Introduction
Auli can be reached by flight, train, or road. The
nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport (
300 km), the
nearest railway station is Rishikesh (
250–270 km), and the final stretch is via
Joshimath (
13 km).
Hello, I am Dev. I visited Auli in 2024 with my friends, but we did not suffer during the journey because we knew the correct way to reach. So here I am writing this to help the visitors who are unaware of the routes, distances, and more on how to reach Auli.
Whether you are planning a winter snowboarding experience or a peaceful summer escape, understanding how to reach Auli is a crucial consideration for every traveler.
This complete guide covers the best way to reach Auli, along with distances, routes, travel modes from different places, and tips to make your journey smoother.
Quick Summary To Reach Auli
- Location: Auli in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand
- Altitude: 9,200 feet (2,800 meters)
- Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport (300 km)
- Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh (253 km)
- Base Town: Joshimath (13 km), gateway to Auli and Badrinath Yatra
- Best Option: Road via Haridwar/Rishikesh
What Is The Best Way To Reach Auli?
The best way to reach Auli is to travel by road from the gateway cities of Uttarakhand, such as Dehradun, Haridwar, and Rishikesh. Follow the route to Joshimath.
From Joshimath, you can complete your journey by road travel or by the iconic Auli Ropeway.
The best way to reach Auli depends on your budget, where you travel from, and how much time you have. But the final stretch must be covered by road travel, as Auli doesn’t have its own airport or railway station.
How To Reach Auli Uttarakhand
How To Reach Auli By Flight
Traveling by air is the fastest and most convenient way to reach Auli. To reach Auli by flight, you must take a flight to the nearest airport,
Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun city, around
300 km from Auli.
- Flight Connectivity: Dehradun Airport is well-connected to major cities, such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
- Onward Journey: After landing at Jolly Grant Airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Joshimath and then onward to Auli.
- Distance from Auli: 300 km
- Travel Time: 9-10 hours.
How To Reach Auli By Train
Auli has no direct railway station; the nearest railway stations are Haridwar Railway Station, around 281 km away, and Rishikesh Railway Station, around 250–270 km away, both offering great nationwide connectivity.
- Onward journey: From Haridwar or Rishikesh Railway Station, take a taxi or bus directly to Joshimath via NH-7.
How To Reach Auli By Road (Most Popular Option)
Traveling to Auli by road is a preferred option. The journey is scenic, follows the NH-7 route, and passes through beautiful rivers and valleys.
The common route follows:
Haridwar → Rishikesh →
Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Karnaprayag → Chamoli → Joshimath → Auli
Road Travel Options:
- Self-Driving Car
- Private Taxi
- Shared Vehicle
- State-Run Buses
How To Reach Auli From Delhi
Delhi is the most common starting point of a journey. But it involves a journey of around 500 km by a combination of transport modes, as Auli doesn’t have its own airport or railway station.
Many travelers often travel to the major transport hubs of Uttarakhand, like Rishikesh or Haridwar, then proceed to Joshimath and the final stretch to Auli.
By Flight
Flying is the fastest way to reach Auli, but it involves multi-stage travel.
Stage 1: Delhi to Dehradun by Flight:
Take a flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi (DEL) to Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (DED), with frequent daily flights, taking around 40-45 minutes.
Stage 2: From the airport, take a taxi or bus to Joshimath, taking 8-10 hours.
Final stage: After heading to Joshimath, you can take a ropeway ride or a shared jeep to reach Auli.
By Train
To reach from Delhi to Auli by train, you must travel in two stages, as there is no direct train to Auli. Here is an overview of how to reach Auli from Delhi by train.
Stage 1: Delhi to Haridwar/Rishikesh by train:
Take a train from New Delhi railway station to Haridwar or Rishikesh Railway Station, as these are the nearest railheads offering frequent trains from Delhi.
Popular trains from Delhi to Haridwar/Rishikesh:
- Vande Bharat Express (22457): Departs from Delhi around 5:50 p.m. and takes around 3 to 3.5 hrs.
- Dehradun Shatabdi Express (12017): A frequent and comfortable option.
- Yoga Express (19031): The most popular overnight option has a direct connection to Rishikesh, taking around 4-5 hours.
