Major city · India
Rishikeshऋषिकेश
Give Rishikesh 2–3 nights: yoga and rafting base, not a sightseeing city. Stay in Tapovan or Swargashram, walk the bridges, skip the town centre.
Rishikesh sits where the Ganges leaves the Himalayas, about 230 km north of Delhi and 15 km from Dehradun's airport. It is a yoga and rafting town rather than a monument town: the useful time goes into ashrams, the two suspension bridges, the evening aarti at Triveni Ghat and a half-day on the river. Two nights covers the core; three lets you add a rafting day or a Neelkanth temple run. The centre around the bus and train stations is of little interest — sleep on the river banks instead.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Feb–Apr and Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (monsoon, Savan crowds), May–Jun (heat)
- Airport
- DED
- Nights
- 2–3
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 Rishikesh112 ▾
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 Rishikesh, 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
- SafetyRishikesh is generally safe for tourists, including solo women, but the real risks are the fast Ganges, unlicensed rafting operators…
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 · 108 ambulance · 1363 Tourist helpline (Uttarakhand) (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 Jolly Grant, Dehradun (About 15 km (9.3 mi) from Rishikesh; flights from Delhi and other Indian cities.DED Jolly Grant, Dehradun (About 9.3 mi (15 km) from Rishikesh; flights from Delhi and other Indian cities.
- Getting aroundSwargashram and the bridge lanes are walkable; cross the river on Janki Setu or Ram Jhula (a ferry also runs at Ram Jhula).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeFilter coffee or chai₹20–60 (≈ under US$1)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12)
- Budget bedHostel or ashram dorm bed, a night, per person₹400 (≈ US$5)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room₹6,000 (≈ US$70)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,200 (≈ US$14) · Mid ₹2,800 (≈ 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 Jolly Grant, Dehradun (About 15 km (9.3 mi) from Rishikesh; flights from Delhi and other Indian cities. Taxi to Tapovan or Swargashram, roughly 30–40 min.)DED Jolly Grant, Dehradun (About 9.3 mi (15 km) from Rishikesh; flights from Delhi and other Indian cities. Taxi to Tapovan or Swargashram, roughly 30–40 min.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Feb
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Jun
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°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
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Feb–Apr, Sep–Nov. Avoid: May–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest May (37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Jul (17 rain days), driest Nov (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Rishikesh: 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
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
May
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1 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
Swargashram and the bridge lanes are walkable; cross the river on Janki Setu or Ram Jhula (a ferry also runs at Ram Jhula). Vikram shared autos link the bus and train stations with Janki Setu (about ₹10) and Tapovan (about ₹20–25). Shared jeeps and taxis from the ghats run to Neelkanth temple; the road detour between the two banks is over 16 km, so plan crossings 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
Haridwar
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Train from Rishikesh or Yog Nagari Rishikesh, or bus; shared auto from Haridwar station
Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri; easy half-day or evening trip.
Dehradun
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus from ISBT, about 1¼ h, ₹95 (≈ US$2)
Gateway city; combine with the airport run.
Mussoorie
overnightDoor to door: 2.5–3 h
Bus or taxi via Dehradun
Hill station; too far for a comfortable return day.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Shared jeep or taxi from the ghats, hill road
Sacred temple above Swargashram; go early, roads are slow.
Shivpuri rafting stretch
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Operator pickup from Tapovan or Lakshman Jhula
12 km (7.5 mi) away; rafting season Sep–Nov and Mar–May.7.5 mi (12 km) away; rafting season Sep–Nov and Mar–May.
Badrinath
overnightDoor to door: 8–10 h
Bus or shared jeep via Devprayag and Srinagar
Char Dham route; start from Rishikesh, sleep on the way.
Auli
overnightDoor to door: 9–11 h
Bus or taxi via Devprayag, Srinagar and Joshimath
Ski season Jan–Mar; a multi-day trip, not a day out.
Ghangaria (Hemkund Sahib and Valley of Flowers)
overnightDoor to door: 10–12 h to trailhead
Shared jeep to Govindghat, then trek
Trek base at 4,150 m; plan 3–4 days.
