For most people, the most convenient way to get from Ghaziabad to Haridwar is a morning train from Ghaziabad Junction or a self-drive via Meerut and Roorkee. The train is cheaper and stress-free; the car gives you freedom to stop at en route places, dhabas, Rishikesh, or anywhere on the way. If you live in Ghaziabad, you already have an advantage over Delhi travellers. Haridwar comes on the same rail line and the same highway that Delhi traffic has to crawl through to reach you. You start your trip roughly an hour ahead of anyone leaving from central Delhi.
Whether you’re planning a quick Ganga snan, a weekend Ganga Aarti trip, or the first leg of a Char Dham yatra, Kanwar yatra in Sawan, this guide walks you through every option: car, train and bus, with honest tips on which one makes sense for you.
Ghaziabad to Haridwar Route
Haridwar is roughly 180–190 km from Ghaziabad by car, and the drive takes 3 to 4 hours in normal traffic. Most travellers take the classic highway via Meerut, Muzaffarnagar and Roorkee for Ghaziabad Haridwar trip.
Route 1: The classic highway (NH-58 / NH-334)
This is the route most Ghaziabad families know by heart. You get onto the Delhi–Meerut Expressway, skip Meerut city via the bypass, and continue on the Haridwar highway through Muzaffarnagar, Purkazi and Roorkee.
- Ghaziabad to Meerut bypass: about 45–60 minutes on the Delhi–Meerut Expressway.
- Meerut to Muzaffarnagar: a good four-lane stretch. Khatauli has the famous highway dhabas and Cheetal Grand, the classic chai stop.
- Muzaffarnagar to Roorkee to Haridwar: smooth for most of the way, but expect slow patches at towns and flyover work sites.
NHAI has been building flyovers and underpasses at Purkazi, Manglaur, Bahadrabad and Jwalapur on this highway ahead of the 2027 Ardh Kumbh. So a few diversions are still part of the trip.
Route 2: The new Delhi–Dehradun Expressway
The Delhi–Dehradun Expressway was inaugurated by PM Modi on 14 April 2026. Its first stretch runs from Akshardham through Mandola Vihar in Ghaziabad to Khekra in Baghpat, so people in Loni, Indirapuram side or Trans-Hindon areas can join it quite easily.
The catch for Haridwar travellers is the 51 km Haridwar Spur, which will link the expressway near Saharanpur directly to Haridwar. In its last reported update it was about 92% complete. Once it opens fully, Delhi–Haridwar is expected to take under two hours. Check Google Maps on the day before you choose this route.
Ghaziabad to Haridwar by Tempo Traveller
Make a final plan and book a Tempo Traveller on rent from Ghaziabad. Choose a vehicle that fits your group size as 9 to 26 seater. For a same day trip, you have to leav early, so our driver will be there by 5 AM. Early drive will save you from traffic. You will be reach Haridwar between 9-10 AM. Check in at the hotel or Dharamshala, get freshen up and enjoy the sightseeing tour, visit all famous temples. By evening, reach Har Ki Pauri for darshan of Goddess Ganga and take part in aarti ceremony.
Afterwards, depart for Ghaziabad. It will take 4-5 hours to drive back and you will be in your city late night. It is quite tiring trip, but is doable if you have limited time. 12 Seater Tempo Traveller cost for same day Haridwar Trip will come around Rs 14,500 including fuel charges, toll tax, driver charges (overnight too), and state tax.
Driving tips from people who do this trip often
- Leave by 5:30 or 6 am. You beat Meerut traffic and reach Haridwar before the city fills up.
- Keep FASTag recharged. There are multiple toll plazas on both routes.
- Avoid Kanwar Yatra season (usually July). The Meerut–Haridwar highway is often closed or diverted for days.
- Parking near Har Ki Pauri is tight. Use the paid parking lots near Pantdweep or Rodibelwala and walk in.
- Cab option: An outstation taxi or tempo traveller works well for families; per-km rates typically apply, and a one-way drop is usually charged as a return trip.
