Rajaji National Park stretches along the Shivalik Hills between Haridwar and Dehradun — two of Uttarakhand's best-connected cities. Five zone gates, multiple arrival cities and every transport mode covered. Here is everything you need to plan your journey.
Road, rail, air and bus — every option covered with honest advice on which works best for your situation
Road access is the most flexible option — you control departure time, can carry all your safari gear, and can choose which zone to visit. NH 58 (Delhi–Haridwar–Dehradun) runs directly past Rajaji's zone gates. From Delhi, the drive is 5–6 hours depending on traffic. From Haridwar or Dehradun, gates are 8–45 km away.
Google Maps navigation directly to the zone gate. Roads are good quality. Standard hatchbacks and sedans handle all routes without issue.
Pre-book an outstation taxi from Delhi, Haridwar or Dehradun. Agree on round-trip fare and waiting time at gate. Driver waits at gate during the 3.5-hour safari.
Train is the most economical and comfortable option from Delhi. Both Haridwar Junction and Dehradun Railway Station are well-connected on the Delhi–Haridwar–Dehradun Shatabdi route. From either station, hire a pre-booked taxi to the zone gate — 15–60 minutes depending on which zone you have booked.
Nearest station for Chilla, Motichur and Jhilmil Jheel zones. 4.5–5.5 hrs from Delhi on Shatabdi Express.
Nearest for Ranipur and Mohand zones. 5–6 hrs from Delhi. Taxi 35–50 km to zone gates.
Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) is the closest airport to Rajaji National Park. Daily flights from Delhi (45 min), Mumbai (2 hrs) and other major cities. From the airport, a direct taxi reaches Mohand Gate in 30 minutes — making this the shortest airport-to-safari-gate connection among North India's national parks.
18 km · 30 min from Jolly Grant Airport — closest gate to airport.
~60 km · 75 min from airport via Haridwar bypass.
Regular state-run (UPSRTC/UTTC) and private Volvo buses run between Delhi and Haridwar/Dehradun from ISBT Kashmere Gate. Journey is 5–7 hours. From Haridwar Bus Stand or Dehradun ISBT, hire a local taxi to the zone gate — shared autos do not go to the gates. The bus is the most economical long-distance option.
Frequent buses from ISBT Kashmere Gate · ₹350–700 · 5–6 hrs · good Volvo options overnight.
Hire local auto to Haridwar city taxi stand, then book outstation taxi to gate. Shared transport to gates not available.
Step-by-step directions from Delhi, Haridwar, Dehradun and Rishikesh
Take NH 58 from Delhi toward Haridwar. The highway is well-maintained and mostly 4-lane. Exit at Haridwar for Chilla/Motichur/Jhilmil zones, or continue on NH 72 to Dehradun for Ranipur/Mohand zones. Depart by 11 PM (night drive, arrive dawn) or 3–4 AM for morning safari arrival. Avoid weekends — NH 58 traffic from Meerut can add 90 min.
~5–6 hrs · NH 58 via Meerut–Muzaffarnagar–HaridwarShatabdi Express (5:45 AM from New Delhi, arrives Haridwar 10:45 AM) for a same-day visit or overnight stay. Mussoorie Express (departs 9:20 PM, overnight, arrives Haridwar 5:00 AM) — ideal for arriving gate-ready for 6 AM morning safari without hotel stay. Book 2–3 weeks ahead on IRCTC.
4.5–5.5 hrs · New Delhi Station or H. NizamuddinDelhi to Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) — 45-minute flight, multiple departures daily from 6 AM onward. From Jolly Grant, Mohand Gate is just 18 km. For Chilla zone, allow 75 min taxi from airport. Fly out the same day of your safari for a seamless 1-day excursion.
45 min flight + 30–75 min taxi to gateVolvo AC buses from ISBT Kashmere Gate (Delhi) to Haridwar every 30–60 minutes, 5–7 hours journey. ₹400–700 per seat. From Haridwar bus stand, hire a taxi to the zone gate (₹300–600). Not recommended for morning safaris unless you travel overnight and stay in Haridwar.
