How to reach Manali

The shape of it

Manali sits at the top of the Kullu valley with one road in from the south and, since the tunnel, one road out to the north. Everyone arrives up the valley from Mandi and Kullu, whichever way they started: bus, car, plane to Bhuntar, or train to Chandigarh or Joginder Nagar and road from there.

From Delhi — the overnight bus

The standard way in, 513 km from ISBT Kashmere Gate. The state corporation's coaches leave in the evening and arrive at the Manali bus stand the next morning; private operators run the same road from the same area at similar prices. Book a few days ahead for weekends and holidays, choose a seat towards the front for the hairpins after Mandi, and eat before you board — the dinner stops are what they are.

Driving is the same road in daylight, which is the point. The plains give way to the hills after Chandigarh, the road climbs through Mandi to the Aut tunnel, and the last hours are up the Beas through Kullu with the valley opening ahead. Two drivers, or an overnight stop at Chandigarh or Mandi.

From Chandigarh — car or bus

About 264 km and 289 min of driving on a clear road — allow five to six hours with a stop. Chandigarh is where the railway, the airport and the Delhi road meet, so it is the second leg for anyone arriving by train or plane. Buses leave the ISBT 43 through the day; taxis are hired at the airport and the station and the rate is quoted by the day.

By air — Bhuntar

Kullu–Manali Airport at Bhuntar is 49 km and about 62 min down the valley: a small field with a few flights a day, mostly from Delhi and Chandigarh, cancelled in cloud and rain more often than elsewhere. Book it if the price is right, keep a road plan in reserve, and take a taxi up the valley from the gate. Rafting on the Beas below Kullu is on the way, which makes a good first afternoon.

By train

Joginder Nagar, the end of the narrow-gauge line from Pathankot, is the closest station at 161 km and about 249 min by road — a slow, pretty way in for people with time and nowhere to be. For everyone else the railhead is Chandigarh, with trains from across the country and the road up the valley for the last five to six hours.

From Shimla and Kullu

Shimla is 237 km and about 372 min by road — a full day's drive across the Sutlej and over to the Beas, worth doing once for the road. Kullu, the district town, is 40 km and about 49 min down the valley, with buses every few minutes; anyone staying at Kasol, Naggar or the Tirthan side comes up through it.

Once you are here

The bus stand is at the centre of the town; Old Manali is twenty minutes up on foot or five by autorickshaw, Vashisht ten minutes across the river. Taxis to the day trips are hired at the union stand beside the bus stand at rates posted by the day. The Manali guide has the town; our stays page shows where to sleep the first night.

Plans that include this

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