Dehradun to Lansdowne Taxi Service
Quick answer: Lansdowne is about 160 km from Dehradun and takes 4.5 to 5 hours via Najibabad and Kotdwar. It is the shortest proper hill-station run from Dehradun that is not Mussoorie, and by some margin the quietest. Fares depend on the vehicle and whether you need a one-way drop or a round trip — the table below is live from our rate desk. Call 7830211223 to confirm.
What this drive is actually like
Lansdowne is a working Garhwal Rifles cantonment, not a resort town. There are no loud markets, no honking, and vehicle movement inside the cantonment is restricted after dark. Drivers who work this route know where they may and may not take a car, which saves an awkward conversation at the gate.
The route
- Dehradun, Haridwar, Najibabad
- Kotdwar — the last town before the climb
- Then about 40 km of forest ghat road
- Roughly 160 km end to end
Where we stop
- Haridwar or Najibabad for breakfast
- Kotdwar for tea before the climb
- Sidhbali temple at Kotdwar on request
- Viewpoints on the Kotdwar to Lansdowne ghat
In Lansdowne
- Tip-in-Top viewpoint for the Himalayan skyline
- Bhulla Tal boating lake
- St Mary Church, built 1896
- Darwan Singh Regimental Museum
Good to know
- Cantonment rules — no honking, restricted night movement
- Very few fuel pumps after Kotdwar
- Mobile signal is patchy in parts
- Weekends fill up, so book ahead
Timing and season
March to June and September to November. Lansdowne sits at about 1,700 m so it stays pleasant through summer, which makes it a good May and June alternative to Mussoorie. Monsoon brings landslide risk on the Kotdwar ghat, and in winter the town is cold but rarely snowbound.
How much does a Dehradun to Lansdowne taxi cost?
Private cab fares for the Dehradun to Lansdowne route. Every rate below is for the whole vehicle, not per seat.
Included: vehicle, fuel and driver allowance. Extra: tolls, state permits, parking, and on hill routes any night halt charge. Fares are confirmed on call before pickup — nothing is added afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Lansdowne from Dehradun?
About 160 km, and 4.5 to 5 hours of driving via Najibabad and Kotdwar. The last 40 km from Kotdwar is forest ghat road and takes longer than the distance suggests.
Is Lansdowne a good weekend trip from Dehradun?
It is one of the better ones, precisely because it is quiet. Being a working cantonment it has no nightlife and no crowds, which is the point for most people who go.
Are there restrictions on driving inside Lansdowne?
Yes. It is an army cantonment, so there is no honking and vehicle movement is restricted in parts and after dark. Our drivers know the permitted routes and drop points.
Can we combine Lansdowne with Jim Corbett?
Yes. Kotdwar sits between them, so a Lansdowne and Corbett circuit is a natural two or three day trip. Ask for a combined quote.