Dehradun to Nainital Road Distance: 290 km · 7-8 hours · Cab from ₹3,300
Dehradun → Haridwar → Kotdwar → Haldwani → Nainital
Hairpins, tea stops and a driver who has done this climb a hundred times.
Cab fare, all inclusive
Distance
290km
Drive time
7hrs
Since 2015 · 4.9★
Pay after trip · No hidden charges · 10,000+ happy travellers
Driving Dehradun to Nainital: what this corridor is like
Hill-trained drivers
Every driver on this corridor has logged the climb in all four seasons and carries chains from December to February.
Start before sunrise
Leaving by 5 AM clears the plains before traffic and puts you on the ghat section in daylight, which is the whole point of a road trip here.
Permits and stops handled
Rohtang, Atal Tunnel timings, Kufri parking, Kempty falls — the driver knows which need a permit and which are worth the detour.
What the Dehradun to Nainital road is actually like
This is a long day across the whole width of Uttarakhand. You leave Dehradun on the Haridwar road, skirt the Rajaji forest and drop to the Ganga at Haridwar in a little over an hour, which is where a driver stops for breakfast before the plains. Then the road turns east across the Terai through Najibabad, where the Kotdwar road goes off to the left, and on through Kashipur to Haldwani. It is flat and quick but full of sugarcane tractors, and the good dhabas are around Kashipur. Haldwani is the last proper market, so fuel and water go in there. Only in the final thirty-five kilometres does the road climb, in a string of hairpins above Kathgodam, and Naini Lake appears suddenly as you come over the ridge. From July to September this last climb is the landslide section and can close without notice. In December and January there is ice in the shaded bends near the top early in the morning, so we aim to be climbing by mid afternoon and never after dark.
How far is Nainital from Dehradun?
The distance from Dehradun to Nainital is 290 km by road via Haridwar & Haldwani, and the drive takes about 7-8 hours. A one-way AC cab starts from ₹3,300 (sedan), with SUV and Tempo Traveller options also available. Toll and state tax are charged extra at actual.
By Road
290 km
Drive Time
7-8 hours
Cab From
₹3,300
Fuel (self-drive)
₹2,071
Confirm the final approach to your Nainital stay
Plan for approximately 290 km and 7-8 hours of driving from Dehradun to Nainital. Your pickup, drop, chosen road, traffic and breaks can change the actual distance and arrival time.
- Share the exact Dehradun pickup and Nainital property address before settling the departure time or fare.
- Ask your accommodation to confirm vehicle access and the best luggage drop or meeting point, then share those instructions with the driver.
- Include planned breaks and any Haldwani stop in the itinerary. Keep a buffer between this transfer and any fixed check-in or onward departure.
Use the vehicle fares below as planning estimates. Ask for a written quote confirming the route, minimum billing, tolls, parking, driver allowance, taxes and waiting charges, including which items are included or extra.
View cab options for this journeyDehradun to Nainital distance, time & cab fare
- Road distance
- 290 km (180 miles)
- Drive time by cab
- 7-8 hours
- Best route / highway
- Haridwar & Haldwani
- AC Sedan cab fare Swift Dzire / Etios · 4 seater
- ₹3,300 (₹11/km)
- Ertiga SUV cab fare Maruti Ertiga · 6 seater
- ₹4,500 (₹15/km)
- Innova Crysta cab fare Toyota Innova Crysta · 7 seater
- ₹5,400 (₹18/km)
- Tempo Traveller cab fare 12-seater AC
- ₹6,900 (₹23/km)
- Approx. fuel cost (self-drive)
- ₹2,071 one-way
* Cab fares are one-way and include fuel & driver. Toll and state tax are extra at actual.
Dehradun to Nainital: cab vs train vs bus vs flight
A quick comparison of travel time, cost and comfort for the 290 km journey to help you choose the right mode.
Cab / TaxiRecommended
- Travel Time
- 7-8 hours
- Cost
- From ₹3,300
- Comfort
- Door-to-door, private, flexible stops
- Best For
- Families, groups, comfort
Train
- Travel Time
- 8-10 hrs
- Cost
- Budget (subject to availability)
- Comfort
- Fixed timing, station-to-station
- Best For
- Solo budget travellers
Bus
- Travel Time
- 8-11 hrs
- Cost
- Most economical
- Comfort
- Shared, fixed stops
- Best For
- Backpackers, low budget
Flight
- Travel Time
- Not practical
- Cost
- Highest
- Comfort
- Fastest but airport transfers needed
- Best For
- Long distances, time-critical
For Dehradun to Nainital, a private cab offers door-to-door pickup, no fixed timetable and the freedom to stop anywhere en route.
