Rishikesh is partly well served by shared autorickshaws which costs 10INR each trip (2020 price, some drivers might charge foreigners 20INR) regardless of the distance, if you intend to travel anywhere between the Tapovan/Laxman Jhula area all the way to the Rishikesh Market/City. They start from the stand on the main road above Laxman Jhula bridge, passing by Ram Jhula bridge and goes further into Rishikesh city/market. The trip back goes in the opposite direction on the same main connecting road. They can be flagged down anywhere on this street, hop on and pay the driver when you alight. There is no need to tell them where you want to go as they ply only on this street and can be stopped anywhere. Non-shared autorickshaws that leave once hired are also available for the same stretch. Prices vary and you need to bargain. Many places around Rishikesh are better reached by walking as there are many smaller roads forking out from the main streets where vehicle access is limited to motorbikes.
Public bus at Rishikesh bus stand.
If you need to go beyond these parts, depending on where, there are several options:
- the shared autorickshaw above followed by a change at the end of Rishikesh market to other autorickshaws in order to go further into Rishikesh
- private autorickshaw either from the Laxman or Ram Jhula autorickshaw stands
- taxis are also available at the Ram Jhula stand or you can book with your hotel/guesthouse
- buses from the main Rishikesh bus station connects to many parts of India including Haridwar train station and nearby Dehradhun city. You need to take a shared autorickshaw then walk, or hire a whole autorickshaw to get to the bus stand. Buses to the northern mountain areas also leave from here.
- Shared or private jeeps either from the Ram Jhula, Swargashram or the Laxman Jhula jeep stand, both are on the opposite bank of the Ganges relative to the city side. These jeeps ply between Laxman and Swargashram (Ram Juhla) and also further upstream to other areas.