How to Reach Char Dham 2026: From Delhi, Mumbai & All Major Cities
7 min read
Updated 2 April 2026
Gateway Cities
Char Dham starts from Haridwar or Rishikesh (both in Uttarakhand). Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED), 35 km from Haridwar. Nearest major railway station: Haridwar Junction. From there, all four dhams are reached by road through the Garhwal Himalayas.
From Delhi
Road: 230 km to Haridwar on NH58, 5-6 hours. Train: Shatabdi Express (4.5 hrs, ₹700-1,200), Jan Shatabdi (5 hrs, ₹300-500). Flight: Delhi to Dehradun (1 hour, ₹2,500-5,000), then taxi to Haridwar (35 km, 1 hour).
From Mumbai
Flight: Mumbai to Dehradun (2-2.5 hours, ₹3,500-8,000). Train: Mumbai to Haridwar (24-26 hours, Doon Express or Dehradun Express). Flight is strongly recommended.
From Kolkata
Flight: Kolkata to Dehradun (2 hours via connection, ₹4,000-8,000). Train: Kolkata to Haridwar (24-30 hours, Doon Express). Direct train options are limited — consider flight.
Haridwar to Char Dham Route
Haridwar → Barkot (Yamunotri base): 215 km, 7-8 hrs. Barkot → Uttarkashi (Gangotri base): 100 km, 4 hrs. Uttarkashi → Guptkashi (Kedarnath base): 220 km, 8-9 hrs. Guptkashi → Joshimath (Badrinath base): 250 km, 8-9 hrs. Joshimath → Haridwar (return): 275 km, 8-9 hrs.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
UPSRTC and UKTRC run buses from Delhi and Haridwar to dham base towns. However, buses only cover main routes — for the circuit, private vehicle or organized tour is much more practical.
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED). 35 km from Haridwar. Daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bangalore.
Haridwar to Gaurikund (Kedarnath base): 230 km by road (9-10 hours). Then 16 km trek to Kedarnath temple. Direct road distance doesn't exist — the temple is on a mountain.