Stage 2: Haridwar/Rishikesh to Auli by road
The remaining journey must be covered by road. From either railway station, you can take a UTC bus or hire a local taxi to reach Joshimath and then proceed to Auli.
- Distance: 250-270 km
- Travel Time: 8-10 hours
Delhi To Auli By Road
Delhi to Auli by road is a popular but longer option, typically covering around 500 km, taking 12–14 hours, depending on traffic and weather.
Most recommended route:
Delhi → Meerut → Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag →
Rudraprayag → Karnaprayag → Joshimath → Auli.
Popular road transport option:
- Self-drive
- Private taxi or car
- Local Bus
Tip: It is highly recommended that you split your journey into two parts with an overnight stay at Haridwar or Rishikesh for a relaxed and comfortable trip.
How To Reach Auli From Mumbai
Reaching Auli from Mumbai involves a multi-stage journey by air, train, or a combination of those, as there is no direct flight, train, or bus connectivity. Firstly, travel to the gateway city of Uttarakhand, then proceed to Joshimath, and travel to Auli.
Here is a brief overview of how to reach Auli from Mumbai with popular travel options for the Mumbai to Auli journey.
By Flight
Traveling by air is the fastest and most efficient way to reach Auli. Here is an overview of how to reach Auli from Mumbai by flight. It involves a multi-stage journey:
Step 1: Mumbai to Dehradun by Flight: Fly from Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) to Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED). Air India, Akasa Air, and IndiGo provide nonstop flights for these tours, taking around 2 to 2.5 hrs.
Step 2: From the airport, hire a private taxi or take a bus for a 280 km road journey to Joshimath. The mountain journey takes around 8-10 hours, depending on road conditions and traffic.
Step 3: From Joshimath, take a 25-minute cable ride or a short motorable drive of around 12-13 km.
By Train
Reaching Auli from Mumbai by train is an economical option but also a time-consuming one, taking around 40-45 hours. Let’s take a look at how to reach Auli from Mumbai by train.
Step 1: Mumbai to Haridwar/Rishikesh
Take an overnight train from Mumbai Central or Borivali to Haridwar Junction or Yog Nagri Rishikesh Junction. This leg of the journey takes around 30-35 hours.
Popular trains from Mumbai to Haridwar/Rishikesh are:
Train Name/No
| Route
| Frequency |
BDTS HW Exp (22917)
| Bandra terminus to Haridwar
| Daily |
TVCN YRNK SF Exp (22659)
| Mumbai to Rishikesh
| Weekly |
LTT HW Ac Exp (12171)
| Mumbai to Haridwar
| Bi-weekly |
Step 2: Haridwar/Rishikesh to Joshimath
From the railway station, take a shared taxi or local bus to Joshimath, which takes another 8-10 hours.
Final step: From Joshimath, take a shared jeep ride to Auli.
Mumbai To Auli By Road
Reaching Mumbai to Auli by road requires covering a distance of around 1867 km, taking more than 30-35 hours of driving.
Mumbai to Auli Distance: 1,850–1,900 km
Travel Time: 2-3 days
Recommended Route:
The most common route involves traveling through the major North Indian cities before climbing into the Himalayas.
Mumbai → Delhi → Haridwar/Rishikesh → Joshimath → Auli
Step 1: Mumbai to Delhi: Drive on a new Mumbai-to-Delhi highway (NE route), which takes around 25-26 hours.
Step 2: Delhi to Haridwar/Rishikesh: Take a local bus from ISBT Kashmiri Gate to Haridwar/Rishikesh.
Step 3: Proceed to Joshimath; it takes almost 9-10 hours.
Final stretch: From Joshimath, take a ropeway ride or short drive to Auli.
How To Reach Auli From Dehradun
To reach Auli from Dehradun, you must cover 300 km by road. Firstly, you need to reach Joshimath, the base town, and then cover a final stretch by ropeway ride or a short scenic road drive.
Primary route from Dehradun to Auli:
Follows the NH-7 route, passing through major Himalayan scenic points:
Dehradun → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Karnaprayag → Chamoli → Joshimath → Auli
Major Transportation Options:
- Private Taxi/Cab: The most convenient and comfortable way to travel from Dehradun to Auli, with fares ranging between ₹4,000 and ₹8,000, depending on the type of taxi and service provider.
