Delhi to Dehradun: Bus vs Train vs Sharing Cab — Which is Cheapest?

The Three Options, Laid Out Honestly

All 3 options-honestly:

So, without further beating around the bush, let's have a look at the three travel modes in a straight line comparison:

Travel Mode                         Fare (Per Person)              Travel Time                   Convenience

State Bus (UPSRTC/UK)     ₹250 - 450                             6-8 hrs                            Low

Volvo/AC Bus                        ₹500 - 900                             6-7 hrs                            Medium

Train (Shatabdi/Express)    ₹200 - 700                             5-6 hrs                            Medium

Sharing Cab (per seat)       ₹400 - 700                             5-6 hrs                             High

Private Cab                           ₹2,500 - 4,500                      5-6 hrs                            Very High

On paper it appears state bus is cheapest. However, anyone who has been on it, would tell you-cheap on pocket does not always mean easy on other things.

Option 1: The Bus — Cheap, But At a Cost

A state bus from Kashmiri Gate ISBT to Dehradun is undeniably inexpensive. And, if price is the only way of judging, this is indeed the best. But this is what the ticket price doesn't reveal to you.

24-year-old Ankit, a student who travels between Delhi and Dehradun every semester, boarded a state bus just once. "The seat was broken, the AC wasn't working, we stopped at all the small villages on the way and it was about 8 hours long. After that one ride I never took a state bus again," he says.

Volvos buses are better: marginally more comfortable, moderately faster, they still share the same road as all other buses, make various stops and finally drop you at a bus stop - not the city that you desire.

Good for: Absolute bottom-line travel where convenience is least of the concern. Not suitable for: Women travelling alone, elderly people, people with excess luggage.

Option 2: The Train — Comfortable, But Complicated

Trains are a good bet-and there’s really no arguing that. The Dehradun Shatabdi that leaves from New Delhi is fast, clean, and predictable. If everything goes well on the day of travel, you can make the journey in 5.5 hours flat.

But there’s one big drawback-availability.

Train tickets for the Delhi-Dehradun route, especially on weekdays, week-ends, and during high-season, sell out weeks before the date. In such a case-much like poor Kavya from the beginning of the piece-last-minute travellers have to resort to the waitlisted quota, or even take an un-comfortable general class seat.

Plus, when the train arrives at Dehradun Railway Station, you still have to arrange your onward travel from there.

Ideal for: Advance planning. Less suitable for: Spontaneity, direct door-to-door travel.

Option 3: Sharing Cab — The Sweet Spot

This is where it's the most attractive for the Delhi to Dehradun budget traveler.

With a sharing cab, you have speed of train, fare of a mid-range bus and comfort of a door-to-door taxi, all together. You share your cab with 3-4 other travelers, which cuts down on your cost.



Comparison between sharing cab vs bus Delhi Dehradun boils down to this: yes, the bus might be about 100-150 bucks cheaper. However, a sharing cab is ready at your locality, drops you closer to your destination, is not riddled with non-mandatory stops at random dhabas, and is generally a lot faster (or same speed) than a bus.

For Kavya, it was simple. "I paid 500 for sharing cab. Volvo cost 650 and i still would have had to reach the bus stop at midnight. Cab picked me from my lane. Hence, simple decision".

Best For: Single travelers, working professionals, impulsive travelers, travelers who value their time. Not for: 5+ travelers (since then a private taxi will make financial sense).

So, What's Actually the Best Way to Reach Dehradun from Delhi?

Here is the real answer: It depends!

• If you booked 3 weeks in advance and got a Shatabdi ticket - Train wins.
• If it's a last minute trip and you want comfort- Sharing cab wins.
• If you are a student and have 8 hours at hand - State bus wins.

But for an average person - student, working professional, weekend tourist or solo traveller- the sharing cab ride from Delhi to Dehradun is by far the cheapest and the best option due to its cheap price, great comfort and flexibility.

Book Your Sharing Cab the Smart Way — Use Jerni

Not every sharing cab service is the same. That's where Jerni comes in.

Jerni is an intercity app built specifically for routes like Delhi-Dehradun, Delhi-Haridwar, Delhi-Rishikesh, and across Uttarakhand. It’s not a randomly thrown together app. Jerni is an intercity network of vetted drivers with pre-set prices and the ability to book one seat in less than 2 minutes.

No bargaining. No unexpected expenses. No waiting at a bus stand.

Simply tap on your route, select your seat, and you're set. Driver details and pickup time appear directly on your phone.

Arjun eventually managed to book a train (got off the waitlist a day before and still had to report to the station at 6 AM). Sahil hopped on the Volvo and then paid an additional sum for an auto to get to his destination in Dehradun bus stand. Kavya? She was already at her friends' place in Dehradun by 2PM sipping chai and gazing at the Doon Valley.

Download Jerni — Travel Smarter on Every Trip

Over-think, under-travel.

Download Jerni App from the Google Play Store Get Jerni on Google Play

Confirmed drivers, clear pricing, comfortable ride, door-to-door services.Delhi to Dehradun with ease.