# How to Reach Manali 2026: From Delhi, Chandigarh & Dharamshala by Bus, Car, Flight

> How to get to Manali in 2026: overnight buses from Delhi, the drive via Chandigarh, Kiratpur and Mandi (with the new Kiratpur-Ner Chowk four-lane and the Deod and Hanogi tunnels), flights to Kullu-Manali Airport at Bhuntar, the nearest railheads, the route from Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj, the green tax for outside vehicles, and monsoon and winter road warnings.

- **URL:** https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/how-to-reach-manali
- **Category:** Transport
- **Published:** 2026-10-27
- **Updated:** 2026-10-27
- **Author:** Dharamshala Stay Team
- **Image:** https://www.dharamshalastay.com/images/places/kullu-manali-airport.jpg (Kullu-Manali Airport terminal at Bhuntar with green hills of the Kullu valley behind)

**Short answer:** Manali has **no railway station**, so almost everyone arrives **by road**. From **Delhi** (about 550 km) take an overnight HRTC or private bus, or drive via **Chandigarh, Kiratpur, Bilaspur, Mandi and Kullu**. From **Dharamshala** it is about **230 to 250 km (7 to 9 hours)** via Palampur and Mandi. The nearest airport is **Kullu-Manali Airport at Bhuntar, about 50 km away**, with a small number of Alliance Air flights, mostly from Delhi.

![Rafting on the Beas river in Kullu district, beside the highway that leads up the valley to Manali](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/images/places/beas-rafting-kullu.jpg)

Checked on **27 October 2026** against official pages, Wikipedia and dated news reports. Bus timings and fares change often and we could not open HRTC’s own site on the day, so we say where to check rather than quote numbers we cannot stand behind.

## How to Reach Manali: Quick Facts

| Route | Distance | Time (approx.) | Best for | Source / status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi to Manali by road | About 550 km | Overnight bus; long day by car | Budget travellers | Wikipedia |
| Chandigarh to Manali by road | About 280 to 300 km | Day trip by car or bus | Train or flight arrivals at Chandigarh | Wikipedia (282 km); HPTDC (298 km) |
| Dharamshala to Manali by road | 230 to 250 km | 7 to 9 hours | Combining McLeod Ganj and Manali | [Our route guide](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/dharamshala-to-manali) |
| Fly to Bhuntar (Kullu-Manali Airport) | Airport about 50 km from Manali | About 1 hour by road from the airport (HPTDC), more in traffic | Short trips, if you can get a seat | Wikipedia; HPTDC |
| Nearest railheads | Joginder Nagar about 147 km (narrow gauge); Kiratpur Sahib about 268 km; Chandigarh about 310 km | Then by road | Rail fans; Chandigarh trains | Wikipedia |

## How do you reach Manali from Delhi by bus?

**Most people take an overnight bus.** HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) and many private operators run Volvo and other buses from Delhi to Manali, mostly overnight. The distance is about **550 km**.

- **Booking:** HRTC sells tickets on its official booking site, online.hrtchp.com, and at its counters. Private buses are sold on the big booking apps.
- **Timings and fares:** we **could not verify current HRTC timings or fares** (the HRTC website was not reachable for us on 27 October 2026). Fares on booking apps vary by bus type and date. Check the operator name and drop point before you pay.
- **Drop point:** confirm whether your bus ends at the Manali bus stand near Mall Road or stops short of town; after the 2025 flood, hoteliers and travel agents said the Kullu-Manali road needed strengthening for heavy luxury buses (The Tribune, 17 September 2025).
- **Peak weeks:** book early for May-June weekends and the Christmas-New Year week.

## How do you drive to Manali from Delhi or Chandigarh?

**The route:** Delhi, Ambala, Chandigarh (or Zirakpur), **Kiratpur**, Bilaspur, **Ner Chowk**, **Mandi**, Pandoh, Aut, **Kullu**, then up the Beas to **Manali**. Wikipedia describes it as NH 1 to Ambala, NH 22 to Chandigarh, then the national highway through Bilaspur, Sundernagar, Mandi and Kullu.

