Amritsar to Dharamsala

Dharamsala is easily accessible from Amritsar by Indian roadways via a 227-kilometre stretch. So, taking a bus ride is a feasible option, but there are only two buses that ply between the two destinations daily. Usually, it is the Himachal Road Transport Corporation buses that go via the scenic surroundings and locations in between. Two routes lead to Dharamsala from Amritsar and depending on the stop points; the bus operator would take one of the courses.

Type of Buses Available

There are just two Himachal State Road Transport Corporation Buses that ply between Amritsar and Dharamsala. One is an ordinary non A/C Seater Bus while the other is an A/C Volvo – Scania bus.

Routes Taken

 The route chosen to reach Dharamsala depends on the locations the bus operator would cover. If the bus is scheduled to stop at Jalandhar, then the route is via NH 3. If the expected stop is at Patiala or Pathankot, then the course would be via NH 54.

Bus Timings 

1. Himachal State Road Transport Corporation (Ordinary Non A/C Seater)

Timing: Departure – 12:00 IST, Arrival – 06:40 PM IST
Duration: 6 hours 35 minutes
Fare: INR 300/- approximately

2. Himachal State Road Transport Corporation (Volvo – Scania A/C Seater)

Timing: Departure – 06:40 PM IST, Arrival – 11:30 PM IST
Duration: 4 hours 50 minutes
Fare: INR 620/-approximately

Duration of the Journey: 6 hours 30 minutes approximately

Fare 

A non A/C Seater Ordinary bus ticket would cost around INR 300/- while a ride in the Volvo Scania A/C Seater would cost approximately INR 620/- per person.

Typical Stop Points

• Patiala
• Pathankot
• Jalandhar
• Amb
• Bhawan
• Nurpur
• Jawali
• Dinanagar
• Gurdaspur

The stop points depend on the route taken.

Road Conditions

The buses could take either the NH 54 route that goes via Patiala and Pathankot or the NH 3 route that goes via Jalandhar and Amb. Both the ways are part of the network of national and state highways, which are decently maintained four-lane highways with regular toll booths and signboards. Usually, both the routes have medium level traffic; however, during peak hours, the traffic is heavy and slow-moving too.

Tips

 Travellers must book their tickets in advance to avoid travel hassles.

Since just two buses head to Dharamsala from Amritsar, driving down or renting a cab to reach Dharamsala is the second most preferred option among travellers. This mode of transport also provides more convenience and comfort, even if it is a little on the costlier side. A group of friends or family members can plan a thrilling road trip via one of the two routes that go through the picturesque surroundings of Himachal Pradesh.

Amenities on the Way
The national highways have toll booths and food courts on the way. The course also goes through many small towns and hamlets where travellers can spend a few hours either exploring the region or just maybe for a quick snack.

Cab Services
Those who do not wish to drive can book a cab easily in Amritsar either through a Tour and Travel company or one of the many online cab service providers. Booking and confirmations can be made instantly on the websites for a hatchback, a sedan, a sports utility vehicle or a minivan depending on the number of people travelling.
Top Picks
Some of the frequently used sites for cab bookings are Clear Car Rental, Hire Me Car, Book Cab, Map Cabs etc. These bookings can either be for a drop only to Dharamsala, a return or a complete tour package that includes sightseeing and a return journey.

Route Options

Route 1: The NH 54 Route (via Pathankot)

Approximate Distance and Duration: 208 Kilometres, 4 hours 45 minutes approximately
Route:
NH 3/ Elevated Road – NH 3/ NH 54/ AH 1/ AH 2 – Verka Bypass/ NH 54 – NH 44 – Pathankot Gurdaspur Road – Service Road – Jalandhar Dalhousie Bypass – Guru Ravidas Chowk – Chambi Dharamsala Road – SH 17/ Dharamsala Road – Shamnagar Gurudwara Road. Dharamsala is about 700 metres away from Shamnagar Gurudwara Road.

2. The NH 3 – NH 503 Route (via Jalandhar)

Approximate Distance and Duration: 227 Kilometres, 5 hours 40 minutes approximately
Route:
Elevated Road/ NH 3 – G T Road/ NH 3/ AH 1/ AH 2 – Khatarpur Kishangarh Road/ Kishangarh Road – Adampur Kishangarh Road – NH 3 – Bharwain Road/ NH 503 – NH 303/ NH 503/ NH 23 – Kangra Bypass – NH 154 Bypass Chowk – Gaggal Chowk – Dharamsala Gaggal Road – SH 17/ MDR 44/ Yol Road - Shamnagar Gurudwara Road. Dharamsala is about 700 metres ahead from Shamnagar Gurudwara Road.

Road Conditions

The roads that lead to Dharamsala are a part of the network of national and state highways. Each route is a four-lane highway with toll booths. These routes are well maintained with regular road markings unless there are weather-affected road patches which can increase the incidence of accidents and complexities. Otherwise, both the routes witness light to medium traffic. The road goes through scenic surroundings, and one can expect a smooth and enjoyable drive pretty much most of the stretch.

