6 Ways To Get Around In Dehradun

Moving to a new city means learning how to make your way around your new home safely and affordably. Whether you need to run around town for daily errands, handle a long commute, or get out into the mountains on the weekends, here are 6 ways you can get where you need to go.

Taxis

Initially, you may find that taxis are the best way for you to get around for shopping trips or longer excursions. You can use the OLA mobile app to find a taxi in Dehradun, but cabs are not always available depending on the location and time of day, so when you find a driver you like, get his number and call him up next time you need a ride. Taxis are the most expensive form of transportation in this list- so be sure to confirm the price before you ride.

Auto rickshaws

Normally just called ‘Autos’ (or ‘tuk tuks’ in other parts of Asia) these three-wheeled black and yellow vehicles are hard to miss. They are good for shorter one-way trips, and in Dehradun fares are negotiated on the spot. Make sure you and the driver agree on a price before you get in.

Vikrams

Stand on a Dehradun roadside for any length of time, and you will see a blue, three-wheeled vikram go by. These larger cousins of Autos function like city buses, running prescribed routes, picking up and dropping off passengers along the way. To catch one, just flag it down, hop in, and pay the driver the few rupees fare when you get off. With a maximum capacity of 9 passengers, these can be a squeeze, but the convenience and the price can’t be beat.

City Buses

Big blue buses with shrieking brakes ply the streets of Dehradun, offering dirt-cheap rides along prescribed routes. Everything about these buses is in Hindi, so go with a local friend the first time, or risk ending up in an unfamiliar part of town. These stop with great frequency, and can get uncomfortably packed and gridlocked during rush hours, so be sure to plan ahead when taking the bus.

Scooters & Motorcycles

When the weather is good, a motorbike is my preferred way to get around. The traffic in Dehradun can get pretty intense at times, and you can move through heavy traffic a lot faster on two wheels than on four. I don’t recommend this when you first arrive, but as you get comfortable driving defensively on Indian roads, a motorcycle (geared) or scooter (automatic) is indispensable.

Cars

Buying a car is a great option for families and people who will be here in Dehradun long term. The up-front expense is high, but when the monsoon rains arrive, you will be thankful for a dry way to move around town. A car will also enable you to get out of town for longer trips. Parking can be a hassle, you will need to get a local driver’s license, and you’ll want to be comfortable driving in hectic Indian traffic, so leave cars (and two-wheelers) for a few months after arrival.

Being able to get from place to place easily will help you feel at home in Dehradun in no time- so hit the streets!

ABOUT ETHAN
Ethan moved to Dehradun in 2015 with his family, and has enjoyed introducing people to this amazing city ever since. He loves exploring new places, spending time outdoors, and geeking out about culture. Ethan stays busy developing and running cross-cultural trainings, helping out newcomers to the area, and taking pictures of this incredible part of the world in his spare time.

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