Rishikesh and Haridwar - how to get to by bus

volga_volga

Because of my tendency to buy tickets at a very short notice the Shatabdi Express is fully booked for this weekend. Is there a bus service to get to Rishikesh/Haridwar? where does it depart from? how many hours long? where can I get schedule from?

thanks

Volga

PS Now I am really trying to get my mind off flying with Jet Airways northbound, let's try and find me a BUS to Rishikesh PLEASE

steven_ber

I have been told by others that a certain percentage of Shatabdi tickets are held back for 'day of travel' sales, I saw a big queue for Shatabdi tickets at a special kiosk on Chennai Central station, so this option is most likely feasable.

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Train information.

sudheer poppa

U are already in India ? Sounds good. Interested in the Kumbh mela happening. Well this is a little low key affair than the big famous one. Check the url if interested

http://www.simhasthakumbhujjain.com/

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volga_volga

I was told I was waitlisted #85, Steven! I don't think it is worthwhile to get up at the crack of dawn with such low chances... esp if I arrive the night before and will be severly jetlagged on the following morning.. can easily end up somewhere else instead of Rishikesh

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radz

Welcome back Volga,Haridwar private bus goes daily from Janpath.Dont know about state bus,
call 23326820, Gurnam Singh&Company
travel &tour operators ,34,Janpath,Delhi-100001.
Usualy the bus will start around 10 pm.

Hope it will help u.

Have great time
radz

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Alan D

Have you tried to get a train ticket on the foreign tourist quota? We've never had any problems booking at the Foreigners Reservation Office at New Delhi Station.

State buses go from ISBT (Interstate Bus Terminal) but you may be able to find a more comfortable private company luxury bus.

Can't remember exactly how long the journey time is but I think it takes about 6-8 hours depending how congested the road is - longer in the sugar cane season, which I think it's not at the moment.

Oh! Just cross posted with Radz again!

volga_volga

radz, bus leaving at 10 pm means overnight bus? don't work for me as I only arrive in Delhi on Fri late at night and would like to leave on Sat morning straight away

hmm just posted on the jet lag thread, and look here i am looking for a long bus trip the morning after my arrival

it is very tempting to book a Jet Airways to Srinagar to watch the flowers in the Kashmiri valley

AvidTrekker

There are regular buses from Delhi's ISBT (Kashmere Gate) (locally known as Kashmere Gate Bus Addaa) to Haridwar/Rishikesh. Morning buses at every 15 mins interval, after 9am every half hour, 11 am to 1:30 pm four (maybe now five) buses every 30 to 40 mins....... and the freq. increases after 4 pm (again 20 mins). Last bus should be at 11 pm.

Ordinary fare is 125 rupees. Deluxe 160(?) Air/con bus 200(?) (only one or two buses A/Con). Deluxe & A/c buses can be booked in advance. Haridwar will be quite hot during the day, Rishikesh may be two degrees cooler. Nights in Rishikesh should be quite pleasant. There is a Hotel Ganga Darshan in Rishikesh before the main town starts(as you come from Delhi). The opposite bank of the Ganga is part of a Reserved National Park. If your lucky, you may see herds of wild elephants coming for a bath and to drink from the river. This view is from the Hotel room balcony. (you will have to specifically ask for this balcony view room) The river may be max 200 feet broad at this bank. You can see the elephants nearly every second day in the period (end-May to beginning-of-heavy showers.) (Becuz water inside the sanctuary dries up)

Enjoy the trip! Watch elephants while sipping peppermint tea!

Secret tip : Carry a small (2-inch) electric plug-in water heater for making hot water in your room. The room service at many of these places depends on the mood of the waiter/owner. The water may arrive lukewarm(You want it hot). This little device will save your day.

By the time I typed this there are three new answers to your post. The Govt buses mostly run on time. The private ones sometimes wait to "collect" more passengers; which can be very irritating

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volga_volga

Brilliant, AT!! thanks! so there are frequent buses...

re water heater - I normally travel with one but no so smalll.. this time I left it home! will probably not be able to get any since I am only in Delhi one nigth before going to Rishikesh

(yes, yes, looks like it is finally possible!) since I only have two full days there I might stay in Rishikesh only w/out going to Haridwar

PS have got 40 ppmint tea bags before leaving home, should last me two weeks in India

AvidTrekker

If the water heater is bigger, like the ones used to heat buckets of water...... then the owner of the Hotel will freak out. Those things draw a lot of power. If your seen ..... he will demand cash. The "cup" variety is ok. Some power, not much. And you get your HOT PP Tea. If you come to Mumbai, I give you the small one. Its available in Delhi in shops where Chinese goods are sold. Price Rs 15 to 25 depending on location of shop.

Shannon

If you have the time and the interest...go river rafting on the ganga! It was a great experience, one of my favorite. You can sort of guage the quality of the rafting company by whether or not they provide helmets

volga_volga

if I wanted adventure I'd rather go water skiing on Dal Lake in Srinagar

anyways, I was thinking of short trekking routes around Rishikesh (for half day/day) - where can I get information from? any trekking agencies over there?

how does Ganga river rafting look like?

SHIMLA

volga_volga,

Assuming you are waitlisted on the Chair Car, have you checked the position in Executive Class?

The following train options also exist for Delhi-Haridwar:
1. 4041 Mussoorie Express - this has 1A accomodation also.
2. 0405 Haridwar special
3. 2055 Jan Shatabdi Express
4. 4309 Ujjain- Dehradun Express
5. 4317 Indore- Dehradun Express

Have you tried any of the above trains?

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volga_volga

SHIMLA, no I haven't tried and in fact I left it to the travel agent which serves my office in Delhi to get me a ticket... It is too late for me to do internet booking.

Unfortunately once they see that the choice I suggest is not available they don't have creativity to suggest an alternative... (I worked with them before, I really have to go and get research done myself!! incredible). But at least I can be sure that someone will pay for my ticket and collect it for me and I will find it on arrival to Delhi.

I have arranged to speak with them tomorrow, and I will suggest your list of trains. THANKS for this info.

Volga

SHIMLA

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