For residents of Faridabad, reaching Chandigarh once meant battling Delhi traffic for hours before even touching the highway. Today, the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) has transformed this journey by allowing travelers to bypass Delhi entirely.
Route: Faridabad (Haryana / NCR) ➔ Chandigarh (UT)
Approx. Distance: 260 – 280 km
Drive Time: 4.5 – 5.5 hours
Best Time to Travel: Early morning (before 7 AM) to avoid NCR congestion
Whether you are travelling for business, heading towards Himachal Pradesh, or planning a Tricity weekend break, the route from Faridabad to Chandigarh is now faster, smoother, and far less stressful. This guide covers the best road routes, train options, bus connectivity, and air travel—helping you choose the smartest way to travel.
Option 1: By Road (Best & Most Flexible)
Driving remains the most preferred option, offering door-to-door convenience, flexible departure times, and access to iconic highway food stops.
Route A: The “Delhi Bypass” (Via Eastern Peripheral Expressway)
Route: Faridabad (Neharpar / Bypass Rd) ➔ Maujpur / Chhainsa Toll ➔ Eastern Peripheral Expressway ➔ Sonipat (Rai Cut) ➔ NH 44 ➔ Panipat ➔ Karnal ➔ Ambala ➔ Chandigarh
How it works: you enter the EPE from Faridabad and stay on this six-lane, access-controlled expressway for nearly an hour, then exit at Sonipat (Rai) and merge onto NH 44 (GT Road) the rest of the way to Chandigarh.
- Time: 4.5–5 hours
This route skips Delhi’s usual bottlenecks — Ashram, Ring Road, Mukarba Chowk — entirely, giving you a smooth, consistent drive that works well for families and first-time travelers alike.
Route B: The “City” Route (Via Central Delhi)
Faridabad → Badarpur Border → Ashram Chowk → Ring Road → Mukarba Chowk → NH 44 → Chandigarh
- Time: 5.5–7 hours, and genuinely unpredictable
This road is only worth considering if you live in North Faridabad and are leaving before 6 AM. Traffic here can swing wildly — even minor congestion can add an extra 1–2 hours to your trip, so it’s best avoided if you have any other option.
Route C: The “Western Loop” (Via KMP Expressway)
Faridabad → Palwal → Manesar → KMP Expressway → Kundli → Sonipat → NH 44 → Chandigarh
If the eastern side gets jammed — accidents, heavy traffic, whatever the cause — the Kundli–Manesar–Palwal (KMP) Expressway offers an equally smooth alternative on the western side.
The Three Roads, Side by Side
| Feature | Route A: The “Delhi Bypass” (Via Eastern Peripheral Expressway) | Route B: The “City” Route (Via Central Delhi) | Route C: The “Western” Loop (Via KMP Expressway) |
| Best Strategy |
Undisputed Best Choice.
Standard for most travelers. |
North Faridabad Only.
Only if leaving before 6:00 AM. |
Backup Route.
Use only if Route A (EPE) is jammed. |
| The Path | Faridabad (Neharpar) → EPE → Sonipat (Rai Cut) → NH 44 (GT Road) | Badarpur Border → Ashram → Ring Road → Mukarba Chowk → NH 44 | Faridabad → Palwal → Manesar → KMP → Kundli → NH 44 |
| Drive Time | 4.5 – 5 Hours | 5.5 – 7 Hours (Unpredictable) | Varies (Generally longer) |
| Why Choose? | Fastest & smoothest. Skips Ashram, Ring Road & Mukarba Chowk completely. | Shorter distance if you live near Sarai/Badarpur. | Good alternative if Google Maps shows red on the Eastern side. |
| Major Risk | None significant. | Getting stuck between Ashram and Mukarba (can lose 1-2 hrs). | Longer distance; strictly a detour option. |
Option 2: By Train (Comfortable & Reliable)
The train is a great choice if you’d rather relax than deal with driving fatigue.
Direct trains from Faridabad (FDB):
- 12925 Paschim Express — departs around 11:00 AM, arrives Chandigarh around 4:00 PM. Your best direct option.
- 14217 Unchahar Express — departs around 4:00 AM, arrives Chandigarh around 9:15 AM. Slower, but gets you there early.
Metro plus premium trains — a faster combination:
Take the Violet Line metro from Faridabad to New Delhi Railway Station, then board a premium train:
- Vande Bharat (22447): 5:50 AM to 8:40 AM
- Shatabdi (12045): 7:15 PM to 10:35 PM
Option 3: By Bus (Metro + ISBT Combination)
There are very limited direct buses from Faridabad. The Delhi ISBT route is the most efficient.
Step 1: Reach ISBT Kashmere Gate
- Violet Line Metro ➔ Kashmere Gate
- Exit directly into ISBT
Step 2: Bus to Chandigarh
- Frequency: Every 10–15 minutes (24×7)
- Volvo / Scania: ₹700 – ₹900
- Haryana Roadways: ₹300 – ₹400
Direct Options:
- Haryana Roadways Ticket Booking
- Haryana Roadways Bus Time Table
- Redbus
- Abhibus
Travel Time: 4.5 – 5 hours from Delhi
Option 4: By Air (Not Recommended)
Route: Taxi ➔ IGI Airport ➔ Chandigarh Airport
Verdict:
Avoid air travel. Total time including airport formalities exceeds 5–6 hours, making it slower and more expensive than road or rail.
