Key Takeaways
- Distance from Delhi to Haridwar is approximately 215 km, typically a 5-6 hour journey.
- Fares start around Rs.190-230 for Ordinary buses, with AC options priced higher for a more comfortable pilgrimage or day trip.
- This route sees heavy demand during Kanwar Yatra and other Haridwar pilgrimage seasons.
The UPSRTC Delhi to Haridwar bus route serves both religious travelers heading to one of India’s holiest cities and day-trip tourists visiting Har Ki Pauri and the surrounding Himalayan foothills. This guide covers fare, timings, and what to expect during the route’s busiest pilgrimage seasons.
Route Overview
- Distance: Approximately 215 km
- Journey time: 5-6 hours, depending on traffic through the Delhi-NCR stretch and hill approach near Haridwar
- Bus types available: Ordinary and Janrath AC on most departures
UPSRTC Delhi to Haridwar Fare
- Ordinary: Approximately Rs.190-230
- Janrath AC: Priced higher, worth considering given the journey length
Confirm the exact current fare using the UPSRTC fare calculator before booking, particularly during peak pilgrimage season when demand can affect availability across fare categories.
Timings
Multiple daily departures run on this corridor given consistent year-round demand from both pilgrims and tourists. Early morning departures are popular among day-trippers wanting a full day in Haridwar before the return journey. Check the official BusTime tool for the current day’s exact schedule.
Kanwar Yatra and Pilgrimage Season Planning
This route sees its heaviest demand during the Kanwar Yatra period and other major Haridwar religious observances, when:
- Regular seat availability tightens significantly, often days in advance.
- UPSRTC may deploy additional buses, but even expanded capacity can sell out during peak dates.
- Road conditions near Haridwar itself can slow the final approach considerably due to pilgrim foot traffic — build extra time into your plans beyond the standard 5-6 hour estimate.
If your travel dates fall during a known pilgrimage period, book as early as your plans allow, and consider a slightly earlier departure than you’d otherwise choose to absorb potential delays near the destination.
How to Book
Open the UPSRTC booking portal.
Set Delhi as origin, Haridwar as destination.
Compare available departures and bus types.
Complete seat selection, passenger details, and payment.
Boarding Points
Delhi departures for this route commonly originate from Anand Vihar ISBT or Kashmere Gate, depending on the specific service. Confirm your boarding point at booking time, since this can vary by departure and is especially important to verify during high-traffic pilgrimage periods when multiple boarding locations may be in use simultaneously.
Combining This Route With a Rishikesh Extension
Many travelers extend a Haridwar trip to include nearby Rishikesh, given the short distance between the two. If this fits your plans, note that a separate onward local connection is needed from Haridwar to Rishikesh, since this UPSRTC route covers only the Delhi-Haridwar leg. Confirm your Haridwar arrival time leaves a reasonable window if you’re planning same-day onward travel to Rishikesh as well.
Weather and Seasonal Road Conditions
Since this route approaches the Himalayan foothills near Haridwar, seasonal weather can affect journey time in ways that flatter UP routes don’t experience:
- Monsoon season can slow the final approach due to increased traffic and occasional road conditions near the hill edge.
- Winter fog, common across North India generally but sometimes more pronounced near Haridwar’s river-adjacent geography, can add delays to early morning departures specifically.
- Summer travel tends to see the most predictable journey times, aligning with the standard 5-6 hour estimate more reliably than monsoon or winter departures.
Same-Day Trip Feasibility
Given the roughly 5-6 hour one-way journey, a genuine same-day round trip from Delhi is tight but not impossible for a very early departure paired with a late return. Most travelers, however, find an overnight stay in Haridwar more practical, particularly if visiting Har Ki Pauri’s evening Ganga Aarti — one of the city’s signature experiences — which happens too late in the day to reasonably fit into a rushed same-day itinerary alongside the bus journey itself.
FAQs: UPSRTC Delhi to Haridwar Bus
How long does the Delhi to Haridwar bus take?
Approximately 5-6 hours for the roughly 215 km distance, though pilgrimage-season traffic near Haridwar itself can extend this.
What’s the fare for this route?
Estimated at Rs.190-230 for Ordinary buses; use the fare calculator for the current exact figure.
Is this route busier at certain times of year?
Yes — Kanwar Yatra and other Haridwar pilgrimage periods significantly increase demand and can affect both availability and journey time.
Where do I board in Delhi?
Commonly Anand Vihar ISBT or Kashmere Gate — confirm the specific boarding point at booking, especially during pilgrimage season.
Should I book earlier during festival periods?
Yes, several days ahead if possible — seats on this route sell out fastest during known pilgrimage windows.
Can I do a same-day return trip to Haridwar?
It’s possible with an early morning departure, but check return-leg availability before committing, since demand affects both directions during peak periods.
Given how significantly demand shifts around Haridwar’s pilgrimage calendar, checking whether your travel dates coincide with a major religious observance is worth doing before you assume standard availability and journey times will apply.
