Trains to Haridwar and Rishikesh — Spiritual Journey by Rail

Haridwar, where the Ganga emerges from the Himalayas onto the plains, is one of Hinduism's seven holiest cities. Rishikesh, 25 km upstream, is the yoga capital of the world. Both are accessible by train, though Rishikesh's station is smaller and less connected — most travelers use Haridwar as the rail gateway.

From Delhi to Haridwar

Train	Number	Departs	Arrives HW	Duration	Fare Range
Dehradun Shatabdi	12017/18	06:45 NDLS	10:30 HW	~3h 45m	₹600–₹1,400
Jan Shatabdi	12055/56	15:00 NDLS	19:30 HW	~4h 30m	₹250–₹600
Nanda Devi Express	12205/06	23:30 NDLS	04:30+1 HW	~5h	₹200–₹1,200
Mussoorie Express	14041/42	21:40 DLI	04:15+1 HW	~6h 35m	₹150–₹800
Haridwar Mail	14115/16	21:15 DLI	05:15+1 HW	~8h	₹150–₹800

Schedules at indianrail.app.

The Dehradun Shatabdi stops at Haridwar en route to Dehradun — it's the fastest option at under 4 hours. The morning departure gets you to Haridwar by 10:30 AM, perfect for the evening Ganga Aarti.

For the iconic experience: take an overnight train (Nanda Devi or Mussoorie Express), arrive at dawn, and witness the morning aarti at Har Ki Pauri as the Ganga catches the first light.

Haridwar to Rishikesh

Rishikesh has a railway station (RKSH), but only a few slow passenger trains serve it. The practical approach:

From Haridwar to Rishikesh by road: Shared auto/taxi takes 45 minutes to 1 hour, costs ₹30-50 per person (shared) or ₹300-500 (private). Buses run every 15 minutes from outside Haridwar station.

This 25-km road follows the Ganga upstream and is itself scenic — the river runs alongside, and you'll see ashrams, rafting camps, and the forested foothills closing in.

The Ganga Aarti Experience

Har Ki Pauri (Haridwar): The evening aarti at Har Ki Pauri ghat is Haridwar's main event. It happens at sunset (6-7 PM depending on season). Priests perform the fire ceremony while bells ring and thousands of devotees float diyas on the river. Arrive by 5 PM for a good spot. Triveni Ghat (Rishikesh): Smaller, more intimate aarti. Less crowded than Haridwar. Equally spiritual. Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh): A famous ashram on the Ganga that conducts its own aarti, with a more organized, tourist-friendly setup.

Accommodation and Food

Haridwar and Rishikesh are strictly vegetarian — no meat, no alcohol is sold anywhere in either city. The food is excellent:

• Chotiwala Restaurant (Rishikesh): Iconic North Indian thali restaurant on Lakshman Jhula Road


• Mohan Ji Puri Wale (Haridwar): Legendary breakfast — fluffy pooris with aloo sabzi


• Ganga views: Multiple cafes in Rishikesh offer meals overlooking the river

Accommodation ranges from ₹200 ashram rooms to ₹5,000 riverside resorts. During Kumbh Mela and Kanwar Yatra periods, everything is full — book months ahead.

From Mumbai and Kolkata

Mumbai to Haridwar: Direct trains take 24-28 hours. The Doon Express and other Delhi-Dehradun trains passing through Mumbai are options. More practical: fly to Delhi, then Shatabdi to Haridwar. Kolkata to Haridwar: Direct trains take 28-32 hours via the northern route through Bihar and UP. The Upasana Express and Doon Express serve this route. Again, flying to Delhi and connecting is faster.

Kanwar Yatra Warning

During the Kanwar Yatra (July-August, particularly around Shravani Mela), millions of Kanwariyas walk from Haridwar to their homes across North India carrying Ganga water. Haridwar station becomes overwhelmingly crowded. Trains are packed beyond capacity. Special trains are added but demand vastly exceeds supply.

Unless you're participating in the Kanwar Yatra, avoid Haridwar during this period. Normal tourism becomes extremely difficult.

Onward from Rishikesh

Rishikesh is the gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas:

• Badrinath/Kedarnath (Char Dham): Buses from Rishikesh ISBT. 10-12 hours to Badrinath, 8-9 hours to Sonprayag (for Kedarnath trek).


• Auli (skiing): Bus to Joshimath (10 hours), then ropeway.


• Valley of Flowers: Bus to Govindghat (10 hours), then trek.


• Rafting: Multiple operators on the Rishikesh-Shivpuri stretch.

Best Season

October to March for pleasant weather. April-June is hot in Haridwar (40°C+) but tolerable in Rishikesh. Monsoon (July-September) brings floods — the Ganga swells dramatically, and the morning aarti and bathing ghats may be submerged.