The short version: fly into Jolly Grant Airport, take a direct train to Dehradun Railway Station, or drive in via NH72. All three work well, and which one makes sense for you mostly comes down to where you’re starting from and how much time you have.
By Flight: Jolly Grant Airport
Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun is the city’s only airport, and it’s domestic-only, there’s no international terminal here. Sources differ a bit on the exact distance to the city center, anywhere from 20 to 30 km depending on which route and starting point you measure from, and travel time by taxi runs somewhere between 25 minutes and an hour and a half depending on traffic. Budget on the higher end if you’re traveling during peak hours.
The airport connects Dehradun to major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Lucknow, via airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet. If you’re flying in from outside India, you’ll need to route through a bigger international hub like Delhi or Mumbai first, since Dehradun has no direct international flights.
One thing worth flagging for winter travelers: Dehradun gets a thick blanket of fog in the colder months, which can delay or cancel flights. If you’re traveling December through February, build in some buffer time rather than booking a tight connection.
Getting from the airport into the city is straightforward. Prepaid taxis are available right outside, with fares generally falling somewhere in the ₹700 to ₹1,000 range, and Uttarakhand Transport Corporation also runs buses from the airport into the city for a cheaper, if slower, option.
By Train: Dehradun Railway Station
Dehradun Railway Station is the last stop on its line, part of the Northern Railway network, and it sits close to the city center, roughly 2 km by most accounts, which makes onward travel easy once you arrive.
Direct trains connect Dehradun to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Varanasi, and several other major cities. The Dehradun Shatabdi Express is the fastest option from Delhi, while trains like the Mussoorie Express and Doon Express also run the route regularly. If you’re coming from further south, there’s also a Kochuveli-Dehradun Superfast service.
Once you step out of the station, auto-rickshaws and taxis are both easy to find for the last leg to your hotel.
By Road: NH72 and the Bus Network
Dehradun connects to the rest of North India via National Highway 72, which makes a self-drive or overnight bus journey a genuinely practical option, especially from Delhi.
There are a few different bus stands worth knowing about, since they’re not all the same one:
- ISBT (Inter State Bus Terminal), near Clement Town, is the main hub for interstate buses, including Volvo, deluxe, and regular Uttarakhand State Transport services to and from Delhi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, and beyond
- Delhi Bus Stand, on Gandhi Road, handles some of the Delhi-bound traffic separately from the main ISBT
- Mussoorie Bus Stand, located right at the railway station, is specifically for onward travel to Mussoorie and nearby hill towns
Buses from Delhi’s Kashmiri Gate ISBT run regularly toward Dehradun, and departures from Dehradun’s own ISBT toward other cities happen frequently, often every 15 minutes to an hour depending on the route and time of day.
Which Option Should You Pick?
- Coming from far away and short on time? Fly into Jolly Grant Airport
- Traveling from Delhi or nearby cities and want comfort? Take the train, especially the Shatabdi Express
- On a budget or want flexibility with stops along the way? Bus or self-drive via NH72
- Heading straight to Mussoorie after arriving? The Mussoorie Bus Stand at the railway station saves you a separate trip across town
Quick Answer
For how to reach dehradun, flying into Jolly Grant Airport is fastest if you’re coming from far away, the train to Dehradun Railway Station is the most comfortable option from Delhi and nearby cities, and the road network via NH72, with buses from the dehradun bus stand or ISBT, works well if you’re on a budget or want a flexible, stop-along-the-way journey.
FAQs
How far is Jolly Grant Airport from Dehradun city center? Estimates vary by source, generally somewhere between 20 and 30 km, with travel time by taxi ranging from about 25 minutes to over an hour depending on traffic.
Is there a direct train from Delhi to Dehradun? Yes. The Dehradun Shatabdi Express is the fastest direct option, along with other services like the Mussoorie Express and Doon Express.
Which bus stand should I use in Dehradun? ISBT near Clement Town handles most interstate buses. If you’re heading onward to Mussoorie specifically, the Mussoorie Bus Stand at the railway station is more convenient.
Does Dehradun have an international airport? No. Jolly Grant Airport is domestic-only, so international travelers need to connect through a hub like Delhi or Mumbai first.