Sleeper bus from Delhi to Rishikesh

[Md.Naseer]

I want to know about the sleeper and luxury sleeper bus from Delhi to Rishikesh. I checked it on several online ticketing websites and it left me confused. Some operators are offering Delhi to Rishikesh ticket in AC Sleeper for Rs. 500 and other are offering it with different name Luxury AC Sleeper for Rs. 700. What is the difference between these two and which one I must go for?

I have no issue with the travel time and travel duration. All I need is a comfortable and safe journey.

 

[Admin]

I would suggest getting a volvo bus that is run by Uttrakhand transport corporation which can be booked online at http://utc.uk.gov.in/

It is just a 4-5 hours journey at the most and it is no use getting sleeper for such a short distance. Volvo buses are comfortable to travel.

 

[DhongiBaba]

The price difference is probably due to the quality of bus and the number of seats it has which directly impacts the amount of space each passenger gets.

Volvo bus by UTC would be the best option. Volvo buses have reclining seats and having a nap is not a problem atall.

 

[Aadi]

If you want to go in sleeper then its better to look for Royal Cruiser only which is run by UTC which will cost you around Rs. 500 only. Personally I do not recommend any private operator as they cost more and the travel time for these private operators is more thn UTC.

If you are taking sleeper to Rishikesh then remember to take a bottle of wine with you as its allowed in sleeper ;-)

 

[ChaiNashta]

It is a very short journey and by the time you settle down you will be at your destination and Volvo buses are a blessing on Indian roads with extremely good suspension.

 

[Admin]

I would go on a Volvo bus due to the comfort it provides. Delhi to Rishikesh is not a very long distance but those extra Rs200 are well worth it. Delhi to Rishikesh is around 4-5hours drive depending upon the time of the day you travel. Sleeper bus will get you more space but being on a reclining seat on a Volvo bus is far more comfortable if you ask me.

 

[briannagodess]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Here are some of the key differences between a Luxury Sleeper Bus and a Sleeper Bus:

Super Luxury Coach Bus

• This always have AC.
• Seats can be reclined or pushed back with ample leg space.
• Has an upper seater and lower sleeper/recliner.
• Air suspension is present.
• This has television or DVD player.
• This has a front view.
• Seats vary between 20 to 25.
• Full cabin crew service.
• Has WiFi and ports.
• Restrooms are also available in the bus.
• Reserved seating.
• Fewer stops.
• Starts at Rs. 1,500 per person.

Luxury Sleeper Bus

• May have AC or not.
• Seats can be reclined a bit.
• Has an upper seater and lower sleeper/recliner.
  
• This has television sometimes.
• Seats vary between 45 to 50.
• Has reserved seating.
• Limited stopovers.
• Starts at Rs. 700 per person.

Sleeper Bus

• This may or may not have AC.
• Operates for long distances.
• More comfortable than the Ultra Deluxe Buses.
• Has 28 seats on lower tier and 15 berths on upper tier.
• Has more stops than the other two.
• Starts at Rs. 500 per person.

For me, if you have the money to spare, then go for the Luxury Sleeper Bus. I think the Super Luxury Coach Service is only available in Agra, Delhi and Chandigarh. For shorter distances though, you can opt for a Sleeper Bus with AC. But for overnight travels, it's best to choose the Luxury Sleeper Bus.

I hope this helps!

 

[Chahal]

This thread is quite old now and the bus scene from Delhi to Rishikesh has changed significantly. Here's an updated picture for January 2026:
Current Bus Fare Range (January 2026)

Non-AC Seater: ₹199 - ₹350
AC Seater/Semi-Sleeper: ₹375 - ₹600
Volvo AC Seater: ₹500 - ₹1,000
AC Sleeper (2+1): ₹800 - ₹2,000
Premium AC Sleeper with Washroom: ₹1,500 - ₹2,500

The prices from 2014-2016 mentioned in this thread are no longer valid. Even the basic UTC Volvo now costs around ₹500-600, not ₹200.
What's changed since this thread started
Private operators have really stepped up their game. Companies like IntrCity SmartBus, NueGo, Zingbus, and LeafyBus now run premium services with onboard washrooms, USB charging, WiFi, and proper 2+1 sleeper configurations. These weren't common back in 2014.
The journey time remains roughly the same - 4.5 to 6 hours depending on traffic and boarding point. NH-58 (now NH-334) can get congested near Meerut and Muzaffarnagar, especially on weekends.
My recommendation
I still agree with the earlier advice that sleeper buses are overkill for this route. A comfortable Volvo AC seater with reclining seats is more than enough for a 5-hour journey. You barely get settled in a sleeper before you have to get off.
However, if you're traveling overnight (late night departure, reaching Rishikesh early morning), then a sleeper makes sense. Many people prefer this option to maximize their time in Rishikesh - leave Delhi at 11 PM, wake up in Rishikesh at 4-5 AM, freshen up and head straight for morning Ganga aarti.
Booking options
UTC (Uttarakhand Transport Corporation) buses can be booked at utconline.uk.gov.in. They're reliable but fill up fast during peak season (Char Dham yatra months and long weekends).
For private buses, redBus, MakeMyTrip, and AbhiBus have decent options. Filter by operator ratings - anything above 4 stars is usually safe.
Few practical tips

If boarding from Kashmere Gate ISBT, reach at least 30 minutes early. The place is chaotic and finding your bus can take time.
Mahipalpur and Dhaula Kuan are more convenient boarding points if you're coming from South Delhi or Gurgaon.
Avoid Friday night departures unless you book well in advance. Half of Delhi heads to Rishikesh on weekends.
Most buses drop you at Rishikesh Bus Adda or Nepali Farm. From there, autos to Laxman Jhula or Ram Jhula cost ₹100-150.

For those planning to camp or do rafting, there's a separate discussion on camping in Rishikesh that might be useful.
Anyone traveled this route recently during peak season? Curious how bad the traffic gets now compared to a few years ago.