Rishikesh to Badrinath: distance and route
The road runs from Rishikesh or Haridwar through Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandaprayag and Joshimath to Badrinath. It is about 300 km from Rishikesh and about 320 km from Haridwar, with 10 to 12 hours of driving. Treat that as a planning figure, not a timetable.
There is no train to Badrinath. If you want to skip the long drive in one direction, look at Badrinath helicopter flights, which are charters from Dehradun. A flight does not remove the altitude, so rest on arrival.
Starting points compared
Distances are approximate.
| Starting point | Distance to Badrinath | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh | About 300 km | Common starting point for the road, 10 to 12 hours |
| Haridwar | About 320 km | Railway station and pilgrim city on the Ganges |
| Dehradun airport (DED) | 317 km | Jolly Grant, the airport for the region |
| Delhi | About 530 km | Road distance, usually split over two days |
For most travellers, the sensible plan is to reach Rishikesh or Haridwar the day before, start early and split the drive over two days. That keeps each day within the 8-hour driving limit for drivers and leaves time for the height.
Our pick: transport from Delhi, Dehradun or Haridwar
A ten-day yatra by private car that starts in Delhi, Dehradun or Haridwar and reaches the Badrinath temple on day 9.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Badrinath tours with road transport
Yatra tours from Delhi, Haridwar and Rishikesh, with live prices and availability.
Delhi to Badrinath and Haridwar to Badrinath
From Delhi the road distance is about 530 km, and from Haridwar about 320 km. Delhi is a long first day before you even reach the hill section, so most visitors stop in Haridwar or Rishikesh first. There is no direct train to Badrinath. Rishikesh and Haridwar are the points where the road transfer starts.
For lodging on the way and at the end, see where to stay in Badrinath.
Taxi and transfer from Dehradun airport (DED)
Jolly Grant is the airport for the route.
Dehradun airport is 317 km from Badrinath. A taxi or transfer covers that in one long day or, better, two. There are no fixed tariffs, so agree the price, the vehicle and the stops before you leave.
A car with driver is the usual way to travel the whole route. Ask what the price includes: fuel, parking, tolls, halts and the driver's own lodging. Do not hire a driver who starts late and wants to drive through the night.
What to check on the vehicle
Look at brakes, steering and tyres before you set off. The transport department also sets a limit of 8 hours of driving per day for the driver.
Paperwork
A Green Card summarises fitness, route permit, tax, insurance and licence. Do not assume it applies to every private rental, and ask the owner which papers the car carries.
Stops on the road
The route follows the Alaknanda upstream. Devprayag, where two rivers join, is the first big landmark. Rudraprayag, where the Alaknanda and the Mandakini meet, lies further up. Both are useful places to rest.
After Karnaprayag and Nandaprayag the road climbs to Joshimath and on to Badrinath. Read Auli and Joshimath if you plan to break the journey there.
Rules and checks on the road
These shape your timing more than the distance does.
Registration
Register before you travel, and carry the letter with the QR code. There is a check post at Pandukeshwar for Badrinath, and token points at Badrinath ISBT, BRO Circle and Mana Parking. Read the registration guide.
Night travel
Passenger and goods traffic on the Char Dham routes is restricted between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Plan to be at your halt before dark.
Rain and landslides
An all-weather road is not always open. The yatra was paused for two days in late September 2026 after heavy-rain alerts. Check the weather page and keep a spare day.
Highway number
The Rishikesh to Badrinath route is NH 7. Older maps still show NH 58.
Parking
Mana Parking is a token location. Parking fees, reservation and the closest access to the temple can change, so ask your lodging.
Train, bus and the planned railway
No railway reaches Badrinath. A rail line from Rishikesh to Karnaprayag of about 125 km is a construction project with long tunnels. It would not reach the temple either, so do not plan around it and count on road transport.
State and transport-union buses run on this road. There is no fixed timetable or fare list to rely on, so ask at the bus station or have the journey arranged.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that go with the journey.
Getting to Badrinath: frequently asked questions
How far is Badrinath from Rishikesh?
About 300 km by road, which takes 10 to 12 hours without halts. Haridwar is about 320 km away, and Dehradun airport is 317 km.
Is there a train to Badrinath?
No. Rishikesh and Haridwar are the starting points for the road transfer. A rail line to Karnaprayag is under construction, but it would not reach Badrinath.
How far is Badrinath from Delhi?
About 530 km by road. Most visitors split the journey and stop in Haridwar or Rishikesh.
Can I drive at night?
Passenger and goods traffic on the Char Dham routes is restricted from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., so do not plan to drive through the night.
Do I need a taxi or a car with driver?
Most visitors use one. Agree the price, the stops and what is included before you start, and check the vehicle.
What is the road number to Badrinath?
The route from Rishikesh to Badrinath is NH 7. Older maps still show NH 58.