The Delhi to Badrinath distance is about 525 km (roughly 326 miles) by road. Most people take two days to cover it, with a night in Joshimath, Rudraprayag or Srinagar along the way. The straight-line distance is only about 300 km, but the last 300 km climb through the Garhwal Himalayas on winding mountain roads, so the drive takes 14 to 16 hours of actual road time.
This guide covers the exact route, every way to get there (car, bus, train and flight), what each option costs, sample budgets and the dates you need to know for the 2026 season. If you are starting from the capital, our Delhi city guide lists local travel agents and taxi services that can help you book.
Delhi to Badrinath: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Road distance | About 525 to 540 km, depending on your starting point in Delhi NCR |
| Aerial distance | About 300 km |
| Driving time | 14 to 16 hours, best split over 2 days |
| Main highway | NH 334 to Haridwar, then NH 7 to Badrinath |
| Badrinath altitude | About 3,133 m (10,279 ft) |
| Nearest railway station | Rishikesh (Yog Nagari Rishikesh) or Haridwar |
| Nearest airport | Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun |
| 2026 temple closing | 16 November 2026, 9:37 PM |
Delhi to Badrinath Distance by Road: Stage by Stage
Here is how the 525 km breaks down. The plains section to Haridwar is fast. Everything after Rishikesh is mountain driving, where you average 25 to 35 km per hour.
| Stretch | Distance | Approx. Time |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi to Haridwar | 206 km | 5 to 6 hours |
| Haridwar to Rishikesh | 24 km | 45 minutes |
| Rishikesh to Devprayag | 74 km | 2.5 hours |
| Devprayag to Srinagar | 34 km | 1 hour |
| Srinagar to Rudraprayag | 33 km | 1 hour |
| Rudraprayag to Karnaprayag | 31 km | 1 hour |
| Karnaprayag to Chamoli (via Nandprayag) | 31 km | 1 hour |
| Chamoli to Joshimath | 48 km | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Joshimath to Badrinath | 42 km | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Total | About 523 km | 14 to 16 hours |
Joshimath was officially renamed Jyotirmath in 2023, so you will see both names on signboards and booking sites.
Delhi to Badrinath Route: Town by Town
The standard route that nearly every driver and bus takes is:
Delhi → Ghaziabad → Meerut → Muzaffarnagar → Roorkee → Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Karnaprayag → Nandprayag → Chamoli → Joshimath → Badrinath
From Rishikesh onward, the road follows the Ganga and then the Alaknanda River through five river confluences known as the Panch Prayag. Four of them (Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag and Nandprayag) sit right on the highway, and the fifth, Vishnuprayag, is just past Joshimath.
If you are coming from Gurgaon or the Haryana side, you can join the same route at Meerut or take the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway to Dehradun and drive down to Rishikesh to join NH 7. It adds a little distance but can save time on the plains stretch. See our Gurgaon city page for local cab operators.
Recommended 2-Day Driving Plan
- Day 1: Leave Delhi by 5 AM, reach Rishikesh by late morning and continue to Rudraprayag or Srinagar (about 370 km). Stop before dark.
- Day 2: Start early and drive about 150 km to Badrinath. Arrive by early afternoon, check in and attend the evening darshan.
Avoid driving in the hills after dark. The roads are narrow, lighting is minimal and local authorities sometimes restrict vehicle movement at night during the yatra season. If you’re short on time, a 3-day plan with a night in Joshimath on the way up is easier on everyone.
Best Stops on the Way
- Haridwar: Evening Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri if you leave Delhi a day early. Browse hotels in Haridwar for an overnight halt.
- Rishikesh: Breakfast stop, Laxman Jhula area and the last big town for supplies. Compare hotels in Rishikesh if you want to start the hill drive fresh.
- Devprayag: The confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda, where the Ganga takes its name.
- Rudraprayag and Srinagar: Good overnight towns with plenty of hotels.
- Joshimath (Jyotirmath): Base for Auli and the last major stop before Badrinath. Check hotels in Joshimath.
