Major city · India
Kotdwarकोटद्वार
Use Kotdwar as a gateway to Garhwal, not a destination: half a day for Sidhbali temple and Kanvashram, then onward to Lansdowne or Badrinath.
Kotdwar is a small rail and road hub at the edge of the Shivalik hills, the main southern entrance to Uttarakhand's Garhwal region. Its own sights — a Hanuman temple, an ancient ashram — fill a few hours. Most travellers use it to change buses or trains toward Lansdowne, Rishikesh, or the Char Dham circuit.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (monsoon landslides), Dec–Jan (cold, fog)
- Airport
- DED
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Kotdwar112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kotdwar, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyKotdwar is generally safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDED Dehradun (Jolly Grant) (About 120 km (75 mi), 3–4 h by road).DED Dehradun (Jolly Grant) (About 75 mi (120 km), 3–4 h by road).
- Getting aroundAuto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws cover the town; ₹50–100 (≈ US$1–2) for most rides.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealChai at a roadside stall₹10–20 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedDormitory bed, a night, per person₹300 (≈ US$4)
- Mid-range bedDouble room (budget hotel), a night, per room₹1,500 (≈ US$18)
- High-end bedDouble room (budget hotel), a night, per room₹3,000 (≈ US$35)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹800 (≈ US$10) · Mid ₹2,000 (≈ US$25) · High ₹4,000 (≈ US$50)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DED Dehradun (Jolly Grant) (About 120 km (75 mi), 3–4 h by road)DED Dehradun (Jolly Grant) (About 75 mi (120 km), 3–4 h by road)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Best
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Best
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest May (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) low), wettest Jul (18 rain days), driest Nov (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kotdwar: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
3 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Jun
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws cover the town; ₹50–100 for most rides. Shared jeeps run to nearby villages.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 1.5 h
Bus or shared jeep, about 1 h
A quiet hill station with Garhwali culture and forest walks.
Sidhbali temple
goDoor to door: 20 min
Auto-rickshaw or walk (2 km (1.2 mi) from centre)Auto-rickshaw or walk (1.2 mi (2 km) from centre)
Crowded on weekends and Tuesdays.
Kanvashram
goDoor to door: 45 min
Shared jeep or taxi, about 30 min
Ancient ashram on the Ganges bank; combine with Sidhbali.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Near the bus stand / railway station
Budget lodges and dhabas; convenient for early departures.
Main Bazaar area
A few mid-range hotels, closer to Sidhbali temple.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹800–1,500 (≈ US$10–18) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹1,500–3,000 (≈ US$18–35) excl. bed
- High
- ₹3,000 (≈ US$35)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (budget hotel)1 × 1 night × ₹1,500 | ₹1,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹2,000 | ₹4,000 |
| Auto-rickshaw ride (within town)2 × ₹100 · check | ₹200 |
| Shared jeep to Lansdowne2 × ₹150 · check | ₹300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹600 |
| Trip total≈ ₹3,300 per person per day, bed included | ₹6,600≈ US$75 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Chai at a roadside stall | ₹10–20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Thali meal (vegetarian) | ₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Bottle of water (1 L) | ₹20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Auto-rickshaw, town centre to Sidhbali | ₹50–100 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Bus Kotdwar → Rishikeshcheck | ₹150–250 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Monsoon landslides can block roads to Badrinath and Kedarnath — check the weather before heading north.
- Touts at the bus stand may push overpriced taxis; use the prepaid counter or a known operator.
- ATMs are available but carry enough cash for small towns further in the hills.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Kotdwarकोटद्वार
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
इस पते पर जाइए, कृपयाTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire and ambulance112
Embassy
No consulate in Kotdwar. The nearest is the US Consulate General in Mumbai (check) or the British High Commission in New Delhi.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus stand → Sidhbali temple: ₹50–100 (≈ US$1–2) by auto-rickshaw
- Kotdwar → Lansdowne: ₹150–200 (≈ US$2–3) by shared jeep, about 1 h (check)
Say or show
- कितना है? — How much? (kitna hai?)
- बस स्टैंड कहाँ है? — Where is the bus stand? (bus stand kahan hai?)
- एक चाय, कृपया — One chai, please (ek chai, kripya)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kotdwar. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (monsoon landslides), Dec–Jan (cold, fog) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Sidhbali temple and Kanvashram with verified hours and entry rules.
- Eat pages for the dhabas near the bus stand and the main bazaar.
- Sleep pages with check-in times and taxi contact numbers.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for the railway station and bus stand.
Sources
Ask about Kotdwar
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