Delhi to Dehradun by Train — Shatabdi and Mussoorie Express

Delhi to Dehradun by train takes 4.5 to 7 hours, covering about 310 km through the Siwalik foothills. It's the gateway to Mussoorie, Rishikesh (for those going via Dehradun), and the Garhwal Himalayas. The route is popular year-round but absolutely packed during summer when half of Delhi migrates to the hills.

Train Options

Train	Number	Departs	Arrives	Duration	Fare Range
Dehradun Shatabdi	12017/18	06:45 NDLS	12:00 DDN	~5h 15m	₹700–₹1,500
Jan Shatabdi	12055/56	15:00 NDLS	21:25 DDN	~6h 25m	₹300–₹600
Nanda Devi Express	12205/06	23:30 NDLS	06:05+1 DDN	~6h 35m	₹200–₹1,200
Mussoorie Express	14041/42	21:40 DLI	06:00+1 DDN	~8h 20m	₹200–₹900
Dehradun Express	12687/88	21:20 NDLS	05:45+1 DDN	~8h 25m	₹200–₹1,000

Current schedules at indianrail.app.

Shatabdi — The Go-To

The Dehradun Shatabdi (12017/18) is the default choice for most travelers. Departs New Delhi at 6:45 AM, arrives Dehradun by noon. That gives you the entire afternoon to drive up to Mussoorie (1 hour) or explore Dehradun itself.

The Shatabdi is AC only — Chair Car and Executive. Breakfast and tea are included. The morning departure means you pass through Haridwar around 10:30 AM (the train stops there), which is useful if Haridwar is your actual destination.

The return Shatabdi departs Dehradun at 5 PM, reaching Delhi by 10:30 PM. Perfect for a weekend trip.

Key detail: The Shatabdi runs daily except one day a week (check the specific off-day on indianrail.app). On the off-day, the Jan Shatabdi is the next best option.

Overnight Options for Morning Arrival

If you want to maximize your time in Dehradun/Mussoorie, the overnight trains work well:

Nanda Devi Express (12205/06): Departs 11:30 PM, arrives 6:05 AM. This is the most popular overnight service. The timing is excellent — you board after dinner, sleep, and wake up in Dehradun at dawn. From there, it's a 1-hour drive up to Mussoorie for breakfast with a mountain view.

SL class starts around ₹200, 3AC around ₹600. Book early — this train is perpetually waitlisted during May-June and October.

Mussoorie Express (14041/42): Yes, it's actually named after Mussoorie despite terminating at Dehradun (since there's no rail line to Mussoorie). It departs Delhi Junction at 9:40 PM and arrives DDN by 6 AM. Slower than the Nanda Devi but equally functional for the overnight purpose.

The Route — Through the Siwaliks

The Delhi-Dehradun route passes through:

Delhi → Meerut → Muzaffarnagar → Roorkee → Haridwar → Dehradun

The first half (Delhi to Roorkee) is flat UP agricultural land — wheat fields, sugarcane, and small towns. Things get interesting after Roorkee as the train enters the Siwalik foothills. The terrain begins to undulate, the Ganges canal runs alongside, and the vegetation thickens.

The Haridwar to Dehradun section is particularly scenic — the train runs through the Rajaji National Park area. During early morning (on overnight trains), you might spot deer or peacocks near the tracks. The Sal forests close in as the train climbs gently to Dehradun's valley.

Haridwar Stop

Most Delhi-Dehradun trains stop at Haridwar (HW), about 45 minutes before Dehradun. If Haridwar is your destination (for the Ganges ghats, Har Ki Pauri, or as a base for Rishikesh), you can alight here.

Rishikesh doesn't have a major railway station on this line. From Haridwar, Rishikesh is a 20-km drive (about 45 minutes). Auto-rickshaws and shared cabs are available at Haridwar station.

Dehradun Station

Dehradun (DDN) is a relatively small and manageable station. The exit leads to a busy marketplace. Key connections from the station:

• Mussoorie: Taxis and shared cabs to Mussoorie Library Chowk take about 1 hour. Fare: ₹200 shared, ₹1,500-2,000 for a full taxi. Uttarakhand state buses also run hourly.
• Rajpur Road: The main commercial strip of Dehradun is about 2 km from the station.
• ISBT Dehradun: The bus stand for Mussoorie/Chakrata/Uttarkashi buses is 4 km away.

Booking Crunch Periods

This route faces extreme booking pressure during:

• May-June: Summer vacation. Every family in Delhi wants to go to Mussoorie. Book 3-4 months ahead.


• October (Dussehra/Diwali): Another peak. 2 months advance booking minimum.


• New Year: December 28 to January 2 is impossible without early planning.


• Winter weekends: Dehradun/Mussoorie snow draws weekend crowds November through February.

For summer travel, I'd recommend booking the moment the 120-day window opens. The Shatabdi fills first, followed by Nanda Devi 3AC, then SL.

Summer vs Winter Travel

Summer (May-June): Mussoorie is the draw — 20-25°C while Delhi is 45°C. Trains are packed but the journey itself is comfortable. AC is essential for the Delhi-Haridwar stretch. Winter (Dec-Feb): Dehradun valley gets chilly (5-15°C) and Mussoorie can see snowfall. Morning train arrivals at 6 AM can be foggy and cold — carry a warm jacket for the platform. Monsoon (Jul-Sep): The Dehradun valley gets heavy rain. Landslides on the Dehradun-Mussoorie road can strand travelers. Trains usually run fine but road connections to hill stations may be disrupted.

Tips

• Mussoorie travelers: The Dehradun-Mussoorie road has a single lane up and single lane down. Traffic jams during peak tourist season can add 2 hours. Leave early morning for the smoothest drive.
• Right side of the train (heading north from Delhi) gives better views of the Siwalik hills near Haridwar.
• Roorkee station has good samosas if your train stops there. The IIT Roorkee campus is nearby if you have time.
• Carry warm clothes even in summer. AC coaches on overnight trains combined with the Dehradun morning chill can catch you off guard.