It still catches people out: Dehradun’s airport is about 25 km from Dehradun. After you land, you’ve got a 45 minute to one hour ride into the city, sometimes more. That’s fine if you know it’s coming. It’s stressful if you’ve booked a train for an hour after landing.
Most people make one of three trips, so let’s go through them one at a time.
Trip 1: Airport to your hotel or home in the city
The road runs from Jolly Grant through Doiwala and into Dehradun. Here’s roughly how long it takes to the main parts of the city:
| Area | Roughly how far | Usual time |
|---|---|---|
| Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar) | about 25 km | 45 to 60 minutes |
| ISBT, Clement Town | about 25 to 30 km | 45 to 60 minutes |
| Rajpur Road and Jakhan | about 30 km | 60 to 75 minutes |
| Prem Nagar and the FRI side | about 30 to 35 km | 60 to 80 minutes |
The slowest times are roughly 9 to 11 in the morning and 5 to 8 in the evening, when city traffic is at its worst.
Taxi: a sedan to central Dehradun usually costs roughly ₹1,000 to 1,500, and an SUV roughly ₹1,500 to 2,500. Areas on the far side of the city cost more. These are only a guide, so fix the fare before you start.
Bus: buses run along the main road near the airport towards Dehradun. You’ll need a short walk or auto ride to reach the road. Most buses head to the ISBT or the city centre, so ask the conductor before getting on.
Trip 2: Straight from a flight to a train
A lot of people fly into Jolly Grant and carry on by train, or the other way round. If your train leaves from Dehradun station:
- Allow at least 90 minutes between landing and departure. That’s about 30 minutes to get out of the airport and an hour on the road.
- In the evening rush, allow two hours.
- Pre-book a taxi if you’re cutting it close, so you’re not negotiating at the stand.
If your train actually leaves from Haridwar, the distance from the airport is about the same. Our Jolly Grant to Haridwar guide has the details.
Trip 3: From the city back to the airport
This is where people get caught. From central Dehradun, leave at least 2.5 hours before a domestic flight: an hour or so on the road, plus check-in and security. During wedding season evenings and the summer rush, leave earlier still.
App cabs are easy to book within Dehradun, so the trip back to the airport is usually simple to arrange. It’s the pickup at the airport that can be less reliable, which is why the taxi stand is the safer bet on arrival.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
About 25 km from the Clock Tower area in central Dehradun.
Usually 45 to 60 minutes, and over an hour at morning and evening peak times.
A sedan to central Dehradun usually costs roughly 1,000 to 1,500 rupees. SUVs and farther areas cost more, so agree on the fare first.
There’s no airport shuttle, but regular buses run on the main road near the airport towards Dehradun.
At least 90 minutes, and around two hours in evening traffic.