How to Reach Badrinath from Delhi
By Car or Taxi
This is the most flexible option and the one most families choose. Book an SUV such as an Innova Crysta or Ertiga with a driver who has done the Char Dham route before. Small hatchbacks can manage the road but struggle on steep climbs with a full load.
By Bus
There is no regular government bus that runs straight from Delhi to Badrinath. The usual way is:
- Take a bus from ISBT Kashmere Gate to Rishikesh or Haridwar (about 6 to 7.5 hours).
- From Rishikesh, take a GMOU or Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) bus to Badrinath (about 295 km, 10 to 11 hours).
Hill buses leave Rishikesh early in the morning. If you miss the last one, ride as far as Rudraprayag, Chamoli or Joshimath, stay the night and catch the first bus the next morning. During the season, some private operators also run AC buses on the full Delhi to Badrinath stretch.
By Train
Take a train from Delhi to Haridwar or Yog Nagari Rishikesh (5 to 6 hours), then continue by bus or taxi. The Shatabdi and Jan Shatabdi trains to Haridwar and Dehradun are the fastest daytime options. Trains do not go beyond Rishikesh.
By Air
Fly from Delhi to Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (about 1 hour), then take a taxi for the remaining 300 km or so to Badrinath. It saves the plains drive but not the mountain stretch. Helicopter services to Badrinath run from Dehradun during the yatra season, mostly as part of packages, and prices change by operator and demand.
Delhi to Badrinath Travel Expenses
All prices below are approximate 2026 market rates in Indian rupees. They rise in peak months (May, June and October) and around festivals. For a rough US dollar figure, divide by about 88.
Transport Costs
| Mode | Approx. Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bus, Delhi to Rishikesh | ₹300 to ₹950 per person | Ordinary to Volvo AC |
| Bus, Rishikesh to Badrinath | ₹450 to ₹850 per person | GMOU or UTC |
| Private AC bus, Delhi to Badrinath | From about ₹3,200 per person | Seasonal service |
| Train, Delhi to Haridwar or Rishikesh | ₹200 to ₹1,500 per person | Sleeper to AC chair car |
| Flight, Delhi to Dehradun | ₹3,000 to ₹8,000 per person | Book early |
| One-way taxi, sedan | ₹5,800 to ₹12,000 | Varies by operator, tolls and taxes |
| One-way taxi, Innova Crysta | ₹9,500 to ₹15,000 | Seats 6 |
| Round-trip taxi, sedan (5 to 6 days) | ₹13,000 to ₹20,000 | Usually ₹12 to ₹13 per km |
| Round-trip taxi, Innova Crysta (5 to 6 days) | ₹21,000 to ₹32,000 | Usually ₹18 per km plus 5% GST |
Ask whether the taxi quote includes tolls, the Uttarakhand state entry tax, parking and the driver’s night charge (usually ₹250 to ₹300 per night). These add up fast if they are billed separately.
Self-Drive Costs
The round trip is about 1,070 km. A petrol car averaging 12 to 15 km per liter in the hills will use roughly 70 to 90 liters, which works out to about ₹7,000 to ₹9,000 in fuel. Budget another ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 for tolls and state entry fees, depending on your route.
Stay and Food Costs
| Expense | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|
| Dharamshala or ashram | ₹500 to ₹1,000 per person per night |
| Budget hotel (Joshimath, Rudraprayag, Badrinath) | ₹1,500 to ₹3,500 per room per night |
| Mid-range hotel | ₹4,000 to ₹8,000 per room per night |
| Meals at dhabas and local restaurants | ₹500 to ₹1,000 per person per day |
| Temple darshan | Free |
| Yatra registration | Free |
For rooms close to the temple, see our list of hotels in Badrinath.
Sample Budgets for a 5-Day Trip (Per Person)
| Travel Style | What It Includes | Approx. Cost Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Bus both ways, dharamshalas, dhaba meals | ₹6,000 to ₹9,000 (about $70 to $100) |
| Mid-range | Shared sedan for 3 to 4 people, budget hotels | ₹12,000 to ₹20,000 (about $135 to $230) |
| Comfort | Private Innova Crysta for 2, mid-range hotels | ₹25,000 to ₹40,000 (about $285 to $455) |
The biggest saving comes from splitting a taxi. An Innova Crysta shared by six people often costs less per head than a sedan shared by two.
