When it comes to travel destinations, nestled in the lap of beautiful surroundings and picturesque views, there is none better than a place like Manali. This enchanting hill station, with its rolling hills shrouded by misty mountains, snow-capped summits, and green valleys gives way to a beautiful mountain town in the Himalayan feet that has become irresistible for adventurers and families. Be it an adventure enthusiast wanting to hit the outdoors or a peace-lover looking for solitude from worldly worries, Manali has just enough for everyone. Be it paragliding, trekking or soaking in the views, moments spent in this alpine getaway are bound to be memorable.
Start of the Journey To Manali
So, are you set to start your trip to this beautiful place? Here are the different ways of travelling from various Indian cities. Every route is kind of an adventure in itself that sets the place for your stay in Manali.
From Delhi To Manali
From the vibrant capital, Delhi, you have a few adventurous options to reach Manali.
- By Air: Kullu Airport, located about 50 km from Manali, is the nearest airport. Take a flight to Kullu Airport from Indira Gandhi International Airport that takes near about 1 hours. There are taxi available from Kullu which will take you to your destination 1.5 hr before reaching Manali. You can book them from sites like MakeMyTrip or ClearTrip at some good price.
- By Road: The adventurous way is to take a bus from Delhi. Many private and state-owned buses operate on this route, which takes approximately 12-14 hours depending on traffic. The trail takes you through the beautiful hill areas with amazing views. Head to Thrillophilia for bus details & packages.
- By Train and Road: Have an option of coming to Chandigarh or Pathankot by train than bus or taxi from there to Manali. This will take a total of 12-16 hours of travel time.
From Mumbai To Manali
Your best option for a direct path to Manali is by air, especially if you are making your way from the bustling city of Mumbai.
- By Air: Fly to Kullu from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. It is actually around a 2-hour journey followed by a 1.5–hour taxi from here to Manali.
- By Train + Road: Take a train to Delhi and proceed with the routes from Delhi as mentioned above. Expect this to take a few hours at least your journey, but you’ll have an amazing opportunity to be immersed in the landscapes.
From Hyderabad To Manali
Even for people from the Deccan region, travelling to Manali can be an adventure in itself.
- By Air: You can take a direct flight from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport to Kullu which will take you approximately 2 hours. Then end up with a taxi ride from Manali for a quick and fast track.
- Train and Road: You can also visit by train to Delhi, then follow the Delhi routes. From start to finish, the whole process can take anywhere from 16–20 hours long.
From Bangalore To Manali
A good 15 or so minutes more travel for Bangaloreans.
- By Air : Kempegowda International Airport, which is 20 km away from the city centre, offers direct flight to Kullu but via Delhi and it takes about 4-5 hours of travelling time including the layover.
- By Train & Road: Alternatively, you can take a train to New Delhi and proceed as above. All in all, this will be about 20–24 hours.
From Chennai To Manali
For all the Chennai travelers, flying is your best option.
- By Air: Directly reachable only by helicopter, a flight from Chennai International Airport to Kullu will take approximately 3-4 hours with layover time included.
- Train and RoadTrip: The second option here would be to take a train to Delhi and take a bus from there to Manali. Assume the whole travel will be 24-30 hours.
From Trivandrum
If you are from the very bottom of India, Trivandrum, going to Manali is nothing less than an experience on its own.
- By Air (5-6 Hrs): Book a flight from Delhi to Kullu with connecting flights.
- Rail & Road: Or go to Ernakulam or Chennai, take the train to Delhi, and follow one of the routes above.
From Kolkata:
Direct flight to Kullu (approx 2 hours with layover).
From Bhubaneswar:
Like Kolkata, book a flight to Delhi and then the rest of the road will take you Manali.
How to Get the Most from Your Trip To Manali
- Travel Light – The hill station is an adventurous destination so travel light. Plan for things that you might need, but go for more of the spontaneity of exploring here!
- Plan Weather Wise: The ideal time to visit ranges from March to June for pleasant climbs, and December to February for snow range.
- Book Early: From flights to trains to hotels, early booking means you will save money and hassle.
- Don’t Stick to Main Attraction :Discover the Unobvious Spend some time around the lesser-known trails and local markets for some of the authentic feel.
So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, carry your camera and get ready to weave a tapestry of memories in the stunning vistas of the hill station. And be sure to read how to reach Manali on other sources such as TripAdvisor and Thrillophilia. Happy travels!
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