Manali is a captivating destination that allures people from all across the globe. It is among the most popular tourist places in India, due to which reaching Manali is not a challenging task. This beautiful hill station is well-connected to different parts of the country by various modes of transport. Nestled in the Kullu Valley, Manali does not have an airport or railway station. However, the valley houses an airport. The nearest major railhead is situated in Chandigarh, and the hill town is easily accessible from the nearby cities by well-maintained highways. Here is detailed information about how to reach Manali via rail, air, and road.
Let's have a detailed look at the best way to travel to Manali by Train, Flight, and Road.
Manali by Air
Set at 50 km from Manali, Bhuntar airport is the nearest domestic airport and the gateway to Manali. Regular flights operate to the airport from major cities like New Delhi, Shimla, Chandigarh, Pathankot, and Dharamshala. On reaching the airport, travelers can take taxis to reach Manali. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is the nearest international airport to Manali, located at a distance of 556 km. For Delhi to Manali flights, tourists can reach Bhuntar Airport from the national capital and then proceed towards Manali by taxi or bus. Other major cities of the country are connected with Bhuntar Airport via Delhi. In addition, most of the states have connecting flights for Kullu.
Travel by Flights |
Travel Time |
Distance |
Airport |
Delhi to Manali flight |
1 hour 20 minutes |
364 KM |
Indira Gandhi International Airport to Bhuntar Airport |
Chandigarh to Manali flight |
50 min |
140 KM |
Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh Airport to Bhuntar Airport |
Amritsar to Manali flight |
2 hours 10 minutes |
216 KM |
Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport to Bhuntar Airport (connecting) |
Pathankot to Manali flight |
2 hours 10 minutes |
148 KM |
Pathankot Airport to Bhuntar Airport (connecting) |
Bangalore to Manali flight |
8 hours 35 minutes |
2112 KM |
Kempe Gowda International Airport to Bhuntar Airport (connecting) |
Mumbai to Manali flight |
12 hours 35 minutes |
1494 KM |
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Bhuntar Airport (connecting) |
Jaipur to Manali flight |
5 hours 15 minutes |
565 KM |
Jaipur International Airport to Bhuntar Airport (connecting) |
Manali by Train
Jogindernagar Railway Station is the closest railhead to Manali. This is a narrow-gauge station, which has limited connectivity with the nearby states. However, it connects the hill station with major cities of the country via Chandigarh and Ambala. After reaching the railway station, tourists can take a taxi or bus to reach their destination. Other major nearest railway stations from Manali are Pathankot Junction and Chandigarh railway station, which are at 293 km and 305 km, respectively. Both the stations are well-connected with the country. Delhi to Manali ticket price is also affordable, and Pathankot is the nearest station. Therefore, tourists can reach Manali from these places without hassle.
Travel by Train |
Station Name |
Travel Time |
Distance |
Train Name |
Delhi to Manali train |
Pathankot Railway Station |
09 hours 30 mins |
484 KM |
Jammu Rajdhani |
Amritsar to Manali train |
Pathankot Railway Station |
02 hours 35 min |
114 KM |
Pathankot Express |
Ludhiana to Manali train |
Pathankot Railway Station |
01 hours 10 min |
172 KM |
Jammu Tawi Special |
Chandigarh to Manali train |
Chandigarh Railway Station |
04 hours 45 min |
265 KM |
Hemkunt Special |
Jammu to Manali train |
Pathankot Railway Station |
02 hours, 10 min |
112 KM |
Jammu Mail |
Manali by Road
Manali is well-connected to major cities of the country via road. Both Himachal Pradesh state and private buses regularly operate between Manali and other regions of the country. Traveling to Manali by road is the most cost-effective way. Delhi to Manali buses frequently plies from the national capital. Via numerous federal and state highways, Manali is well-connected to Chandigarh (305 km), Dehradun (227 km), and Ambala (370 km). Shimla to Manali and Chandigarh to Manali buses are also easily available.
Location |
Distance |
Time |
Route |
Delhi to Manali distance |
532 KM |
13 hours 10 min |
NH 44 & NH 3 |
Amritsar to Manali distance |
394 KM |
10 hours 40 min |
NH 503A & NH 3 |
Pathankot to Manali distance |
293 KM |
8 hours 50 min |
NH 154 & NH 3 |
Dharamshala to Manali distance |
215 KM |
7 hours 10 min |
NH 154 & NH 3 |
Chandigarh to Manali distance |
298 KM |
8 hours 50 min |
NH 154 & NH 3 |
Jammu to Manali distance |
402 KM |
10 hours 40 min |
NH 44 & NH 154 |
Shimla to Manali distance |
247 KM |
8 hours 10 min |
NH 154 |
Ludhiana to Manali distance |
330 KM |
9 hours 20 min |
NH 154 & NH 3 |
Kullu to Manali distance |
40 km |
1 hour 10 minutes |
NH 3 |
Kasol to Manali distance |
78 KM |
2 hours 25 minutes |
Manikaran Road & NH 3 |
Getting Around in Manali
Tourists from all over the country frequent Manali. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh among families and couples. This is among the favorite hill stations of India for honeymooners. Travelers can easily travel in the town due to its good transporting system. For the shortest distance, it is advisable to walk, and cabs and taxis are available here for faraway places. Mall Road and Old Manali are easily accessible on foot. Here we are mentioning some of the options for getting around in Manali. Check it out to enjoy the sightseeing in Manali.
Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) Bus:
The government-run bus has a great network in Himachal Pradesh, making it one of the best ways to visit nearby places of Manali, including Manali to Kasol, Manali to Chandigarh, and Manali to Delhi. In fact, HRTC is also a popular mode of transport among budget travelers for going on a Manali to Leh trip. With the state-run buses, tourists can choose to visit these popular destinations and delight in the breathtaking beauty of Himachal. Manali to Leh tunnel is among the most popular route on which HRTC buses ply regularly during the season. While booking Manali tour packages, tourists can add numerous tourist destinations to the itinerary they wish to explore.
Rent a bike in Manali:
Bike rentals in Manali are affordable and are among the most popular modes of transport among adventure enthusiasts. Tourists quickly cover Manali to Leh distance on the bike. Manali Ladakh bike tours are fondly preferred by thrill-seekers and nature lovers. At a minimal rent, different types of bikes are easily available. People can explore the tourist places nearby Manali, including Solang Valley, Sissu, Jispa, Sarchu, Chandertaal, Suraj Taal, Leh Ladakh, and Spiti Valley.
Manali Taxi:
It is one of the most comfortable and convenient modes to travel around Manali. Taxis are easily available in Manali to enjoy sightseeing tours near the hill town. People embark on a trip to Solang, Kasol, Manikaran, Tirthan Valley, Sainj Valley, Kullu Valley, and Leh Ladakh. This is a fast mode of travel, which makes the Manali trip memorable.
If you want to know more details about Manali tourism, you can contact our tour experts. We provide fully customizable tour packages covering meals, transfers, stays, and sightseeing. In short, you will enjoy excellent comfort through our Manali tour package.