How to reach Kedarnath — 2026 guide
First thing to know
When you want to know how to reach Kedarnath, We are here for you, as a trusted guide.
The last motor point for public traffic is usually Sonprayag. From there, shuttle jeeps/buses run to Gaurikund. Then the Kedarnath trek starts from Gaurikund (≈16 km). This Sonprayag↔Gaurikund shuttle system is run/regulated locally and referenced in official/state documents.
State advisories may pause the yatra after landslides/heavy rain, especially in monsoon. Always recheck updates close to travel. You can choose chardham yatra or Do dham Yatra to get VIP darsham og Kedarnath.
How to visit Kedarnath
1) By air
Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport when you want to visit Kedarnath.
“Dehradun” is 235–238 km away from Kedarnath and Gaurikund base camp. You can take a taxi or a bus from the airport, then you can reach Gaurikund.
Why choose this: Best if you’re short on time. There are regular flights to Dehradun from most of the Indian cities.
2) By train
Rishikesh (Yog Nagri Rishikesh), Haridwar and Dehradun are the nearest railway stations from Kedarnath. After reaching to these stations, You can continue your journey to reach Kedarnath by bus or cab.
You can opt for Overnight trains to Haridwar or Rishikesh and then can choose a morning bus or car, by this way , you can save your time to reach Kedarnath.
3) By bus or car
You can book your seat in buses for the Char Dham corridor using the UTC portal. In peak season the buses services are made available up to Sonprayag. The schedule of buses changes by date, so search your exact day before booking tickets.
You can also Plan Delhi to Sonprayag. You can Park your vehicle at Sonprayag, then you can take a shuttle helicopter to Kedarnath or can trek to reach “Kedarnath”. Private vehicles are not allowed after Sonprayag.
4) By helicopter (select legs)
Kedarnath helicopter shuttle tickets are officially sold only on IRCTC’s HeliYatra website. Flying sectors/helipads (e.g., Phata/Sersi/Guptkashi) are allotted by the state. Book only on the official portal; follow day-of instructions.
Note: Fares, operators, and caps can change due to safety/regulatory orders; always check the current official advisory.
How to reach Kedarnath from Delhi? (the two simple ways)
Option A — Flight + road (time-saving)
You can Fly to Dehradun then take a taxi or bus to reach Sonprayag. Then take a shuttle ride to reach Gaurikund. Then you can either trek to reach Kedarnath or you can choose to take a palki ride to het to kedarnath.
This is the quickest point-to-point plan for “how to get to Kedarnath” when you want to cut long highway hours.
Option B — Rail/road (budget + comfortable)
Train to Haridwar / Rishikesh → UTC bus or taxi to Sonprayag → shuttle to Gaurikund → trek. Many families searching “how to go Kedarnath from Delhi” prefer this overnight train + day road combo.
Kedarnath approach — quick planner table
| Mode | Nearest hub(s) | Next step(s) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air | Dehradun (DED) | Taxi/bus to Sonprayag → Shuttle to Gaurikund → Trek | Airport to temple belt ≈235–238 km; frequent taxis in season. |
| Train | Rishikesh / Haridwar / Dehradun | UTC bus or taxi to Sonprayag → Shuttle to Gaurikund → Trek | Overnight trains are convenient for families. |
| Bus (UTC) | Haridwar / Rishikesh → hill route | Book on UTC portal; reach Sonprayag → Shuttle → Trek | Schedules vary daily; check the portal before travel. |
| Helicopter | Phata / Sersi / Guptkashi sectors | Book Kedarnath shuttle on IRCTC HeliYatra | Weather-dependent; follow official slot & weight rules. |
Important routes
You can choose to go to Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Guptkashi → Phata → Sonprayag → Gaurikund, then your trek to Kedarnath will Start. This is the most common Char Dham highway route that everyone uses when they search “how to go Kedarnath” or “how to visit Kedarnath.” Roads here are scenic but can get narrow in some parts.
Sonprayag ↔ Gaurikund Shuttle: Local administration runs/controls these transfers (small buses/jeeps). It keeps the last stretch organized and safer. Expect crowd management during peak dates.
Season watch: Heavy rain can trigger temporary closures or landslide holds near Munkatiya/Gaurikund. Check district/yatra updates before starting.
From Delhi, what’s the simplest “door-to-door”?
Fastest overall: Delhi → flight to Dehradun → road to Sonprayag → shuttle to Gaurikund → trek. This is many travelers’ answer to how to reach Kedarnath from Delhi when time matters.
Most economical: Delhi → train to Haridwar/Rishikesh → UTC bus/taxi onward. If you’re googling how to go Kedarnath from Delhi, this is usually the best value.
Trek & last-mile tips (easy and true)
Trek length: ≈16 km from Gaurikund. Most take 6–8 hours on foot; ponies/palkis are available. Start early, carry water, and walk slow.
Registration: Char Dham/Kedarnath registration is mandatory on the state TouristCare (TSMS) system. Keep the QR/SMS with you; it will be checked.
Heli seats: Only via IRCTC HeliYatra. Don’t buy from agents. Follow weight, reporting time, and weather instructions.
Monsoon caution: July–August bring frequent weather blocks; keep buffer days. Roads can close for short periods.
FAQ - How To readh Kedarnath
Q1. How can we get to Kedarnath in only one day from Delhi?
You can fly in early morning to Dehradun then drive to Sonprayag then take shuttle ride to Gaurikund. Trek for 16 km to reach Kedarnath. You can also choose to stay a night in Kedarnath after reaching there to get some rest.
Q2. Is there any direct bus from Delhi to Sonprayag?
There are seasonal buses that runs from Delhi to Sonprayag. You can also search the UTC portals for bus availability according to you date of travel.
Q3. Can I drive my own car to Gaurikund?
Plan to park at Sonprayag and use the shuttle to Gaurikund as per local regulation.
Q4. Is helicopter reliable?
It saves time but is 100% weather-dependent. Book only on IRCTC, keep a buffer day, and be ready for re-slots.
Takeaway
For how to reach Kedarnath, You can choose to reach Dehradun by air or You can choose to reach Haridwar–Rishikesh by train then shuttle to Gaurikund. Then you have to trek 16 km to the Kedarnath temple.