Here’s the first thing most people get wrong about Dehradun’s airport: it isn’t in Dehradun. It’s at Jolly Grant, a small town near Doiwala, roughly halfway between Dehradun and Rishikesh. Officially it’s called Dehradun Airport. Everyone around here just calls it Jolly Grant.
That one detail changes a lot. If you’re going to Rishikesh, you’re actually closer than people heading into Dehradun city. If you’re visiting Himalayan Hospital, you’re only a few minutes away. And if you’re going to Mussoorie, you’ve got a longer ride ahead than you probably expected.
The basics
- Name: Dehradun Airport, better known as Jolly Grant Airport
- Airport code: DED (ICAO: VIDN)
- Where: Jolly Grant, near Doiwala, on the Dehradun to Rishikesh road
- Distances: about 25 km to Dehradun city, about 20 km to Rishikesh, about 35 km to Haridwar
- Run by: Airports Authority of India
- Flights: domestic only, as of 2026
How the airport got here
The airstrip dates back to 1974, but for years only small planes used it. In 2007 the Airports Authority of India shut it for most of the year to lengthen and widen the runway, so that bigger jets like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 could land. Regular commercial flights came back in March 2008 and traffic has grown ever since.
The terminal you’ll walk through today is new. The first part opened in October 2021 and the rest in February 2024. AAI says the building now covers about 42,776 square metres and can handle around 3,240 passengers in its busiest hour, which is many times what the old terminal could manage. In 2024 to 2025 the airport handled roughly 1.7 million passengers.
Who flies here
Airlines change their routes every season, so think of this as a starting point and always check the airline’s own site before you book.
| Airline | Where it usually flies from Dehradun |
|---|---|
| IndiGo | Delhi, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Pune, Srinagar |
| Air India | Delhi, Mumbai |
| Air India Express | Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai |
| SpiceJet | Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru |
| Alliance Air | Delhi, Amritsar, Varanasi, Pantnagar, Pithoragarh, Kullu |
Delhi is by far the busiest route, with several flights a day and a flying time of under an hour. There are no international flights from Jolly Grant right now, so if you’re coming from abroad you’ll almost certainly connect in Delhi.
What the terminal is like
Honestly, it’s pleasant. It’s bright, modern and much calmer than Delhi. Check-in and security usually move quickly, though the morning and evening rush can still back up, especially from April to June and during the Char Dham Yatra.
You’ll find:
- a big check-in hall with plenty of counters and self check-in kiosks
- several security lanes and in-line baggage screening
- a few cafés and snack counters on both sides, at airport prices
- clean washrooms, seating, drinking water and charging points
- wheelchair and assistance services (ask your airline in advance)
- a large car park right in front, charged by the hour
If you’re heading into the hills after landing, download your maps and booking details while you still have a strong signal at the terminal. Coverage gets patchy once the road starts climbing.
Getting out of the airport
Jolly Grant sits right on the main road between Dehradun and Rishikesh, so getting anywhere nearby is easy. These are the trips people ask about most:
| Going to | Roughly how far | Usual drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Himalayan Hospital | a few km | 5 to 10 minutes |
| Rishikesh | about 20 km | 30 to 45 minutes |
| Dehradun city | about 25 km | 45 to 60 minutes |
| Haridwar | about 35 km | 50 to 70 minutes |
| Mussoorie | about 60 km | around 2 hours |
Traffic, weather and roadworks can stretch all of these. We’ve written separate guides for each trip, because each one has its own quirks:
- Jolly Grant Airport to Rishikesh
- Jolly Grant Airport to Dehradun city
- Jolly Grant Airport to Haridwar
- Dehradun Airport to Mussoorie
Taxis wait just outside arrivals and are what most people use. Popular routes have fairly standard rates. Agree on the price before your bags go in the boot, and ask whether parking or tolls are extra.
App cabs work in parts of Dehradun and Rishikesh, but getting one to pick you up at the airport itself can be hit and miss. Keep the taxi stand as your backup.
Buses run along the main road near the airport. They’re the cheapest way out, but you’ll need a short walk or auto ride to reach the road, so they make more sense if you’re travelling light.
Tips that actually help
- In peak season, give yourself two hours. From April to June and during the Yatra, queues build up fast.
- In winter, pick a later flight if you can. Morning fog in December and January can delay early departures. Our best time to fly guide explains the seasons.
- Land in daylight if you’re going up to the hills. Mountain roads are much easier to handle before dark.
- Keep a little cash. UPI works almost everywhere, but networks drop sometimes.
- Coming for Himalayan Hospital? Read our Himalayan Hospital visitor guide before you travel.
- Early flight? Staying close by takes the stress out of it. See where to stay near Jolly Grant.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The official name is Dehradun Airport (code DED), but because it’s located at Jolly Grant near Doiwala, most people call it Jolly Grant Airport.
About 25 km. The drive into central Dehradun usually takes 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic.
It’s closer to Rishikesh, which is about 20 km away and usually 30 to 45 minutes by road.
Not at the moment. As of 2026 Jolly Grant only handles domestic flights, so international travellers usually connect through Delhi.
IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, SpiceJet and Alliance Air. Routes change by season, so check with the airline before you book.
For a domestic flight, aim for at least 90 minutes before departure, and about two hours in the busy season from April to June and during the Char Dham Yatra.
Schedules and facilities change. For official airport information, check the Airports Authority of India website (aai.aero), and confirm your flight times with your airline.