Duration of the journey: 6 hours 30 minutes approximately

Approximate Cost

The cost depends on the type of vehicle chosen, the distance driven, and overnight stays if any. An approximation of a one-way (drop only) cab/ taxi ride would be around INR 4100/- for a hatchback and a sedan, around INR 5300/- for a sports utility vehicle, approximately INR 9200/- for a premium ride and about INR 9900/- for an air-conditioned tempo traveller. 

Eating Options on the Way

There are several restaurants along the national highways that lead to Dharamsala from Amritsar. But, some, located a little away from the highway, are incredibly famous for the delicious food they serve. Some of these restaurants are Food and Rasoi Ghar, Titanic Restaurant, Shri Satrayan Chaat Bhandar, Highway Taste Restaurant, Pind Balluchi, Sharma Bhojan Bhandar, Hill View Restaurant, Sagar Ratna, Firangi Dhaba, Mehami Vaishno Dhaba, Satkar Hotel and Restaurant, 4 Seasons Restaurant, Great Punjab Celebration etc. There are also several coffee shops and International Chain of restaurants like Café Coffee Day, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, McDonald’s etc. on both the routes.

Possible Stopovers on the Way

• Jalandhar
• Hoshiarpur
• Amb
• Bhawan
• Patiala
• Gurdaspur
• Pathankot
• Nurpur

Dharamsala has no railhead of its own. The closest railway station is the Pathankot Railway Junction which is located about 85 kilometres away. There is an ample number of trains operating between Amritsar and Pathankot, but from Pathankot, travellers would have to opt for another mode of transport to reach Dharamsala. They can easily find at least 5 to 6 trains on any given day and can choose to ride the one most convenient to them.

Train Options Available

Most of the trains that operate between Amritsar and Pathankot are General Passenger trains. Some of the frequently plying Express Trains are the BTI JAT Express, ASR PTK Passenger, Tata Jat Express, Ravi Express, ASR PTK DMU and the DLI PTK SF Express.

Starting Station: Amritsar Railway Junction
Drop Station: Pathankot Railway Junction

Train Timings

The trains departing from Amritsar are scheduled such that there is at least one train available to go to Pathankot every two hours. The earliest train departs around 01:20 AM IST while the last train departs around 08:15 PM IST.

Duration of the Journey: 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes

Fare

Fares depend on the class of seat chosen by the travellers. The general passenger train ticket would cost INR 25/- per person while a Sleeper Class would cost around INR 150/- per person. A second-class (2S) is usually priced around INR 70/-, a Chair Car (CC) would cost around INR 275/- and a 3-tier (3A) would cost approximately INR 500/- per ticket.

Preferable Local Transport from the Drop Station

From Pathankot Railway Station, travellers need to take a taxi ride as buses do not frequently operate on the route. The route is an 85-kilometres stretch and requires approximately 45 minutes of travel time to reach Dharamsala.

Tips

The route taken from Pathankot Railway Station goes via Dalhousie Road/ Sarani GT Road – NH 154 – Chambi Dharamsala Road – Dharamsala Road. Dharamsala is about a kilometre from Dharamsala Road and goes via Shamnagar Gurudwara Road.

While Amritsar has its airport, Dharamsala does not. The one nearest is the Kangra Airport, located about 13 kilometres to the south-east of Dharamsala. There are flights connecting the two airports, but none of the flights are direct ones. So, this mode of transport is not often recommended for travellers. But, if one has to take a flight, they need to be prepared for at least a 24-hour journey.

Nearest Airport: Kangra Airport, Gaggal 

Direct or Indirect Flight Options Available

No direct flights connect Amritsar and Gaggal; there are only indirect ones with at least one stop/ layover in between. Air India frequently flies between the two destinations; however, airlines like IndiGo and Jet Airways also fly from Amritsar to Gaggal occasionally. The flight time lasts anything between 5 to 25 hours, depending on the stopovers or layovers.

While Amritsar has its airport, Dharamsala does not. The one nearest is the Kangra Airport, located about 13 kilometres to the south-east of Dharamsala. There are flights connecting the two airports, but none of the flights are direct ones. So, this mode of transport is not often recommended for travellers. But, if one has to take a flight, they need to be prepared for at least a 24-hour journey.

Nearest Airport: Kangra Airport, Gaggal 

Direct or Indirect Flight Options Available

No direct flights connect Amritsar and Gaggal; there are only indirect ones with at least one stop/ layover in between. Air India frequently flies between the two destinations; however, airlines like IndiGo and Jet Airways also fly from Amritsar to Gaggal occasionally. The flight time lasts anything between 5 to 25 hours, depending on the stopovers or layovers.

Preferable Local Transport Available from the Airport

The most preferably local transport available from the airport is the local taxi. Passengers can agree to pay on meter-basis or a pre-decided fare for the 25-minute drive from Kangra Airport.