Rishikesh is the terminating railway station because of its geographical location. On three sides it is covered with mountain ranges and that makes it unsuitable for railways extension. There are very few trains starting from Rishikesh but one can get many trains from the Haridwar which is just 24 km. away or from Dehradun which is just 56 km. away. Haridwar is a better choice as all trains starting from Dehradun passes through the Haridwar.