**What changed on this road (dated):**

| Stretch | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kiratpur to Ner Chowk | 77 km four-lane opened to traffic in August 2023, cutting the distance from 114 km to 77 km; four tunnels in Bilaspur district; speed limits of 40 to 60 km/h enforced by CCTV | ETV Bharat, 6 August 2023 |
| Pandoh to Takoli (Mandi to Kullu) | **Deod (2.8 km) and Hanogi (650 m) tunnels** opened on 11 September 2026, **one tube each** for now; they bypass a 5.5 km landslide-prone stretch. Officials expect Mandi-Kullu to take about 60 minutes instead of about two hours in heavy traffic | Daijiworld, 10 September 2026; CurlyTales, 11 September 2026 |
| Kullu to Manali | The Beas flood of 26 August 2025 washed away a 38 km stretch at several points; reopened after 21 days with **one-way traffic** at damaged sections (Manali to Kullu on the left bank road, return on the right bank) | The Tribune, 17 September 2025 |

**Not confirmed:** we found **no 2026 report that full two-way traffic is restored** on every damaged Kullu-Manali stretch. Ask your hotel or driver about the current routing.

**Green tax at the Manali barrier:** every vehicle **not registered in Himachal Pradesh** pays a green tax to enter Manali: **₹200 for a car (LMV), ₹100 for a bike, ₹300 for a passenger vehicle, ₹500 for a goods vehicle**. It is valid for seven days, can be applied for up to 9 days ahead on the official portal (rohtangpermits.hp.gov.in), and a printout is compulsory (official portal, checked 27 October 2026). The Tribune (6 June 2026) shows the barrier at Aloo Ground.

**Self-drive tips:**

- Drive the hill section (from Kiratpur onwards) in daylight.
- Fuel up and keep cash and water; jams near Mandi and Kullu can last hours in peak weeks and after rain.
- Respect speed limits in the tunnels and on the four-lane; cameras issue automatic fines on the Kiratpur-Ner Chowk stretch.

## Can you fly to Manali?

**Yes, to Kullu-Manali Airport at Bhuntar**, about **52 km from Manali** and about 10 to 11 km south of Kullu (Wikipedia; HPTDC gives 49 km). It has a short runway of 1,125 m in a deep valley, and **Alliance Air** has been its only airline (Wikipedia).

What flights looked like in 2026 (from a dated report, not a timetable):

| Detail | Reported | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi to Kullu, direct | Daily until 31 July 2026; usually departing Delhi 6.20 am, arriving Kullu 7.40 am | The Tribune via Newswav, 25 June 2026 |
| Extra flights | Tuesdays and Saturdays, including a Delhi-Jaipur-Kullu service | Same report |
| Fares | About ₹9,600 to ₹27,600 one way on the days reported, dynamic pricing | Same report |

**Our advice:** treat the Bhuntar flight as a bonus, not a plan. Seats are few, fares are high and flights in a narrow valley are weather-sensitive. Check the airline’s current schedule and keep a road backup. From Bhuntar, HPTDC puts the drive to Manali at about an hour; allow more in peak traffic.

**Alternative:** fly to **Kangra (Gaggal) airport** for Dharamshala, spend a few days in McLeod Ganj, then drive on to Manali. See our [Kangra airport guide](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/kangra-airport-gaggal-guide).

## Can you reach Manali by train?

**Not directly.** There is no railway in Manali. The nearest stations (Wikipedia):

| Station | Distance to Manali (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Joginder Nagar | About 147 km | Narrow-gauge Kangra Valley line; slow, scenic, few trains |
| Una | About 250 km | Broad gauge |
| Kiratpur Sahib | About 268 km | Broad gauge, on the route into the hills |
| Kalka | About 275 km | Broad gauge |
| Chandigarh | About 310 km | The most practical: many trains from Delhi, then bus or taxi |
| Pathankot | About 325 km | Better for Dharamshala first |

**The usual plan:** train from Delhi to Chandigarh, then an HRTC bus or taxi to Manali. If you are going to Dharamshala first, train to Pathankot; see our [Pathankot to Dharamshala guide](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/pathankot-to-dharamshala).

