Haridwar doesn’t have a commercial airport of its own, so if you’re flying in, you’ll land at Jolly Grant near Dehradun. Most visitors have one goal for their first evening: being on the ghats at Har Ki Pauri for the Ganga Aarti. So let’s plan the trip backwards from that.
In short
- Distance: about 35 km
- Usual drive: 50 to 70 minutes, much longer on festival days
- Indicative taxi fare: roughly ₹1,300 to 1,800 for a sedan to central Haridwar
- Cheapest way: bus via Doiwala or via Rishikesh, with one change
Work backwards from the aarti
The aarti at Har Ki Pauri starts around sunset, so the exact time moves through the year: earlier in winter, later in summer. On an ordinary day, people start filling the steps well before it begins. On festival days and weekends, it gets packed much earlier.
Here’s a simple plan that works:
- Land by early afternoon. That gives you room for traffic and check-in.
- Drop your bags at the hotel first. The lanes around the ghats are crowded and partly pedestrian. Dragging a suitcase through them is no fun.
- Head to the ghats by mid to late afternoon. You’ll get a decent spot and time to look around.
- Ask your hotel whether it’s easier to walk, take an e-rickshaw or get dropped at a particular point.
The two routes your driver might take
There isn’t one fixed road. Drivers usually pick between these depending on traffic:
- Via Doiwala and the Dehradun to Haridwar highway. The more direct option for central Haridwar and Har Ki Pauri. Part of this road runs alongside Rajaji National Park.
- Via the Rishikesh to Haridwar road. Handy when the highway is jammed, or if your hotel is on the northern side of Haridwar towards Rishikesh, where lots of ashrams are.
Both are flat and easy. On the forest stretch near Rajaji, wild elephants occasionally cross, especially early morning and after dark. Drivers slow down here, and you should never stop to get close to animals or take photos.
Getting dropped at Har Ki Pauri
Cars can’t drive up to the ghat itself. You’ll be dropped at the nearest point vehicles are allowed and walk the rest. During big festivals, police may close roads further out, so the walk can be longer.
Taxi or bus?
Taxi: waiting outside arrivals. Agree on the price and the exact drop point before you start.
| Vehicle | Indicative fare to central Haridwar |
|---|---|
| Sedan | roughly ₹1,300 to 1,800 |
| SUV | roughly ₹2,000 to 3,000 |
Bus: walk or take an auto to the main road, then either catch a bus to Rishikesh and change for Haridwar, or head to Doiwala and pick up a Dehradun to Haridwar bus. It’s cheap but slow, and not much fun with heavy bags.
Festival days need extra time
During major bathing dates, the Kanwar Yatra (usually in July and August) and Kumbh or Ardh Kumbh periods, traffic diversions are normal and some roads close completely. Travel times can easily double. If your dates overlap, check local traffic updates and leave a very generous gap before your flight home.
Related guides
- The complete Jolly Grant Airport guide
- Jolly Grant Airport to Rishikesh
- Things to do near Jolly Grant
Frequently asked questions
About 35 km.
Usually 50 to 70 minutes by taxi. On festival days, during the Kanwar Yatra or on big bathing dates it can take a lot longer.
Jolly Grant Airport, officially Dehradun Airport (code DED), is the nearest airport with regular commercial flights.
Not right at the ghat. The area is crowded and partly pedestrian, so you’ll be dropped at the nearest allowed point and walk a short way.
The aarti starts around sunset. Try to reach the ghats by mid to late afternoon, and earlier on weekends and festival days.
