Which airport is closest to Rishikesh, Haridwar and Mussoorie?

Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED) is the closest airport. It is situated just 18 km (30 mins) from Rishikesh, 35 km (50 mins) from Haridwar, 25 km from Dehradun city center, and 58 km (1 hr 45 mins) from Mussoorie.

How to book helicopter tickets for Kedarnath?

Official helicopter tickets for Kedarnath from Phata, Guptkashi, and Sersi helipads can only be booked through the official IRCTC HeliYatra portal (heliyatra.irctc.co.in). A valid Char Dham Yatra biometric registration number is mandatory to book.

Travel Uttarakhand by Air – Airports, Flights & Helicopter Yatra

Himalayan Aviation

Seamless Skies Over the Land of the Gods

Flying is the fastest, most convenient method to reach Uttarakhand, bypassing plains highway traffic and long mountain travel times.

Rapid Connectivity

Modern Terminals & Mountain Flight Corridors

With daily scheduled flights by IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, passengers from Delhi arrive in Dehradun in just 45 minutes, while travelers from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad land directly via non-stop connections under 3 hours.

Additionally, Uttarakhand’s helicopter network operates during Char Dham season, ferrying pilgrims smoothly to Kedarnath, Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Badrinath.

Aviation Gateways

Uttarakhand's Commercial Airports

Strategic commercial hubs serving Garhwal and Kumaon.

Garhwal Region · IATA: DED

Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun

Location: Tri-junction of Dehradun, Rishikesh & Haridwar

Distance: Rishikesh (18 km / 30 min), Haridwar (35 km / 50 min), Mussoorie (58 km)

Airlines: IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Alliance Air

Role: Primary commercial international gateway connection for Garhwal and Char Dham.

Dehradun Guide

Kumaon Region · IATA: PGH

Pantnagar Airport

Location: Udham Singh Nagar District

Distance: Nainital (68 km / 2 hrs), Jim Corbett (85 km / 2 hrs), Almora (115 km)

Airlines: Alliance Air, IndiGo

Role: Aerial entry point for Nainital lake district and Jim Corbett National Park.

Nainital Guide

Borderland · IATA: NNS

Naini Saini Airport, Pithoragarh

Location: Pithoragarh town overlooking Soar Valley

Distance: Munsyari (128 km), Chaukori (85 km)

Role: High-altitude regional airstrip operated under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.

Pithoragarh Guide

Char Dham Heli-Services

Kedarnath Heli-Shuttles (IRCTC HeliYatra)

For pilgrims seeking to bypass the arduous 16 km mountain trek from Gaurikund, certified twin-engine helicopters operate daily shuttles to Kedarnath helipad:

Departure Helipads: Guptkashi, Phata, and Sersi in Rudraprayag district.
Flight Duration: Just 7 to 10 minutes each way, soaring dramatically over the Mandakini river canyon.
Official Booking Portal: Exclusively through heliyatra.irctc.co.in. A verified Char Dham Yatra biometric registration number is mandatory.
Weight Regulations: Standard passenger weight limit is 80 kg; excess weight incurs nominal surcharges. Maximum 2 to 5 kg of soft luggage per passenger.

Luxury Aviation

VIP Same-Day & 4-Day Char Dham Helicopter Charters

Operating directly from Sahastradhara Helipad in Dehradun, luxury charter packages provide complete aerial pilgrimage covering all four shrines:

Yamunotri: Fly to Kharsali Helipad, followed by pony/palanquin to the shrine.
Gangotri: Fly to Harsil Helipad, followed by a scenic 30-minute apple-valley drive.
Kedarnath: Transfer directly to Kedarnath helipad near the temple.
Badrinath: Fly to Badrinath helipad, located just 1 km from the temple portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions: Air Travel

Helpful answers regarding flights, helicopter bookings, and taxis.

Yes. The airport terminal features a government-authorized prepaid taxi booth in the arrivals concourse with fixed tariffs to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun city, and Mussoorie. Private cabs and UTC airport shuttles are also available.

Mountain flights depend strictly on clear visibility. In the event of bad weather or fog, flights are paused by DGCA safety regulators. Passengers receive full automated refunds through IRCTC HeliYatra, or the option to board the next day's priority slot.