What is the fastest train from Delhi to Dehradun?

The Delhi Anand Vihar to Dehradun Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 22457 / 22458) is the fastest train, completing the 302-km journey in just 4 hours and 45 minutes, with stops at Meerut City, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Roorkee, and Haridwar.

Which train is best to visit Nainital from Delhi?

The New Delhi - Kathgodam Shatabdi Express (Train No. 12039 / 12040) is the premier day train, reaching Kathgodam in 5 hours 15 minutes. From Kathgodam railway station, Nainital is just a 1-hour scenic drive (34 km).

What is the Rishikesh - Karnaprayag Railway Project?

The Rishikesh - Karnaprayag Railway Line is a 125-km monumental mountain engineering megaproject featuring 16 tunnels and 35 bridges that will bring broad-gauge rail connectivity deep into the Garhwal Himalayas up to Chamoli district.

Can foreign travelers book Indian train tickets online before arriving in India?

Yes. Foreign passport holders can register on the official IRCTC portal (irctc.co.in) using international mobile numbers and book train seats up to 365 days in advance under the Foreign Tourist Quota (FTQ).

Travel Uttarakhand by Train – Stations, Vande Bharat & Scenic Routes

Foothill Rail Infrastructure

Uttarakhand’s Railway Network Overview

Uttarakhand is served by two major railway zones: Northern Railway (NR) catering to the Garhwal region and North Eastern Railway (NER) serving the Kumaon division. Fully electrified broad-gauge tracks deliver millions of pilgrims and vacationers right to the doorsteps of the mountains.

Strategic Railheads

Why Train Travel is the Preferred Choice

Traveling to Uttarakhand by rail offers significant advantages over road transport: zero mountain ghat motion sickness, freedom from highway traffic bottlenecks, comfortable sleeper berths for overnight journeys, and high-speed executive chair car comfort on day expresses.

Whether boarding the morning Vande Bharat Express from Delhi Anand Vihar to reach Dehradun before lunchtime, or taking the overnight Ranikhet Express to wake up amidst the sal forests of Kathgodam, Indian Railways provides the most reliable gateway to the Himalayas.

Railway Connectivity to Uttarakhand Foothills

Key Terminals

The 5 Primary Gateway Railway Stations

These five broad-gauge terminals serve as the primary railhead launchpads for onward road travel into Garhwal and Kumaon.

STATION CODE: HW

Haridwar Junction

The bustling spiritual railhead of Uttarakhand with 9 broad-gauge platforms. Over 70 express trains arrive daily from across India. Directly connects with Har Ki Pauri ghats via pedestrian overbridges and rickshaws.

Gateway to: Rishikesh, Char Dham Yatra, Ganga Aarti.

STATION CODE: DDN

Dehradun Terminal

The historic terminus of Northern Railway nestled in Doon Valley. Features heritage colonial architecture, air-conditioned executive lounges, and a dedicated hill taxi union rank right in the forecourt.

Gateway to: Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Chakrata.

STATION CODE: YNRK

Yog Nagari Rishikesh

India’s ultra-modern eco-railway terminal inaugurated in 2021. Designed with traditional Pahadi architectural motifs, spacious concourses, and 16-coach stabling lines. Starting point of the Char Dham railway line.

Gateway to: Rishikesh Ashrams, White-Water Rafting, Badrinath.

STATION CODE: KGM

Kathgodam Terminal

The historic Kumaon terminus at the foot of the Shivalik range. A charming, quiet terminal surrounded by lush green hills. Connecting taxi stands provide immediate transport to Kumaon’s hill stations.

Gateway to: Nainital (34 km), Bhimtal, Almora, Binsar, Kausani.

STATION CODE: RMR

Ramnagar Terminal

A dedicated wildlife railway terminal in Nainital district. Direct overnight express trains connect Delhi directly with Ramnagar, allowing safari enthusiasts to arrive early morning right before the morning tiger safari.

Gateway to: Jim Corbett National Park Safari Gates.

Timetable Highlights

Premier Express Trains to Uttarakhand

Key trains connecting New Delhi and major Indian metropolises to Uttarakhand's gateway terminals.

