Haridwar, a significant pilgrimage site, doesn’t have its own airport. If you wish to reach Haridwar by flight, your journey will involve flying to the nearest airport and then completing the rest of the trip by road. This is often the quickest way to travel, especially for those coming from distant cities.
Nearest Airport to Haridwar
The closest airport to Haridwar is Jolly Grant Airport (DED), which is located in Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand.
- Distance from Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) to Haridwar: Approximately 37 to 41 kilometers.
- Travel Time by Road: The drive from Dehradun Airport to Haridwar typically takes around 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on traffic and the specific mode of transport you choose.
How to Reach Haridwar by Flight
Your journey by flight to Haridwar will consist of two main stages: a flight to Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, followed by a convenient road transfer to Haridwar.
1. Flights to Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun – DED)
Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is a well-connected domestic airport. It handles flights from major Indian cities, with Delhi and Mumbai being the most frequent departure points.
- Major Connecting Cities: You can find direct and connecting flights to Dehradun from cities like:
- Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport – DEL)
- Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport – BOM)
- Bengaluru (Kempegowda International Airport – BLR)
- Ahmedabad (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport – AMD)
- Lucknow (Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport – LKO)
- And other major cities across India.
- Airlines: Several prominent Indian airlines operate flights to Dehradun:
- IndiGo
- SpiceJet
- Air India / Alliance Air
- Vistara
- Akasa Air
- NueGo (for some routes, though primarily a bus operator, some flight connections might be shown)
- Flight Duration:
- From Delhi (DEL) to Dehradun (DED): Direct flights are usually very short, around 50 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes.
- From Mumbai (BOM) to Dehradun (DED): Direct flights typically take about 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 35 minutes.
- Flights from other cities will vary, with some being direct and others involving one or more stops, increasing the total travel time.
- Ticket Price Estimates: Flight prices can change significantly based on the airline, how far in advance you book, the time of year, and demand.
- From Delhi: You might find one-way tickets starting from as low as ₹1,600 to ₹3,000, going up significantly for last-minute or premium bookings.
- From Mumbai: One-way tickets could range from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 or more.
- Booking well in advance is highly recommended to secure better deals.
- Good Points:
- Speed: This is the fastest way to cover long distances to reach Haridwar.
- Comfort: Air travel is generally comfortable and less tiring than long train or bus journeys.
- Convenience: Many airlines offer multiple flights daily, giving you flexibility in choosing your travel time.
- Things to Consider:
- Cost: Flights can be more expensive than other modes of transport, especially if not booked in advance.
- Last-Mile Connectivity: Haridwar doesn’t have an airport, so you’ll always have to arrange onward transport from Dehradun airport.
- Tips for Booking Flights:
- Use online travel agencies (like MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, Skyscanner, Expedia, EaseMyTrip) to compare prices across different airlines and find the best deals.
- Consider booking round-trip tickets as they are often more economical than two one-way tickets.
- If your dates are flexible, use the “flexible dates” option on booking websites to see if flying on a different day offers a cheaper fare.
2. Dehradun (DED) to Haridwar by Road
Once you arrive at Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, you have several reliable options to reach Haridwar:
- Taxi/Cab (Most Convenient):
- Availability: Taxis are readily available right outside the airport terminal. You can find pre-paid taxi counters, hire private cabs, or use app-based services (if available in the area).
- Estimated Fares:
- A private sedan (like a Dzire or Etios) generally costs between ₹1,200 to ₹1,800 for a one-way trip to Haridwar.
- Larger vehicles like SUVs (Innova, Xylo) would be more, typically in the range of ₹1,800 to ₹2,800.
- Fares can vary slightly based on the exact drop-off location in Haridwar (e.g., Har Ki Pauri, your hotel), time of day, and demand. Some services quote all-inclusive fixed fares.
- Travel Time: Approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Good Points: Door-to-door service, comfortable, and quick. Ideal if you have luggage or are traveling in a group.
- Tips: Confirm the fare with the driver or at the pre-paid counter before you start your journey.
- Shared Auto-Rickshaws/Local Transport (Budget-Friendly):
- Process: While not directly from the airport gate, you can walk or take a short auto-rickshaw ride (about 1.5 km) to the main Dehradun-Rishikesh highway from the airport. From there, you can easily find shared auto-rickshaws or local buses heading towards Rishikesh and then onwards to Haridwar.
- Estimated Fares: This is a much more economical option, with bus fares from near the airport to Haridwar starting from ₹50 to ₹150. Shared autos might be slightly more but still very affordable.
- Travel Time: Longer than a private taxi, as it involves transfers and more stops. Could take 2 hours or more.
- Good Points: Very budget-friendly.
- Things to Consider: Less comfortable, especially if you have a lot of luggage, and might involve multiple changes of vehicles.
Total Travel Time (Flight + Road Transfer)
The overall minimum travel time to reach Haridwar by flight, including your flying time and the road journey from Dehradun Airport, can be around 3 to 5 hours (e.g., 1 hour flight from Delhi + 1.5 hour road transfer + buffer time). This makes flying a highly efficient way to reach Haridwar from distant parts of India.
Flying offers a quick and comfortable journey to Haridwar, making it an excellent choice for those who value time and convenience. Once you land in Dehradun, the short onward journey to Haridwar is easily managed by various road transport options.
