✈️ By Air
Uttarakhand has two operational airports serving different regions of the state:
| Airport | City | Serves | Distance to Key Towns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jolly Grant Airport (DED) | Dehradun | Garhwal region — Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mussoorie, Char Dham | ~25 km to Dehradun city |
| Pantnagar Airport (PGH) | Pantnagar | Kumaon region — Nainital, Jim Corbett, Almora | ~70 km to Nainital |
Airlines: IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet and Akasa Air operate regular flights to Jolly Grant from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. Check current schedules directly with airlines for 2026 timetables.
Helicopter services are available for Kedarnath, Badrinath, Hemkund Sahib and other high-altitude shrines — book well in advance during the Char Dham season (May–June).
🚂 By Rail
Uttarakhand is well-connected to the Indian Railways network. The main railheads are:
| Station | Region | Key Destinations Ahead | Distance from Delhi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haridwar Junction (HW) | Garhwal | Rishikesh (24 km), Dehradun (54 km), Kedarnath, Badrinath | ~230 km |
| Dehradun (DDN) | Garhwal | Mussoorie (35 km), Rishikesh (42 km), Char Dham routes | ~300 km |
| Kathgodam (KGM) | Kumaon | Nainital (34 km), Bhimtal, Mukteshwar, Jim Corbett | ~300 km |
| Ramnagar (RMR) | Kumaon | Jim Corbett National Park (2 km) | ~280 km |
| Kotdwar (KTW) | Pauri Garhwal | Lansdowne (40 km), Pauri (115 km) | ~220 km |
Popular trains from Delhi:
- Shatabdi Express — New Delhi to Dehradun (fastest, ~5.5 hrs)
- Jan Shatabdi — Delhi to Haridwar / Dehradun
- Ranikhet Express — Delhi to Kathgodam (overnight)
- Corbett Park Link Express — Moradabad to Ramnagar
🚌 By Road
Uttarakhand is well-connected by road from Delhi and other major cities. The state has improved highway infrastructure, though mountain routes require cautious driving.
| From | To | Distance | Approx. Drive Time | Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Dehradun | ~300 km | 5–6 hrs | NH-334 via Muzaffarnagar, Roorkee |
| Delhi | Haridwar | ~230 km | 4–5 hrs | NH-334 via Meerut or NH-58 via Ghaziabad |
| Delhi | Rishikesh | ~260 km | 5 hrs | NH-334 via Haridwar |
| Delhi | Nainital | ~320 km | 6–7 hrs | NH-9 via Moradabad, Kathgodam |
| Delhi | Mussoorie | ~290 km | 5–6 hrs | NH-334 via Dehradun |
| Delhi | Jim Corbett | ~260 km | 5 hrs | NH-9 via Moradabad, Ramnagar |
| Haridwar | Kedarnath base (Gaurikund) | ~240 km | 8–9 hrs | NH-58 via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Sonprayag |
| Haridwar | Badrinath | ~320 km | 10–11 hrs | NH-58 via Rishikesh, Devprayag, Joshimath |
🚌 GMOU / State Bus Service
Garhwal Motor Owners' Union (GMOU) and Kumaon Motor Owners' Union (KMOU) operate regular bus services from Delhi's ISBT Kashmere Gate and Anand Vihar to most districts. Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) also runs Volvo and semi-sleeper buses on major routes.
- Delhi ISBT → Dehradun: Frequent Volvo buses (6 hrs)
- Delhi ISBT → Haridwar: Frequent services (4–5 hrs)
- Delhi ISBT → Nainital via Kathgodam (7–8 hrs)
- Shared taxis available from Haridwar/Rishikesh to most Garhwal hill stations
🗺️ Getting Around Within Uttarakhand
- Shared jeeps/taxis — Most economical way to travel between hill towns; available at main bus stands
- Private cabs — Hire from Dehradun, Haridwar or Kathgodam for flexibility; Innova Crysta recommended for mountain roads
- Local buses — Run by UTC, connect remote areas but infrequent schedules
- Helicopter — For Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri; saves significant trekking time during Char Dham season
- Motorbike/cycle — Popular for adventure riders; roads like Rishikesh–Badrinath highway are scenic
📋 Travel Tips
- For Char Dham Yatra, register on the official Devasthanam Board portal — mandatory biometric registration at entry checkpoints
- Road connectivity is best April–June and September–November; monsoon (July–August) brings landslides on NH-58 and NH-7
- Carry cash — ATMs are scarce beyond Rishikesh and Haridwar in remote areas
- Book trains and buses in advance during Char Dham season (May–June), Navratra and summer holidays
- Mountain roads close temporarily after heavy snowfall — check road status at BRO (Border Roads Organisation) updates