Manali is a dream destination for many travelers who want to experience the beauty and adventure of the Himalayas. It is a hill station in Himachal Pradesh, India, that offers stunning views of the snow-capped mountains, the Beas River, and the lush green valleys. Manali is also a hub for various activities such as skiing, trekking, paragliding, rafting, and camping. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo trip, Manali has something for everyone.
If you are planning to visit Manali, you might be wondering how to reach this beautiful destination. We will cover the following topics:
How to reach Manali by Road, Train, and Air
How to Reach Manali by Road
The most common and convenient way to reach Manali is by road. You can either drive your own car or hire a taxi from nearby cities. You can also take a bus from various places in India, such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, and Dharamshala. The road distance and travel time from some of these cities are as follows:
- Delhi to Manali: The distance is about 540 km and the travel time is around 12 hours. The best route is via NH 44 and NH 3, which passes through Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Chandigarh, Rupnagar, Bilaspur, Mandi, and Kullu. You can also take a break at some of these places and enjoy their attractions.
- Chandigarh to Manali: The distance is about 310 km and the travel time is around 8 hours. The best route is via NH 3, which passes through Rupnagar, Bilaspur, Mandi, and Kullu. You can also stop at some of these places and explore their beauty.
- Shimla to Manali: The distance is about 250 km and the travel time is around 7 hours. The best route is via NH 205 and NH 3, which pass through Narkanda, Rampur, Karcham, Sangla, Reckong Peo, Kalpa, Pooh, Khab, Nako, Tabo, and Kaza. You can also visit some of these places and witness their scenic views.
- Dharamshala to Manali: The distance is about 240 km and the travel time is around 7 hours. The best route is via NH 154 and NH 3, which pass through Palampur, Baijnath, Joginder Nagar, Mandi, and Kullu. You can also check out some of these places and experience their culture.
How to Reach Manali by Train
Another option to reach Manali is by train. There is no direct train to Manali, but you can take a train to Joginder Nagar, which is the nearest railway station to Manali at a distance of about 165 km. You can then take a taxi or a bus from Joginder Nagar to Manali. The train journey takes about 10 hours and you can enjoy the scenic views of the mountains and valleys along the way.
The trains that run between various places and Joginder Nagar are:
- Pathankot – Joginder Nagar Passenger: This train runs daily from Pathankot to Joginder Nagar. It has 12 stops and covers a distance of 163 km. It departs from Pathankot at 07:00 AM and arrives at Joginder Nagar at 04:55 PM.
- Amb Andaura – Joginder Nagar Passenger: This train runs daily from Amb Andaura to Joginder Nagar. It has 9 stops and covers a distance of 113 km. It departs from Amb Andaura at 08:00 AM and arrives at Joginder Nagar at 01:30 PM.
- Joginder Nagar – Pathankot Passenger: This train runs daily from Joginder Nagar to Pathankot. It has 12 stops and covers a distance of 163 km. It departs from Joginder Nagar at 06:00 AM and arrives at Pathankot at 03:55 PM.
How to Reach Manali by Air
The fastest and most convenient way to reach Manali is by air. You can take a flight to Bhuntar, which is the nearest airport to Manali at a distance of about 50 km. You can then take a taxi or a bus from Bhuntar to Manali.
The flight journey takes about 1 hour and you can enjoy the aerial views of the mountains and valleys along the way.
Some of the flights that operate between various places and Bhuntar are:
Air India: This airline operates flights from Delhi to Bhuntar. It has one flight per day and covers a distance of 403 km. It departs from Delhi at 06:45 AM and arrives at Bhuntar at 07:55 AM.
SpiceJet: This airline operates flights from Delhi to Bhuntar. It has one flight per day and covers a distance of 403 km. It departs from Delhi at 08:10 AM and arrives at Bhuntar at 09:20 AM.
Alliance Air: This airline operates flights from Chandigarh to Bhuntar. It has one flight per day and covers a distance of 174 km. It departs from Chandigarh at 09:45 AM and arrives at Bhuntar at 10:35 AM.
To plan your trip to Manali and how to reach this amazing destination by road, rail, and air.
Best Time to Visit Manali
The best time to visit Manali depends on your preferences and interests. Manali is a beautiful hill station in Himachal Pradesh, India, that offers stunning views of the snow-capped mountains, the Beas River, and the pine forests. It also has many attractions and activities to enjoy, such as the Solang Valley, the Rohtang Pass, the Hadimba temple, the Vashisht hot springs, and the Manali wildlife sanctuary.
- If you love flowers and greenery, the best time to visit Manali is from March to June. This is the summer season in Manali when the weather is pleasant and the temperature ranges between 10°C and 25°C. You can see bright and colorful flowers in full bloom and enjoy activities like trekking, camping, paragliding, and rafting.
- If you love snow and adventure, the best time to visit Manali is from December to February. This is the winter season in Manali when the weather is cold and the temperature can drop to as low as -1°C. You can experience snowfall in Manali and enjoy activities like skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and snowman building.
- If you want to avoid crowds and enjoy discounts, the best time to visit Manali is from July to September. This is the monsoon season in Manali when the weather is wet and humid and the temperature ranges between 15°C and 20°C. You can see waterfalls and rainbows in Manali and enjoy activities like boating, fishing, and photography.
if you are planning to visit Rohtang Pass, which is one of the most popular attractions in Manali, you should do it between May and November. This is because the rest of the year the roads remain closed due to bad weather.
If you are interested in visiting Manali, you should not wait any longer and book your trip now. Manali is a wonderful destination that will make you fall in love with its beauty and adventure. You can easily reach Manali by road, rail, or air from various places in India.
