While Haridwar is a major spiritual destination, it doesn’t have its own airport. To reach Haridwar by air, you’ll need to fly to the nearest airport, which is in Dehradun, and then complete your journey by road. This combination of air and road travel offers the fastest way to get to Haridwar, especially if you’re coming from a distant city.
Nearest Airport to Haridwar
The closest airport to Haridwar is Jolly Grant Airport (DED), located in Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand.
- Distance from Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) to Haridwar: The airport is approximately 37 to 41 kilometers from Haridwar.
- Travel Time by Road: The drive from Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport to Haridwar typically takes around 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on traffic and road conditions.
How to Travel to Haridwar by Air
Your journey to Haridwar by air will involve two main steps: flying to Dehradun and then taking ground transport to Haridwar.
1. Flights to Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun – DED)
Jolly Grant Airport (DED) is a well-connected domestic airport.
- Major Connecting Cities: You can find direct and connecting flights to Dehradun from several major Indian cities, including:
- Delhi (DEL)
- Mumbai (BOM)
- Bengaluru (BLR)
- Hyderabad (HYD)
- Ahmedabad (AMD)
- Lucknow (LKO)
- Jaipur (JAI)
- Kolkata (CCU)
- Chennai (MAA)
- Bhubaneswar (BBI)
- Pune (PNQ)
- Airlines: Major Indian airlines operate flights to Dehradun, such as:
- IndiGo
- SpiceJet
- Air India
- Akasa Air
- Vistara
- Alliance Air
- Flight Duration: Direct flights from nearby cities like Delhi can be as short as 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. From further cities like Mumbai or Bengaluru, direct flights typically take 2 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes. Connecting flights will naturally take longer, depending on the layover time.
- Booking Flights: It’s recommended to book your flights in advance, especially during peak travel seasons or festivals, to secure better prices and availability. You can use popular online travel portals (e.g., MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, Skyscanner, Yatra) or the airlines’ official websites.
- Ticket Price Estimates: Flight prices can vary widely based on the airline, booking time, and demand. For example, a one-way flight from Delhi to Dehradun might range from ₹2,000 to ₹6,000, while flights from Mumbai or Bengaluru could range from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 or more.
2. From Jolly Grant Airport to Haridwar by Road
Once you land at Jolly Grant Airport, you have several convenient options to reach Haridwar:
- Taxi/Cab (Most Recommended):
- Availability: Taxis are readily available right outside the airport terminal. You can opt for pre-paid taxi services from the airport counters or book through app-based services like Ola/Uber (if available) or local taxi operators.
- Fares: For a private car (like a Sedan or SUV), expect fares to range from ₹1,000 to ₹2,000. The exact price can depend on the type of vehicle and the specific taxi service. Some services may include airport toll charges in their fixed fare.
- Pros: This is the most comfortable and direct way to reach your destination in Haridwar.
- Tips: Confirm the fare with the driver before starting the journey.
- Shared Cabs/Jeeps:
- Availability: These are a more economical option if you’re traveling solo or on a budget. You might find shared cabs near the airport or on the main Dehradun-Rishikesh highway.
- Fares: Significantly cheaper than private taxis, costing a few hundred rupees per person.
- Pros: Cost-effective.
- Cons: You’ll share the ride with other passengers, which means potential waiting time and multiple stops.
- Local Bus Services:
- Availability: While there isn’t a direct bus from the airport terminal, you can walk or take a short auto-rickshaw ride (about 1.5 km) to the main Dehradun-Rishikesh highway (NH 34). From there, you can catch government buses (like UPSRTC or UTC) that frequently operate between Dehradun and Haridwar.
- Fares: Bus tickets are very affordable, often starting from ₹100 to ₹250.
- Pros: Very budget-friendly.
- Cons: Less convenient if you have heavy luggage, and might involve changing buses.
Total Travel Time (Flight + Road)
The total journey time, including your flight and the subsequent road travel from Dehradun airport to Haridwar, can range from approximately 3 to 5 hours for direct flights from major cities. This makes flying the quickest mode of transport for travelers coming from distant parts of India.
Opting for air travel to Jolly Grant Airport, followed by a convenient road transfer, is the most time-efficient way to reach the holy city of Haridwar, allowing you to quickly immerse yourself in its spiritual atmosphere.