The Maharana Pratap Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT), commonly called ISBT Kashmere Gate, is Delhi’s oldest and busiest bus terminal. It opened in the 1970s and handles a very large number of daily departures to northern India, mainly Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir and parts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. It is also a major interchange with the Delhi Metro and Old Delhi railway station.
ISBT Bus Stand – Detailed Guide
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official name | Maharana Pratap Inter State Bus Terminal |
| Popular name | ISBT Kashmere Gate |
| Area | Kashmere Gate, North Delhi |
| Operators | DTC, Haryana Roadways, Punjab Roadways (PRTC/PEPSU), HRTC, UPSRTC, Uttarakhand Roadways, Rajasthan Roadways, J&K SRTC, plus private operators |
| Bus types | Ordinary, AC, Volvo/semi-sleeper, sleeper, deluxe |
| Nearest metro | Kashmere Gate (Red, Yellow and Violet lines) |
| Nearest railway | Old Delhi Railway Station (about 1 km) |
| Nearest airport | IGI Airport (about 20 km) |
| Operating hours | Round the clock, with the most departures from early morning to late night |
Location
ISBT is at Kashmere Gate, near the Yamuna riverbank and the Red Fort/Old Delhi area. It is close to Ring Road and well connected by road to North Delhi, Civil Lines, Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place. Metro exits lead into or near the terminal, so most travellers can walk from the station.
Passenger Facilities
- Ticket counters and advance booking (state transport counters)
- Waiting halls and seating areas
- Drinking water, restrooms and cloakroom/luggage storage
- Food stalls, tea shops and small restaurants
- ATMs and shops
- Prepaid auto and taxi stands, plus app-cab pickup areas
- Enquiry counters and display boards
- Police assistance post and CCTV coverage
- Parking for private vehicles
Bus Depot and Operation Center
Buses are organised into platform bays by state and destination. Operators run their own booking counters, and DTC runs local and some interstate services. The terminal’s control and enquiry offices manage departures, platform allocation and passenger information. Buses are serviced and parked at depots elsewhere in the city and arrive at ISBT for scheduled departures.
Full Route Map and Major Destinations
| Region | Major destinations | Approx. distance from Delhi |
|---|---|---|
| Haryana | Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Rohtak, Hisar | 90–260 km |
| Punjab / Chandigarh | Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala | 250–450 km |
| Himachal Pradesh | Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Kullu, Solan | 350–540 km |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mussoorie | 220–260 km |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Jammu, Katra | 590–650 km |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur, Alwar | 150–280 km |
| Uttar Pradesh | Meerut, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar | 70–180 km |
Distances are approximate. Journey times vary with traffic and bus type.
Route Direction Map
- North and North-West (NH-44): Panipat, Karnal, Ambala, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jammu
- North-East (via Meerut Expressway/Delhi–Dehradun route): Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mussoorie
- Himachal route (via Chandigarh): Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala
- West (NH-48): Jaipur and other Rajasthan cities
City Connectivity from Delhi
- Metro: Kashmere Gate is the best-connected interchange in Delhi, with the Red, Yellow and Violet lines.
- Rail: Old Delhi Railway Station is nearby, so it is easy to switch between train and bus.
- Road: Ring Road and GT Road connect the terminal to the rest of the city.
- Other ISBTs: Anand Vihar (east, for UP and Uttarakhand) and Sarai Kale Khan (south-east, for Agra, Mathura and Rajasthan) cover other directions.
Key Benefits
- Excellent metro access, so you can avoid road traffic
- Wide choice of operators and bus types to northern states
- Frequent departures at almost all hours
- Government buses at regulated fares, with private options available
- Good onward connections to Old Delhi, Connaught Place and the airport
Travel Tips for Passengers
- Book in advance in peak seasons (summer holidays, festivals and long weekends), especially for Himachal and Uttarakhand.
- Use the metro to reach ISBT. Roads around Kashmere Gate get congested.
- Check the departure platform on the display boards or at the enquiry counter, as platforms change.
- Buy tickets only from official counters or authorised apps. Avoid touts.
- Keep your luggage and valuables close in crowded areas.
- Carry water and snacks for long hill journeys.
- For late-night arrivals, use prepaid autos or app cabs.
- Confirm with the operator whether your bus goes from Kashmere Gate or from Anand Vihar or Sarai Kale Khan, since some services depart from other terminals.
FAQ
Which metro station is closest to ISBT?
Kashmere Gate, on the Red, Yellow and Violet lines.
Which ISBT should I use to go to Manali or Shimla?
Kashmere Gate. Most Himachal services run from here.
Are buses to Jaipur available from Kashmere Gate?
Some run from here, but Sarai Kale Khan is the main terminal for the Rajasthan side. Check with your operator.
Is the bus stand open at night?
Yes, the terminal works round the clock, though departures are fewer late at night.
Can I book tickets online?
Yes, through state transport portals and authorised apps. Counter booking is also available.
Is luggage storage available?
Yes, there is a cloakroom, but check its timings and charges on site.
Is it safe for solo or women travellers?
It is a heavily used terminal with police presence and CCTV. Stay alert, use official transport and avoid isolated areas at night.
