252 km. 5–6 hours. 549+ daily buses. UPSRTC Volvo at ₹726. Budget options from ₹139. The yoga capital of the world, the white-water rafting hub of India, and Laxman Jhula — all reachable from Delhi before lunch if you take the right bus.
The Delhi to Rishikesh route is one of the most-travelled weekend corridors in India — 549 direct buses operated by 123 bus operators run daily on this route, covering approximately 252 km in around 5 hours 30 minutes. Ticket prices range from ₹139 to ₹9,999 depending on bus type. The first bus departs at 00:05 and the last at 23:59. UPSRTC (Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation) runs the backbone of state-run services — a Volvo AC bus costs ₹726 while a Pink Express AC or Jan Rath AC is more economical at ₹454. The journey covers NH334 through Haridwar and is typically 5–7 hours depending on traffic. This guide covers every bus option with July 2026 fares, the Rishikesh–Delhi return trip, train alternatives, the self-drive route, and the best car for the road.
Delhi to Rishikesh bus July 2026: UPSRTC Volvo AC ₹726, Jan Rath AC / Pink Express AC ₹454, running from Kashmiri Gate ISBT. Private AC semi-sleeper from ₹400–700, private Volvo/luxury from ₹800–1,500. Major Delhi boarding points: ISBT Kashmiri Gate, Anand Vihar, Akshardham Metro, Dhaula Kuan, Dwarka. Dropping point in Rishikesh: Nepali Farm / Rishikesh Bus Adda. Distance: ~252 km via NH334. Duration: 5–6.5 hours. Book at redBus, MakeMyTrip, or upsrtconline.co.in. Best car for self-drive: petrol AT or CNG — no CNG stations in Rishikesh itself, fill up at Haridwar.
Delhi to Rishikesh Bus — All Options (July 2026)
| Bus Type | Operator | Price | Timing | Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo AC 2+2 | UPSRTC (govt) | ₹726 | Multiple 6 AM–10:30 PM | 5–6 hrs | Comfortable, reliable state-run |
| Jan Rath AC / Pink Express AC | UPSRTC (govt) | ₹454 | Multiple through day | 6–7 hrs | Best budget AC — cheapest state bus |
| Non-AC Ordinary | UPSRTC / UTC | ₹139–250 | Frequent, all day | 6–8 hrs | Ultra-budget, backpacker option |
| AC Semi-Sleeper 2+2 | Private (NueGo, IntrCity) | ₹400–700 | Multiple 6 AM–11 PM | 5–6 hrs | Private comfort, multiple pickup points |
| Volvo Multi-Axle / Sleeper | Private (various) | ₹800–1,500 | Evening / morning | 5–6 hrs | Premium comfort, sleeper option |
Top-rated operators include UPSRTC, Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC), FlixBus, NueGo, and IntrCity SmartBus. Popular boarding points: ISBT Kashmiri Gate, Kaushambi Bus Station, Anand Vihar ISBT. Drop points in Rishikesh: Nepali Farm, Rishikesh Bus Adda.
UPSRTC Delhi to Rishikesh — Timings and Fares
| Service | Fare | Departure Window | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo AC 2+2 Seater | ₹726 | Multiple 6:21 AM – 10:31 PM from Kashmiri Gate | upsrtconline.co.in / redBus |
| Pink Express AC | ₹454 | Multiple daily | upsrtconline.co.in / redBus |
| Jan Rath AC | ₹454 | Multiple daily | upsrtconline.co.in / redBus |
| Ordinary Non-AC | ₹139–250 | Frequent, all day (walk-up at ISBT) | Counter ticket at ISBT |
UPSRTC runs 265+ daily services on this route. Average rating 4.5+ for consistent service. First bus from Delhi at 12:20 AM, last at 11:59 PM. Journey time approximately 5 hours 34 minutes. The last UPSRTC bus from Rishikesh to Delhi departs at 21:00. Return journey boarding points in Rishikesh: Nepali Farm, Nepali Farm Chauraha, and Rishikesh Bus Adda. Dropping in Delhi: Anand Vihar, AIIMS, Akshardham, Dhaula Kuan, and 40+ other points.
Delhi to Rishikesh by Train
The nearest railway station to Rishikesh is Haridwar Junction (24 km from Rishikesh). Multiple trains connect Delhi to Haridwar daily — the fastest is the Shatabdi Express (Delhi → Haridwar in ~4.5 hours, ₹600–1,200 AC chair car) or the Jan Shatabdi (₹300–600). From Haridwar station, take a shared auto or cab to Rishikesh (₹30–80 shared auto, ₹300–400 private cab, 45–60 minutes). Total journey: 5.5–6.5 hours depending on train and connection. Trains from Delhi to Haridwar depart from Delhi, New Delhi, and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations — book at irctc.co.in. The train-to-auto/cab combination is recommended for travellers who want a flat lying berth on the first leg and prefer to avoid long bus journeys.
Delhi to Rishikesh Road Trip — Distance, Route and Best Car
Route: Delhi → Meerut Bypass → Muzaffarnagar → Roorkee → Haridwar → Rishikesh via NH334. Distance ~252 km. Driving time 5–6 hours under normal traffic — considerably longer (6–8 hours) on Friday evenings and Monday mornings due to weekend rush. The road from Delhi to Haridwar is mostly highway-quality (NH334) with a 4-lane stretch for most of the route. Haridwar to Rishikesh (24 km) passes through the Rajaji National Park buffer zone — watch for wildlife near dawn and dusk. Parking in Rishikesh is limited near Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula (the two main destinations) — park at the main lot and walk. Toll: approximately ₹350–450 one way Delhi to Rishikesh. Fuel: petrol and diesel available throughout. CNG available in Delhi and en route till Haridwar — not reliably available in Rishikesh itself. Fill up at Haridwar if on CNG.
