How to Reach Auli from Dehradun

Dehradun is one of the main gateways for an Auli trip because it has both a major railway station and Jolly Grant Airport nearby. The practical onward journey is by road through Rishikesh and the Garhwal hills to Joshimath, followed by the final climb to Auli. Uttarakhand Tourism describes Dehradun to Joshimath as roughly 275 km by road, with Joshimath to Auli another approximately 16 km. Start early because the mountain section can take most of the day, especially in winter, monsoon or periods of roadwork.

A practical road route is Dehradun → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar Garhwal → Rudraprayag → Karnaprayag → Nandaprayag → Chamoli/Pipalkoti → Joshimath → Auli. Uttarakhand Tourism lists the Dehradun to Joshimath drive at about 275 km and around 9–10 hours under normal itinerary conditions. From Joshimath, Auli is about 16 km by road; the final stretch can take longer when there is snow, traffic or restricted movement. The Joshimath–Auli ropeway can be an alternative when it is officially operating.

Auli has no railway station. If you are already in Dehradun, taking another train is generally not useful for the onward journey because the final approach to Auli is by road. Dehradun Railway Station is well connected with major cities, so travellers arriving there can continue by taxi or road transport towards Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag and Joshimath before reaching Auli.

Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest major airport used for Auli travel and is near Dehradun. If you arrive by air, continue by road towards Rishikesh and Joshimath, then take the final road connection to Auli or the ropeway when operational. There is no airport at Auli, so even after flying to Dehradun the long mountain-road section remains part of the journey.