Comparison Table: Which Mode is Best?
| Feature | Private Car (Via EPE) | Train (Paschim Exp – Direct) | Metro + Bus (Via ISBT) |
| Cost (Approx) | ₹3,000 – ₹3,500 (Fuel + Tolls) | ₹150 – ₹600 | ₹60 (Metro) + ₹700 (Volvo) |
| Travel Time | 4.5 – 5 Hours | 5 Hours | 6+ Hours (Inc. transfers) |
| Comfort | High (Door-to-Door) | High | Moderate |
| Convenience | Leave anytime | Fixed Schedule | High Frequency |
| Stress Level | Low (Cruising) | Low | Moderate (Changing modes) |
| Best For… | Families, Groups | Relaxed Travel | Solo / Budget Travelers |
Before You Merge Onto the EPE
- Keep your FASTag topped up — at least ₹500 for the EPE and NH 44 tolls
- Good food stops: Murthal (Amrik Sukhdev, Gulshan Dhaba) and Karnal (Haveli, Savoy Greens)
- Speed cameras are active along the route, with limits strictly enforced around 80–90 km/h
- Winter fog is common in December and January, so it’s best to avoid very early morning driving during these months
Putting It All Together
For most travelers, driving via the Eastern Peripheral Expressway is the fastest, least stressful way to make this trip. Trains offer excellent comfort if you’d rather not drive, and buses work well for solo or budget-conscious travelers who don’t mind a bit of extra time.
Questions Travellers Ask
1. What is the distance from Faridabad to Chandigarh?
The distance from Faridabad to Chandigarh is approximately 260–280 km, depending on the route taken. The most commonly used route via the Eastern Peripheral Expressway and NH 44 is around 270 km.
2. How long does it take to travel from Faridabad to Chandigarh?
Travel time usually ranges between 4.5 to 5.5 hours by road. Train journeys take around 5 hours, while bus travel can take 6 hours or more including transfers.
3. What is the best route from Faridabad to Chandigarh by road?
The Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) → Sonipat → NH 44 route is the best option as it completely bypasses Delhi traffic and offers smooth, fast expressway driving.
4. Does the Faridabad to Chandigarh route pass through Delhi?
If you take the EPE route, you do not enter Delhi at all. The older city route passes through central Delhi but is not recommended due to congestion.
5. Is the Eastern Peripheral Expressway better than going via Delhi?
Yes, the Eastern Peripheral Expressway is much faster and more predictable than driving through Delhi, saving up to 1–2 hours during peak traffic.
6. Are there direct trains from Faridabad to Chandigarh?
Yes, there are direct trains such as the Paschim Express and Unchahar Express that run from Faridabad Railway Station (FDB) to Chandigarh (CDG).
7. Which is the fastest train from Faridabad to Chandigarh?
The Paschim Express (12925) is the fastest direct train option, taking approximately 5 hours to reach Chandigarh.
8. Is there a Vande Bharat train from Faridabad to Chandigarh?
There is no direct Vande Bharat from Faridabad. However, travelers can take the Metro to New Delhi Railway Station and board the New Delhi–Chandigarh Vande Bharat.
9. Are buses available from Faridabad to Chandigarh?
Direct buses are limited. Most travelers take the Metro to ISBT Kashmere Gate, from where Volvo and Haryana Roadways buses run frequently to Chandigarh.
10. What is the cheapest way to travel from Faridabad to Chandigarh?
The cheapest option is:
- Train (general or sleeper class) or
- Metro + Haryana Roadways bus
Both cost around ₹300–₹400.
11. Is air travel a good option from Faridabad to Chandigarh?
No, flying is not practical. Airport travel time, security checks, and transfers make air travel slower and more expensive than road or rail.
12. What is the best time to start from Faridabad for Chandigarh?
The best time to start is before 7:00 AM to avoid NCR traffic. In winter, starting after 9:00 AM is safer due to fog.
13. Are there tolls on the Faridabad to Chandigarh route?
Yes, tolls apply on:
- Eastern Peripheral Expressway
- NH 44 (GT Road)
Ensure your FASTag has sufficient balance.
14. Where can I stop for food on the way?
Popular food stops include:
- Murthal (Amrik Sukhdev, Gulshan Dhaba)
- Karnal (Haveli, Savoy Greens)
15. Is it safe to drive from Faridabad to Chandigarh at night?
Yes, the route is generally safe, but:
- Watch for truck traffic
- Maintain speed limits due to speed cameras
- Avoid late-night driving in foggy winter months
Travel Information Disclaimer
The travel information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and may change without notice. Road conditions, travel times, fares, weather, transport availability, and local regulations can vary due to traffic, maintenance, or other unexpected events, so travelers should verify current details before departure. The publisher is not responsible for delays, losses, injuries, damages, or other issues arising from reliance on this information. Travel at your own risk and use appropriate caution.