Dehradun to Nainital cab fare
Fuel and driver included · Tolls and taxes extra
Sedan
Swift Dzire / Etios · 4 Seater
Ertiga SUV
Maruti Ertiga · 6 Seater
Innova Crysta
Toyota Innova Crysta · 7 Seater
Tempo Traveller
12-Seater AC · 12 Seater
* Toll & state tax extra at actual. Fares based on 290 km one-way.
Tips from drivers who run this route every week
Best time to travel
March to June, September to November.
Local insider tip
This is a long mountain drive. Consider a halt at Haridwar to break the journey.
Why 10,000+ travellers choose Triveni Cabs™
Verified Drivers
Background-checked pros
Clean AC Fleet
GPS-tracked vehicles
Best Prices
No surge, no hidden costs
24/7 Support
Call or WhatsApp anytime
Dehradun to Nainital FAQs
What is the distance from Dehradun to Nainital by road?
The road distance from Dehradun to Nainital is approximately 290 km via Haridwar & Haldwani. By air the straight-line distance is shorter, but 290 km is the actual driving distance you cover by car, cab or bus.
How long does it take to drive from Dehradun to Nainital?
The drive from Dehradun to Nainital takes approximately 7-8 hours via Haridwar & Haldwani in normal traffic. Starting early morning (5-6 AM) helps you avoid city congestion and reduces total travel time.
How much does a cab from Dehradun to Nainital cost?
A cab from Dehradun to Nainital starts at ₹3,300 for an AC sedan (Swift Dzire/Etios). An Ertiga SUV starts at ₹4,500, an Innova Crysta at ₹5,400, and a 12-seater Tempo Traveller from ₹6,900. Outstation trips are billed on a 300 km per day minimum. Toll and state tax are extra at actual.
What is the cab fare for an SUV or Innova from Dehradun to Nainital?
An Ertiga SUV from Dehradun to Nainital starts at ₹4,500 and an Innova Crysta at ₹5,400 for the 290 km trip. The published rates are ₹15/km for Ertiga and ₹18/km for Innova, with the outstation minimum applied. Ertiga seats 6 passengers and Innova seats 7; both are options for families and hill or rough-road sections.
What is the best route from Dehradun to Nainital?
The recommended and fastest route from Dehradun to Nainital is via Haridwar & Haldwani. Popular stops en route include Haridwar, Kotdwar, Haldwani. Our drivers know all alternative routes and pick the optimal path based on live traffic, road work and weather.
How much toll do you pay from Dehradun to Nainital?
Toll charges from Dehradun to Nainital depend on the highway plazas on Haridwar & Haldwani and are paid at actual via FASTag. The driver handles all toll payments and they are added transparently to your final bill — there are no hidden charges.
What is the approximate fuel cost from Dehradun to Nainital?
If you self-drive, expect roughly ₹2,071 in petrol/diesel one-way for Dehradun to Nainital (based on about 14 km/l). Booking a Triveni cab includes fuel in the fare, so you only pay toll and state tax extra.
Can I reach Nainital from Dehradun by train, bus or flight?
Yes — Dehradun to Nainital is connected by road (7-8 hours by cab), and most major routes also have trains and state/private buses. A private cab is the most flexible option with door-to-door pickup, no fixed timing and freedom to stop en route.
What is the best time to travel from Dehradun to Nainital?
March to June, September to November. For the smoothest drive, start early in the day to avoid traffic and reach Nainital with daylight to spare.
What are the best stops en route from Dehradun to Nainital?
Popular stops en route include Haridwar, Kotdwar, Haldwani. These make convenient halts for food, fuel, restrooms and photos, breaking up the 290 km journey comfortably.
Is a one-way or round-trip cab better from Dehradun to Nainital?
If you only need a single drop, a one-way cab from Dehradun to Nainital is cheaper because you do not pay for the return run. Choose a round trip when you want the same car and driver to wait and bring you back — it works out economical for same-day return.
What vehicles are available for Dehradun to Nainital, and is night travel safe?
Triveni Cabs™ offers AC Sedan, SUV (Innova/Ertiga) and 12-seater Tempo Traveller for Dehradun to Nainital, all GPS-tracked with verified drivers. Daytime travel is recommended, but our experienced drivers handle night drives on the Haridwar & Haldwani safely too.
Book Dehradun to Nainital or explore the cities
Other ways to travel Dehradun → Nainital
Same corridor, different options — compare fares, vehicles, distance and tolls.
Related distance guides
Get a Quick Quote in 2 Min
Reply on WhatsApp in ~2 min · No spam · Free quote
Get Instant Quote
4.9★ Rated · 10,000+ Trips · Instant Confirmation