The nearest airport to Haridwar is Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun (airport code DED), roughly 35 to 38 km away by road depending on the source. Haridwar itself has no airport. Fly into Dehradun, then take a taxi or bus to Haridwar, and plan to reach Har Ki Pauri before sunset, when the Ganga Aarti is held each evening.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
The Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri is the reason many travellers come to Haridwar. If you are flying in, the plan is simple: land at Dehradun, drive south, and arrive in time for the evening ceremony.
Which airport should you fly into for Haridwar?
Jolly Grant Airport, also called Dehradun Airport, is the nearest. Wikipedia places it in Jauligrant, about 35 km from Haridwar and about 20 km from Rishikesh. One taxi-booking site gives the airport to Haridwar distance as about 38 km. The small difference between sources comes down to routes and starting points, so plan on roughly 35 to 38 km.
The airport is about 25 km south of Dehradun city, and Haridwar lies further south, so if Haridwar is your only stop you will not need to go into Dehradun at all.
Wikipedia also notes the locals’ nickname for the airport: the Air Gateway of Garhwal. It is a fitting name for a field that serves several pilgrim and hill destinations.
Which airlines fly to Dehradun?
Wikipedia’s current table for Dehradun lists Air India Express, IndiGo and Alliance Air, but it looks incomplete: Delhi is widely reported as the busiest route, flown by IndiGo and Air India, so check the airlines’ own schedules. Destinations in its listing include Ahmedabad and Mumbai on Air India Express, Navi Mumbai, Noida and Srinagar on IndiGo, and Pantnagar, Varanasi and Pithoragarh on Alliance Air. Direct options depend on your home city and change with the season, so many travellers connect through a larger hub.
Search your dates and compare a few days either side. If your plans are flexible, a price alert can tell you when a fare drops. The airport is small compared with the metro hubs, so seats on popular days can fill up, and booking early generally helps.
How do you get from Jolly Grant Airport to Haridwar?
You will usually take a taxi, which is the easiest choice with luggage. One cab site puts the journey at about 0.7 hours for the 38 km, while other sources estimate closer to an hour, so plan on 45 minutes to an hour in good conditions. Add time for traffic, especially around festival periods and weekends when the roads towards Haridwar and Rishikesh are busier.
Shared buses also run along the highway to Rishikesh and Haridwar. According to one travel guide, they stop at the Jauligrant intersection, a short walk or auto-rickshaw ride from the terminal. This can be cheaper, but it is less convenient if you are carrying bags or arriving late.
Because the aarti is at sunset, work backwards from that time. Give yourself a buffer for the drive, check-in at your hotel and the walk to the ghat. Landing in the morning or early afternoon leaves comfortable room; a late afternoon landing makes the first evening tight.
When does the Ganga Aarti happen at Har Ki Pauri?
Wikipedia says the Ganga Aarti is held each evening at sunset, and that it takes place every day. Because it follows sunset, the clock time moves through the year: it is earlier in winter and later in summer. There is no single fixed time to quote, so check the sunset time for your date and reach the ghat early.
Har Ki Pauri is also an important site for the Kumbh Mela, held every twelve years, and the Ardh Kumbh Mela, held every six years. Crowds are heavy at major bathing occasions, so allow extra time for everything on those days.
If you plan to be there for a special bathing day, confirm the date from an official panchang or the local authorities close to your travel.
What should you pack and plan for?
Hold on to your boarding pass and ID, and keep your essentials in your cabin bag so a late checked bag does not delay your evening. For the ghat, comfortable footwear that is easy to remove helps, and a small bag is easier in a crowd. Evenings can be cool in the cooler months, so carry a light layer. Agree on a meeting point with your group before the aarti begins, because phone signal and movement can be difficult in a dense crowd.
If anyone in your group needs wheelchair or other special assistance at the airport, request it from your airline when you book.
Common Questions
Is there an airport in Haridwar?
No. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun, roughly 35 to 38 km away.
How long is the drive from Dehradun airport to Haridwar?
One cab site lists about 0.7 hours for the 38 km, though other sources estimate nearer an hour, so allow 45 minutes to an hour without traffic. Allow more time in busy periods.
Is the Ganga Aarti held every day?
Yes. Wikipedia says it is held every evening at sunset at Har Ki Pauri.
Is Jolly Grant closer to Haridwar or Rishikesh?
Rishikesh. Wikipedia gives about 20 km to Rishikesh and about 35 km to Haridwar.
Can I take a bus from the airport?
Yes. Buses run along the highway towards Rishikesh and Haridwar and stop at the Jauligrant intersection, a short walk or ride from the terminal.
Which airlines fly to Dehradun?
Wikipedia’s table lists Air India Express, IndiGo and Alliance Air, though Delhi services by IndiGo and Air India are also widely reported. Check current schedules with the airlines.
Heading to Haridwar? Search flights to Dehradun on HappyFares, set a price alert, or ask Meera, our AI assistant, to compare dates. Domestic bookings have zero convenience fee, with a price-match guarantee and travel insurance available.
Airline routes, fees and rules change. Verify current specifics with the airline, DGCA or the airport before you travel.
