How to Reach Kedarnath | By Air, Road, and Train

Kedarnath is one of the four pilgrimage spots which are a part of Chota Char Dham Yatra. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kedarnath is the holy site that holds religious and spiritual importance for Hindus. It is among the most revered shrines in the country and is flocked by many devotees. Therefore, this place is easily accessible from the major cities and towns of the country.

Gaurikund is the last point till vehicles can visit, and after that, pilgrims have to trek or hire a pony to cover the distance of 16 km. The nearest airport is in Dehradun. The nearest railhead is the Rishikesh railway station, which is well-connected with Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Jammu, and other states of India.

Pilgrims can reach there by road as well, which is properly maintained by the Uttarakhand Government. Kedarnath is accessible in the summer season only, and for six months, it remains closed due to heavy snowfall.

Here is detailed information about how to go to Kedarnath from Delhi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Gaurikund, and Dehradun

Take a look at details on How to reach Kedarnath by Train, Road, Flight

By Flight

Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport from Kedarnath, situated 238 km away. The airport is connected to Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Thiruvananthapuram. It is connected to Gaurikund through buses and taxis. From Gaurikund, it is a 16 Km trek to Kedarnath.

By Train

Rishikesh Railway station is the nearest railhead from Kedarnath. Rishikesh to Kedarnath distance is 216 km. This railway station is well connected to major cities and towns of the country. Delhi to Kedarnath is easily accessible by this route. There are numerous train runs daily on this route, and pilgrims can visit Rishikesh easily. They can hire a taxi from the railway station or board a bus to reach Gaurikund (And further trek to Kedarnath).

By Road

Gaurikund is the nearest motorable area from Kedarnath. There are inter and intrastate bus services that run around it. These buses connect the vicinity with Chamoli, Srinagar, Tehri, Pauri, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttarkashi, Haridwar, and many other destinations. Gaurikund is situated on NH 109.

How to Reach Kedarnath from Delhi

1. By Road

The best way to reach Kedarnath from Delhi is by road. Delhi to Kedarnath distance is almost 440 km, easily accessible by national and state highways. Gaurikund is the last point till the vehicle can travel, and after that, pilgrims have to trek, or they can hire a pony/palki. Delhi to Kedarnath route is full of popular attractions, and tourists can enjoy the ride.

Delhi to Kedarnath Route:	Delhi – Haridwar – Rishikesh – Devprayag – Rudraprayag – Ukhimath – Sonprayag – Kedarnath
Delhi to Kedarnath Distance	450 km (approx.)
Travel Time	13 hours (approx.)

2. By Flight

The nearest major airport from Kedarnath is Dehradun Airport. The Delhiites can fly from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi to Dehradun. For the Delhi to Kedarnath flight, pilgrims can reach Dehradun and cover the rest of the distance by road. Also, they can choose to visit Kedarnath Temple by flight from the Sahastradhara helipad.

3. By Train

Kedarnath’s nearest station is the Rishikesh railway station, situated 224 km. For Delhi to Kedarnath train journey, devotees are required to Rishikesh first, and then they can travel by road from there to Kedarnath.

4. By Cab/Taxi/Own Car:

Tourists can hire a cab/ taxi, catch a bus, or travel in their own car. Government-run buses are easily available from Delhi to Haridwar, and tourists can board a direct bus. They can also catch a shared jeep or Tata Sumo for Gaurikund. They can visit there by bike and car. The national highway is in good condition, and riding on the well-maintained road is a delightful experience. Delhi to Kedarnath distance by bike is 437 km via national and state highways.

Road conditions Delhi to Kedarnath:

The route till Haridwar is in good condition, and the ride will be smooth. After this, the hilly roads start, and there are some rough patches and narrow roads to Gaurikund. Delhi to Kedarnath Temple distance is 437 km, which can be covered easily in the summer when road conditions remain good for traveling.

The road becomes vulnerable to traveling in the monsoon season due to heavy rain and landslides. If someone is planning the trip in the monsoon, keep buffer days as one can be stuck due to road blockages.

How to reach Kedarnath from Haridwar

1. By Road

Haridwar is well-connected with Kedarnath, and it has good road connectivity. Haridwar to Kedarnath distance by road 125 km approx. There are government as well as private buses and shared jeeps that run from Haridwar to Kedarnath regularly. The conveyance is available until Gaurikund, and the last motorable road headed towards Kedarnath.

After that, devotees can trek or hire a pony/ palki to the temple. Pilgrims can also travel in their car till Kedarnath from Haridwar, which is considered the starting point of the Char Dham Yatra.

2. By Train

Haridwar railway station is well-connected with almost all the major cities of the country including Delhi, Dehradun, Jammu, Ambala, Pune, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. During the Yatra season, direct buses are available from Haridwar to Kedarnath on a regular basis and without any hassle. Pilgrims can catch the bus, board a shared taxi, or travel by their own car.

Road conditions from Haridwar:

The route from Haridwar to Kedarnath is smooth till Rishikesh, and after that, the hilly region starts. Kedarnath is connected with Haridwar by NH 34 till Rishikesh, and then the journey continues on NH 7 till Kedarnath. The road condition of the Haridwar to Kedarnath route remains good in the summer season. However, the route comprises several hairpin bends and rough patches.

During the rainy season, the condition of the roads deteriorated, and driving on these roads became difficult. In winters, the road gets blocked due to heavy snowfall.

How to reach Kedarnath from Rishikesh by Road

1. By Road

Kedarnath has good road connectivity from Rishikesh. There are regular buses and shared jeeps plying from Rishikesh to Kedarnath. However, Gaurikund is the last motorable road headed towards Kedarnath, after which pilgrims can trek or hire a pony/ palki.

