Rishikesh is divided into distinct areas by the river and the bridges. The main town (Lower Rishikesh) is the commercial centre with the railway station and bus stands. The pilgrimage and tourist area stretches 4–5 km upstream along the east bank from Ram Jhula to Laxman Jhula, encompassing the Swarg Ashram neighbourhood with its cafes and yoga studios.
Within the Ram Jhula–Laxman Jhula strip, everything is walkable. Auto-rickshaws connect the different sections and run frequently on the west bank road. Motorbike rental is the best option for reaching the Beatles Ashram, Neelkanth Mahadev temple, or the rafting put-in at Shivpuri. The roads above town into the forest are narrow; follow local drivers carefully.