Introduction
Ukhimath is the winter seat of Madhyamaheswar and Kedarnath, a prominent stop on the Do Dham and Char Dham Yatra route. When heavy snow makes both shrines inaccessible, their idols are shifted to Ukhimath, making it a sacred destination for devotees.
Ukhimath is located 178 km from Rishikesh and 201 km from Haridwar, with great connectivity to major cities and towns of Uttarakhand. Ukhimath can be reached easily by road, train, and air.
So, whether you are planning to undertake the Kedarnath or the Do Dham Yatra with a visit to Ukhimath, knowing how to reach Ukhimath is important for a smooth and stress-free journey.
As an experienced traveller, I have visited here multiple times, and today I'm guiding you on how to reach Ukhimath by all major routes and major cities, and also covering distances, travel options, and travel tips. So let’s start.
Where is Ukhimath located?
Ukhimath is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, within the Garhwal Himalayas. It lies on the traditional route to Kedarnath, Madhyamaheshwar, and other Panch Kedar temples.
Location: Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand
Altitude: 4,301 feet (1,311 meters) above sea level.
Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (193 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh (178 km)
Best Route By Road: Rishikesh → Rudraprayag → Agastyamuni → Ukhimath
Total Travel Time: 6–8 hours from Rishikesh
How To Reach Ukhimath By Air, Train & Road
How To Reach Ukhimath By Air
Air Connectivity: There is no airport in the town itself. The Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport, located around 200 km from Ukhimath. The airport has great connectivity to all major cities of India, and has daily flights from cities like Delhi or Mumbai.
Onward Journey: from the airport, you can hire a private taxi to reach Ukhimath, which takes 6-7 hours. The route for the onward journey is—
Dehradun Airport → Rishikesh → Rudraprayag → Ukhimath
How To Reach Ukhimath By Train
Like the airport, the town doesn’t have its own railway station.
Nearest railheads: Rishikesh Railway Station is the nearest railway station, about 180 km from Ukhimath. Haridwar Railway Station is often preferred, as it is a major hub with frequent connections to Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
Onward journey: Buses and shared jeeps are easily available from the stations to Ukhimath.
How To Reach Ukhimath By Road
Ukhimath is well-connected by motorable roads to major towns of Uttarakhand and Northern India. The road to Ukhimath follows the NH-107 and NH-58 routes, passing via—
Delhi/Haridwar/Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Ukhimath
Local Transport Option: UTC buses run early in the morning from Rishikesh or Dehradun to Ukhimath. Private taxis are another convenient and comfortable option.
How To Reach Ukhimath From Major Cities
Below is a city-wise travel guide with distance, transport options, and estimated fares.
How To Reach Ukhimath From Delhi
You can easily reach Ukhimath from Delhi by air, train, and road. While there is no direct train or flights to Ukhimath itself. Travellers typically transit to Rishikesh or Dehradun. Here is a overview of how to reach Ukhimath from Delhi.
By Train
To reach Ukhimath from Delhi by train, firstly, take a train to either Haridwar Railway Station or Rishikesh Railway Station from Delhi and then complete the remaining journey by road travel. Let’s take a look at this step by step.
Step 1: Take a train from Delhi to Haridwar/Rishikesh
These two are the nearest railway stations to Ukhimath and have daily trains from Delhi.
Popular Trains For this route:
| Train Name/no. | Route | Basic fare | Frequency |
| Vande Bharat Exp (22457) | Delhi to Haridwar | ₹170 to ₹1750 | Runs Daily |
| Jan Shatabdi Exp (12055) | Delhi to Haridwar | ₹220 to ₹1250 | Runs Daily |
| Yoga Exp (19031) | Delhi to Rishikesh | ₹170 to ₹830 | Runs Daily |
Step 2: Haridwar/Rishikesh to Ukhimath
After reaching Haridwar or Rishikesh, the remaining distance is approx. 180 km to 200 km can be covered by bus or taxi, taking around 7-8 hours.
By Air
Reaching Ukhimath from Delhi by air is the fastest way to travel. Take a flight from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport to Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport. Air India and Indigo operate daily flights from Dehradun to the airport.
From the airport, hire a private taxi to reach the town.
By Road
Travelling by road is an option for those who prefer long road journeys. A road journey from Delhi to Ukhimath requires covering a distance of around 434 km, which you can complete easily by self-driving, private taxi or bus, takes almost 10-12 hours, depending on traffic.
Note: There is no direct bus from Delhi to Ukhimath. Buses run from ISBT Kashimiri Gate in Delhi to Haridwar and Rishikesh. From there, you need to transfer to another bus to reach Ukhimath.
Pro Tip: Start your trip early from Delhi to avoid city traffic and break your journey into two parts to give your body proper rest.
How To Reach Ukhimath From Haridwar
Haridwar is one of the major transport hubs of Uttarakhand, serving as a gateway to many spiritual and scenic sites, including Ukhimath. To reach Ukhimath from Haridwar, you must cover a distance of around 201 km by road.
