Town in Uttarakhand, India
Internet in Rishikesh: speed, SIM cards and coworking
Is the internet good in Rishikesh?
Median fixed broadband in India is 64 Mbps and mobile is 128 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Cafés in Tapovan and Laxman Jhula have decent wifi; ashrams often do not. Mobile 4G/5G works in town.
Getting online in Rishikesh
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Home fibre | Fibre from Airtel and Jio in many guesthouses; 100–300 Mbps costs about 700–1,000 INR a month, but old buildings may only have broadband. |
| Cafés and coworking | Cafés in Tapovan and Laxman Jhula have decent wifi; ashrams often do not. Mobile 4G/5G works in town. |
| Outages | Power and internet cuts during monsoon storms. |
| Tourist SIM | Airtel kiosks in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru arrivals halls; passport, visa and photo needed. About ₹350–450 for 28 days with 1.5–2 GB a day. |
| eSIM | Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors. |
| Carriers | Jio, Airtel, Vi |
| Monthly data plan | ₹300–500 ($3.1–5.2) |
| Blocked services | TikTok, WeChat and many other Chinese apps are banned since 2020; VPNs are legal. Regional mobile-internet shutdowns happen during unrest. |
Coworking in Rishikesh
There's no dedicated coworking scene here; people work from cafés and accommodation.
Internet speeds in South Asia
National medians, Speedtest Global Index.
| Country | Fixed | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal | 89 Mbps | — |
| Bangladesh | 71 Mbps | 39 Mbps |
| India | 64 Mbps | 128 Mbps |
| Sri Lanka | 37 Mbps | 59 Mbps |
| Pakistan | 18 Mbps | 32 Mbps |
| Afghanistan | 6 Mbps | 19 Mbps |
Quick answers
Is the internet fast in Rishikesh?
Median fixed broadband in India is 64 Mbps and mobile is 128 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Cafés in Tapovan and Laxman Jhula have decent wifi; ashrams often do not. Mobile 4G/5G works in town.
Which SIM card should I get in Rishikesh?
Airtel kiosks in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru arrivals halls; passport, visa and photo needed. About ₹350–450 for 28 days with 1.5–2 GB a day.
Can I use an eSIM in India?
Yes. Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors, and travel eSIMs work too.
More about Rishikesh
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Sources
- Speedtest Global Index: India
- Jio
- Airtel
- Vi
- Uttarakhand Tourism
- AIIMS Rishikesh
- Dehradun Airport (Airports Authority of India)
Speeds are medians from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index, cited for reference. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.