Jolly Grant Airport is the only commercial airport for Dehradun and the gateway for most people flying into Garhwal, whether they’re coming for a weekend in Mussoorie, a yoga course in Rishikesh or the Char Dham Yatra. It’s officially called Dehradun Airport, but almost everyone in Uttarakhand just says Jolly Grant, after the village it sits in.
The one thing that surprises first-time visitors: the airport is not in Dehradun city. It’s about 25 km away, on the Rishikesh side, which changes how you should plan your cab and your timing. Here’s everything you need to know.
Jolly Grant Airport at a glance
| Official name | Dehradun Airport (Jolly Grant Airport) |
|---|---|
| Airport codes | IATA: DED, ICAO: VIDN |
| Location | Jolly Grant, near Doiwala, Dehradun district |
| From Dehradun city | About 25 km; 45 minutes to 1 hour by road |
| From Rishikesh | About 20 km; 30 to 45 minutes |
| From Haridwar | About 35 km; around 1 hour |
| From Mussoorie | About 58 to 60 km; around 2 hours |
| Operator | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Type | Domestic airport |
The new terminal
The airport got a much bigger terminal in two phases: the first part opened in October 2021 and the full building was inaugurated in February 2024. It covers about 42,776 square metres, has 48 check-in counters and is designed to handle around 3,240 passengers at peak hour and about 4.7 million passengers a year.
For travellers, that means the cramped old terminal is gone. Check-in and security are faster, there’s more seating, and the building has the usual food outlets, shops and washrooms you’d expect at a mid-sized Indian airport.
The airport is getting busier every year. According to AAI figures, it handled about 17.2 lakh passengers in 2024–25, up nearly 8% from the year before.
Airlines and direct flights
Direct flights from Dehradun connect to most big Indian cities. Based on recent schedules:
| Airline | Direct destinations (recent schedules) |
|---|---|
| IndiGo | Delhi, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Pune, Srinagar |
| Air India | Delhi, Mumbai |
| Air India Express | Bengaluru, Mumbai, Ahmedabad |
| SpiceJet | Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad |
| Alliance Air | Delhi, Amritsar, Varanasi, Kullu, Pantnagar, Pithoragarh |
Delhi to Dehradun is the busiest route by far, with several flights a day and a flying time of under an hour. The Alliance Air flights to Pantnagar and Pithoragarh are handy if you’re heading to Kumaon.
How to reach Jolly Grant Airport
From Dehradun city
- Taxi or app cab: the easiest option. Ola and Uber work across Dehradun, and local taxis are everywhere. Expect to pay somewhere in the range of ₹600 to ₹1,000 depending on where you start and the type of car.
- Your own car: the route goes via Haridwar Road and Doiwala. There’s paid parking at the airport.
- Bus: buses on the Dehradun–Rishikesh route pass near the airport, but you’ll still have a walk or a short auto ride to the terminal. Fine if you’re travelling light, not if you have a flight to catch and big bags.
Leave early. The road out of the city through Rispana and Haridwar Road can be slow in the evening. We’d leave at least 2 hours before departure from central Dehradun.
From Rishikesh and Haridwar
Jolly Grant is actually closer to Rishikesh than to Dehradun, so if you’re heading to Rishikesh you don’t need to go into the city at all. Taxis to Rishikesh take about 30 to 45 minutes. Haridwar is around an hour away.
From Mussoorie
Allow at least 2 hours from Mussoorie, more on weekends. Planning more of the hills? Read our guide on how to reach Mussoorie for the traffic tips.
Getting a taxi at the airport
When you land, you’ll find a prepaid taxi counter in the arrivals area. This is the simplest choice if you don’t want to haggle: you pay a fixed fare at the counter for your destination and get a slip.
App cabs like Ola and Uber also pick up from the airport. Prices can be a bit lower than the prepaid counter, but waiting times vary, especially late at night.
Tips:
- Confirm whether the fare includes the drop at your hotel, not just the city centre.
- For Mussoorie, ask for a car that’s comfortable on hill roads.
- During the Char Dham season, many travellers pre-book a taxi for the whole trip. Agree on the per-day rate and night charges before you start.
Jolly Grant and the Char Dham Yatra
Most people doing the Char Dham Yatra by air land at Jolly Grant. From here, the usual plan is a night in Rishikesh or Haridwar, then the road journey to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
If you’ve booked a helicopter for Kedarnath, remember that those flights don’t leave from Jolly Grant. They fly from helipads near Kedarnath, such as Phata, Sersi and Guptkashi. Book only through the official IRCTC Heli Yatra portal.
Between May and June, flights into Dehradun get booked out and fares jump, so book well in advance if your yatra dates are fixed.
Facilities at the airport
- Food courts and coffee outlets on both the departure and arrival sides
- Shops for snacks, books and local souvenirs
- Free Wi-Fi (usually with an OTP to your mobile)
- ATMs and charging points
- Wheelchairs and assistance for elderly passengers (ask your airline in advance)
- Paid parking for cars and two-wheelers
There’s no lounge with the big-name access you get at metro airports, so don’t count on a credit card lounge visit here.
Tips for flying out of Dehradun
- Reach early in the yatra season. May, June and the October festive weeks can mean long lines at security.
- Morning fog in winter. December and January sometimes bring fog delays to morning flights. Keep a buffer if you have a connecting flight in Delhi.
- Monsoon weather. Heavy rain can delay flights from July to September. Check your flight status before leaving for the airport.
- Keep ID handy. Only passengers with tickets and valid photo ID can enter the terminal. DigiYatra is available at many Indian airports; check if it’s live for your flight.
- Carry Uttarakhand sweets in checked luggage if you’ve bought a lot of bal mithai or singori. It saves arguments at security.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Jolly Grant Airport from Dehradun?
About 25 km from Dehradun city, which takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour by road depending on traffic.
What is the airport code for Dehradun?
The IATA code is DED and the ICAO code is VIDN.
Is Jolly Grant the nearest airport to Rishikesh?
Yes. It’s only about 20 km from Rishikesh, closer than it is to Dehradun city.
Does Jolly Grant Airport have international flights?
No. It’s a domestic airport. For international flights, most people connect through Delhi.
Is there a prepaid taxi at Dehradun airport?
Yes, there’s a prepaid taxi counter in the arrivals area, and app cabs like Ola and Uber also pick up from the airport.
How early should I reach Dehradun airport?
For domestic flights, reach at least 1.5 to 2 hours before departure. Add extra time in the yatra season and on festival weekends.
Last updated: October 2026. Flew in recently? Tell us about the taxi fares or any changes in the comments.
