taxi share | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Day train (Shatabdi) + road | 16–18 hrs (1 long day) | ₹700–₹1,200 train + taxi | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Direct overnight bus | 11–14 hrs Delhi–Joshimath | ₹450–₹1,400 (bus only) | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Self-drive (full road) | 13–16 hrs | Fuel ~₹3,000–₹4,000 per car | ⭐⭐⭐ (tiring) |
Planning
Recommended 6-step plan — Delhi to Badrinath:
- Book train tickets first (IRCTC): Dehradun Express (19019) departing New Delhi at 21:35 is the most popular choice — arrives Haridwar ~03:30 AM and Rishikesh ~04:30 AM. Sleeper class: ₹250–₹400. 3AC: ₹700–₹1,200. Book 30–60 days ahead for May (peak).
- Day 1 — Arrive Rishikesh early morning: Reach Rishikesh by 4:30–5:00 AM from the overnight train. Have tea and snacks at the station. Hire a shared taxi (₹600–₹900/seat) or private taxi (₹4,500–₹7,000 per car) to Joshimath.
- Day 1 road — Rishikesh to Joshimath (245 km, 6–7 hrs): NH-58 via Devprayag, Srinagar (Garhwal), Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Pipalkoti. The road is scenic but slow — mountain switchbacks after Chamoli. Lunch at a dhaba in Chamoli or Pipalkoti. Reach Joshimath by 2:00–4:00 PM.
- Day 1 evening — Joshimath: Check in. Rest. Joshimath has the best facilities before Badrinath — withdraw cash (SBI ATM, HDFC ATM), have a good hot meal, rest for acclimatisation. Altitude: 1,890 m. Sleep early.
- Day 2 early morning — Joshimath to Badrinath (50 km, 1.5 hrs): Depart Joshimath by 4:30–5:00 AM. Reach Badrinath by 6:00–6:30 AM — just in time for the first darshan queue (doors open 6:00 AM).
- Day 2 — Badrinath: Temple darshan → Tapt Kund hot spring → Brahma Kapal (for pind daan) → Mana Village (3 km, last Indian village). Return Joshimath by 4:00–5:00 PM or overnight in Badrinath for the Sayan Aarti (8:30 PM).
Trains from Delhi to Haridwar/Rishikesh:
| Train | No. | Departs Delhi | Arrives Haridwar | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dehradun Express | 19019 | 21:35 (New Delhi) | 03:30 AM | Overnight express |
| Mussoorie Express | 14041 | 22:20 (Delhi) | 05:30 AM | Overnight express |
| Dehradun Shatabdi | 12017 | 06:50 AM (New Delhi) | 11:43 AM | Day Shatabdi |
| Jan Shatabdi | 12055 | 06:45 AM (New Delhi) | 12:40 PM | Day express |
| Nanda Devi Express | 12205 | 23:55 (New Delhi) | 05:50 AM | Overnight express |
Travel Tips
- Overnight train is the best Delhi to Badrinath strategy: Boarding at 9:30–11:00 PM from Delhi, you sleep through the 5–6 hour train journey and arrive Rishikesh/Haridwar between 4:00–6:00 AM — fresh for the 7–8 hour mountain road ahead. If you take a day train, you arrive Rishikesh at noon and face the mountain road in the afternoon, arriving Joshimath late at night — exhausting.
- Pre-book private taxi in Rishikesh: At 4:00–5:00 AM, shared taxis are limited. Pre-arrange a private taxi from Rishikesh to Joshimath the evening before (call the Joshimath hotel, they can arrange). Or book through a tour operator in advance. Private taxi (Innova, 6 seats): ₹4,500–₹7,000 one way.
- Carry ₹5,000–₹8,000 cash from Delhi: ATMs exist in Rishikesh and Haridwar but once you hit the mountains, reliable ATMs are only at Chamoli and Joshimath. Badrinath itself has limited cash facilities. Withdraw from Delhi or Haridwar before starting the mountain road.
- Fuel up at Chamoli: If self-driving, Chamoli (220 km from Rishikesh) is the last reliable petrol pump before Badrinath. Top up here even if the tank is half-full.
Accommodation
- Night 1 — Joshimath (50 km before Badrinath): Budget ₹800–₹1,500 (Hotel Nanda Devi, Hotel Kamet), mid-range ₹2,000–₹4,000, good options for acclimatisation. Book 1–2 weeks ahead (May: 4–6 weeks). See hotels guide.
- Night 2 option — Badrinath: GMVN Tourist Rest House (₹1,000–₹2,500, book gmvnl.in), private guesthouses (₹800–₹2,000). Staying in Badrinath lets you attend the 4:30 AM Mahabhishek Puja.
- Budget Delhi to Badrinath total cost: ₹4,000–₹7,000 per person (sleeper train, shared taxi, budget Joshimath hotel, temple prasad). See travel cost guide.
FAQs
- What is the distance from Delhi to Badrinath?
- ~510 km by road via Haridwar → Rishikesh → NH-58. Recommended: overnight train Delhi → Haridwar (5 hrs) + road Rishikesh → Joshimath (7–8 hrs) + Badrinath (50 km more). Not recommended to drive Delhi → Badrinath without an overnight break.
- Which is the best train from Delhi to reach Badrinath?
- Dehradun Express (19019) — departs 21:35, arrives Haridwar 03:30 AM, giving a full morning for the mountain road. Mussoorie Express (14041, dep 22:20) and Nanda Devi Express (12205, dep 23:55) are good alternatives. Book 3AC/sleeper at irctc.co.in at least 30 days ahead for May dates.
- Is there a direct bus from Delhi to Badrinath?
- Yes — GMOU/Uttarakhand Roadways overnight buses from Kashmere Gate ISBT, ₹450–₹1,400. 11–14 hrs to Joshimath. Convenient but slower and less comfortable than train + mountain taxi. Book at the ISBT counter or gmou.in. Peak May dates fill fast.