Guide · Travel

How to Reach Manali from Delhi: Bus, Flight, Train or Car

By Troovle · Siddharth & Anshul

Almost every Manali trek starts with the same question: how do I get there from Delhi without arriving wrecked? There are four realistic options. Here is how they compare, and which one we would pick before a trek.

• Road distance: about 500–550 km, via Chandigarh, Mandi and Kullu
• Overnight bus: about 12–16 hours, roughly ₹1,000–2,500 one way
• Nearest airport: Bhuntar (Kullu), about 50 km from Manali
• Nearest major railheads: Chandigarh, then road
• Prices and timings change: check current fares before you book

1. Overnight Volvo bus (most popular)

Most trekkers take an overnight air-conditioned bus. Government (HRTC) and private buses leave Delhi in the evening, mostly from Kashmere Gate ISBT and the Majnu Ka Tilla area, and arrive in Manali the next morning. Fares typically range from about ₹1,000 for a basic seat to ₹2,500 for a sleeper or premium coach, and more around long weekends.

Good for: budget, no lost day. Watch out for: delays on the hill section, motion sickness, and arriving tired. Book a window seat facing forward, carry a light jacket (the AC gets cold), and keep snacks and water handy.

2. Flight to Bhuntar (fastest, most expensive)

Bhuntar airport near Kullu is about 50 km from Manali, roughly 1.5–2 hours by taxi. Flights are limited, small and weather-dependent, and fares are often high. Morning flights get cancelled in bad weather more than people expect.

Good for: short trips when time matters more than money. Watch out for: cancellations. If you fly in, keep a buffer day before your trek starts. The cheaper alternative is to fly to Chandigarh and take a bus or taxi from there.

3. Train plus road

There is no railway station in Manali. The usual train route is Delhi to Chandigarh (about 3–4 hours on the faster trains), then a bus or taxi for the remaining 300 km or so, which takes about 8–10 hours. It is comfortable but long overall, and works best if you break the journey.

4. Self-drive or taxi

By car the drive is about 12–14 hours with stops. The four-lane highway has made parts faster, but the stretch through the hills can be slow, and landslides and roadworks cause delays. In winter, carry chains or check conditions if you plan to go beyond Manali towards Solang or the Atal Tunnel. Do not plan a long drive and a trek start on the same day.

Which one we recommend before a trek

For most people from Delhi, the overnight bus is the sensible choice: cheap and no lost working day. The one rule that matters more than the mode of travel: arrive the day before your trek starts. You sleep in a bed, adjust a little to the height (Manali sits around 2,000 m), get your gear checked and start the walk fresh. Arriving off an overnight bus and walking uphill the same morning is how first treks go badly.

Getting around Manali

Local taxis and autos run from the Manali bus stand to Old Manali, Vashisht and Solang. Solang is about 13–14 km from town. Shared taxis are cheaper; private taxis are easier with gear. Prices are posted at the taxi union stands.

Next steps

Sorted the travel? Budget the rest of the trip with our guide to what a 4-day trek near Manali costs, and check what to rent in town in our gear rental guide.