Delhi to Badrinath — distance, route options, and how to reach

Delhi to Badrinath is approximately 525–540 km by road, depending on your starting point in Delhi NCR. The standard route runs via Haridwar and the Char Dham highway through the Garhwal Himalayas.

Non-stop driving time: 14–16 hours. But nobody should attempt this in one stretch. The mountain section after Rishikesh is demanding — narrow roads, hairpin bends, and altitude gain from 350 m to 3,300 m. Plan for a two-day journey with an overnight halt.

Route 1: Via Haridwar (recommended for driving)

Delhi → Meerut → Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Rudraprayag → Chamoli → Joshimath → Badrinath

Total: ~525–540 km, 14–16 hours of driving.

This is the most direct route and the one every taxi service uses. NH-58 (now NH-334) from Delhi to Haridwar is a well-maintained four-lane highway for most of the distance. The Delhi-Meerut Expressway has cut the first stretch significantly. After Rishikesh, the Char Dham All Weather Road project has widened many sections, though construction stretches still cause delays.

Route 2: Via Dehradun

Delhi → Roorkee → Dehradun → Rishikesh → Devprayag → onward same as Route 1

Total: ~560–580 km, 15–18 hours of driving.

This route is longer and slower for driving. However, if you are flying to Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport, your road journey starts from Dehradun — roughly 320–340 km to Badrinath, taking 10–12 hours.

Verdict: For driving or taxi from Delhi, take Route 1 via Haridwar. The Dehradun route only makes sense if you are flying in.

Route and tips

Take NH-58 from Delhi. If starting from central or south Delhi, get on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway via Akshardham. This expressway has cut Delhi-to-Meerut time to under an hour.

Leave Delhi by 4–5 AM to clear NCR traffic and reach Haridwar by 9–10 AM.

Haridwar bypass: If you are not stopping, use the Haridwar bypass to save 30–45 minutes.

After Rishikesh, the road is single-lane mountain road with intermittent widening. Stay alert for trucks and BRO-managed one-way restrictions.

Fill fuel at Joshimath. There is no petrol pump at Badrinath.

Carry cash beyond Joshimath. ATMs are unreliable there and non-existent in Badrinath.

Recommended two-day split

Day 1: Delhi to Rishikesh or Haridwar (220–245 km, 4–5 hours). Rest, visit Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri or Triveni Ghat.

Day 2: Rishikesh to Badrinath (295–310 km, 9–11 hours). Leave by 5 AM. Lunch stop at Rudraprayag or Chamoli. Arrive Badrinath by 4–5 PM.

Taxi fares (indicative, 2026 season)

Sedan (Swift Dzire, Etios): Rs 8,500–11,000 one way

SUV (Ertiga, Innova): Rs 10,000–14,000 one way

Tempo Traveller (9–12 seater): Rs 16,000–22,000 one way

Pahadi Express taxi service covers this route. You can book a Rishikesh to Badrinath taxi or a Haridwar to Badrinath taxi directly — combine with a train from Delhi for the best value.

There is no single direct government bus from Delhi all the way to Badrinath. The practical approach is a two-stage journey.

Stage 1: Delhi to Haridwar or Rishikesh

Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) and UPSRTC run frequent buses from ISBT Kashmere Gate, Delhi to Haridwar and Rishikesh.

Frequency: Buses run throughout the day and night. Overnight AC Volvo services are popular.

Duration: 5–7 hours depending on traffic and bus type.

Fare: Rs 300–700 depending on bus class (ordinary to AC Volvo).

Booking: UTC buses can be booked at utconline.uk.gov.in. UPSRTC buses at upsrtconline.co.in.

Stage 2: Haridwar/Rishikesh to Badrinath

During the Char Dham yatra season (typically May to November), GMOU (Garhwal Motor Owners Union) and UTC operate buses from Haridwar and Rishikesh to Joshimath and Badrinath.

Departure: Buses typically leave early morning (around 4–5 AM) from Haridwar/Rishikesh.

Duration: 10–14 hours to Badrinath.

Fare: Approximately Rs 500–950 one way for government buses.