## How do you reach Manali from Dharamshala or McLeod Ganj?

By road, about **230 to 250 km and 7 to 9 hours**, via **Palampur, Baijnath, Joginder Nagar and Mandi**, then up the Kullu valley. There is no direct flight or train between the two.

- **Taxi:** the most flexible option; stop at Palampur’s tea gardens, Baijnath temple or Bir. [Book a Dharamshala to Manali taxi](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/taxi/dharamshala-to-manali-taxi).
- **HRTC bus:** direct buses run from Dharamshala; take the earliest one so you reach Manali in daylight.
- **Break the journey:** a night in Bir for [paragliding](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/paragliding) splits the drive well; see our [Bir travel guide](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/bir-travel-guide).

All route options, bus times and taxi costs are in our [Dharamshala to Manali guide](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/dharamshala-to-manali). For a full circuit, see the [Delhi, Dharamshala and Manali itinerary](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/himachal-itinerary-delhi-dharamshala-manali).

## When are the roads to Manali risky?

**Monsoon (July to September):** July and August average about 200 mm of rain each in Manali (IMD normals). Landslides near Mandi (4 Mile, Pandoh) and floods on the Beas regularly block the highway; in 2025 the Kullu-Manali road was cut for 21 days after the 26 August flood.

- Keep one or two spare days.
- Do not drive at night.
- Check road news (The Tribune’s Himachal pages, district administrations) on the morning you travel.

**Winter (December to February):** snow and black ice mostly affect the roads beyond Manali towards Solang and the Atal Tunnel, but heavy snow and holiday crowds also cause long jams in and around town, especially at Christmas and New Year. In January 2026, Business Today reported jams of up to 8 km and nearly full hotels in Manali during the first big snowfall. Read our [Manali in December and January guide](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/manali-in-december-january), and our [Rohtang Pass and Atal Tunnel status page](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/rohtang-pass-atal-tunnel-status) for the high roads.

Once you arrive, plan your days with our [Manali travel guide](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/manali-travel-guide) and [places to visit in Manali](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/places-to-visit-in-manali). For the Dharamshala leg, browse our checked [hotels in Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/hotels) and [treks](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/treks).

## What is confirmed and what is not (27 October 2026)

| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Kiratpur-Ner Chowk four-lane open (August 2023) | Confirmed, ETV Bharat |
| Deod and Hanogi tunnels open, one tube each (11 September 2026) | Reported, Daijiworld and CurlyTales |
| Second tubes of Deod and Hanogi | **No date announced** |
| Full two-way traffic on all Kullu-Manali stretches after the 2025 flood | **Not confirmed** |
| Manali green tax rates | Confirmed, official permit portal |
| Bhuntar flights after July 2026 | **Not verified**; check with Alliance Air |
| HRTC Delhi-Manali timings and fares | **Not verified**; check online.hrtchp.com |

## FAQs

**What is the best way to reach Manali from Delhi?**
For most people, an overnight bus: HRTC and private operators run Volvo and other buses from Delhi to Manali, about 550 km. Driving via Chandigarh, Kiratpur, Mandi and Kullu gives more freedom. Flying to Bhuntar (about 50 km from Manali) is fastest but seats are few, fares are high and flights are weather-sensitive.

**Which is the nearest railway station to Manali?**
Joginder Nagar, about 147 km away, is the nearest but it is a slow narrow-gauge line. The most practical broad-gauge stations are Chandigarh (about 310 km) and Kiratpur Sahib (about 268 km), from where you continue by bus or taxi. Manali has no railway station.

**Which airport is nearest to Manali?**
Kullu-Manali Airport at Bhuntar, about 52 km from Manali. Alliance Air has been its only airline, flying mainly to Delhi; in mid-2026 a daily Delhi-Kullu flight was reported until 31 July. Kangra (Gaggal) airport near Dharamshala and Chandigarh airport are alternatives, followed by a long road journey.

**How far is Manali from Chandigarh?**
About 280 to 300 km by road (Wikipedia gives 282 km, HPTDC 298 km), via Kiratpur, Bilaspur, Mandi and Kullu. The Kiratpur-Ner Chowk four-lane opened in 2023, and the Deod and Hanogi tunnels between Pandoh and Takoli opened in September 2026, which shortens the Mandi-Kullu stretch.

