By train
Dehradun has fast Shatabdi and Vande Bharat trains from Delhi (about 5 hours). Taxis and buses climb to Mussoorie in 1–1.5 hours.
Uttarakhand · North India
Mussoorie travel guide
A colonial-era hill station on a ridge above Dehradun, with the quieter cantonment of Landour just above it. Easy to reach from Delhi and good for a slow weekend.
Photo: Kunal Parmar / Unsplash
Quick facts
- Best time
- March to June and September to November
- How long
- 2–3 days
- Daily budget
- ₹2,000–3,500 backpacking
- Getting in
- Dehradun (airport and station), about 35 km and 1–1.5 hours by road
- Altitude
- About 2,000 m; Landour slightly higher
Costs are typical per-person ranges in Indian rupees, reviewed September 2026. Check current prices and conditions before you book.
Mussoorie sits at about 2,000 m on a ridge above Dehradun, with views of the Doon Valley on one side and, on clear days, the snowy Himalaya on the other. The Mall Road is its busy heart, lined with cafés, shops and old hotels.
Just uphill, Landour is a different world: a quiet cantonment of pine forests, old cottages and a short loop walk, made famous by writers like Ruskin Bond. Most travellers do best staying in or near Landour and visiting the Mall Road rather than the other way round.
When to go
Best time to visit Mussoorie
- Mar–JunBest
Pleasant days and a break from the plains' heat; May and June weekends are very crowded.
- Sep–NovBest
Clear post-monsoon air and the best chance of Himalayan views.
- Dec–FebMixed
Cold, with occasional snow on the higher ridges; cosy and quiet midweek.
- Jul–AugAvoid
Heavy monsoon rain, cloud and landslides on the roads.
Getting there
How to reach Mussoorie
By road
About 290 km from Delhi (around 7 hours). Weekend traffic on the climb from Dehradun can add hours.
By air
Dehradun's Jolly Grant airport is about 60 km away, roughly 2 hours by road.
Budget
Mussoorie trip cost per day
| Per day | Backpacker | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (hostel, homestay or hotel) | ₹900–1,800 | ₹4,000–8,000 |
| Food | ₹500–800 | ₹1,000–1,800 |
| Local transport | ₹200–500 | ₹1,500–3,000 |
| Ropeway, entry and extras | ₹100–400 | ₹500–1,000 |
Prices climb on long weekends and in summer holidays; midweek stays are much cheaper. Walking between Mall Road and Landour saves taxi fares on the steep, narrow roads.
Itinerary
2-day Mussoorie and Landour itinerary
- 1
Day 1: Landour loop
Walk the Landour loop past Char Dukan, Sisters' Bazaar and Lal Tibba for mountain views, then slow evening coffee.
- 2
Day 2: Mall Road and viewpoints
Morning at George Everest's House (Park Estate) for valley views, then Camel's Back Road and the Mall Road in the evening.
Don't miss
Top things to do in Mussoorie
Landour
Quiet pine-forest lanes, old churches and the famous Char Dukan cafés above Mussoorie.
Lal Tibba
A viewpoint in Landour with telescopes facing the snow peaks on clear days.
George Everest's House
The ruined home of the surveyor-general, on a ridge with wide Doon Valley views.
Camel's Back Road
A level walking road around the hill, quieter than the Mall Road.
Kids and pets
Visiting Mussoorie with kids or pets
With kids
Great for kids- Gun Hill ropeway, Camel's Back Road and the Landour loop are easy, fun outings.
- Roads are steep and narrow with little pavement; a carrier is easier than a pram.
- Weekend traffic can mean hours in the car; travel midweek if you can.
With pets
Possible with planning- About 7 hours by road from Delhi; Landour's quiet lanes are pleasant for walks.
- Mall Road gets very crowded on weekends, and many hotels don't take pets, so confirm first.
- Nights are cold from November to February; bring a warm bed for your dog.
Pet and child policies vary by stay and operator and change often. Confirm before you book.
Before you go
Practical tips
- Weekend traffic
- The climb from Dehradun and the Mall Road jam badly on weekends and holidays. Arrive early, travel midweek if you can, and walk once there.
- Parking
- Parking is limited and some roads are closed to private cars at busy times; ask your stay where to park.
- Waterfalls
- Kempty Falls is very crowded and commercial; quieter walks in Landour and around Dhanaulti are often more rewarding.
Questions
Mussoorie FAQs
Is Landour better than Mussoorie?
Landour is quieter and greener, while Mussoorie's Mall Road is busier and livelier. Many travellers stay in or near Landour and visit Mussoorie.
How do I get from Delhi to Mussoorie?
Take a fast train to Dehradun (about 5 hours), then a taxi or bus up to Mussoorie (1–1.5 hours). Driving takes around 7 hours.
Can you see the Himalaya from Mussoorie?
On clear days, especially from September to November, Lal Tibba and other viewpoints have views of snow peaks.
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