Ghaziabad to Haridwar by train
The train is the most relaxed way to reach Haridwar, and Ghaziabad Junction (GZB) has around 9 to 17 trains to Haridwar Junction (HW), depending on the day. The best pick for most people is the 12017 Dehradun Shatabdi, which leaves Ghaziabad at 7:23 am and reaches Haridwar at 11:35 am every day.
The rail distance is about 228 km, a bit longer than the road, because the line runs via Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, and Roorkee.
Daily trains from Ghaziabad Junction to Haridwar
| Train | Departs GZB | Arrives HW | Journey | Classes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12401 Nanda Devi AC Express | 00:28 | 03:55 | 3h 27m | 1A, 2A, 3A |
| 19019 Bandra–Haridwar Express | 03:28 | 07:50 | 4h 22m | 1A, 2A, 3A, 3E, SL |
| 19031 Yoga Express | 05:58 | 11:20 | 5h 22m | 1A, 2A, 3A, 3E, SL |
| 12017 Dehradun Shatabdi | 07:23 | 11:35 | 4h 12m | EC, CC |
| 18477 Kalinga Utkal Express | 14:10 | 20:08 | 5h 58m | 1A, 2A, 3A, 3E, SL |
| 12055 Dehradun Jan Shatabdi | 15:55 | 19:27 | 3h 32m | CC, 2S |
| 14303 Delhi–Haridwar Express | 18:26 | 23:30 | 5h 04m | Unreserved |
| 14341 Mussoorie Express | 23:18 | 05:50 (+1) | 6h 32m | 1A, 2A, 3A, SL |
Timings change with seasonal revisions, so always confirm on IRCTC or NTES before you travel.
Weekly and non-daily trains
A few more trains stop at Ghaziabad on certain days only. These include the 22659 Kochuveli–Rishikesh SF Express (06:48), the 12911 Valsad–Haridwar and 22917 Bandra–Haridwar SF Express (09:26), the 14309 Ujjaini Express (10:25) and the 19565 Uttaranchal Express (11:15). Check the running day before booking.
Which train should you pick?
- Day trip or short visit: 12017 Shatabdi. Breakfast is served on board, and you’ll be at Har Ki Pauri before noon.
- Evening Ganga Aarti: 12055 Jan Shatabdi reaches at 7:27 pm, which is tight for aarti. Take the morning train instead and stay the night.
- Budget travel: Yoga Express or Kalinga Utkal in sleeper class, which is usually under ₹250.
- Overnight: Mussoorie Express. You sleep on the train and wake up in Haridwar at dawn.
Ghaziabad to Haridwar by bus
Buses are the most flexible budget option because they run almost round the clock and you rarely need to book weeks ahead. From Ghaziabad, your main boarding point is Kaushambi bus stand, which UPSRTC and private operators use for Haridwar-bound services.
- UPSRTC and Uttarakhand Roadways: Ordinary and AC buses pass through Ghaziabad on the way from Delhi. Expect 5 to 6 hours including stops.
- Private AC buses: Bookable on redBus, AbhiBus or MakeMyTrip, with pickups at Kaushambi, Mohan Nagar or along the Meerut road.
- Via Meerut: If you miss a direct bus, take the Namo Bharat train or any bus to Meerut first. Meerut to Haridwar has around 60 daily bus services, with UPSRTC fares starting near ₹249.
Most of the Buses drop you at the Haridwar bus stand near the railway station, or at Chandi Chowk and Pantdweep parking near Har Ki Pauri. Fares and timings change often, so check the booking app on the day.
Suggested Read: Best Weekend Destinations from Ghaziabad
Private Car vs train vs Bus: which one suits you?
Pick the train if you want comfort and certainty, the car if you’re a family or group, and the bus if you’re travelling solo on a budget.
| Mode | Time | Typical cost | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train (Shatabdi) | ~4h 12m | Chair car fare, booked on IRCTC | Day trips, elderly parents, solo travellers | Seats fill fast on weekends and festivals |
| Train (Express, sleeper) | 5–6h | Usually under ₹250 in SL | Budget and overnight travel | Delays are common on long-distance trains |
| Own car/ Rental Tempo Traveller | 4–5h | Fuel plus tolls | Families, groups, onward trip to Rishikesh | Meerut and Roorkee traffic, Kanwar season closures |
| Outstation cab | 4–5h | About ₹25–30/km for a tempo traveller | Groups who don’t want to drive | One-way drops are often billed as return |
| Public Bus | 5–6h | From ~₹249 via Meerut (UPSRTC) | Last-minute solo trips | Less comfort, more stops |
Prices are indicative and change with season, demand and fuel costs.
