Delhi to Rishikesh, at a glance
Rishikesh sits where the Ganga rushes out of the Himalaya, and it has grown from a town of ashrams into India’s capital of yoga, rafting and riverside calm. It is ~240 km from Delhi, a smooth five-and-a-half-hour drive now that the expressway runs most of the way. Suspension bridges, evening aartis, white-water rapids and quiet cafes all sit close together — and with a car and driver waiting, Haridwar (just 20 km away) and the hill temple of Neelkanth are easy to add.
Delhi to Rishikesh taxi fare
All-inclusive — toll, parking & state tax already in. Round trip is 1.85× the one-way.
| Car | Model | Seats | One-way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | Dzire, Etios | 4 | ₹3,800 | ₹6,750 |
| SUV | Ertiga, XUV | 6-7 | ₹4,350 | ₹7,750 |
| Premium SUV | Innova Crysta | 7 | ₹5,300 | ₹9,400 |
| Tempo Traveller | Force 12–17 | 12-17 | ₹7,850 | ₹13,850 |
What to see in Rishikesh
Iconic river bridges, a nightly Ganga aarti, the old Beatles Ashram and white-water just upstream.
Triveni Ghat Aarti
The town’s big evening aarti — lamps, chanting and floating diyas on the Ganga as the sun goes down.
The Ganga & bridges
The clear, cold river and the famous Laxman & Ram Jhula footbridges swaying above it — the postcard of Rishikesh.
Beatles Ashram
The overgrown ashram where the Beatles once meditated, now covered in psychedelic murals — a quietly magical wander.
Ashram murals
Domed meditation cells and vivid street-art walls make the old ashram one of Rishikesh’s most photogenic corners.
Ram Jhula & ghats
The temple-lined Swarg Ashram side — Parmarth Niketan, riverside steps and a slow, spiritual pace.
Triveni Ghat
The main bathing ghat, alive from dawn with pilgrims, priests and the feeding of the river fish.
Things to do in Rishikesh
Grade II–IV rapids on the Ganga upstream at Shivpuri and Brahmapuri — the town’s biggest thrill (Sep–Jun).
India’s highest fixed-platform bungee at Mohan Chatti — for the seriously brave.
Drop-in classes and multi-day courses at the ashrams — the reason many people come.
Parmarth Niketan and Triveni Ghat both hold moving sunset aartis — arrive early for a seat.
German bakeries and rooftop cafes around Laxman Jhula — perfect for a slow afternoon.
A scenic drive-and-walk to the hill Shiva temple of Neelkanth Mahadev above the town.
How to reach Rishikesh from Delhi
Pick your mode — see the options and book, all in one place.
| Car (EZPZ) | Seats | One-way | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | 4 | ₹3,800 | Book |
| SUV | 6-7 | ₹4,350 | Book |
| Premium SUV | 7 | ₹5,300 | Book |
| Tempo Traveller | 12-17 | ₹7,850 | Book |
All-inclusive · ~240 km, ~5.5 hrs via the Delhi–Meerut Expressway & NH-334 · doorstep pickup, driver waits at every stop.
| Train | Delhi → Rishikesh | Fare | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yoga Express19031 · to Haridwar | ~15:20 → 19:35 | ₹300–900 | IRCTC |
| AC Special / Shatabdito Haridwar | ~06:45 → 11:25 | ₹600–1,200 | IRCTC |
| then road to Rishikesh~25 km · 45 min | by cab | — | IRCTC |
Most trains terminate at Haridwar, ~25 km from Rishikesh (a small Rishikesh station has limited services). Confirm live seats on IRCTC.
A Rishikesh weekend
One night is enough for the bridges, an aarti and a morning on the rapids.
Leave Delhi, reach by afternoon
A late-morning start on the expressway; reach Rishikesh by mid-afternoon and settle by the river.
Bridges & Ganga Aarti
Walk Laxman Jhula, browse the ghats, then the sunset aarti at Parmarth Niketan or Triveni Ghat.
White-water rafting
A rafting stretch from Shivpuri or Brahmapuri — the highlight for most visitors.
Beatles Ashram, then home
A wander through the mural-covered ashram, a last cafe stop, then the easy drive back to Delhi.
Add Haridwar (20 km) for its grand Ganga Aarti, or Neelkanth Mahadev for a hill-temple half-day.
Best time to visit
Warm days, clear skies and prime rafting — the loveliest time on the river.
Pleasant and green, with rafting in full swing and the yoga season busy.
Warm, but the cold Ganga and riverside shade make it bearable; rafting continues.
The river runs high and rafting usually pauses — lush, but plan around the rain.
Easy add-ons near Rishikesh
The grand Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri and the hilltop Devi temples — the perfect pairing.
A revered hill Shiva temple reached by a scenic forest drive above the town.
The Doon Valley capital — Robber’s Cave, FRI and the gateway to Mussoorie.
Riverside camps upstream for rafting, cliff jumps and a night by the Ganga.
One fare. Everything in.
The number we quote is the number you pay — no toll or tax sprung on you at the end.
- Highway toll & state tax — included
- Parking & driver allowance — included
- No surge, ever — even weekends
- Pay after the trip — cash, UPI or card
Delhi → Rishikesh, the EZPZ way
All-inclusive, no surge, no end-of-trip surprises on toll or tax.
Only going one way? Pay for one way — no forced return, no dead-km.
Experienced, courteous chauffeurs who know this route inside out.
Sightseeing or stops on the way — the same car stays with you throughout.
Cars for every group
Dzire, Etios
4 · 2 bags
from ₹3,800
Ertiga, XUV
6-7 · 3-4 bags
from ₹4,350
Innova Crysta
7 · 4 bags
from ₹5,300
Force 12–17
12-17 · plenty
from ₹7,850
Rishikesh travel tips
Rafting runs roughly September–June and pauses in the monsoon when the river is too high.
Rishikesh is a strictly vegetarian, no-alcohol town — plan meals accordingly.
The Jhula bridges and ghat steps get slippery — sensible footwear helps.
Seats at Parmarth Niketan fill fast before sunset — arrive 30 minutes ahead.
Monkeys on the bridges can snatch food and bags — keep them zipped and hidden.
Warm days, cool river evenings — a light jacket is handy year-round.
Delhi to Rishikesh taxi FAQ
A one-way sedan starts at about ₹3,800 (around 240 km). SUVs and Tempo Travellers cost a little more. All-inclusive — toll, parking and state tax already in.
About 5.5 hours over ~240 km, now much quicker on the Delhi–Meerut Expressway.
Yes — Haridwar is only 20 km away, so the same car and driver can easily do both in a day or over a weekend.
Rafting runs roughly September to June; it usually pauses during the monsoon (July–August) when the Ganga is in spate.
Yes — you pay only for the Delhi→Rishikesh distance, with no return fare and no dead-km.