There are five ways to reach Manali from Chandigarh. You can use a bus, a train, a flight, or by yourself. You could also book a cab or a motorcycle and ride to Manali.

A bus is preferable if you want to see the scenic landscape along the way. But if you are running late and can afford flight tickets, then flying to the Bhuntar airport is the most convenient option. However, you’ll need a taxi to take you from the airport to Manali town.

In this post, you’ll learn various travel alternatives from Chandigarh to Manali. 

Let’s get started.

Reach Manali from Chandigarh By Bus

The road distance from Chandigarh to Manali is around 271 kilometers. Travelling this distance by Volvo bus takes eight to nine hours. You’ll need to catch your ride at ISBT Sector 43 or Tribune Chowk.

You can travel with private bus operators like IntrCity and Zingbus or Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses such as Volvo or Scania.

While the journey could be tiresome for some travellers, it offers an epic adventure. If it’s your first time in Manali by bus, you will appreciate the beautiful scenery on your way, including the Pinjore Gardens, Sundernagar Lake, Pondo Dam, Hills and Naggar Castle.

Besides, there are many benefits of travelling to Manali from Chandigarh by bus:

Cost-effectiveness: Bus travel is much cheaper than taking a flight or hiring a cab. Bus tickets are affordable, and there are no hidden costs. The bus fare ranges between ₹ 539 to ₹ 945 depending on the bus operator and season.

Comfort:  Traveling to Manali by Volvo offers ample legroom, comfortable seats, GPS, CCTV, Emergency Exit, Fire Extinguisher, Water Bottle, First Aid Box, charging ports, and air conditioning, making them more convenient and less tiring.

Reliability: Traveling with reputable buses gives you access to skilled drivers and well-maintained vehicles. They also follow strict schedules, making them a more reliable mode of transport from Chandigarh to Manali.

Flexibility: It does not matter what time you intend to travel. Whether you want to depart at dawn, during the day, or at night, you will find a bus that suits your schedule.

Chandigarh to Manali Bus Timings and Fare

If you travel with ISBT buses, you can choose your travel time. Generally, travelling at night and early in the morning is more costly than travelling during other times.

According to the ISBT travel schedule, it may cost around ₹ 539 to ₹ 945 minutes to reach Manali from Chandigarh, as shown in the table below.

Bus Operator	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Price
ZingBus	01:30 AM	08:00 AM	₹511
ZingBus	04:55 AM	12:10 PM	₹621
HRTC Ordinary	08:45 AM	07:00 PM	₹559
HRTC Volvo	12:00 PM	08:45 AM	₹945
Inter City Smart Bus	03:10 AM	09:25 PM	₹509
Inter City Smart Bus	03:40 AM	10:25 PM	₹576

Chandigarh to Manali via Flight

To fly to Manali from Chandigarh, your journey should begin at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Punjab. It is the closest airport to Chandigarh. You can book a flight to the Kullu-Manali Airport, also known as Bhuntar Airport. 

Ticket prices may vary by booking time and availability. Some websites, such as Expedia, Ixigo, Goibibo, and InterMiles, offer online flight tickets from ₹1890 to ₹12059. 

Unlike using a bus that takes more than eight hours, reaching Manali from Chandigarh via flight can take only one hour. However, you may need to connect some parts of the journey with a cab or a taxi. For example, upon arrival at Bhuntar Airport, you’ll need to travel by road for another hour and 18 minutes to reach Manali town.

That means you need around two hours for the whole journey.

Pros of travelling to Manali from Chandigarh by flight	Cons of travelling to Manali by flight
Instead of spending eight hours on the road, you’ll spend only about two hours	Flights are generally more costly than buses and trains
It can save you time, allowing you enough time to explore Manali.	Few flights go to Manali
Flights offer more comfort, unlike the tiring road trips	The flights may be cancelled or delayed due to extreme weather conditions
Flights offer unique and breathtaking aerial views of the Himalayas

Manali’s weather consists mainly of heavy snowfall, fog, rain, and thunderstorms. Check your weather report to choose a travel time that is less likely to affect your flight.