**Is the Chandigarh-Manali highway open after the 2025 floods?**
Yes, the highway is in use, but some stretches were rebuilt in stages. After the Beas flood of 26 August 2025, the Kullu-Manali section reopened after 21 days with one-way traffic on damaged stretches. We found no 2026 report confirming full two-way traffic everywhere, so check with your driver or hotel before you travel.

**Do outside cars pay a fee to enter Manali?**
Yes. Vehicles not registered in Himachal Pradesh pay a green tax to enter Manali: ₹200 for a car, ₹100 for a bike, ₹300 for a passenger vehicle and ₹500 for a goods vehicle. It is valid for seven days and is paid online at rohtangpermits.hp.gov.in, with a compulsory printout.

**How do I get from Dharamshala to Manali?**
By road only: about 230 to 250 km and 7 to 9 hours via Palampur, Baijnath, Joginder Nagar and Mandi. Take a direct HRTC bus early in the morning or hire a taxi, which lets you stop at Palampur, Baijnath or Bir. Aim to drive the Mandi to Manali stretch in daylight.

## Sources

- [Manali, Himachal Pradesh: distances, railheads, road route, airport and climate normals (Wikipedia, checked 27 October 2026)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manali,_Himachal_Pradesh)
- [Kullu-Manali Airport, Bhuntar: 52 km from Manali, runway, airline (Wikipedia, checked 27 October 2026)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kullu%E2%80%93Manali_Airport)
- [HPTDC The Log Huts, Manali: Bhuntar 49 km, Chandigarh 298 km (HPTDC, checked 27 October 2026)](https://hptdc.hp.gov.in/hotel-detail/3)
- [Alliance Air resumes daily direct Kullu-Delhi flight (The Tribune via Newswav, 25 June 2026; checked 27 October 2026)](https://newswav.com/article/alliance-air-resumes-daily-direct-kullu-delhi-flight-A2606_WbPOtY)
- [Kiratpur-Nerchowk four-lane thrown open in Bilaspur (ETV Bharat, 6 August 2023; checked 27 October 2026)](https://www.etvbharat.com/english/state/himachal-pradesh/kiratpur-nerchowk-four-lane-thrown-open-in-bilaspur/na20230806181736395395310)
- [2 tunnels to open in Himachal, cut Mandi-Kullu travel time by an hour (Daijiworld, 10 September 2026; checked 27 October 2026)](https://daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1325342)
- [Mandi to Kullu in minutes: two new tunnels open (CurlyTales, 11 September 2026; checked 27 October 2026)](https://curlytales.com/mandi-to-kullu-in-minutes-two-new-tunnels-are-set-to-change-travel-in-himachal/)
- [After 21 days, Kullu-Manali road temporarily opened for traffic (The Tribune, 17 September 2025; checked 27 October 2026)](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/after-21-days-kullu-manali-road-temporarily-opened-for-traffic)
- [Green tax for vehicles entering Manali (official permit portal, District Administration Kullu, checked 27 October 2026)](https://rohtangpermits.hp.gov.in/ManaliEntry/InformatoryScreen)
- [RTI questions utilisation of green tax in Manali; barrier at Aloo Ground (The Tribune, 6 June 2026; checked 27 October 2026)](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/funds-under-scanner-rti-questions-utilisation-of-green-tax-in-manali/)
- [8 km traffic jam and full hotels in Manali during snowfall (Business Today, 25 January 2026; checked 27 October 2026)](https://www.businesstoday.in/amp/india/story/8-km-long-traffic-jam-100-percent-hotel-occupancy-685-roads-shut-manali-nightmare-amid-snowfall-tourist-influx-512806-2026-01-25)
- [HRTC official online bus ticket booking (checked 27 October 2026)](https://online.hrtchp.com/oprs-web/)
- [Manali destination page: nearest airports and railway station (Incredible India, checked 27 October 2026)](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/himachal-pradesh/manali)

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