The road distance from Haridwar to Dehradun is approximately 54 to 55 km. By road, the journey takes 1 to 1.5 hours in normal traffic. By train, the Mussoorie Express and Doon Express cover the route in roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. Buses run frequently throughout the day and are the most economical option.
Dehradun is the state capital of Uttarakhand and the main transit point for Mussoorie. Most travellers pair a Haridwar stay with a day trip or onward leg to Dehradun and Mussoorie.
Distance from Haridwar to Dehradun
By road: 54 to 55 km via NH-7 (the Haridwar-Dehradun highway through the Rajaji forest corridor)
By rail: Approximately 60 km by rail
Drive time: 1 to 1.5 hours without traffic. The NH-7 route passes through Motichur, the Rajaji forest stretch, Raiwala, and Doiwala before entering Dehradun.
Note on the forest section: The NH-7 route passes through the Rajaji National Park buffer zone. Elephants are known to cross this stretch, particularly in early morning and around dusk. If you are driving your own vehicle or taking a taxi, keep this in mind.
Routes: Direct vs Via Rishikesh
There are two road routes:
Direct route (NH-7): Haridwar > Motichur > Raiwala > Doiwala > Dehradun. This is the standard and faster route -- approximately 54 km. The road is mostly flat with a single forest section.
Via Rishikesh: Haridwar > Rishikesh > Ranipokhri > Dehradun. This route adds distance but is popular with travellers who want to cover Rishikesh as a stop before reaching Dehradun. Factor in at least an extra 30 to 45 minutes if taking this route, plus time for any stop in Rishikesh.
For the Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula half-day, the via-Rishikesh route lets you stop, see the ghats, and continue to Dehradun in one journey.
Haridwar to Dehradun by Bus
Bus is the most affordable way to travel this route. Uttarakhand Roadways and HRTC (Himachal Pradesh Roadways) both operate on this corridor.
Buses depart from Haridwar Bus Stand (ISBT) on Railway Road throughout the day. Frequency is high -- expect a bus every 20 to 30 minutes during daytime hours.
- Journey time: approximately 1.5 to 2 hours
- Fare: approximately Rs. 80 to Rs. 120 for ordinary bus (verify at the counter, fares subject to revision)
- Booking: No advance booking needed; buy at the ISBT counter or board and pay on the bus
- Private Volvo / AC buses: A small number of private operators also run on this route. Tickets available on AbhiBus or redBus
Buses to Dehradun continue to the Dehradun ISBT on Parade Ground Road. From there, shared autos and local buses connect to Mussoorie bus stand (Mussoorie buses depart from a separate stand near Parade Ground).
Haridwar to Dehradun by Train
Multiple trains connect Haridwar Junction (station code: HW) to Dehradun Junction (station code: DDN). This is a short rail route and tickets are usually available without much advance planning, though booking 1 to 2 days ahead is wise in peak season.
Key trains on this route:
| Train | Name | Departs Haridwar | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12055 | DDN Jan Shatabdi | 19:38 | Daily |
| 14041 | Mussoorie Express | Morning | Daily |
| 13009 | Doon Express | -- | Daily |
| 14119 | KGM DDN Express | 02:45 | Daily |
| 12017 | DDN Shatabdi Exp | -- | Daily |
Journey time: approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes depending on the train.
For booking and live schedule, use IRCTC. The train option is particularly comfortable if you prefer an assigned seat and want to avoid road traffic.
Haridwar to Dehradun by Taxi
Private taxis are the most flexible option, especially for groups or families.
- Sedan (Swift Dzire / Etios, 4 seats): from approximately Rs. 2,300 to Rs. 2,500 one-way
- SUV (Ertiga, 6 seats): from approximately Rs. 2,700 to Rs. 3,000 one-way
- Innova Crysta (7 seats): from approximately Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 3,500 one-way
For groups of 5 or more, a taxi often works out cheaper per head than buying individual bus or train tickets, and drops you directly at your Dehradun destination.
Shared taxis also run on this route, departing from stands near Haridwar Railway Station and ISBT. Shared taxi fare runs approximately Rs. 150 to Rs. 200 per person. Ask at the railway station taxi stand for the current fare and the next departure.
Haridwar to Dehradun via Rishikesh: What to See Along the Way
If you take the Via Rishikesh route, the standard stops are:
- Rishikesh Ghats (Ram Jhula, Laxman Jhula): 30 to 45 minutes
- Triveni Ghat, Rishikesh: Early morning Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat, Rishikesh runs at dawn and is less crowded than Har Ki Pauri
The Rishikesh to Dehradun section (Ranipokhri road) passes through forested hills with views of the Shivalik range. It is a comfortable two-lane road.
Dehradun: What to Do on Arrival
Dehradun is a full destination in its own right as well as a transit hub. Main draws:
- Mussoorie: 35 km from Dehradun city centre, roughly 1 hour by bus or taxi. Mussoorie buses depart from a stand near the Dehradun clock tower. For the Haridwar to Mussoorie journey directly, see our Haridwar to Mussoorie guide.
- Robber’s Cave (Guchhupani): A popular natural cave and stream system on the outskirts of Dehradun.
- Mindrolling Monastery: A significant Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Clement Town, Dehradun.
- Forest Research Institute (FRI): A colonial-era campus often called one of the finest heritage buildings in Uttarakhand.
- Sahastradhara: Sulphur spring waterfalls on the eastern edge of the city.
Practical Tips
- Best time to travel: Morning departures (before 9 AM) avoid traffic buildup at Haridwar and reach Dehradun before the Mussoorie buses fill up.
- Winter fog: From December through February, morning fog on the NH-7 forest stretch can be dense. A 9:00 to 10:00 AM start is easier than a 6:00 AM one during these months. Check the IMD forecast if travelling in winter.
- Mussoorie onward: If you are heading to Mussoorie, do not take the direct Dehradun-Mussoorie bus from Parade Ground -- it can get crowded by mid-morning. Arrive Dehradun by 10 AM to get a comfortable seat.
- Luggage on bus: Buses on this route are frequent local services. Large bags are managed on the bus, but a backpack or small rolling bag travels far more comfortably than a large trunk.
Where to Stay for the Haridwar Leg
Most travellers use Haridwar as their base for Ganga Aarti and the ghats before moving on to Dehradun and Mussoorie. For all the planning advice on what to cover while in Haridwar, see the Haridwar first-timer guide.
Baromas Retreat is in Bahadrabad -- 13 km and around 40 minutes from Har Ki Pauri, and close to Patanjali Yogpeeth. It sits directly on the Haridwar-Delhi highway, which means checking out and heading toward Dehradun is a straightforward drive -- out to NH-7 and north through the forest corridor.