Getting Around Haldwani
Haldwani sits in the Bhabar foothills on the right bank of the Gaula River, and its twin town of Kathgodam — the railhead known as the Gateway to Kumaon — lies just to the north. The two are closely linked, and most visitors will find themselves moving between them. The city has grown rapidly and largely without central planning, so its residential colonies are dense and its arterial roads busy. That shapes how you get around: short hops are best done on foot or by shared rickshaw, while longer trips call for a taxi or a bus.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Haldwani has no metro or tram network. Rail travel here means the broad-gauge line that terminates at Kathgodam Railway Station on Station Road in Kathgodam, the end of the line from Delhi and the terminal railhead for the Kumaon region. The station is well equipped for arriving travellers: it has retiring rooms, a waiting hall, food stalls, a prepaid taxi counter, and free Wi-Fi (accessed with a mobile number login). Shared auto-rickshaws to Haldwani wait outside the station and are the simplest way to cover the last stretch into town.
Buses and Other Public Transport
The Haldwani Bus Station (ISBT) on Bareilly–Nainital Road is the city's main road gateway. It handles frequent UTC and private services, with connections to Delhi (Anand Vihar), Lucknow, and the major Kumaoni hill stations. Buses to Nainital are especially convenient, departing about every half hour. For getting around within the city itself, a limited local bus network reaches the outer colonies, but it is not designed with tourists in mind and is best treated as a fallback.
Shared auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws are the real backbone of local transport. They run fixed routes between the twin towns and outlying areas, and the Haldwani–Kathgodam shared service runs constantly. You pay per person, so they are the cheapest and most frequent option for everyday movement. Private auto-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are also available for hire; cycle rickshaws are ideal for short hops through the old bazaars, where their slower pace suits the narrow lanes.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis can be booked through your hotel or at the prepaid booth at the railway station, which makes them a reliable choice when you want a fixed, agreed fare. They are most useful for day trips out of the city — to Nainital, Bhimtal, and similar hill destinations — rather than for short local errands. At Kathgodam station, several travel agencies also rent cars with drivers for hill trips, which is worth knowing if you plan to continue into the mountains.
Walking
The bazaars and the Gaula riverfront are best explored on foot, where the texture of everyday life unfolds at a slower pace. Walking is genuinely rewarding in these pockets. Be cautious, though, on the arterial roads, where traffic is chaotic and pedestrians need to stay alert.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Pantnagar Airport (PGH) is the regional gateway for commercial flights and lies south of Haldwani. Connections are mainly to Delhi and Dehradun, but services are seasonal and often cancelled in poor weather, so build some flexibility into your plans. Pre-paid taxis from the airport to Haldwani or Kathgodam are the straightforward way into the city, taking around 45 minutes.
Practical Tips
- For the Haldwani–Kathgodam link, use the shared auto-rickshaw service — it runs constantly and you pay per person.
- Buy your bus ticket at the ISBT on Bareilly–Nainital Road; services to Nainital are frequent.
- Use the prepaid taxi counter at Kathgodam Railway Station or book through your hotel to avoid haggling.
- Take advantage of the station's retiring rooms, waiting hall, and free Wi-Fi if you arrive on an overnight train.
- Explore the bazaars and riverfront on foot, but take care along the busy arterial roads.
- If you are flying in, confirm your flight is operating before travelling — Pantnagar services are seasonal and weather-dependent.