Planning Your Trip to Rishikesh
A Guide for International Travellers
Nestled where the Ganges rushes down from the Himalayas, Rishikesh has become one of India's most-loved destinations for travellers seeking yoga, adventure, and spiritual calm. Before you book your flights, here's everything you need to know to plan a smooth, safe, and memorable trip.
Visa and Entry Requirements
Most nationalities need a visa to enter India, and the easiest option for leisure travel is the e-Tourist Visa, applied for online before you depart.
30-day e-Tourist Visa — double entry, ideal for a short trip or yoga retreat.
1-year e-Tourist Visa — multiple entry, better value if you're combining Rishikesh with a longer India itinerary or a return visit.
5-year e-Tourist Visa — for frequent visitors, where currently available.
A few practical points:
Apply through India's official e-Visa portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in — avoid third-party sites that charge inflated "service fees." The Government of India explicitly warns against using any other website posing as the official portal.
Visa on Arrival is a separate, much more limited facility available only to nationals of Japan, South Korea, and UAE (UAE nationals only if they've previously held an Indian e-Visa or regular visa), and only at six designated airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru). It is not available to most travellers — nearly everyone else should use the e-Visa instead. Full details are on the official government page: indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/visa-on-arrival.html.
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date and have blank pages for entry stamps.
Processing typically takes a few days, so apply at least a week or two before departure.
Some nationalities have longer permitted stay limits (up to 180 days) than others, so check the rules for your specific passport.
Print or save your e-Visa approval — you'll need to show it at check-in and immigration.
Rishikesh doesn't have its own international airport, so your visa and entry formalities will happen at whichever Indian gateway city you fly into.
When to Go
Rishikesh is a year-round destination, but the experience changes dramatically with the seasons.
September to April — generally considered the best window, with comfortable temperatures for sightseeing, temple visits, and outdoor activity.
October to March — the prime season for adventure sports, especially white-water rafting, when river conditions are at their best.
March — the International Yoga Festival draws practitioners from around the world; a great time to visit if that interests you, but expect larger crowds and higher prices.
May to June — hot in the valley, with daytime temperatures climbing well above 30°C. Plan outdoor activities for early morning or after 4 pm.
July to early September — monsoon season. Heavy rain can trigger landslides and road closures in the surrounding hills, and rafting typically shuts down for safety reasons. This is considered off-season.
December to February — cool and misty, good for a quieter, more introspective visit, but pack warm layers for chilly mornings and evenings.
Getting There
Rishikesh has no international airport of its own, so most travellers arrive in India through a major gateway city, then connect onward to Dehradun (whose Jolly Grant Airport is Rishikesh's nearest airport, about 35 minutes away) or Haridwar (the nearest major rail hub, about 30–45 minutes away). From either, it's a short taxi or shared-cab ride into Rishikesh.
Notes:
Delhi is by far the most convenient gateway for Rishikesh — it's the only city on this list with a genuinely short, frequent direct-flight (or even direct-drive) connection.
From Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and other major cities, flying into Delhi and then continuing on to Dehradun (by air, train, or road) is often just as fast as, and sometimes cheaper than, a direct flight to Dehradun, since Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport has far fewer daily flights than Delhi.
Overland travel (train or road) from cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, or Kolkata to Dehradun is a long haul — 20+ hours — and generally only worth considering as part of a wider India rail journey, not a direct route.
Always double-check current flight schedules, as routes and frequencies to Dehradun change seasonally.
Travel Options from New Delhi to Rishikesh
If you're flying into Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport, DEL) — the most common entry point for Rishikesh — you have several ways to cover the roughly 230–250 km onward journey:
Flight (Delhi → Dehradun, then taxi to Rishikesh)
Fastest way to reach Dehradun: ~45 min–1 hr direct flight to Jolly Grant Airport, followed by a ~45 min–1 hr taxi to Rishikesh.
Multiple daily flights on IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, and other carriers.
Best for travellers short on time or arriving on a tight connection.
Train (Delhi → Haridwar, then taxi to Rishikesh)
A comfortable, scenic option — several trains run daily from Delhi (New Delhi or Anand Vihar stations) to Haridwar or Dehradun, including the Vande Bharat Express (~4 hrs 45 min to Dehradun) and overnight options.