How to Reach Manali from Chandigarh via Train

The third way to reach Manali from Chandigarh is by train. As with flights, there is no direct train to Manali. You’ll need to use a train for part of the journey and finish the rest on a bus.

You should board a train at Chandigarh Railway Station and alight at Kalka Railway Station, a 35-kilometre journey. The first train, Netaji Express, leaves Chandigarh at 02:25 and arrives at Kalka at 03:00. Kalka Express is the cheapest, but Shatabadi trains are the fastest. 

You’ll need a fare worth ₹110 to ₹750, depending on the class you’ve booked.

Upon arriving in Kalka, you’ll take the famous toy train to Shimla. The fare for the toy train ranges from ₹65 for a general ticket to ₹500 for a first-class ticket. This train winds through some of the most scenic places in Himachal Pradesh. You’ll see snow-capped peaks, serene forests, waterfalls, and historic tunnels. This part of the journey takes five to six hours.

The final part of the journey, from Shimla to Manali, takes less than seven hours by bus. The bus fare from Shimla to Manali ranges from ₹300 to ₹800.

Departure	Destination	Mode	Fare ( ₹)
Chandigarh Railway Station	Kalka Railway Station	Train	₹110 to ₹750
Kalka Railway Station	Shimla	Toy train	₹65 – ₹500
Shimla	Manali	Bus	₹300 – ₹800

Pros of Choosing a Train for Your Journey	Cons of Choosing a Train for Your Journey
Witness breathtaking views of the Himalayas mountains	There is no direct train
Adequate legroom and comfort compared to buses	The journey is time-consuming
Perfect for travellers looking for a much slower means of transport to Manali

How to Reach Manali from Chandigarh on a Private Vehicle

The journey from Chandigarh to Manali is pretty straightforward. For starters, Google Maps or GPS can help you navigate more effectively. You’ll reach Manali in six to seven hours.

The fuel and maintenance costs can be around ₹4000 to ₹6000.

However, traffic congestion, weather conditions, and toll booths can make the journey more time-consuming. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition to avoid potential delays from technical malfunctions.

Here are some pros and cons of choosing to drive your private car to Manali from Chandigarh

Pros	Cons
Offers significant flexibility	The winding roads and challenging terrain can stress new drivers
It is more affordable	The cost of fuel and vehicle maintenance is on you
It maximizes personal comfort

Book a Cab from Chandigarh to Manali

You can also book a cab to take you to Manali from Chandigarh. Cab service providers like Journeyio Cabs can offer sedans, SUVs, and hatchbacks at affordable costs. 

The best thing about booking a cab is that you can sit back and enjoy your journey without the stress of driving. This is even more relieving if you are not comfortable driving in the hilly and windy terrains of Himachal Pradesh. 

A professional driver will take six to eight hours to complete the 271-kilometer journey.

Here are the pros and cons of booking a cab:

Pros of booking a cab from Chandigarh to Manali

• No need to drive
• Comfort and convenience
• Drivers familiar with the route can ensure a safe journey
• There is no need for multiple transfers along the way

Cons

• It can be much more costly than public transport

Summary

Mode of Transport	Estimated Travel Time (Hours)	Estimated Cost
Bus	8-9	₹539 – ₹945
Flight	2	₹1890 – ₹12059
Train	10-13	₹475 to ₹2050
Private Vehicle	6-7	₹4000 to ₹6000
Cab	6-8	₹3500 to ₹8000

The Best Way to Reach Manali from Chandigarh

You can get to Manali from Chandigarh by bus, flight, train, or cab. To arrive fast, take a flight. Consider a train if you’d rather come slowly while enjoying the breathtaking scenes along the way. But if the cost is high, take a bus from Chandigarh.Contact Journeyio today for customized travel packages from Chandigarh to Manali.