One of the most sought-after hill stations in India, Manali welcomes visitors from across the country. If you’re from Maharashtra and want to reach Manali from Mumbai, this guide has everything you need. From all transport options to distance and price, we have you covered.
How to reach Manali from Mumbai
Here are different ways to travel to Manali from Mumbai. The one you choose will depend on your travel goals and the experiences you wish to have:
4 Ways to Manali from Mumbai
By flight
Flying from Manali to Mumbai is the cheapest, most cost-effective, and least time-consuming way to arrive. Direct flights from Mumbai to Manali are available with airline companies like Indigo, Akasa Air, Air India, Spice Jet, and more. There are daily flights to transport you from Mumbai’s busy beaches to Manali’s tranquil sceneries, which will ease your travel plans.
Things to note
| Price | Average flight cost ranges between Rs. 4500 to Rs. 5500 |
| Departure | Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM) |
| Arrival | Kullu Manali Airport (KUU) |
| Time | 2 hours 10 minutes |
By car
Mumbai to Manali is quite far by road, as you need to cross Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Delhi before reaching Himachal. But if your travel goals need you to take breaks and cover more places of interest, you can plan accordingly. Stopping to spend a day at Jaipur or Delhi can help you explore these cities or take time to rest.
If you book a car or bring your own, you should come via NH 48. The total distance of this trip will be 1945 km and can cover popular sites on the way. Here is a list of cities you can choose to stop by depending on the amount of time you want to spend and the places of interest:
- Surat: Dumas Beach and Surat Castle
- Udaipur: City Palace, Gangaur Ghat, and Fateh Sagar Lake
- Ajmer: Khawaja Gharib Nawaz, Anasagar Lake, and Government Museum
- Jaipur: Pink City, Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort
- Delhi: Red Fort, Old Fort, and Qutub Minar
Things to note
| Price | Approximate taxi fare Rs. 20,000 |
| Departure | Carjee Car Rentals, Savaari Car Rentals Private Limited, Milan Travels Car Rental (Mumbai) |
| Time | 32 to 36 hours |
By bus
No Mumbai to Manali bus service is available as the distance between the two destinations is too long for bus journeys. However, you can break your journey across states and opt for NH 52 to explore other sites that fall on the way. Here is the list of cities you can explore and sites of tourist interest:
| Bus 1 | Mumbai to Nashik to explore places like Nasik Caves, Someshwar Water Fall, and Shri Kalaram Temple |
| Bus 2 | Nashik to Kota to explore places like Kotah Garh and Chambal Riverfront |
| Bus 3 | Kota to Jaipur to explore Pink City and forts |
| Bus 4 | Jaipur to Chandigarh/Manali |
It is important to note that there are limited bus services available between Jaipur and Manali. Still, there are more options available between Jaipur and Chandigarh. You can come to Chandigarh and take another bus to Manali.
Things to note
| Price | bus prices differ from government-owned cheap options that range from Rs. 50 to Rs. 200 and above, to luxury options that cost Rs. 800 to Rs. 1500 depending on route and distance. |
| Distance | The route by road will cover more than 1950 km depending on where you halt and for how long. |
| Time | 2 to 4 days or more, depending on the time you wish to stay at each stop |
By train
There is no train from Mumbai to Manali, but you can always come to Chandigarh. Trains take 25 to 27 hours to reach, after which buses and cars are the only mode of transportation to Manali by road. A bus ride from Chandigarh to Manali will take 8 hours, making your total travel time 34-35.
Things to note
| Price | Train seats range from sleeper class options that start around Rs. 690 to A1 compartments costing Rs. 4000 and above. Buses from Chandigarh to Manali cost Rs. 500 to Rs. 2000, depending on the seat quality. Car rides cost Rs. 4000 to Rs. 6500 when booking a personal vehicle between these cities. |
| Distance | 1605 km |
| Time | 26 hours by train from Mumbai and 6-8 hours by bus/car from Chandigarh |
Mumbai to Manali
Now that you know how to reach Manali from Mumbai in detail, let us have a quick overview:
| Mode of transport | Distance | Duration | Price |
| Mumbai to Manali by Flight | 1,526 km | 2 hours 10 minutes (approx.) | Rs. 5500 (avg.) |
| Mumbai to Manali by Car | 1,958 km | 36 hours | Rs. 20,000 (avg.) |
| Mumbai to Manali by Bus | 1,950 km | 2-4 days | Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 8,000 |
| Mumbai to Chandigarh by Train | 1,665 km | 26 hours | Rs. 700 to Rs. 4500 |
Final thoughts
If you ask me how to reach Manali from Mumbai in the most convenient way possible, I would say by flight. This is simply because of the price, time duration, and least physical effort required to be put in.
Since Manali is a hill station, the terrain is much different from that of a beach destination like Mumbai. You will need some time to acclimate and conserve energy to have adventurous experiences.
FAQ’S
How can I go to Manali from Mumbai?
You can travel to Manali from Mumbai by flight, car, or train. While there are no direct trains to the hill station, a train to Chandigarh would be most convenient. You can also cover the distance by bus, but the journey will not be as convenient as other options.
Which is the nearest airport to Manali from Mumbai?
There are direct flights from Mumbai to Kullu Manali Airport, which is the closest to Manali.
What is the easiest way to reach Manali?
The easiest way to reach Manali is by flight. You need to reach KUU and then take a car to Manali town.