Major city · India
Badrinathबद्रीनाथ
Go for one night, two at most: the temple takes an hour, Mana and the falls take half a day, and the 3,100 m altitude punishes rushing.
Badrinath is a single-street pilgrimage town at 3,133 m on the Alaknanda, and the most important of the four Char Dham sites. The temple opens only May–October, everything closes when the yatra season ends, and the practical limit on your trip is altitude and the road, not the sight list. Most travellers arrive from Joshimath in the morning, take darshan, and leave the same evening; a night here buys you Mana village and Vasudhara Falls without the rush.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–mid Sep (monsoon landslides), Nov–Apr (temple closed, snow)
- Airports
- DED · DEL
- Nights
- 1–2
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.
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Badrinath112 ▾
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 Badrinath, 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
- SafetyThe town is calm and safe; the real risks are altitude sickness at 3,133 m, monsoon landslides on the access road, and cold at night even in summer.
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 All services (police, fire, ambulance) · 108 ambulance · 1363 Tourist helpline (24 h, multi-language) (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) (Closest useful airport; road onward via Rishikesh and Joshimath, a long day or two.).
- Getting aroundThe town is one street: walk everywhere.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12)
- Budget bedAshram or GMVN dorm bed, a night, per person₹300 (≈ US$4)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room₹3,000 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room₹7,000 (≈ US$80)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,200 (≈ US$14) · Mid ₹3,000 (≈ US$35) · High ₹6,000 (≈ US$70)
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) (Closest useful airport; road onward via Rishikesh and Joshimath, a long day or two.) · DEL Delhi (Indira Gandhi) (Overnight or two-day road via Haridwar and Rishikesh; most pilgrims start here.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Care*
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Jun, Oct. Mixed: Sep. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest Jul (16 rain days), driest Nov (2). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Badrinath: 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
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
4 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
5 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
16 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
16 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
4 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
2 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
3 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
The town is one street: walk everywhere. Shared jeeps and taxis run the 4 km to Mana; the first 3 km of the Vasudhara route can be done by vehicle, then it is a 4 km trek on foot.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mana village and Vyas Gufa
goDoor to door: About 2–3 h
Shared jeep or taxi from the bus stand, 4 km (2.5 mi)Shared jeep or taxi from the bus stand, 2.5 mi (4 km)
Go early; the lanes are narrow and the altitude is felt on the walk.
Vasudhara Falls
goDoor to door: Half a day
Vehicle to Mana, then 4 km (2.5 mi) on foot past Bhim PoolVehicle to Mana, then 2.5 mi (4 km) on foot past Bhim Pool
Sturdy shoes; no special gear. Turn back if the weather closes in.
Satopanth Tal
cautionDoor to door: 3–4 days
Trek from Badrinath via Mana and Vasudhara, about 25 km (16 mi)Trek from Badrinath via Mana and Vasudhara, about 16 mi (25 km)
Serious high-altitude trek; go with a local guide and a buffer day.
Joshimath and Auli
overnightDoor to door: 2–3 h
Shared jeep or bus down the Alaknanda, about 45 km (28 mi)Shared jeep or bus down the Alaknanda, about 28 mi (45 km)
Better as a sleep-down stop before or after Badrinath.
Ghangaria (Valley of Flowers, Hemkund Sahib)
overnightDoor to door: A full day
Road via Joshimath and Govindghat, then trek
Not a day trip; base in Ghangaria for the treks.
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.
Temple access path and bus stand
Walk to darshan in minutes; guesthouses and ashrams, plain rooms, no views.
Badrinath bypass road
Quieter, 10–15 min walk to the temple, more hotel choice and parking.
Mana road side
Toward Mana, 4 km (2.5 mi) out; only useful if you have your own vehicle.Toward Mana, 2.5 mi (4 km) out; only useful if you have your own vehicle.
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
- ₹1,200–2,500 (≈ US$14–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–5,000 (≈ US$30–60) excl. bed
- High
- ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × ₹3,000 | ₹3,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹3,000 | ₹6,000 |
| Shared jeep, Badrinath ↔ Mana, both ways2 × ₹200 · check | ₹400 |
| Meals, vegetarian thali2 × ₹400 · check | ₹800 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₹700 | ₹1,400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹1,160 |
| Trip total≈ ₹6,380 per person per day, bed included | ₹12,760≈ US$150 |
2026 estimate in rupees; transport to Badrinath excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Vegetarian thali | ₹60–160 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Tea (chai) | ₹10–30 (≈ under US$1) |
| Bottled water, 1 L | ₹20–40 (≈ under US$1) |
| Shared jeep, Badrinath to Manacheck | ₹50–100 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Guesthouse double room, season | ₹1,200–7,000 (≈ US$14–80) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: 3,133 m. Sleep in Joshimath first if you can, drink water, and treat headache with vomiting as a reason to descend.
- The temple is open May–October only; dates are announced each year — check before booking.
- Monsoon (Jul–mid Sep) brings landslides and road blocks on the Joshimath road.
- Vehicles have been restricted on the narrow stretch from Pandukeshwar, with a checkpost about 23 km (14 mi) from Joshimath; hours change — check locally.Vehicles have been restricted on the narrow stretch from Pandukeshwar, with a checkpost about 14 mi (23 km) from Joshimath; hours change — check locally.
- No alcohol and no meat beyond Rishikesh; the whole route is vegetarian.
- Everything shuts after the yatra season: no rooms, no food, no buses.
Emergency numbers
- All services (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- Ambulance
- 108
- Tourist helpline (24 h, multi-language)
- 1363
Pocket card
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Badrinathबद्रीनाथ
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
इस पते पर ले चलिएTo this address, please
Emergency
- All services112
- Ambulance108
- Tourist helpline (24 h)1363
Embassy
No embassies here; the nearest consulates are in Delhi. Most countries: embassy in New Delhi (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shared jeep, Badrinath → Mana: ₹50–100 (≈ US$1–2), about 15 min (check)
- Taxi, Badrinath → Joshimath: ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30), about 2 h (check)
- Bus, Rishikesh → Badrinath: about ₹600–900 (≈ US$7–11), 10–12 h (check)
Say or show
- नमस्ते — Hello / Namaste (namaste)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
- कितना है? — How much is it? (kitna hai)
- मंदिर कहाँ है? — Where is the temple? (mandir kahan hai)
- मुझे डॉक्टर चाहिए — I need a doctor (mujhe doctor chahiye)
- शाकाहारी खाना, कृपया — Vegetarian food, please (shakahari khana, kripya)
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 Badrinath. 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: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–mid Sep (monsoon landslides), Nov–Apr (temple closed, snow) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DED and DEL: arrival cutoffs, Joshimath sleep-down rung, road-closure fallback.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: temple path, bypass road, bus stand, Mana road.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (temple darshan hours, Tapt Kund, Vyas Gufa, Vasudhara trailhead) and eat pages with last orders.
- Monsoon and altitude fixtures so gates A–D can go green.