- Local Bus: The most economical option for travel. UTC buses and some private operators, such as Devbhoomi Travels, provide buses from Dehradun to Joshimath. The cost of Dehradun to Auli (Joshimath) ranges from ₹650 to ₹800 per person.
Note: Buses will drop you at Joshimath; from there, you can take a ropeway ride or hire a taxi to reach Auli.
How To Reach Auli From Haridwar
Haridwar to Auli is about
281 km by road, taking
8-9 hours. To reach Auli, you must travel to Joshimath via road and then head to Auli. The journey follows the
NH-7 highway route, passing through scenic locations such as Rishikesh, Devprayag, and Chamoli.
Primary route:
Haridwar →
Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Chamoli → Joshimath → Auli.
Travel options:
- Bus Service: Frequent buses depart from ISBT Haridwar to Joshimath, typically starting very early in the morning.
- Taxi Service: Cabs and taxis are easily available at Haridwar taxi stands for Haridwar to Auli or Joshimath, with a fare ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹7,000.
How To Reach Joshimath To Auli
Joshimath is the primary base for Auli. There are two primary options for reaching Auli from Joshimath: The first is a scenic ropeway ride, and the other is an uphill drive through dense forest and peaks.
Let’s discuss each option:
1. Auli Ropeway Ride (Cable Car):
Joshimath to Auli Ropeway is the most scenic way to reach Auli, especially in winter, when roads may be snowbound.
- Ropeway distance: 4.5 km (one of the longest ropeways in India)
- Duration: 20-25 minutes
- Cost: Approx. ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 per person
2. By Road (Taxi or shared Jeep)
Travelers who visit during the summer months can take the mountain road.
- Auli to Joshimath distance: Approx. 13-14 km by road
- Time taken: 30-40 minutes
- Transport options: Shared jeeps or private taxis are readily available at Joshimath.
- Estimated fare: A shared taxi costs around ₹200–₹400 per person, and a private taxi costs around ₹1,500–₹2,000 per person, depending on travel time and service provider.
Travel Tips For A Smooth Journey To Auli
Start your trip early: If you plan a trip from Delhi or Dehradun, avoid city traffic and reach Auli by evening.
Check weather & road conditions: Be aware of the weather and road conditions before planning a trip to Auli.
Keep your vehicle serviced: If you reach Auli by self-drive, it’s highly recommended that you ensure your vehicle is in good condition for hilly mountain travel.
Keep buffer days: Add at least one extra day to the travel plan to account for delays due to weather or other reasons.
Carry warm clothes: Auli experiences a cold climate year-round, so carry warm clothes even in summer.
Connectivity: Networks are very weak after Joshimath, so download offline route maps. Use JIO or BSNL SIM cards for better connectivity.
Keep essential documents and medicines: Always keep handy your physical ID documents and motion sickness medicines to prevent altitude mountain sickness.
Conclusion
If you are planning your next trip to Auli in Uttarakhand, you must know how to reach Auli. This guide will help you choose the best route based on your city and travel mode.
This complete guide on how to reach Auli covers routes, distances, travel times, and more, to make your journey hassle-free and comfortable. So plan your next journey to this adventure hub without any complications.
FAQs
1. How do I reach Auli?
Auli can be reached via Joshimath. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport (300 km), and the nearest railway station is Rishikesh (253 km). From Joshimath, take a ropeway or taxi.
2. Which airport is near Auli?
Auli doesn’t have its own airport. The Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport, around 300 km from Auli, and has great connectivity to all the major cities. From the airport, you can take a taxi or bus for onward travel to Auli.
3. Which city is close to Auli?
Joshimath is the closest city and major base to Auli, located at a distance of around 13 km, which you can cover by a ropeway ride or motorable drive. The city provides better accommodation options and other facilities.
4. How to reach Auli from Delhi by flight?
To reach Auli from Delhi by flight, take a direct flight from the IGI Airport in Delhi to the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is the nearest airport to Auli (300 km). From the airport, take a direct taxi or cab to Joshimath/Auli, or take a bus from Haridwar/Rishikesh to Auli.
5. Which railway station is closest to Auli?
The Rishikesh Railway Station (250–270 km) is the nearest railway station to Auli, and the Haridwar Railway Station (281 km) is another option. Both have frequent connectivity to all the major Indian cities.