Rishikesh to Kedarnath distance by road is 221 km, easily accessible by a national highway. Travelers can also choose to drive on their own to Gaurikund from Rishikesh.

2. By Train

Rishikesh has its own railway station, which is connected with almost all the major cities of the country. During the Yatra season, direct buses are available from Rishikesh to Kedarnath. Pilgrims can catch the bus, board a shared taxi, or travel by their own car.

Rishikesh to Kedarnath Route:	Rishikesh – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Agastmuni – Guptkashi – Gaurikund – Kedarnath
Distance & Travel Time	211 km approx.

Road conditions from Rishikesh:

Rishikesh to Kedarnath route has several hairpin bends and rough patches. During the rainy season, roads worsen, and driving becomes difficult. It is recommended to keep buffer days as roads get blocked sometimes due to heavy rain and landslides.

How to reach Kedarnath Temple from Dehradun by Helicopter, by Road

1. By Helicopter

It is the best way to reach Kedarnath Dham. Sahastradhara Helipad in Dehradun is well connected to reach Kedarnath. Pilgrims can board a helicopter from Dehradun to Sirsi/ Phata/ or Guptkashi. Pilgrims can board the helicopter for Kedarnath and reach within an hour from the respective helipads.

From Sirsi to Kedarnath helicopter ride is of 7-minutes
From Phata to Kedarnath is of 9-minutes
From Guptkashi to Kedarnath, it takes around 15-minutes.

2. By Road

Dehradun has good road connectivity for Kedarnath and pilgrims can travel via NH 7 and NH 107. This city has its own airport and railway station. Tourists can arrive there and then head towards Kedarnath. They can catch a bus or shared taxi from Dehradun. Direct buses are available from the Dehradun bus stand to Gaurikund. Traveling by their own car is also an option for tourists and they can also hire a cab for Kedarnath.

Route:	Dehradun – Rishikesh – Devprayag – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Agastmuni – Guptkashi – Gaurikund – Kedarnath
Distance	249 km (approx.)
Travel Time	8 hours (approx.)

Road conditions

Dehradun to Kedarnath route is a hilly road that comprises several blind curves, narrow roads, and rough patches. The road conditions in the monsoon season become vulnerable due to heavy rain.

How to reach Kedarnath from Badrinath by Road & by Helicopter

1. Badrinath to Kedarnath By Road

The most convenient way to travel to Kedarnath from Badrinath is by taxi or jeep as no direct buses run between these places. Kedarnath to Badrinath road distance is 242 km, which is easily accessible. One can board a shared jeep or hire a private taxi from Badrinath. Otherwise, one can catch a bus for Joshimath and then board another bus headed for Kedarnath.

Sonprayag is the last point for private vehicles. After that, pilgrims have to board a government-run shared jeep until Gaurikund, the Kedarnath Yatra’s starting point.

Devotees can trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath Temple in almost 16 km. They can also hire a pony/palki/pithu or Kedarnath by helicopter is also an option available for them. Pilgrims can board the helicopter from Sersi or Phata for Kedarnath. The helipad is situated 700 m from the temple.

Badrinath to Kedarnath Route:	Badrinath – Joshimath – Chamoli – Uktimath – Sonprayag – Gaurikund – Kedarnath
Distance	218 km (approx.)
Travel Time	8 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

2. Badrinath to Kedarnath by helicopter

Devotees can board a helicopter from Badrinath to Phata or Sersi and change the helicopter from these respective helipads for Kedarnath. The temple is situated near the helipad.

Distance of Kedarnath From Major Cities

Delhi to Kedarnath: 450 Km
Badrinath to Kedarnath: 218 Km
Rishikesh to Kedarnath: 211 Km
Gaurikund to Kedarnath: 16 Km trek
Sonprayag to Kedarnath : 20 Km
Phata to Kedarnath: 31 Km
Guptkashi to Kedarnath : 45 Km
Ukhimath to Kedarnath: 74 Km
Chamoli to Kedarnath: 135 Km
Tungnath to Kedarnath : 88 Km
Rudraprayag to Kedarnath 88 Km
Govindghat to Kedarnath: 202 Km
Dehradun to Kedarnath: 270 Km
Srinagar to Kedarnath :119 Km

How to reach Kedarnath Yatra from Gaurikund

There are two ways to embark on the Kedarnath Yatra – by road and by air. Take a look at the detailed information about how to reach Kedarnath Temple from Gaurikund:

1. By Road

Pilgrims can trek or hire a pony/ palki for the temple. They can embark on the Yatra from Gaurikund, the base of the Yatra. The devotees have to cover 18 km from Gaurikund to reach the temple.

Trek route to Kedarnath From Gaurikund

Gaurikund – Rambara Bridge – Jungle Chatti – Bheembali – Lincholi – Kedarnath Base Camp – Kedarnath Temple

2. By Helicopter

Helicopter service is available for Kedarnath Temple from various locations. Those who do not have much time or cannot trek to the temple can book a helicopter ride for the temple. From the Kedarnath helipad, the temple is situated at just 700 m. The helicopter is available from Sahastradhara (Dehradun), Phata, Sersi, and Guptkashi for Kedarnath.

Tips For Kedarnath Yatra

It is advisable to break the journey as it is very hectic to travel continuously on the hill roads.
Carry heavy woolens, comfortable trekking shoes, caps, and gloves. Pack the necessary medicines and first aid box.
Don’t forget to carry an umbrella and raincoat. It is advisable to avoid the monsoon season as roads get blocked due to landslides.
Sunscreen and moisturizer must be packed. Carry important documents and ID proofs.
Registration for Yatra is mandatory and it is compulsory to show an e-pass before commencing the Yatra.
Carry a torch and extra batteries. Make sure the vehicle has the ground clearance and is in good condition.