Delhi to Rishikesh Travel Budget
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus (one way) | ₹139–250 (ordinary) | ₹454–726 (UPSRTC AC/Volvo) | ₹800–1,500 (private Volvo) |
| Self-drive fuel (one way) | ₹700 (CNG to Haridwar) | ₹1,100 (petrol) | ₹1,500 (petrol SUV) |
| Toll (self-drive, one way) | ~₹350–450 | ||
| Accommodation Rishikesh (per night) | ₹500–1,200 (ashram/hostel) | ₹2,000–5,000 (hotel/guesthouse) | ₹7,000–20,000 (resort) |
| Rafting (per person) | ₹600–800 (12 km stretch) | ₹1,200–2,000 (26 km) | ₹3,000+ (36 km + camping) |
Use the Trip Cost Calculator for a personalised Delhi to Rishikesh budget based on group size and travel style.
Delhi to Rishikesh Travel Tips 2026
- Leave Delhi before 6 AM for self-drive — the NH334 weekend rush is severe: On Friday evenings, the Delhi → Meerut → Haridwar stretch backs up severely from 5 PM onwards, adding 2–3 hours. A 5:30 AM departure reaches Rishikesh by 10–10:30 AM in normal conditions
- Book UPSRTC online — counter queues at ISBT are long: The UPSRTC Jan Rath AC and Volvo buses are significantly cheaper than private operators for the same journey time. Book at upsrtconline.co.in or redBus. Walk-up tickets are available at ISBT Kashmiri Gate counter but seats fill fast for weekend morning departures
- Nepali Farm is the correct drop point for central Rishikesh: Many buses drop at Rishikesh Bus Adda (also called Rishikesh ISBT), which is 3–4 km from Laxman Jhula. Nepali Farm is closer to the main tourist area — specify this when booking or ask the driver
- Sunscreen for rafting and outdoor Rishikesh: UV intensity at Rishikesh's elevation (356 m) is higher than Delhi. Rafting exposes you to both direct sun and water reflection. Pack waterproof SPF 50+ — see our Pilgrim Korean Cooling SPF 50+ guide for the best option
- For places to visit once in Rishikesh, see our Rishikesh travel guide (coming soon). For the next destination on the Uttarakhand circuit, see our Delhi to Haridwar bus guide (coming soon)
Jan Rath AC at ₹454 for Budget. UPSRTC Volvo at ₹726 for Comfort. Private NueGo/IntrCity for Pickup Flexibility. Self-Drive via NH334 for Freedom.
With 549 daily services and 123 operators, Delhi to Rishikesh is one of India's most comprehensively served bus routes. The UPSRTC Jan Rath AC at ₹454 is the best value state bus — comfortable, air-conditioned, and reliable. The UPSRTC Volvo at ₹726 is the premium state option. For maximum pickup convenience from across Delhi, private operators like NueGo and IntrCity SmartBus pick up from Akshardham, Dhaula Kuan, and Dwarka at ₹400–700. Self-drive via NH334 is recommended only for 5 AM departures — the route backs up badly on weekend afternoons. Pack sunscreen for the Ganga ghats and rafting stretches, and confirm your Rishikesh drop point before boarding.
Delhi to Rishikesh bus ticket price (July 2026): UPSRTC Ordinary non-AC from ₹139–250. UPSRTC Jan Rath AC / Pink Express AC ₹454. UPSRTC Volvo AC 2+2 seater ₹726. Private AC semi-sleeper ₹400–700. Private Volvo/luxury ₹800–1,500. 549+ daily buses from 123 operators. Distance approximately 252 km, journey time 5–6.5 hours. Book at upsrtconline.co.in (UPSRTC official), redBus, MakeMyTrip, or Goibibo. ISBT Kashmiri Gate is the main UPSRTC boarding point in Delhi. Private operators also board from Anand Vihar, Akshardham Metro, Dhaula Kuan, and Dwarka.
Delhi to Rishikesh bus journey takes approximately 5–7 hours depending on traffic and bus type. UPSRTC Volvo under normal conditions: 5 hours 30 minutes. Ordinary buses: 6–8 hours. The route covers approximately 252 km via NH334 through Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Roorkee, and Haridwar. Journey time increases significantly on Friday evenings (up to 8–10 hours) and Monday mornings due to weekend rush. For fastest travel, depart early morning (6–8 AM) on weekdays or take the early morning Saturday bus for the best time. The UPSRTC runs 265+ daily services from 12:20 AM to 11:59 PM.
Delhi to Rishikesh distance by road is approximately 252 km via the standard route: NH58/NH334 through Meerut Bypass, Muzaffarnagar, Roorkee, and Haridwar, then the final 24 km from Haridwar to Rishikesh. Driving time by car under normal conditions: 5–6 hours. Friday evenings and Sunday evenings can add 2–3 hours due to weekend traffic. Toll charges one way: approximately ₹350–450 total. Petrol and diesel are available throughout the route. CNG is available until Haridwar — not reliably available in Rishikesh itself, so fill up at Haridwar if driving a CNG vehicle.
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