~6 hrs total · Book via redBus or UPSRTC websiteDelhi tip: The most seamless Delhi–Rajaji experience is the overnight Mussoorie Express — depart Delhi 9:20 PM, arrive Haridwar 5:00 AM, taxi to Chilla gate in 25 minutes. Safari at 6:00 AM. Return to Delhi by evening. One day, zero hotel nights needed.
Take the Haridwar–Rishikesh Road (NH 334B) north for 8 km. Motichur Range Office is on the right, signed from the main road. This is the shortest distance from Haridwar to any Rajaji gate — just 15 minutes by taxi.
8 km · ~15 min · ₹150–200 auto / ₹300 taxiCross the Haridwar canal bridge, take the road past the Haridwar Bypass junction toward Chilla village. The gate is on the Ganga canal road — well-signed from city centre. Most Haridwar hotels know this route well.
15 km · ~25 min · ₹400–500 taxiTake the Haridwar–Raiwala road (NH 58 toward Dehradun) to Raiwala junction, then follow the Jhilmil Jheel signage. Forest department signs clearly mark the Jhilmil Range Office turnoff from the main highway.
25 km · ~40 min · ₹600–700 taxiPre-book from Haridwar Railway Station taxi stand or local taxi apps (Ola/Uber available). For morning safari, book the taxi evening before for 5:00 AM departure. Most Haridwar hotels have 24-hr taxi concierge. Agreed return pickup recommended — no autos operate near the gates.
Gate phone: Chilla +91 1334 267100 · Motichur +91 1334 267200Haridwar advantage: Staying in Haridwar puts you within 15–25 minutes of three Rajaji zone gates (Motichur, Chilla, Jhilmil). It is the best base for visitors who want to combine a Rajaji safari with Haridwar sightseeing or Ganga Aarti. Wide range of hotels from budget to premium.
The airport is just 18 km from Mohand Zone Gate — one of the shortest airport-to-safari-gate connections in any Indian national park. Pre-paid taxi from airport exit, specify "Mohand Range Office, Rajaji National Park." Journey 30 min on good highway.
18 km · ~30 min · ₹500–700 taxiTake the Dehradun–Haridwar Highway (NH 58) south toward Haridwar. Mohand turnoff is at 35 km — look for the Rajaji National Park board before Mohand village. Clear signage from the main highway.
35 km · ~50 min · ₹700–900 taxiTake NH 58 south, past Mohand, to the Ranipur Range Office junction — clearly signed at 45 km. The forest road to the gate is narrow but good quality. Standard vehicles handle it without issue. Best for visitors staying in South Dehradun.
45 km · ~60 min · ₹900–1,100 taxiStation is in central Dehradun, 38 km from Mohand Gate. Hire private taxi from station taxi stand — 55 min to Mohand, 65 min to Ranipur. Pre-book for 5 AM departure. Ola/Uber also available from station, though outstation pre-booking is more reliable for early departures.
38 km to Mohand Gate · ~55 minDehradun advantage: Jolly Grant Airport is 18 km from Mohand Gate — making Rajaji one of the most fly-in-accessible national parks in India. Business travellers and out-of-state visitors can fly Delhi–Dehradun (45 min), take a 30-minute taxi, do a morning safari, and fly back — all in a single day.
Take the Rishikesh–Haridwar highway south toward Haridwar for 20 km total. Motichur Range Office is on this road — 8 km before Haridwar city centre. Most convenient Rajaji zone for Rishikesh visitors staying in Lakshmanjhula or Tapovan areas.
20 km · ~35 min · ₹500–600 taxiRishikesh to Haridwar (20 km), then Haridwar to Chilla gate (15 km). Total journey 35 km via Haridwar bypass. Taxis from Rishikesh taxi stand (near Ram Jhula) quote combined fares for this route. Fix the return pickup time clearly.
