How To Reach Uttarakhand

How to Reach Uttarakhand By Air / Flights

There are two domestic airports in Uttarakhand that connect you with major cities in the country. One of them is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun which is also the central point to reaching anywhere in Uttarakhand. It is located 22 kilometres from the city centre. It also provides you with non-stop flights to and from Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Chennai. The fastest way to reach Dehradun is by taking a flight from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi which transports you to Dehradun in approximately 45 minutes to an hour. If you are travelling internationally, we advise you to take a direct flight to Delhi from there. Also, tourists prefer travelling to Uttarakhand via flights to Dehradun because of its close proximity to popular tourist destinations such as Rishikesh, Haridwar and Mussoorie. Jolly Grant Airport is equipped with high-class facilities and amenities that will take care of all your needs while you are on the go. There are quite a few places to keep yourselves entertained as you wait for your flight. Be it shopping or eating, the airport has it all. Upon arrival, individuals can avail of the bus services that will take you to places such as Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun. Or else you could also hire a private cab or taxi right outside the airport.

Another domestic airport in Uttarakhand is the Pantnagar Airport which connects you to nearby places to visit in Uttarakhand and major hill stations in Kumaon such as Nainital, Bhimtal, Ranikhet, Almora, Jim Corbett National Park and then Bareilly. The distance from Pantnagar Airport to Jim Corbett National Park is approximately 120 kilometres. It would be advisable to book your tickets well in advance, especially if you are travelling in the peak season.

One can choose between any of the following airlines - SpiceJet, Air India and IndiGo to make your way to Uttarakhand.

How to Reach Uttarakhand By Rail

Major cities are connected to Uttarakhand and some of its hill stations by rail. Trains to Dehradun make their way to and from major place such as Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Some of the major trains serving Uttarakhand are Jan Shatabdi Express, Dehradun Express, Doon Express and Nanda Devi Express. Some important junctions of this location comprise Haridwar, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Nainital, Kotdwar, Kathgodam, Pauri and Udham Singh Nagar. These stations comprise good connectivity with cities such as Lucknow, Delhi and Varanasi. As compared to other regions in India, travelling to Uttarakhand is easier when you are in the North and it takes around a day. The Uttarakhand Railway Department currently comprises almost 16 different stations connecting Uttarakhand with other important Indian cities. You will also be able to avail services of various buses and taxis lined outside these stations.

How to Reach Uttarakhand By Road

Imagine catching sight of towering mountain peaks and making stops along the way to sip on tea and enjoy some steaming hot local food. These are the experiences that travelling to Uttarakhand by road, will give you. Approximately 1000 state buses run in and out of Uttarakhand facilitated by the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation. Some of the major tourist destinations such as Haridwar and Rishikesh are connected to Delhi by National Highway 34 and National Highway 7 passing through Dehradun with Badrinath on the way. While Highways 309 and 109 link Nainital, Almora and Jim Corbett National Park. If you really wish to drive through the hilly terrains and overwhelming landscapes of Uttarakhand, travelling from the north would be rather convenient.

Commuting within Uttarakhand

Moving in and around Uttarakhand is an adventure on its own. Hop on to one of the many local buses in Uttarakhand and get hold of some ice cream being sold on this tough, government bus! You could also squeeze into crowded share jeeps that traverse the hilly terrains of this state. These jeeps carry locals as well as tourists to remote villages and towns. From bus services to taxis and cabs one has many options to move in and around Uttarakhand.

Here's details on how to commute within Uttarakhand:

By local buses
Travelling around the many tourist popular towns of Uttarakhand are made easy by its public transport. However, remote areas do not have these local bus services. Hence, plan your trip accordingly. You will usually have to arrange for jeeps or hire a private taxi or cab from remote areas to bus stops that are central to your location and will take you to places such as Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mussoorie or Dehradun. The Dehradun bus stop runs buses to Delhi and other places in the state such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, Auli and Joshimath.

By Car
If you would rather holiday at your own pace, we suggest you hire a car, driven by a local driver though. If you plan to travel to high altitudes such as Chakrata and Deoban, make sure you aren’t the one driving since the roads could get tricky.

By Cab
You can easily avail cabs such as Ola and Uber to roam in and around the major cities of Uttarakhand such as Dehradun. However, they are not used frequently by the locals who usually rely on public transportation.

By Jeep
Known as jeeps or even tempos, these shared vehicles are more popular than the state’s local buses owing to the fact that it comprises hilly terrains. They are slightly costlier than the local buses, but they do save a lot of time and energy. You could also travel to places such as Haridwar, Badrinath, Rishikesh and Kedarnath.

By helicopter
For all the pilgrims out there, you can now travel around Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri via helicopter! Witness the mighty mountains of Uttarakhand as the breath-taking cold wind plays with your hair. It is a sight to behold especially when you are travelling in the winter season. When you’re contemplating how to travel in Uttarakhand, this option might be the most exciting one yet!

So, if you’re planning your engaging adventure, check out our amazing Uttarakhand Tour Packages. Rely on us to arrange your flights and stay when visiting the Land of the Gods!