To reach Kathgodam from the USA, you will need to combine international and domestic travel. Here’s a detailed guide on how to get from the United States to Kathgodam, which is located in Uttarakhand, India:
Step 1: Fly from the USA to India
The first step is to take a flight from a major international airport in the USA to an airport in India. The most common international airports you can fly into are Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai), or Kempegowda International Airport (Bengaluru).
Popular Flights from the USA to India:
From New York (JFK): Direct flights to Delhi with airlines like Air India and United Airlines. Other connecting flights are also available.
From Chicago (ORD): Direct flights to Delhi with airlines like Air India and American Airlines.
From San Francisco (SFO): Direct flights to Delhi with Air India and United Airlines.
Flight Duration:
A direct flight from the USA (East Coast) to Delhi takes about 14-16 hours.
A flight from the West Coast to Delhi can take around 16-18 hours.
Arrival in India:
After arriving in Delhi, you can take a domestic flight, train, or road to Kathgodam.
Step 2: From Delhi to Kathgodam
Option 1: By Train (Delhi to Kathgodam)
Train is the most convenient option to travel to Kathgodam from Delhi.
Duration: Approximately 6 to 7 hours.
Popular Trains:
Ranikhet Express (Departs from Delhi Junction)
Uttarakhand Sampark Kranti Express
Kathgodam Express
Booking Tickets:
You can book train tickets via IRCTC, or use websites like Cleartrip, MakeMyTrip, or Yatra.
Train Stations in Delhi: You will need to board the train from Delhi Junction (NDLS), Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM), or Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT).
Option 2: By Domestic Flight (Delhi to Pantnagar)
Pantnagar Airport is the nearest airport to Kathgodam.
Flight Duration: Approx. 1 hour from Delhi.
Airlines: Air India and IndiGo operate flights from Delhi to Pantnagar.
From Pantnagar to Kathgodam:
Distance: Around 50 km.
Travel Time: About 1 hour by taxi.
Taxi Fare: Approx. ₹1000 to ₹1500.
Option 3: By Road (Delhi to Kathgodam)
Distance: About 300 km from Delhi.
Duration: 6 to 8 hours depending on the route and traffic conditions.
Route: Take NH 9 and NH 109, passing through Ghaziabad, Moradabad, and Haldwani.
Taxi or Car Hire: You can hire a private taxi or rent a car for a direct drive from Delhi to Kathgodam. Book the taxi in advance or through local taxi services.
Step 3: Reach Kainchi Dham from Kathgodam
Once you reach Kathgodam, you can travel to Kainchi Dham (Neem Karoli Baba’s Ashram) by:
Taxi: The distance from Kathgodam to Kainchi Dham is about 16 km and takes around 30-40 minutes by taxi or private car.
Auto-rickshaw: Alternatively, you can hire a local auto-rickshaw for a cheaper option.
Booking in Advance: It’s best to book your flights and train tickets in advance, especially during peak travel seasons like holidays or festivals.
Weather: Kathgodam and Nainital can be cold in winter (November to February), so pack accordingly. Summer (March to June) and post-monsoon (September to November) are ideal times to visit.
Time Zone: India is 5.5 hours ahead of GMT and 9.5-10.5 hours ahead of Eastern and Pacific Time in the USA.
