How to Reach Kausani from Delhi

If you are sitting in Delhi and thinking about a trip to Kausani, the first question that comes to mind is — how do I actually get there? The straight answer is: Kausani is about 410 to 430 km from Delhi, and depending on how you travel, it takes anywhere between 8 to 12 hours. You can reach Kausani by road, by train, or by a combination of flight and road. The most popular and flexible option is by road, either in your own car or by bus. The train route via Kathgodam is also very commonly used and is a comfortable option for most travelers. At Travel Shrine, we have taken all these routes at different times and in this guide, we are breaking everything down so you can pick what works best for you — your budget, your comfort level, and how much time you have.

Quick Comparison — All Routes from Delhi to Kausani

Route	Mode	Approx. Distance	Approx. Time	Best For
Delhi → Kathgodam (Train) → Kausani (Road)	Train + Taxi/Bus	410 km	9 – 11 hours	Budget and comfort travelers
Delhi → Kausani (By Road)	Car / Bus	420 – 430 km	9 – 11 hours	Flexible and road trip lovers
Delhi → Pantnagar (Flight) → Kausani (Road)	Flight + Taxi	420 km	5 – 6 hours	Travelers short on time
Delhi → Haldwani → Kausani (Bus)	Bus	430 km	10 – 12 hours	Budget travelers

Route 1 — By Road (The Most Popular Way)

Driving from Delhi to Kausani is the most popular choice among travelers, and for good reason. The road journey gives you flexibility — you can stop where you want, eat when you feel like it, and enjoy the gradual change in landscape as the plains give way to hills. Travel Shrine personally loves this route because the drive through Kumaon is genuinely beautiful, especially after Bhimtal and Almora.

The Route to Follow

The most commonly used and well-maintained road route is:

Delhi → NH9 → Moradabad → Rampur → Rudrapur → Haldwani → Kathgodam → Bhimtal → Almora → Kausani

This route is mostly on national highways until Haldwani, after which you get into the hills. The mountain roads after Almora are narrow and winding but well-paved for the most part.

Road Distance and Time Breakdown

Stretch	Distance	Approx. Drive Time
Delhi to Moradabad	165 km	3 – 3.5 hours
Moradabad to Haldwani	115 km	2 – 2.5 hours
Haldwani to Almora	90 km	2 – 2.5 hours
Almora to Kausani	52 km	1.5 – 2 hours
Total	~420 km	9 – 10 hours

Important Things to Know Before You Drive

Start early. Leave Delhi by 4:00 AM to 5:00 AM at the latest. This helps you avoid Delhi traffic and the Moradabad bottleneck, which can add 1 to 2 hours on a bad day. Starting early also means you will reach the hill section before it gets dark, which makes driving much safer and more enjoyable.

Moradabad traffic is real. This city is one of the most consistently congested spots on this route. Early morning departure minimizes the impact, but plan for it regardless.

The roads after Almora get narrow. If you are driving a large SUV or an unfamiliar vehicle, take it slow on the Almora to Kausani stretch. The roads are manageable but require attention, especially around bends.

Fuel up before the hills. Fill your tank in Haldwani or Almora. Fuel stations in the higher stretches are not always available when you need them.

Google Maps works well on this route, but once you are in the hills, always cross-check with locals at dhabas or petrol stations if you are unsure about a turn.

By Self-Drive or Cab?

If you do not want to drive yourself, hiring a cab from Delhi to Kausani is very easy. Most travel agencies and cab services offer this route.

Cab Type	Approx. One-Way Cost
Hatchback / Sedan	Rs. 5,000 – Rs. 7,000
SUV (Innova, Ertiga)	Rs. 8,000 – Rs. 12,000
Tempo Traveller (Group)	Rs. 12,000 – Rs. 18,000

Prices vary by season and operator. Always confirm the rate and whether toll charges and hill charges are included before booking.

Route 2 — By Train to Kathgodam, Then Road to Kausani

This is the route Travel Shrine recommends most for solo travelers, couples, and families who do not want the stress of a full day of driving. The train takes you from Delhi to Kathgodam, which is the last major railway station before the hills, and from there you take a cab or shared taxi to Kausani.

Kathgodam — The Gateway Railway Station

Kathgodam is about 132 km from Kausani by road. From Kathgodam station, you can easily get a prepaid taxi, a shared jeep, or a private cab to Kausani. The drive from Kathgodam to Kausani takes about 3.5 to 4 hours.

Key Trains from Delhi to Kathgodam

Train Name	Train Number	Departure (Delhi)	Arrival (Kathgodam)	Type
Ranikhet Express	15013	10:40 PM (Delhi)	5:45 AM (Kathgodam)	Overnight
Kathgodam Express	15035	10:00 PM (Old Delhi)	4:50 AM (Kathgodam)	Overnight
Shatabdi Express	12039	6:00 AM (New Delhi)	11:35 AM (Kathgodam)	Day train
Uttarakhand Sampark Kranti	15035	Varies	Varies	Check IRCTC

The overnight trains are especially convenient — you sleep through the flat plains section and wake up ready to hit the hills.

Train Fare (Approximate)

Class	Approx. Fare (One Way)
Sleeper Class	Rs. 250 – Rs. 400
3 AC	Rs. 700 – Rs. 1,000
2 AC	Rs. 1,100 – Rs. 1,500

Book on IRCTC well in advance, especially for weekends and holiday season (April–May and October).

