How to Reach Jim Corbett from Delhi

How to reach Jim Corbett from Delhi: overview

Jim Corbett National Park has no single entrance. Most safari gates and resorts are around Ramnagar, a small town in Uttarakhand’s Nainital district. So when you plan how to reach Jim Corbett from Delhi, you are really planning how to reach Ramnagar.

Ramnagar is roughly 260 km from central Delhi. By car it takes about 5.5–6 hours in normal traffic. You can also take an overnight or day train to Ramnagar station, a state bus from Anand Vihar, or fly to Pantnagar. Road travel is by far the most popular choice.

Delhi to Jim Corbett by road

The usual route from Delhi is along NH9 east through Hapur and Garhmukteshwar, over the Ganga, to Moradabad. From Moradabad you turn north towards Kashipur and then on to Ramnagar. The road is mostly four-lane up to Moradabad and a good two-lane highway after that.

Leave Delhi early (by 6 am) to beat traffic at Ghaziabad and reach in time for an afternoon safari. Allow extra time on Friday evenings and at the start of long weekends.

Distance to Jim Corbett (Ramnagar) from nearby cities

All distances and times are approximate and depend on your exact start point, route and traffic.

From other directions

From Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun, the usual road runs via Najibabad and Kashipur. If you are heading for the Sonanadi zone, you only need to go as far as Kotdwar. From Lucknow or Bareilly, drive via Rampur and Kashipur. From Nainital, the road drops through Kaladhungi, passing the Corbett Museum, and takes about 2 hours. Travellers from Chandigarh usually join the Haridwar route or come through Delhi.

If you are driving your own car, check whether your resort has parking and whether you want to use it for safaris. Private cars are not allowed into the core zones; you must use a registered safari jeep.

Delhi to Jim Corbett by bus

Uttarakhand Transport (UTC) and Uttar Pradesh (UPSRTC) buses run from Anand Vihar ISBT in east Delhi to Ramnagar. There are ordinary, AC and some Volvo-style services, with several departures a day including overnight buses. The trip usually takes about 7–8 hours.

Buses are the cheapest way to travel, but the timings do not always suit safari shifts. Book AC seats online in advance at weekends. From Ramnagar bus stand you can take a local taxi to your resort.

An overnight bus that reaches Ramnagar around dawn works well if you have booked an afternoon safari: you get a few hours to check in and rest first. Avoid planning a morning safari on the day you arrive by bus, as delays are common.

Delhi to Jim Corbett by train

Ramnagar railway station is the nearest station to the park. Trains from Delhi usually run via Moradabad. Well-known options include the overnight Ranikhet Express and the Corbett Park Link Express, which lets you arrive early in the morning ready for a safari. Train numbers and timings change, so check the latest schedule before you book.

Trains to Ramnagar are limited and fill up at weekends and in holiday season, so book as soon as your safari dates are fixed. Local cabs and autos meet most arrivals at Ramnagar station, and many resorts offer a pickup.

If you cannot get a seat to Ramnagar, Kathgodam is a good alternative with more trains, including the Shatabdi. It is about 80 km (roughly 2 hours) from Ramnagar by road.

Flights to Jim Corbett

The nearest airport is Pantnagar, about 75 km (roughly 2 hours) from Ramnagar. It has a small number of flights, mainly from Delhi, and schedules change often.

For most travellers from outside North India, the practical choice is to fly into Delhi IGI Airport, about 280 km from Ramnagar, and take a cab. Allow 6–6.5 hours for the drive.

From Ramnagar to your resort

Most resorts are along the Kosi river in Dhikuli, towards Garjia, or on the Dhela and Kaladhungi roads. They are typically 5–20 km from Ramnagar station or bus stand. Local taxis and autos wait outside the station, but fares at odd hours can be high, so pre-book a pickup if you arrive very early or late.

If you are staying at a forest rest house, remember that you must first collect your permit at the CTR reception in Ramnagar before driving to the gate. Our Corbett cab service can cover the whole trip, from your Delhi door to your resort.

Driving tips for the Delhi–Corbett road trip

• Keep FASTag balance topped up. There are several toll plazas on the Delhi–Moradabad stretch.
• Garhmukteshwar and the Gajraula highway stretch have plenty of dhabas and food courts for a breakfast stop.
• Avoid driving at night, especially on the forest roads beyond Ramnagar, where elephants and deer cross.
• Do not stop, honk or get out of your car if you see wildlife on the road near the park.
• Winter fog can be dense between December and January. Start after it lifts and drive slowly.
• Fuel up before Ramnagar if you plan to drive towards Dhangarhi or Durga Devi.

Sample day plan from Delhi

Leave Delhi around 6 am, stop for breakfast near Garhmukteshwar at about 8 am, and reach Ramnagar by noon to 1 pm. Check in, have lunch, and you are ready for an afternoon safari or a relaxed evening by the Kosi. On the way back, a morning safari followed by an 11 am departure puts you in Delhi by early evening, before the worst of the city traffic.