When it comes to the hill stations of India, Manali tops the list. Located in one of the most scenic parts of the Himalayas, Manali has always attracted explorers, sages, philosophers, travellers and the British! Manali has always been synonymous with a fun family getaway on the hills. Over time it has become one of the top choices for a holiday on the hills inviting people of all ages and all backgrounds from literally all over the world. With the river meandering through the valley supplying water to the lush forests and the people, once you have been to Romania you will understand the obsession people have with it. Reaching Manali is not difficult because the government has taken some much-needed steps in creating good quality roads, increased the number of flights and trains to its closest sources and offered cab, buses and taxi services as well.
If you are wondering how to get to Manali then here’s how:
By Road
Utilizing the roadway to reach Manali is one of the best ways of getting to Manali. This has to be a great way to save some money while travelling and take in some incredible views that will come on the way. If you are planning to travel by car or by bike, then the first thing you need to know is that the roads leading up to Manali are in good condition.
People from other parts of India make their way to Delhi and book a cab or a private or government-run bus to Manali. It is generally a 12 to 14-hour road journey covering over 500 kms in that time. The hill station is also very well connected through bus services to its nearby small towns as well like Shimla, Chandigarh, Ambala among others. You can also choose from AC Volvo services or non-AC services as well if travelling on a budget.
If you experience motion sickness then it would be wise for you to take an anti-motion sickness medicine. This is because the roads beyond Mandi, which is the final, leg of the trip, Zig Zag a little too much. There are many apps like redBus that will enable you to book your choice of a bus ticket from anywhere and anytime.
By Train
When it comes to train journeys, there is no direct train or railway station available in Manali which caters to trains coming in from different parts of the country. The nearest railway station is situated in Chandigarh from where Manali is just over 200 kms. People normally take a train from Delhi to Chandigarh and then book a cab service or rent a car. Another nearby railway station for Manali is located in Kalka which is close to 300 kms away and from Ambala Cantt which is a little over 300 kms away.
Some Popular train routes for Manali include Kolkata – Jammu Tawi Express, Howrah – Amritsar Express, New Delhi – Amritsar Shatabdi Express, Howrah – Kalka Mail, New Delhi Kalka Shatabdi Express etc. All these trains run at full capacity or maximum capacity almost every time of the year so it is important to book your train tickets to Manali as soon as possible!
By Flight
This has to be one of the least preferred ways of getting to Manali by air because of the high altitude, uncertain weather conditions and difficult terrain that does not allow a safe flight journey on many occasions leading to cancellations. However, if you wish to save on time then the nearest airport to Manali is in Bhuntar which is about 50 kms away from Manali and just 10 kms away from Kullu valley. It is a small airport that caters to small domestic flights from Delhi and Chandigarh which are also very expensive.
The only 2 flight carriers that function in Bhuntar are air India and Himalayan bulls. Sadly their services are irregular and the flight tickets cost an exorbitant amount. Once you reach Bhuntar airport you can book a pre-paid taxi service that will drop you off in Manali. However, this is not the best travel option if you are travelling on a budget and are looking for a dependable way to get around.
Reaching Manali is not very difficult especially if you live nearby and have your own mode of travelling. We would suggest that you stick to the road routes even while travelling in a bus because that is the surest and the most dependable way of getting there.
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