Kathgodam to Kausani — Road Options

Option	Cost	Time
Shared Jeep / Taxi	Rs. 300 – Rs. 500 per person	4 – 4.5 hours
Private Cab (Sedan)	Rs. 2,500 – Rs. 3,500	3.5 – 4 hours
Private Cab (SUV)	Rs. 3,500 – Rs. 4,500	3.5 – 4 hours
Local Bus (via Almora)	Rs. 150 – Rs. 250 per person	5 – 6 hours

Travel Shrine tip: If you are arriving by overnight train in the early morning, book your cab in advance so it is waiting for you at the station. Standing around Kathgodam station looking for a cab with luggage is not fun.

Route 3 — By Bus from Delhi (Budget Option)

If you are on a tight budget, taking a direct bus from Delhi to Kausani or to nearby Almora and then connecting to Kausani is a practical option. Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) runs regular buses on this route, and private Volvo buses are also available up to Almora or Haldwani.

Bus Route Options

Route	Type	Approx. Fare	Time
Delhi (ISBT Anand Vihar) → Almora	UTC / Private	Rs. 400 – Rs. 700	9 – 10 hours
Delhi → Haldwani, then local bus to Kausani	UTC	Rs. 350 – Rs. 600	10 – 12 hours
Delhi → Almora → Kausani (local taxi)	Bus + Taxi	Rs. 600 – Rs. 1,000 total	10 – 12 hours

Most of these buses depart from ISBT Anand Vihar in Delhi. There are evening departures that get you to Almora by early morning, from where local taxis and shared jeeps leave for Kausani regularly.

Travel Shrine tip: The bus journey is long and mountain roads in the second half can feel bumpy. Carry some motion sickness tablets if you are sensitive to winding roads.

Route 4 — By Flight to Pantnagar, Then Road

For travelers who are short on time, flying to Pantnagar Airport is a viable option. Pantnagar is the nearest airport to Kausani, located about 178 km away.

Flight Details

Route	Airlines (Approximate)	Flight Time	Approx. Fare (One Way)
Delhi (DEL) → Pantnagar (PGH)	IndiGo, Air India	55 – 70 minutes	Rs. 3,000 – Rs. 8,000

Flights from Delhi to Pantnagar are not very frequent and availability can be limited during peak season. Always check current schedules on the airline website or a booking platform before planning around this option.

Pantnagar to Kausani by Road

From Pantnagar Airport, you will need a cab to Kausani. The drive is about 178 km and takes approximately 4 to 4.5 hours.

Cab Type	Approx. Cost
Sedan	Rs. 3,000 – Rs. 4,000
SUV	Rs. 4,500 – Rs. 5,500

This is the fastest overall option — total travel time including the flight and road transfer is about 5 to 6 hours. But it is also the most expensive unless you find a good flight deal.

Best Time to Travel from Delhi to Kausani

Season	Road Condition	Recommendation
March to June	Very good	Best time to travel, clear roads
July to August	Moderate to difficult	Landslide risk, check road reports
September to November	Very good	Great time, post-monsoon roads are fine
December to February	Cold, occasional snow	Possible road closures after heavy snowfall

Packing Checklist for the Journey

Before you leave Delhi, make sure you have these sorted:

Item	Why It Matters
Warm clothes (even in summer)	Kausani evenings are cold year-round
Motion sickness tablets	Mountain roads after Almora are winding
Snacks and water	Limited quality food options mid-route
Power bank	Long journey, phone battery drains
Cash	ATMs are sparse in Kausani town
Offline maps downloaded	Network can drop in the hills
Hotel booking confirmed	Do not arrive without a booking

Stopover Options on the Way

If you are driving and want to break the journey, these are good stopover points:

Moradabad — Good for a tea and snack break. Do not spend too much time here, just stretch and move on.
Haldwani — A proper city where you can have a full meal, fuel up, and use ATMs before heading into the hills. Travel Shrine always recommends a proper lunch stop here.
Bhimtal — If you have an extra day, Bhimtal is a beautiful lake town worth an overnight stop. It is about 70 km before Almora and a lovely detour.
Almora — A charming hill town with good food, local markets, and a very laid-back feel. Worth a 2-hour stop if you are passing through during the day.

Travel Shrine’s Honest Recommendation

After traveling this route multiple times, here is what we genuinely suggest based on different traveler types:

Traveler Type	Best Option
First-time traveler	Train to Kathgodam + private cab to Kausani
Family with kids	Self-drive or hired cab, start by 4 AM
Solo budget traveler	Overnight bus to Almora + shared taxi
Couple on a short trip	Train (overnight) + pre-booked cab
Corporate or time-pressed traveler	Flight to Pantnagar + cab
Road trip enthusiast	Self-drive from Delhi, full day journey

Final Word from Travel Shrine

Getting to Kausani from Delhi is not complicated — it just needs a little planning. The road is well-traveled, the train route is comfortable, and once you leave the plains behind and enter the Kumaon hills, the journey itself becomes part of the experience. The air changes, the roads get quieter, and you start to feel the mountains pulling you in.

Pick the option that fits your time and budget, start your journey early, and you will be sipping tea in Kausani with Himalayan peaks in front of you before you know it.