Key hubs
Joshimath airport and railway station
- Airport
- Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun (DED), about 270 to 290 km by road; the drive takes most of a day.
- Railway station
- Rishikesh (RKSH/YNRK) is the nearest railhead at about 250 km; Haridwar Junction (HW) has wider connections.
- Getting around
- Joshimath is on NH58. Hire a taxi or driver for Auli, Govindghat and Badrinath; the town centre is compact.
How to reach Joshimath by air
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun (DED), about 270 to 290 km by road depending on the source. The drive takes most of a day, so many people overnight on the way. There is no airport in Joshimath itself.
How to reach Joshimath by train
The nearest railhead is Rishikesh (station codes RKSH and YNRK), about 250 km away by road. Haridwar Junction (HW), a little further, has wider connections. From either, continue by taxi or bus.
How to reach Joshimath by road
Joshimath is on NH58, the Delhi to Badrinath highway. The road from Rishikesh runs through Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag and Chamoli, and the drive takes most of a day. The route is prone to landslides in the monsoon, so check conditions.
Getting around Joshimath
The town centre is compact. Taxis and drivers are the usual way to reach Auli, Govindghat, Badrinath and Tapovan. The Joshimath-Auli ropeway was reported as suspended in 2025, so check before planning to use it.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Joshimath
- Keep the first day light. At about 1,875 m most people feel fine, but breathlessness and tiredness are common if you arrive after a long drive.
- Break the drive from Rishikesh with a night on the way, such as Srinagar or Rudraprayag, rather than going straight through.
- Ask your hotel about steps and whether cars can reach the door. Many guesthouses in the old town are up stairs.
- Carry warm layers, even in summer, because evenings are cool and it can be cold after rain.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.