Lansdowne
overnightDoor to door: 4–5 h
Bus or taxi via Kotdwar
Quiet hill cantonment; better as an overnight stop.
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.
Tapovan
Backpacker side above Lakshman Jhula; cheapest beds, cafés, yoga schools. 5 km (3.1 mi) northeast of the bus station.Backpacker side above Lakshman Jhula; cheapest beds, cafés, yoga schools. 3.1 mi (5 km) northeast of the bus station.
Swargashram
Eastern bank between Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula; ashrams, Gita Bhavan, pedestrian lanes.
Lakshman Jhula
Cafés and shops around the bridge; convenient for rafting pickups and Neelkanth taxis.
Muni Ki Reti / Triveni Ghat side
Western bank near the bathing ghat and the aarti; quieter, closer to the bus station.
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 × 2 nights × ₹2,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ₹2,800 | ₹11,200 |
| Airport taxi DED to Tapovan, one way1 × ₹1,200 | ₹1,200 |
| Rafting day trip with transport2 × ₹1,500 | ₹3,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₹800 | ₹1,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹2,200 |
| Trip total≈ ₹6,050 per person per day, bed included | ₹24,200≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights and long-distance trains excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Thali at a Swargashram eatery | ₹100–250 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Filter coffee or chai | ₹20–60 (≈ under US$1) |
| Bottled water, 1 litre | ₹20–30 (≈ under US$1) |
| Vikram shared auto, station to Tapovan | ₹20–25 (≈ under US$1) |
| Rafting day trip (Grade I–V stretch) | ₹1,000–2,500 (≈ US$12–30) |
| Bungee jump at Jumpin Heights | ₹3,700 (≈ US$45) |
| Yoga class drop-in | ₹200–500 (≈ US$3–6) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Non-vegetarian food and alcohol are banned in Rishikesh; do not carry or expect either.
- July–August Savan festival blocks roads and fills hotels — book ahead or avoid.
- Rafting and adventure operators vary in safety standards: check equipment and life jackets before paying.
- The Ganges is fast and cold; swim only at marked ghats with locals around.
- Temple and ashram photography rules vary; ask before shooting.
Emergency numbers
- All services
- 112
- Ambulance
- 108
- Tourist helpline (Uttarakhand)
- 1363
Pocket card
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Rishikeshऋषिकेश
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
कृपया इस पते पर ले चलिएTo this address, please
Emergency
- All services112
- Ambulance108
- Tourist helpline1363
Embassy
No embassies in Rishikesh; most are in New Delhi. The US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand missions are all in Delhi (check addresses).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- DED airport to Tapovan, taxi: about ₹1,000–1,500 (≈ US$12–18), 30–40 min
- Delhi to Rishikesh, bus: ₹130–350 (≈ US$2–4) ordinary, ₹200–500 (≈ US$3–6) AC, 5–7 h
- Haridwar to Rishikesh, bus: about ₹20 (≈ under US$1), 45 min
- Vikram station to Tapovan: ₹20–25 (≈ under US$1)
Say or show
- नमस्ते — Hello / Namaste (namaste)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
- कितने का है? — How much is it? (kitne ka hai)
- शौचालय कहाँ है? — Where is the toilet? (shauchalay kahan hai)
- कृपया मुझे इस पते पर ले चलिए — Please take me to this address (kripya mujhe is pate par le chaliye)
- नहीं चाहिए, धन्यवाद — I don't want it, thank you (nahin chahiye, dhanyavaad)
Non-vegetarian food and alcohol are banned in Rishikesh; many ashrams have their own rules on dress, phones and curfews.
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 Rishikesh. 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: Feb–Apr and Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (monsoon, Savan crowds), May–Jun (heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 9 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DED: taxi rates field-checked, shared-jeep fallback, late-arrival rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Tapovan, Lakshman Jhula, Swargashram, Triveni Ghat and Muni Ki Reti.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Triveni Ghat aarti, Parmarth Niketan, Neelkanth temple, Beatles Ashram) and eat pages with last orders.
- Rafting and yoga-school fixtures with season windows and safety checks so gates A–D can go green.