Frequently asked questions
Which route is better from Delhi to Haridwar?
For most of East Delhi and Ghaziabad, the classic route via the Delhi–Meerut Expressway, Meerut bypass, Muzaffarnagar and Roorkee is still the most reliable. It has plenty of dhabas, fuel stations and mechanics along the way.
The new Delhi–Dehradun Expressway, open since April 2026, is faster and has no local traffic. It suits North and Central Delhi best, since it starts near Akshardham. Its direct Haridwar Spur was still being finished at last report, so check Google Maps before you leave. Once the spur is open, the expressway will likely become the better route for most people.
What is the new route between Ghaziabad and Haridwar?
The new route is the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway combined with its Haridwar Spur. It swaps the old drive through Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, and Roorkee town traffic for an access-controlled road for most of the way.
From Ghaziabad, you join the expressway on the Mandola Vihar side near Loni. It then runs north past Khekra, Baghpat, Baraut, and Shamli to the Saharanpur area. Near Halgoya village in Saharanpur district, the six-lane Haridwar Spur branches off, bypasses Roorkee from the north, and ends at Bahadarabad on the Haridwar Ring Road.
The main expressway has been open since April 2026, but the Haridwar Spur was still being finished at the last update. Until it opens fully, you leave the expressway near Saharanpur and drive into Haridwar via Roorkee on regular roads. Once the spur is running, Delhi to Haridwar is expected to take under two hours.
If you live near Loni or Trans-Hindon, the expressway is easy to reach. From Raj Nagar Extension, Indirapuram, or Vaishali, the Delhi–Meerut Expressway and NH-58 route can still be just as quick for now, so check Google Maps on the day you travel.
Can we go to Haridwar and come back on the same day?
Yes, and the train makes it easy. Take the 12017 Shatabdi at 7:23 am, reach Haridwar at 11:35 am, and come back on the 12018 Shatabdi, which leaves Haridwar at 6:04 pm and reaches Ghaziabad at 10:02 pm. That gives you about six hours for Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi, and lunch.
If you want to catch the evening Ganga Aarti, a same-day return gets tight. By car, leave by 5 am, attend the aarti around sunset, and expect to reach home close to midnight. It’s doable, but tiring for a self-drive. An overnight stay is much more relaxed. To make it comfy, you can Rent an Urbania in Ghaziabad for a same-day trip to Haridwar.
Is there a train from Ghaziabad to Rishikesh?
Yes. Several trains run through Haridwar to Yog Nagari Rishikesh (YNRK) station. The daily Yoga Express (05:58 from Ghaziabad) and Kalinga Utkal Express (14:10) both continue to Rishikesh. Weekly options include the 14317 Indore–Rishikesh Express, which leaves Ghaziabad at 10:25 am and reaches Rishikesh at 6:45 pm.
Many travellers simply take the faster Shatabdi to Haridwar and then a shared auto, bus or cab to Rishikesh, which is only about 25 km away.
Final word
If you want the single most convenient option, book the 7:23 am Shatabdi from Ghaziabad Junction. If you’re travelling as a family or want to add Rishikesh to the trip, drive or hire a tempo traveller and leave before sunrise.
A few last tips before you go:
- Book Shatabdi tickets at least a week ahead for weekends, and earlier for Kumbh, Kanwar and festival dates.
- Carry light cotton clothes and a spare set if you plan to take a dip at Har Ki Pauri.
- Plan around the Ganga Aarti, held at sunrise and sunset. Reach the ghat 45 minutes early in the evening to get a good spot.
- Watch for updates on the Haridwar Spur and road works for the 2027 Ardh Kumbh Mela, which will keep changing the road picture over the coming months.
Har Har Gange, and safe travels!
