Good news if you’re flying in for Rishikesh: Jolly Grant Airport is closer to Rishikesh than it is to Dehradun. On a clear road you can be by the Ganga in about half an hour.
The catch is that “Rishikesh” covers a long stretch of river, and the part you’re staying in makes a real difference to your time and your taxi fare. So instead of one answer, here’s the trip broken down by area.
Where in Rishikesh are you going?
| Your area | What it’s like | Rough drive from the airport | Indicative sedan fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh town, bus stand, railway station | Busy town centre, markets | 30 to 40 minutes | about ₹1,000 to 1,300 |
| Ram Jhula and Swarg Ashram | Ashrams, yoga schools, ghats | 35 to 50 minutes | about ₹1,100 to 1,500 |
| Laxman Jhula and Tapovan | Cafés, guesthouses, backpackers | 40 to 60 minutes | about ₹1,300 to 1,700 |
| Shivpuri and the rafting camps | Riverside camps up the Badrinath road | 70 to 90 minutes | about ₹2,000 and up |
The fares are only a rough guide based on what’s typical. They change with the season, the time of day and the exact drop point, and SUVs cost more.
Give the driver your hotel’s name and a landmark, like “near Laxman Jhula taxi stand” or “Tapovan, near the main market”. Two places with similar names can sit on opposite banks of the Ganga, and crossing over can add a lot of time.
A note on the east bank
Many ashrams around Swarg Ashram and parts of the Laxman Jhula area sit on the east bank, where cars can’t always go right to the door. Your taxi will drop you at the nearest road point and you may walk the last bit or hop on a local shared vehicle. If you’re carrying heavy bags, ask your ashram or hotel in advance how guests usually arrive.
The drive itself
It’s an easy one. From the airport you join the main road and head south east towards Rishikesh, past small settlements, fields and patches of forest. There are no hill sections on this stretch, so it’s fine at any time of day. The slow parts are inside Rishikesh, especially near the bridges at weekends.
Taxi, app cab or bus?
Taxi. The simplest choice. Cabs wait outside arrivals. Fix the fare before you load your bags and check whether parking or tolls are on top.
Pre-booked pickup. Lots of hotels and ashrams can send a car. It often costs a bit more, but it’s worth it if you land late or you’re travelling with older family members.
App cab. These work in parts of Rishikesh and Dehradun, but airport pickups can be patchy. Check as soon as you land, and keep the taxi stand as plan B.
Bus. The cheapest way. Take a short auto or walk to the main road, catch any bus heading to Rishikesh, get off at the bus stand and take an auto to your area. Great for backpackers, not so great with big suitcases or after dark.
Timing tips
- Weekends and holidays bring a wave of traffic from Delhi. Add 20 to 30 minutes, more around Tapovan.
- Want the Ganga Aarti? The evening aarti at Parmarth Niketan and Triveni Ghat happens around sunset. Land by early afternoon if you want to make it.
- Monsoon (July to September) slows everything down, and rafting usually stops for the season.
- Flying out? Leave Rishikesh about 2 to 2.5 hours before a domestic flight in busy season. From Tapovan or Laxman Jhula, leave earlier.
Related guides
- The complete Jolly Grant Airport guide
- Jolly Grant Airport to Haridwar
- Things to do near Jolly Grant
Frequently asked questions
Central Rishikesh is about 20 km away. Tapovan and Laxman Jhula are a little further, and Shivpuri is further still.
Usually 30 to 45 minutes to the town centre. On weekends, holidays or in heavy rain it can take an hour or more, especially to Tapovan.
A sedan to central Rishikesh usually costs roughly 1,000 to 1,500 rupees. Tapovan, Shivpuri, SUVs and late night trips cost more, so agree on the fare before you start.
There’s no dedicated airport bus, but regular Dehradun to Rishikesh buses run on the main road near the airport. You’ll need a short walk or auto ride to reach it.
Jolly Grant Airport, officially Dehradun Airport (code DED).