Train Name & Number	Origin & Destination	Departure / Arrival	Travel Time	Class Available	Key Stoppages
Dehradun Vande Bharat (22457)	Delhi Anand Vihar (ANVT) → Dehradun (DDN)	17:50 → 22:35	4h 45m	Executive (EC), Chair Car (CC)	Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Roorkee, Haridwar
Dehradun Vande Bharat (22458)	Dehradun (DDN) → Delhi Anand Vihar (ANVT)	07:00 → 11:45	4h 45m	Executive (EC), Chair Car (CC)	Haridwar, Roorkee, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut
New Delhi Dehradun Shatabdi (12017)	New Delhi (NDLS) → Dehradun (DDN)	06:45 → 12:55	6h 10m	Executive (EC), Chair Car (CC)	Ghaziabad, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Roorkee, Haridwar
Kathgodam Shatabdi Express (12040)	New Delhi (NDLS) → Kathgodam (KGM)	06:20 → 11:40	5h 20m	Executive (EC), Chair Car (CC)	Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Rampur, Bilaspur, Rudrapur, Haldwani
Nanda Devi AC Express (12401)	Kota (KOTA) → Dehradun (DDN) via Delhi NZM	23:45 (from Delhi NZM) → 05:45	6h 00m (overnight)	1st AC, 2nd AC, 3rd AC	Hazrat Nizamuddin, Meerut, Roorkee, Haridwar
Ranikhet Express (15013)	Delhi Cantt → Kathgodam / Ramnagar	22:05 → 05:05 (Kathgodam)	7h 00m (overnight)	1AC, 2AC, 3AC, Sleeper	Old Delhi, Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Kashipur (Ramnagar slip)
Yoga Express (19031)	Ahmedabad (ADI) → Yog Nagari Rishikesh (YNRK)	10:50 (Day 1) → 12:25 (Day 2)	25h 35m	1AC, 2AC, 3AC, Sleeper	Jaipur, Delhi Cantt, Meerut, Haridwar, Rishikesh

Himalayan Megaproject

The Monumental Rishikesh–Karnaprayag Railway Line

The 125-kilometer Rishikesh–Karnaprayag Rail Project, executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), is hailed as one of the most audacious civil engineering achievements in modern railway history. It brings broad-gauge passenger trains deep into the Garhwal Himalayas up to Chamoli district.

Over 105 km Inside Tunnels: Approximately 84% of the entire railway route runs underground through 16 monumental tunnels excavated with modern NATM (New Austrian Tunnelling Method) boring systems to protect against mountain landslides.
India's Longest Railway Tunnel: Features a record-breaking 15.1-km single tunnel stretching between Devprayag and Janasu.
35 Major Bridges: Spanning deep Himalayan gorges across the sacred Alaknanda, Mandakini, and Bhagirathi river systems.
12 Mountain Stations: Connecting Virbhadra, Rishikesh, Shivpuri, Byasi, Devprayag, Janasu, Maletha, Srinagar Garhwal, Dhari Devi, Rudraprayag, Gholtir, Gauchar, and Karnaprayag.
Travel Time Revolution: Slashes journey times between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag from 7 hours on winding mountain roads to just 2 hours by train, transforming connectivity for Char Dham pilgrims and border defense forces.

Rishikesh Karnaprayag Railway Alaknanda Confluence Valley

Reservation Protocols

How to Book Train Tickets in India

Practical reservation advice for Indian domestic travelers and international visitors booking via IRCTC.

Foreign Tourist Quota (FTQ) for International Visitors

Indian Railways reserves dedicated seats on premier trains (including Shatabdi and Vande Bharat expresses) exclusively for foreign passport holders and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs):

Book 365 Days in Advance: Unlike the standard 120-day domestic reservation window, international tourists can reserve Foreign Tourist Quota berths up to 365 days ahead of their travel date.
Online Booking on IRCTC: Foreign travelers can register an account on irctc.co.in using an international mobile number (a one-time nominal SMS verification fee applies) and pay using international credit cards (Visa/Mastercard/Amex).
International Tourist Bureau Counter: If already in Delhi, you can visit the dedicated International Tourist Bureau located on the 1st Floor of New Delhi Railway Station (Paharganj side). Carry your passport and valid Indian e-Tourist Visa.

Spiritual Pilgrimage and Train Travel to Uttarakhand

Tatkal Booking & Onward Station Transfers

For domestic travelers booking on short notice, Indian Railways’ Tatkal Scheme opens at 10:00 AM for AC classes and 11:00 AM for non-AC sleeper classes one day before train departure.

Upon arriving at Haridwar, Dehradun, or Kathgodam railway stations, you will find registered taxi union kiosks, shared Maxx jeeps, and UTC interstate bus stands within 200 meters of the station exit. Fixed government tariff cards prevent overcharging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions: Train Travel

Answers to common questions regarding stations, berths, baggage, and meal services on trains to Uttarakhand.

Yes. Both the Vande Bharat Express and Shatabdi Express offer optional onboard catering included in your ticket price. Meals include breakfast, morning tea/coffee, snacks, and dinner prepared fresh by IRCTC catering teams, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian selections.

Haridwar Junction (HW) and Yog Nagari Rishikesh (YNRK) are the two ideal railway stations. Rishikesh is situated slightly closer to the mountain highways, but Haridwar has more direct train connections from cities across India. Early morning buses and shared taxis to Kedarnath (Sonprayag) and Badrinath depart from right outside both stations.

Nainital is exactly 34 kilometers from Kathgodam railway station. The uphill drive via Jeolikote takes approximately 1 hour in a taxi or shared jeep. Private taxis cost approximately ₹1,000 to ₹1,400, while shared cabs cost around ₹150 to ₹200 per passenger.

Yes. The Ranikhet Express (15013 / 15014) and Corbett Park Link Express (25014) provide direct overnight rail links between Delhi and Ramnagar railway station, which sits directly on the periphery of Jim Corbett National Park.