How to Reach Manali from Delhi: Bus, Car, Flight & Train
Bus, car, flight and train options from Delhi to Manali, with route, time and cost.
How to reach Manali from Delhi
Manali has no railway station, and its small airport is 50 km away. So most people reach Manali from Delhi by road. The easiest way is the overnight Volvo bus. You sleep on the bus and wake up close to Manali the next morning.
If you travel with family or elders, a private cab is more comfortable. If you are short on time, you can fly to Bhuntar or Chandigarh and drive the rest of the way.
Bus, car, flight or train: which one?
More dots mean better. Look at what matters most to you: time, money or comfort.
| Way | Total time | Rough cost | Speed | Low cost | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🚌 Volvo bus Most popular | 12–14 hrs (overnight) | ₹1,200–2,500 per seat | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| 🚗 Private cab | 12–13 hrs (day drive) | ₹10,000–14,000 per car, one way | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| ✈ Flight to Bhuntar | About 4–5 hrs in all | ₹5,000–12,000 per person + taxi | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| 🚆 Train + road | 11–13 hrs in all | Train fare + bus or taxi | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
Prices are rough and change with season, weekends and how early you book.
The road from Delhi to Manali
Buses, cabs and self-drive cars all take the same main road. The first half is flat highway. The hills start after Kiratpur.
- Delhi
Start from ISBT Kashmere Gate, Majnu ka Tilla or your home.
- Murthal / Karnal~50–120 km
Big dhabas on the highway. Most buses stop here for dinner.
- Chandigarh~250 km
Last big city on the way. The flat road ends soon after.
- Kiratpur+85 km
The new four-lane hill road starts here, with long tunnels.
- Bilaspur and Mandi+110 km
You drive next to the Beas river from Mandi onward. Tea stops are common here.
- Kullu+70 km
The Bhuntar airport is just before Kullu town.
- Manali+40 km
The road climbs slowly along the river to Manali.
Good to know about this road
- The four-lane road and tunnels have cut the trip by a few hours compared to a few years ago.
- The road after Mandi has many turns. Eat light if you feel sick on hills.
- In July and August, rain can cause landslides. Check the news before you leave.
- From December to February, the last part near Manali can have snow. Cabs carry chains when needed.
- Long weekends bring traffic jams near Kullu and Manali. Leave early on those days.
A night on the Volvo bus
Volvo buses to Manali leave Delhi every evening. You can choose a government HRTC bus or a private one. Book on the HRTC website or any bus app. Here is how a normal night trip goes.
Flying or taking a train to Manali
Neither a plane nor a train goes all the way to Manali. You always finish the trip by road.
By flight
- Fly from Delhi to Kullu-Manali Airport at Bhuntar. The flight takes about 1.5 hours.
- Take a taxi from the airport to Manali. It is about 50 km and takes 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Or fly to Chandigarh, which has many more flights, and drive about 300 km to Manali.
Bhuntar flights are few and small. Bad weather can cancel them, so keep a backup plan and some extra time.
By train
- Take a morning train from Delhi to Chandigarh. Fast trains take about 3.5 to 4 hours.
- From Chandigarh, take a Volvo bus or a taxi to Manali.
- The road part is about 300 km and takes 8 to 9 hours.
This is good if you like trains, but most people find the direct overnight bus easier.
Driving or taking a cab from Delhi
- Leave early. Start from Delhi by 5 or 6 am. Then you cross the hill part in daylight.
- Break the trip if you can. A night in Chandigarh or Mandi makes the drive much easier for kids and elders.
- Fill fuel before the hills. There are petrol pumps on the way, but fewer after Mandi.
- Hire a hill driver. If you are not used to hill roads, a cab with a local driver is safer.
- Know about parking. Many Manali hotels have small parking. Ask your hotel before you go.
- Going to Rohtang? You need a permit for your car. Read our Rohtang Pass guide.
Manali distance from nearby places
Coming from somewhere else, or adding Manali to a longer trip? Here are rough road distances and times.
Going from Delhi to Shimla first? Read how to reach Shimla from Delhi. Going to Kasol too? See how to reach Kasol. Plan your days with our guides on the best time to visit Manali and the best places to visit in Manali.
Delhi to Manali: your questions answered
What is the best way to reach Manali from Delhi?
For most people, the overnight Volvo bus is the best way. It leaves Delhi in the evening and reaches Manali the next morning. You save one hotel night and the fare is low. Families who want more comfort can take a private cab.
How far is Manali from Delhi?
Manali is about 540 km from Delhi by road. The trip takes around 12 to 14 hours by bus or car, with food and tea stops.
Is there a direct train from Delhi to Manali?
No. There is no train to Manali. Take a train from Delhi to Chandigarh, and then go by bus or taxi to Manali, which is about 300 km more.
Which is the nearest airport to Manali?
The nearest airport is Kullu-Manali Airport at Bhuntar, about 50 km from Manali. It has only a few small flights from Delhi, and bad weather can cancel them. Chandigarh airport has many more flights but is about 300 km away.
Can I drive from Delhi to Manali in one day?
Yes, if you leave Delhi by 5 or 6 in the morning. You will reach Manali in the evening. Try to cross the hill part after Mandi before dark.
Want us to handle the travel?
We can book your Volvo seats or send a private cab from Delhi or Chandigarh, plus your hotels in Manali. One planner helps you for the whole trip.