New Delhi, the capital of India and officially called the Capital National Territory of Delhi, is a huge city that dates back to the 6th century B.C. Today, this bustling city boasts 17th-century historical attractions such as the Red Fort, but that’s just one of the city’s many landmarks . The sights, sounds and smells of Delhi will fill your memory with unforgettable memories, but you may also want to breathe fresh air in more open spaces. If so, then you can go to the north of India, specifically to the state of Uttarakhand. Bordering Tibet and Nepal, Uttarakhand is a place full of open spaces with spectacular mountains in the background. Known as the land of the gods due to the large number of Hindu temples and places of pilgrimage, it is also a good place to commune with nature and wildlife. Read on to find out how to get from Delhi to Uttarakhand.
Travel options from Delhi to Uttarakhand
At 53,483 square kilometers, Uttarakhand is a huge state with lots to see and do. There are several major cities such as Dehradun, the state capital, and the ancient city of Haridwar, two places that can be used as a base for exploring nearby attractions. You can get from Delhi to either of these two cities by various means of transport such as train, taxi, plane or bus, so there are plenty of alternatives. Haridwar is slightly closer to Delhi being 220 kilometers away by road and Dehradun is 254 kilometers away.
Flights from Delhi to Uttarakhand
Terminal 3 with nine mudras (hand gestures) at Leeds International Airport Indira Gandhi © Gritsana P / Shutterstock.com
Avoiding roads in India is a good idea whenever possible as traveling on asphalt can be slow and stressful due to its poor condition. Flight from Delhi to Uttarakhand saves time but is more expensive than bus or train. The cost of a flight depends largely on the airline you are traveling with. There are several companies serving this route, which helps keep the prices slightly lower. SpiceJet, IndiGo and Air India offer several daily flights. Usually SpiceJet and IndiGo have lower prices than Air India.
Flights take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour, so flying from Delhi to Uttarakhand is very quick. However, keep in mind that you will need to calculate the time it takes to get to Indira Gandhi Airport from Delhi and how long it will take you to get from Dehradun Airport to the city. With this extra time, the plane is ultimately not much faster than buses or trains, which make the journey in less time. Therefore, flying from Delhi to Uttarakhand is mostly a decision based on personal preference. You can book flights with all these airlines via 12Go.asia.
From Delhi to Uttarakhand by train
New Delhi Railway Station © Amit kg / Shutterstock.com
Traveling by train in India is quite an experience as trains are a very popular means of transport. Traveling by train in this country can be considered a cultural experience, but it is also very cheap. Usually people here don’t travel by train because it’s fast and reliable. In India, trains run very slowly and are often late. Therefore, if you like to have a well-organized trip, taking the train from Delhi to Uttarakhand may not be the best choice.
On the other hand, if you’re not in a hurry and want to take the train to experience a country’s culture, it’s a fantastic means of transport. Indian Railways operates all trains, and there are many types of tickets to choose from depending on your budget and the level of comfort you want to enjoy. There are several daily departures from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Dehradun or from New Delhi to Haridwar. Journey times can vary greatly, so be sure to check the timetable carefully. The journey from New Delhi to Haridwar can take 4 hours and 20 minutes, while the journey from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Dehradun can take up to 11 hours and 55 minutes, assuming they are on time.
If you choose the fastest train to get from Delhi to Uttarakhand, traveling in one seat is enough with any type of ticket. You probably don’t mind paying a little more to make sure you’re traveling in an air-conditioned carriage. If you’re traveling on one of the slower trains, it’s worth opting for a sleeper ticket.
From Delhi to Uttarakhand by bus
If you are interested in traveling by bus, be aware that there are several companies that operate the route from Delhi to Uttarakhand. If you are going to Dehradun, you can travel with RSRTC or with RedBus. The RSRTC service is express and takes around 5.5 hours and is also cheaper than a RedBus ticket. It may surprise you that the fastest service is cheaper, but tickets with RedBus are more expensive because they have more comfortable buses and it is a better known company. Additionally, RedBus has departures every two hours, while RSRTC offers one departure every four hours. According to the timetable, the RedBus journey from Delhi to Uttarakhand takes 8 hours.
Whichever option you choose, tickets will be cheap with one of the two companies. Prices are comparable to the cheapest train tickets.
From Delhi to Uttarakhand by taxi
The last option is to take a taxi from Delhi to Uttarakhand. Taxis have the advantage of being very flexible as you don’t have to stick to specific travel times. Also, taxis can be quite fast depending on where you start and end your journey. But considering they offer a door-to-door service, taking a taxi from Delhi to Uttarakhand can be much faster than other options.
Private taxis can be the most expensive alternative for this trip, which is an inconvenience for travelers on a budget. However, if the total cost is divided between two or three people, the individual price will be lower than the price of the plane ticket.
Flights, trains and taxis from Delhi to Uttarakhand can be booked through the 12Go website, where you can compare different options, make your decision and make your booking.