Journey time to Haridwar is typically 4.5–6 hours; from there it's a further 30–45 minute taxi or auto-rickshaw ride to Rishikesh.
Book in advance, especially in peak season (October–March) and around festivals.
Road / Taxi / Private Car (Delhi → Rishikesh direct)
Roughly 230 km, taking about 5–6 hours by car depending on traffic and route (via the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway where available).
Popular with travellers who want flexibility to stop en route, or who are arriving as a group.
Outstation taxis (sedan or SUV) can be booked in advance through services like Savaari, Ola, or Uber Outstation, or arranged through your hotel.
Self-driving is possible but not recommended for first-time visitors unfamiliar with Indian road conditions.
Bus (Delhi → Rishikesh direct)
The most budget-friendly option, with both government (e.g., UPSRTC) and private operators running direct coaches, including overnight sleeper and Volvo AC options.
Typically 7–8 hours depending on the route, traffic, and number of stops.
Buses depart from various Delhi terminals (including Kashmere Gate ISBT); book in advance during peak season.
Our Advice for First Time Travellers → Avoid the inconvenience of figuring out in an new place. Take a connecting flight to Dehradun. We will pick you up from there.
Pre-book airport, station, or hotel transfers where possible, especially if arriving late at night.
Where to Stay
If you have not booked a Yoga Retreat, YTTC, or any such residential program with Ekattva Yogshala and landed up on this page just for travel advice!
Tapovan and Laxman Jhula — the heart of the yoga and backpacker scene, with ashrams, cafés, and easy access to the ghats.
Ram Jhula — slightly quieter, close to several well-known ashrams.
Riverside resorts near Shivpuri — popular for rafting and camping, with a more nature-focused stay outside the main town.
Book accommodation closer to the town centre if you want to avoid getting stranded by monsoon-season road closures.
Local Customs and Code of Conduct
Rishikesh is a sacred pilgrimage town, and this shapes daily life in ways worth knowing before you arrive:
It's a vegetarian, alcohol-free town. You won't find meat, eggs, or alcohol served within the sacred sites areas like Tapovan, Swargashram, Muni ki Reti— this is a long-standing local rule, not just a suggestion.
Dress modestly, particularly near temples, ashrams, and ghats — shoulders and knees covered is a safe default for all genders.
Remove your shoes before entering temples and many ashram buildings.
Ask before photographing people, especially sadhus (holy men) and worshippers at the ghats.
The Ganga Aarti (evening river ceremony) at Triveni Ghat or Parmarth Niketan is open to visitors and a wonderful cultural experience — arrive early for a good spot, and be respectful during the ceremony.
Avoid public displays of affection, which are generally considered inappropriate in this setting.
Health & Safety
Travel insurance isn't mandatory for the e-Visa, but it's strongly recommended — cover medical treatment, evacuation, and adventure activities like rafting or trekking if you plan to do them.
Drink bottled or filtered water, and be cautious with street food until your stomach adjusts.
Check whether your doctor recommends any vaccinations or malaria precautions for your specific itinerary and health history.
If rafting, trekking, or doing other adventure sports, only book through licensed, well-reviewed operators, and check that safety equipment is provided.
During monsoon season, monitor local weather and road advisories — landslides can close routes into the hills with little warning.
Rishikesh is generally considered safe for tourists, including solo and women travellers, but normal city-travel precautions apply: stay aware at night, use registered taxis, and keep valuables secure.
Money and Connectivity
The Indian Rupee (INR) is the only accepted currency; carry some cash; alot of small vendors are cash-only, though cards and UPI-based payment apps are increasingly common in cafés and shops.
ATMs are available in the main town areas.
A local SIM card or e-SIM is worth arranging on arrival (or before you travel) for maps, translation apps, and staying in touch — connectivity in the surrounding hills can be patchy.
What to Pack
Lightweight, modest clothing for warm months; warm layers for December–February evenings.
A rain jacket or poncho if travelling during the monsoon shoulder months.
Comfortable walking shoes — Rishikesh is hilly and best explored on foot.
A reusable water bottle and basic first-aid kit.
Sunscreen and a hat, even in cooler months, given the altitude.
Travel requirements and seasonal conditions can change. Always check India's official e-Visa portal and current government travel advisories before finalising your trip.