Delhi to Kotdwar: Train, Bus and Car Options Compared
Kotdwar is about 220 km from Delhi by road. That's close enough for a weekend, but far enough that the way you travel makes a real difference to your day. Here's how the three main options compare, from people who make this trip often.
Quick comparison
| Option | Time | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Train (Siddhbali Jan Shatabdi) | About 6.5 to 7 hours | Comfort, fixed timing, no traffic stress |
| Uttarakhand Roadways bus | About 6 to 8 hours | Flexibility, many departures |
| Own car or taxi | About 5 to 6 hours | Families, onward trip to Lansdowne (check Delhi's winter BS6 rule) |
By train
The main train is the Siddhbali Jan Shatabdi, which runs daily between Old Delhi and Kotdwar.
- Delhi to Kotdwar (12038): leaves Old Delhi early in the morning, around 7 am, and reaches Kotdwar in the early afternoon.
- Kotdwar to Delhi (12037): leaves Kotdwar mid-afternoon and reaches Old Delhi late in the evening.
Timings have changed a few times over the years, so check the current schedule on the Indian Railways enquiry site or your booking app before you travel. The train has chair car and second sitting coaches. Book early for weekends and festivals.
Kotdwar is at the end of a short branch line from Najibabad. If the Jan Shatabdi is full, you can take a train to Najibabad and continue by bus or taxi. It's about an hour from there.
The railway booking office is near Jhanda Chowk:
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Railway Booking Office, Kotdwara
Jhanda Chowk · PGVC+57M, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
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Kotdwara
Kashirampur Talla
By bus
Uttarakhand Roadways runs buses to Kotdwar from Delhi's Anand Vihar ISBT through the day, with some services from Kashmere Gate. The route goes via Meerut, Bijnor and Najibabad.
- Ordinary and AC buses are both available. AC ones are worth it from April to June.
- Night buses get you in by early morning, which works if you're heading straight up to Lansdowne.
- In Kotdwar the buses stop at the roadways bus stand on Bus Stand Road.
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GMOU LTD
Jhanda Chowk · PGW9+4WF, Station Road, Jhanda Chowk, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
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Uttarakhand Roadways Bus Station
Bus Stand Rd · Bus Stand Rd, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
By car
The usual route is Delhi, Meerut, Bijnor, Najibabad and then Kotdwar. Leave Delhi before 6 am to beat the traffic out of the city and around Meerut.
A few practical notes:
- The stretch from Najibabad to Kotdwar is short but can be slow through the markets.
- Fill up in Kotdwar if you're going further into the hills. There are far fewer pumps after Dugadda. Petrol pumps in Kotdwar.
- Kotdwar has plenty of car repair shops if anything goes wrong.
Delhi's winter vehicle rules from 1 November
This matters if you're driving between Delhi and Kotdwar this winter. Under Delhi's Winter Action Plan against pollution, vehicles registered outside Delhi that are not BS6 compliant face entry restrictions from 1 November 2026 to 31 January 2027. News reports differ on the details, especially on whether private cars are covered or only commercial vehicles, so check the official Delhi Traffic Police or transport department notice before you set off.
What it can mean for a Kotdwar trip:
- Older Uttarakhand cars and taxis. A UK-registered petrol or diesel vehicle older than BS6 (roughly, bought before April 2020) may be stopped at the Delhi border. Electric and CNG vehicles are exempt.
- Taxis from Kotdwar. If you're hiring a cab to go all the way into Delhi, ask the operator for a BS6, CNG or electric vehicle, and confirm it before you pay any advance.
- Buses. Inter-state buses entering Delhi have to be electric, CNG or BS6 diesel. Most roadways services should keep running, but some routes may change or end at the border. Check with the bus stand before you travel.
- Pollution certificate. Carry a valid PUC for whatever you drive. Checks get stricter in winter.
- Bad air days. When air quality turns severe, extra GRAP curbs can kick in at short notice.
If your car isn't BS6, the train is the easiest way round all of this. The Siddhbali Jan Shatabdi isn't affected.
Hiring a taxi from Kotdwar
Many people take the train to Kotdwar and hire a taxi from there to Lansdowne, Pauri or Kanvashram. These are the highest-rated local operators right now:
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Uttarakhand Travel Solutions
Manpur · near Shivpur chaurah, Manpur, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
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NIRANKARI TOUR AND TRAVELS
Shivpur · chauk, near manpur, Shivpur, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
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Tadkeshwar Tour and travel cab service
Kura Range · The Terrace a family resturent, Market road, Lansdowne, Kura Range, Uttarakhand 246155
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Rinku tour & travels
Jhanda Chowk · big boss garments, Gangadat Joshi marg, Jhanda Chowk, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
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MAHI TAXI SERVICES KOTDWAR
Balasaur · behind motherland school, Balasaur, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
Agree on the fare and waiting charges before you set off. All taxi services in Kotdwar.
Flying in
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant in Dehradun, about 105 km away. From there it's a taxi ride of three hours or more. For most people coming from Delhi, the train or the road is simpler.
Common questions about getting to Kotdwar
What is the distance from Delhi to Kotdwar?
About 220 km by road. The drive usually takes five to six hours depending on traffic.
Which train goes from Delhi to Kotdwar?
The Siddhbali Jan Shatabdi (12038 from Delhi, 12037 back) runs daily between Old Delhi and Kotdwar.
Where do Kotdwar buses leave from in Delhi?
Most Uttarakhand Roadways buses to Kotdwar leave from Anand Vihar ISBT, with some from Kashmere Gate.
Can I drive my car from Kotdwar to Delhi in winter?
From 1 November 2026 to 31 January 2027, Delhi restricts entry of non-BS6 vehicles registered outside Delhi. Electric and CNG vehicles are exempt. Check the official notice for your vehicle type, or take the train.
How do I go from Kotdwar to Lansdowne?
Take a shared jeep, a taxi or a rented bike. It's about 40 km uphill. See our Kotdwar to Lansdowne guide.
Spotted a wrong number or a place we missed? Email kotdwarauk15@zohomail.in and we will fix it.