A tea garden at Nagri in the Kangra Valley under a flowering tree

ArticleVerified 2026-09-28

How to reach Palampur — road, rail, nearest airport

Getting to Palampur from Dharamshala in about an hour, from Pathankot in two and a half, and from Kangra Airport, with the station at Maranda — what each needs.

Photo: UnpetitproleX · CC BY-SA 4.0

A valley town on the highway

Palampur sits in the Kangra Valley, about 1,300 m up, on the road between Dharamshala and Mandi. It has a small station of its own at Maranda, and the nearest airport is at Gaggal.

By road from Dharamshala

About 36 km and 64 minutes. This is the easiest approach, and the Gopalpur Zoo stop falls on the way. Buses and taxis cover it through the day.

By air

Kangra Airport at Gaggal is the nearest, about 38 km and 57 minutes from Palampur by road. Many visitors fly in and take a taxi.

By rail via Pathankot

Pathankot is the practical mainline railhead, about 111 km and 153 minutes away by road. Palampur Himachal station at Maranda is about 1 km and 3 minutes from the town centre.

From Mandi, Shimla, Manali and Chandigarh

Mandi is about 91 km and 178 minutes. Manali is about 197 km and 315 minutes, Shimla 205 km and 373 minutes, and Chandigarh 245 km and 290 minutes. Bir is closer, at 29 km and 55 minutes.

Getting around once you're there

The tea gardens are minutes from the centre. Baijnath Temple is a 30-minute drive, so a taxi suits it. The two-day plan sets out both days, and when to visit helps with timing.

Plans that include this

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Terraced tea rows at Palampur with the Dhauladhar range behind

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The stone tower of Baijnath Temple at dusk

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Questions people ask

How do I get to Palampur from Dharamshala?

By road, about 36 km and 64 minutes. Buses and taxis run the route regularly, and Gopalpur Zoo sits along the way. Kangra Airport at Gaggal is the nearest airport for most travellers, at about 38 km and 57 minutes from Palampur.

What is the nearest railway station to Palampur?

Palampur Himachal station, at Maranda, about 1 km and 3 minutes from the town centre. For a mainline connection, Pathankot is the practical railhead, about 111 km and 153 minutes away by road, and buses and taxis run onward from there.

How far is Palampur from Chandigarh, Shimla and Manali?

Chandigarh is about 245 km and 290 minutes by road, Shimla about 205 km and 373 minutes, and Manali about 197 km and 315 minutes. All are long days, so most visitors break the journey or come through Dharamshala or Pathankot instead.