How to reach Rishikesh
A comprehensive guide to reaching MYDK 9.0 — by train, bus, or air. Pick the tab that fits your starting point and budget.
A comprehensive guide to reaching MYDK 9.0 — by train, bus, or air. Pick the tab that fits your starting point and budget.
The most comfortable way to travel from most parts of India. The main gateway is Haridwar Junction (HW) — the best-connected station, about 25 km from Rishikesh. Rishikesh Railway Station (RKSH) has limited trains but drops you directly in town. Roorkee (RK) and Saharanpur (SRE) are important stations for those coming from eastern UP, Haryana, and the Delhi belt — many express trains stop here before reaching Haridwar.
Key trains to Haridwar / Rishikesh
| Train | From | Stops at | Approx. duration to HW | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Vande Bharat Express #22457 | New Delhi | Roorkee, Haridwar | 3.5 hrs to HW | Fastest option from Delhi. Roorkee to Haridwar in just 38 min |
Shatabdi Express #12017/18Popular | New Delhi | Saharanpur, Roorkee, Haridwar, Dehradun | 4–4.5 hrs to HW | Daily, AC chair car. Most convenient daytime option from Delhi |
Jan Shatabdi Express #12055/56 | New Delhi | Saharanpur, Roorkee, Haridwar, Dehradun | 4.5 hrs to HW | Budget AC option. Stops at Saharanpur & Roorkee |
Mussoorie Express #14041/42 | Old Delhi / Lucknow Jn. | Saharanpur, Roorkee, Haridwar, Dehradun | Overnight from Lucknow | Good overnight option from UP. Departs Lucknow evening, arrives Haridwar morning |
Nanda Devi Express #12401 | Kolkata / Howrah | …Saharanpur, Roorkee, Haridwar | Overnight from eastern India | Best option for seekers coming from Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand |
Hemkunt Express #14609/10 | Amritsar / Chandigarh | Saharanpur, Roorkee, Haridwar | Varies | Good for Punjab, Haryana seekers |
Yoga Express #19031/32 | Mumbai (LTT) | …Roorkee, Haridwar | ~22 hrs from Mumbai to HW | Overnight journey. Directly connects Maharashtra to Haridwar |
BVC HW Express #19271 | Bhavnagar (Gujarat) | …Roorkee, Haridwar | ~30 hrs from Bhavnagar | For seekers from Gujarat and western India |
If you are boarding from Roorkee or Saharanpur
| Station | Distance to Haridwar | Trains to HW | Journey time | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Roorkee (RK) Well connected | 41 km | 30+ trains daily. Vande Bharat, Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi, Mussoorie Exp, and many more all stop here | 38 min (Vande Bharat) to 90 min (passenger) | Haridwar, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar corridor; also direct from Mumbai & Kolkata on some routes |
Saharanpur (SRE) | ~90 km (via Roorkee) | Several daily — Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi, Hemkunt, Mussoorie Exp all stop here before Roorkee and Haridwar | About 1.5–2 hrs to Haridwar | Western UP (Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli); Haryana via Yamunanagar |
Haridwar Jn (HW) Main station | 25 km from Rishikesh | Majority of trains from all over India terminate here | Direct — then 45 min to Rishikesh by shared transport | Most seekers alight here. Very frequent onward options |
Rishikesh (RKSH) | In Rishikesh | Limited trains — a few from Delhi and Dehradun | Direct, no onward journey needed | Fewer trains stop here but if yours does, it is the most convenient |
- Shared tempo / vikram: ₹15–30 per person. Very frequent, runs all day. Board outside the station — they go directly to Rishikesh bus stand.
- GMOU / Uttarakhand Roadways bus: ₹25–40 per person. Departs from Haridwar ISBT, about 1 km from the railway station.
- Auto-rickshaw (full): ₹200–300. Good for small groups or with luggage.
- Taxi / cab: ₹400–600. Comfortable, direct to your accommodation.
Join the MYDK WhatsApp community after registering. Many seekers organise shared taxis from Haridwar station, especially around October 22–23. Finding a group from your train makes the last leg much easier — and cheaper.