35 km · ~55 min · ₹700–900 taxiRishikesh → Haridwar bypass → Raiwala on NH 58 → Jhilmil Jheel turnoff. Total 35 km, 55 minutes. The route is straightforward on the main Dehradun highway after crossing Haridwar. Signage for Jhilmil is visible at the Raiwala junction.
35 km · ~55 min · ₹800–1,000 taxiPre-book from Rishikesh taxi stands (Ram Jhula, Lakshmanjhula, ISBT Rishikesh). Ola and Uber available in Rishikesh but outstation pre-booking is safer for early 5 AM departures. Many Rishikesh hotels offer safari excursion packages including transport.
Pre-book evening before for 5 AM safari departureRishikesh combination: A Rishikesh trip pairs exceptionally well with a Rajaji safari. Rafting or yoga in the morning, Motichur evening safari (3 PM) from Rishikesh — or a Chilla morning safari before returning to Rishikesh for the Ganga Aarti at dusk.
Google Maps tip: Search the zone name + "Range Office Rajaji National Park" — e.g. "Chilla Range Office Rajaji National Park" — rather than just the zone name. The Range Office marker is the actual gate location. Share the Google Maps link with your taxi driver the evening before departure.
Best for visitors arriving the day before safari and staying overnight in Haridwar or Dehradun. Comfortable chair car with meals included.
The single most efficient train for Rajaji safari — depart Delhi evening, arrive Haridwar at 5 AM, taxi to Chilla gate in 25 min, morning safari at 6 AM. No hotel stay needed. Sleeper class comfortable enough for one overnight journey.
Good for visitors who travel from Delhi in the afternoon, stay overnight in Haridwar, and take the morning safari next day. Economical AC chair car option.
Book on IRCTC (irctc.co.in) 60–90 days in advance for peak season travel. Tatkal quota opens 24 hours before departure for last-minute bookings at a premium.
Safari starts at 6:00 AM. Gates open at 5:30 AM. Arrive at gate by 5:45 AM. Add your drive time from hotel to calculate when to leave. Most visitors underestimate how long the gate paperwork takes.
Do not assume you can hail a taxi at 4:30–5:00 AM. Pre-book your taxi the evening before. Confirm the booking by phone at 9 PM. Most zones are on forest roads where no auto-rickshaw goes.
Mobile network coverage on some forest zone roads is patchy — particularly Ranipur and Mohand zone approach roads. Download the Google Maps offline area for Haridwar / Dehradun district before departing.
No petrol stations on the approach roads to any zone gate. Fill up in Haridwar city, Raiwala, Mohand village or Ranipur village before turning off the main highway. Last station is typically 8–12 km from the gate.
All gates accept UPI (GPay, PhonePe, Paytm) and most accept debit cards. But cash is the safest backup — particularly for early morning when connectivity at the gate may be slow. Carry ₹5,000 minimum in cash for a 2-person Gypsy safari.
For less popular zones (Ranipur, Mohand), call the range office the evening before to confirm gate staff will be available at your arrival time. For peak-season Chilla — call to confirm your booking is registered.
Choose your base city based on which zones you plan to visit
Best base for Chilla, Motichur & Jhilmil Jheel zones. Wide hotel range ₹800–₹8,000/night. 15–40 min to gates.
Best base for Ranipur and Mohand zones. Near Jolly Grant Airport. Good hotels ₹1,200–₹10,000/night.
Good option for Motichur zone. 20 km to gate. Ideal for adventure + safari combination trip.
Forest Department rest houses inside or adjacent to the park boundary. Book via Uttarakhand Forest Tourism portal. Limited availability.
Rajaji is 8 km from Haridwar, 18 km from Jolly Grant Airport, 250 km from Delhi. India's most accessible tiger reserve.
Season open: November 15 – June 15 · Book Chilla 2–3 weeks ahead in peak season
Rajaji — 8 km from Haridwar · 18 km from Jolly Grant Airport · 250 km from Delhi · India's most accessible tiger reserve
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