- Travel Distance: 201 km
- Travel Time: 5-6 hours
- Travel option: Bus, taxi, shared jeep
Haridwar To Ukhimath Bus
The bus is the most economical option for travel. Haridwar to Ukhimath bus departs from ISBT Haridwar, passing through towns like Rudraprayag, Sonprayag, and Agastyamuni.
- Timings: Early morning to evening, runs between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
- Operators: Government operators like UTC and GMOU. Some private operators also.
- Basic Fare: Ranges from 500 to 700 per person
- Route: Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar (Garhwal) → Rudraprayag → Agastyamuni → Ukhimath
(Read our blog on Haridwar, to know more about the city and its legends.)
How To Reach Ukhimath From Rishikesh
Rishikesh is another major hub of Uttarakhand. Many devotees often start their journey from this city. To reach Ukhimath from Rishikesh, you must cover a distance of around 178 km by road. Generally, it follows the NH-7 and NH-107 routes.
- Travel Distance: 178 km
- Travel Time: 5 hours
- Travel option: Bus, taxi, shared jeep
Rishikesh To Ukhimath By Bus
Rishikesh to Ukhimath by bus is the most economical option. Buses are easily available from ISBT Rishikesh and Rishikesh railway station.
- Operators: Uttarakhand Transport Corporation and private operators like Vishwanath Sewa and GMOU.
- Timings: Depart between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
- Fare: The Rishikesh to Ukhimath bus fare ranges from 400 to 600.
- Route: Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Agastyamuni → Ukhimath
(Read our blog on Rishikesh, the city which is known as the Yoga capital of India).
How To Reach Ukhimath From Dehradun
Dehradun Town is another important gateway to Uttarakhand, which is well-connected by air, train, and road. Mostly, travellers who come by air choose Dehradun as a starting point for their journey.
- Travel Distance: 216 km
- Travel Time: 6-8 hours
- Travel Options: Public bus, private taxi, shared jeep
- Route: Dehradun → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Agastyamuni → Ukhimath.
Dehradun To Ukhimath By Bus
Public buses are the most affordable option. Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) and private operators operate buses for this route.
- Bus Timings: Buses usually depart from Dehradun ISBT around 7:30 a.m.
- Fare: Bus fare ranges between ₹500 and ₹1000 per person.
By private taxi or shared jeep:
Taxis are a comfortable way to travel and are easily available from Dehradun city, the railway station, and the taxi stand.
How To Reach Ukhimath From Sonprayag
You must cover a road travel approx 39-40 km, via taxi or shared jeep.
- Travel Distance: 39 km
- Travel Time: 2-3 hours
- Travel Options: Private taxi (take a taxi from the Sonprayag taxi stand) and shared jeep (most common method).
Travel Tips For Ukhimath Journey
- Start early: Start your journey early to avoid the pilgrims' rush and traffic during the peak season.
- Check road & weather: Be aware of the local weather and road conditions, as they change rapidly in the Himalayan region.
- Choose experienced drivers: The route to Ukhimath is sharp and narrow, so choose an experienced drivers for your journey.
- Carry essentials: Carry essentials such as cash, water, ID proof, driver's number, and other essentials.
- Avoid night driving: Avoid driving after sunset, as it is not safe on hilly mountain roads.
Final Note
Reaching Ukhimath has become easy and smooth if you choose the right time and right travel option, according to your travel style. Knowing the correct routes, distance, travel time, makes the journey hassle-free. This blog on How to reach Ukhimath helps you throughout the journey.
Ukhimath, with the great connectivity from cities like Delhi, Haridwar, and Rishikesh, serves as a spiritually rich and peaceful destination. You must explore this town, whether you are a spiritual wanderer or a peace seeker in the Himalayas.
FAQs
1. How to reach Ukhimath from Delhi by bus?
Reaching Ukhimath from Delhi by bus; firstly, you need to take a bus from ISBT Kashimiri gate to Haridwar or Rishikesh. From there, take another bus to Ukhimath. There is no direct bus from Ukhimath.
2. Which railway station is near to Ukhimath?
Rishikesh railway station is the nearest railway station to Ukhimath, located about 178 km has great connectivity to all major cities. Haridwar and Dehradun are the alternative options. From the station, you can take a taxi or bus to reach Ukhimath.
3. How do I go to Ukhimath from Haridwar?
To reach Ukhimath from Haridwar, you need to cover a distance of around 200 km via taxi, car, jeep or public bus. The journey takes almost 6-7 hours, depending on road conditions and traffic.4. How far is Ukhimath from Kedarnath?
The accurate distance from Ukhimath to Kedarnath is 47 km + 16 km trek. Ukhimath to Gaurikund distance is about 47 km, which takes 1 to 2 hours to reach from there a 16 km trek starts to reach the Kedarnath Temple.
5. How much is the bus fare from Ukhimath to Haridwar?
The bus tickets from Ukhimath to Haridwar ranges between ₹550 to ₹1,000, depending on the bus operator, season, and timings.
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