Booking: Check utconline.uk.gov.in or GMOU counters at Haridwar/Rishikesh bus stands for current season schedules.

Shared jeeps also run from Rishikesh and Haridwar to Joshimath during the season, and from Joshimath to Badrinath.

Schedules vary by season and road conditions. Always confirm current timings at utconline.uk.gov.in or at bus stand counters before travel.

This is the most popular combination — comfortable train from Delhi to Haridwar or Rishikesh, then taxi for the mountain stretch.

Delhi to Haridwar by train

Approximately 20+ trains run between Delhi and Haridwar daily. The distance is about 235–244 km by rail.

Key trains:

Vande Bharat Express (22457): Fastest option, approximately 3.5 hours. Departs New Delhi in the evening. Check IRCTC for current schedule as timings are updated seasonally.

Dehradun Jan Shatabdi (12055): Approximately 4 hours. An affordable option.

Dehradun Shatabdi Express (12017): Approximately 4.5 hours. Morning departure from New Delhi, comfortable chair car and executive class.

Mussoorie Express and other overnight trains: Multiple overnight options that arrive Haridwar early morning — convenient if you want to start driving at dawn.

Fare range: Rs 150–1,400 depending on train and class.

Delhi to Rishikesh by train

Fewer direct trains serve Rishikesh (Yog Nagari Rishikesh station). The Vande Bharat Express also stops here. Alternatively, take any Haridwar train and then a 25 km taxi or shared auto to Rishikesh.

Then: taxi from Haridwar/Rishikesh to Badrinath

From Haridwar, it is approximately 315–320 km to Badrinath (10–12 hours). From Rishikesh, approximately 295 km (9–11 hours).

A one-way taxi from Haridwar or Rishikesh to Badrinath typically costs Rs 5,000–8,000 for a sedan and Rs 7,000–10,000 for an SUV.

Tip: Book train tickets on IRCTC (irctc.co.in) well in advance during yatra season. Char Dham trains fill up fast from April onward.

Delhi to Dehradun (Jolly Grant Airport)

Multiple airlines operate daily flights from Delhi (IGI Airport) to Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport (DED).

Flight time: approximately 50–60 minutes.

Airlines: IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, and others operate this route. IndiGo alone has over 100 monthly services.

Fare: Starting from approximately Rs 3,000–5,000 one way (book early for best fares).

Airport: Jolly Grant Airport is about 20 km from Dehradun city and 35 km from Rishikesh.

Then: taxi from Jolly Grant to Badrinath

From Jolly Grant Airport, Badrinath is approximately 300–320 km (10–12 hours by road). The route goes via Rishikesh and then follows the same Char Dham highway.

A pre-booked taxi from Jolly Grant Airport to Badrinath costs Rs 6,000–10,000 one way depending on vehicle type.

When this makes sense: If you are short on time and want to skip the 5-hour Delhi-to-Haridwar drive. You save half a day but spend more. Particularly useful for families and older travellers.

Option 1: Rishikesh (245 km from Delhi)

The most popular overnight halt. Plenty of hotels across all budgets, from ashrams to riverside resorts. Walk to Ram Jhula or Laxman Jhula, attend the Triveni Ghat aarti. Leave early next morning for a 9–11 hour drive to Badrinath.

Option 2: Rudraprayag (390 km from Delhi)

If you started early and made good time, push past Rishikesh and stop at Rudraprayag. This cuts your second day to about 5–6 hours. Rudraprayag has decent hotels and is at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. This is also the junction where the Kedarnath route splits off.

Option 3: Joshimath (485 km from Delhi)

For very early starters or those who flew into Dehradun. Joshimath is only 44 km from Badrinath. Staying here means you can reach Badrinath temple for morning darshan. Joshimath also has the Auli ropeway, Narsingh Temple, and is a good base for acclimatisation before higher altitude.

How far is Delhi from Badrinath by road?

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Is there a petrol pump at Badrinath?

Rishikesh to Badrinath — distance, route, and taxi options

Haridwar to Badrinath — complete road guide

Badrinath temple — best time to visit, darshan timings, and how to plan

Joshimath travel guide — where to stay, what to see, and onward connections