Best Time to Travel from Delhi to Badrinath
- May to June: Pleasant weather and peak crowds. Book hotels early.
- July to August: Monsoon season. Landslides can block NH 7 for hours or days, so this is the riskiest time to go.
- September to October: Clear skies, fewer crowds and the best mountain views.
- November: Very cold, and the temple closes mid-month.
Badrinath Opening and Closing Dates 2026
The temple opened on 23 April 2026. Its closing date was announced on Vijayadashami (20 October 2026): the doors close for winter at 9:37 PM on 16 November 2026. The five-day Panch Puja closing rituals start on 12 November. After that, Lord Badri is worshipped at the winter seat in Joshimath until the temple reopens in spring 2027. The 2027 opening date will be announced on Basant Panchami.
Temple Timings
Darshan generally runs from about 6 AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 7 PM. Timings shift slightly around special pujas, so check locally on arrival.
Registration and Practical Tips
- Register before you go. Char Dham registration is mandatory and free on the Uttarakhand government’s official tourist registration portal. Carry the printout or QR code.
- Pack for cold. Even in June, nights at Badrinath can drop close to freezing. Bring a down jacket, thermals and a warm cap.
- Watch for altitude. At over 10,000 feet, some people get headaches or breathlessness. Spending a night in Joshimath first helps your body adjust.
- Carry cash. ATMs and card machines are unreliable past Joshimath, and mobile networks can drop out.
- Check road status. Before leaving each morning, ask your hotel or driver about landslides on NH 7.
- Avoid motion sickness. Eat light, sit in the front if you can and keep medicine handy for the winding roads.
Places to See Near Badrinath
- Mana Village: About 3 km from the temple, often called the last village before the Tibet border.
- Tapt Kund: A natural hot spring just below the temple where pilgrims bathe before darshan.
- Vasudhara Falls: A roughly 5 km trek from Mana to a 400-foot waterfall.
- Bheem Pul: A natural rock bridge over the Saraswati River in Mana.
- Auli: A meadow and ski area above Joshimath, reachable by road or ropeway when it is running.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Delhi to Badrinath distance by road?
The Delhi to Badrinath distance is about 525 km by road, or roughly 326 miles. Depending on where you start in Delhi NCR and the exact route, it can range from 520 to 550 km.
How long does it take to reach Badrinath from Delhi?
The drive takes 14 to 16 hours of road time. Most travelers split it over two days, with an overnight stop in Rudraprayag, Srinagar or Joshimath.
Is there a direct bus from Delhi to Badrinath?
There is no regular direct government bus. Most people take a bus from ISBT Kashmere Gate to Rishikesh and then a GMOU or UTC bus to Badrinath. Some private AC buses run the full route during the yatra season.
How much does a taxi from Delhi to Badrinath cost?
A one-way sedan costs roughly ₹5,800 to ₹12,000, and an Innova Crysta about ₹9,500 to ₹15,000. A 5 to 6 day round trip costs around ₹13,000 to ₹20,000 for a sedan and ₹21,000 to ₹32,000 for an Innova Crysta.
When does Badrinath Temple close in 2026?
Badrinath Temple closes for winter at 9:37 PM on 16 November 2026. It will reopen in spring 2027, with the date announced on Basant Panchami.
Which is the nearest railway station and airport to Badrinath?
The nearest railway stations are Rishikesh and Haridwar, about 295 to 320 km away. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, about 300 km away by road.
Final Thoughts
The trip from Delhi to Badrinath is long, but it is straightforward once you plan for two days of driving, register online and pick the right season. If you want the lowest cost, take the bus via Rishikesh. If you are traveling as a family, a shared SUV with an experienced hill driver is worth every rupee. Leave early, stop before dark, and give yourself time to enjoy the river towns on the way. Before you go, browse our Delhi listings for trusted travel agents and our Haridwar hotels for an easy first-night halt.