Chandigarh to Kangra

Kangra is located 223 km away from Chandigarh. While there is a railway station in Kangra, there are no trains that connect Chandigarh to Kangra. Even the nearest airport, Gaggal Airport, is around 12 km away from the city. The only way to travel to Kangra from Chandigarh is by road. These places are well-connected by road, and there is a fleet of state transport (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) and private buses that ply from Chandigarh to Kangra.

Bus Facilities and Details
Fourteen buses run on this route daily, most of which are well-maintained and equipped with basic amenities. The minimum time a bus takes to reach Kangra from Chandigarh is 4 hours and 30 minutes. The buses operate around the clock, with the first bus departing at 1:00 and the last bus at 11:59. You could buy a bus ticket for Kangra from Sector 43 in Chandigarh or use online bus ticket booking services to reserve a bus seat of your preference. Some of the most popular private bus operators serving this route are Snow Region Tours, Laxmi Holidays, Northern Travels, and Ram Dalal Holidays.

Type of Buses Available

• Non AC Seater
• Non AC Semi Sleeper (2+2) 
• Volvo AC Seater (2+2)
• Volvo AC Semi Sleeper (2+2)
• Volvo AC Seater Semi Sleeper (2+2)

Starting Points in Chandigarh: Sector 43

Drop Points in Kangra:

• Bus Stand Kangra
• WoodLand showroom near the bus stand

Route Taken

Chandigarh - Kharar - Ropar - Swarghat - Una - Amb - Ranital - Kangra (223 km)

Bus Timings

Buses by private operators usually depart Chandigarh at night. Northern Travels, Laxmi Holidays and Snow Region Tours buses leave Chandigarh just a few minutes before midnight. If you want to go for an afternoon bus, then book a seat in an HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) bus. The HRTC buses leave Chandigarh for Kangra at frequent intervals starting from 11:40. 

Duration of the Journey

Typically, a bus ride will take you around 5 hours 30 minutes to reach Kangra from Chandigarh. The estimated time of travel may increase depending on the road, traffic and climate conditions at the time of visit.

Fares

The fare for a bus ticket on this route starts from INR 695 and goes as high as INR 2122 depending on the type of bus and seat and the bus operator you pick. 

Typical Stop Points

• Ghanauli
• Ajouli Morh Bus Stand
• Una
• Amb 
• Ranital

Road Conditions

The route from Chandigarh to Kangra is over NH503. The road leading from Chandigarh is well-maintained and ensures a comfortable journey. The last stretch of road that starts from Ranital and goes all the way to Kangra Valley is quite narrow and full of sharp turns. 

Tips

As landslides are quite frequent in Kangra Valley and the areas nearby, you should check the weather conditions before visiting. 

Alternatively, you can hail a private taxi or self-drive from Chandigarh to Kangra. A drive from Chandigarh should take you around 4 hours to reach Kangra depending on the type of vehicle and the number of halts you make along the way. With scenic views along the route, you are bound to have a memorable road trip. On your way to Kangra, you will encounter around four toll gates.

Cab Options
If you decide to take a taxi to Kangra, then either book online from online cab booking services like Gozocabs, Hippocabs, and Ahataxis or local taxi operators like Rk Taxi Service, Taxi Hire in Chandigarh, and Dev Travels. These taxis offer 24/7 services. A chauffeur-driven taxi will cost you more money than the self-drive option. However, with both self-drive or private car option, you can make as many pit stops as you like and enjoy the road trip to the fullest. 

Route Options

Route 1: Chandigarh - Ropar - Nangal - Una - Mabarakpur - Dehra - Kangra (fastest and preferred route) 

Route 2: Chandigarh - Hoshiarpur - Gagret - Mubarakpur - Dehra - Ranital - Kangra

Road Condition from Chandigarh to Kangra

National Highway 503 is in good condition. However, the road from Chandigarh to Anandpur Sahib experiences heavy traffic during peak hours. The small towns on the route like Una and Amb have narrow one-lane streets. Be wary of the potholes on the way and the curvy roads in the valley area. Also, be mindful of the fact that the road leading to Kangra is susceptible to landslides. 

Duration of the Journey

Ideally, by road, it should take you 4 hours 45 minutes to reach Kangra. The duration may increase in case of heavy traffic on the route or road closures due to landslides. 

Approximate Cost

The fuel cost for a road trip from Chandigarh to Kangra depends on the fuel efficiency of the car you travel in and the speed limit you maintain.
Fuel Charges
Typically, the fuel cost could be anywhere from INR 1500 to INR 2500.
Taxi Prices
If you opt for a private taxi, the approx cost will depend on the type of cab you pick for the journey. On an average, an AC 4 seater Hatchback (Indica, Swift, Wagon-R) or an AC 4 seater Sedan class (Indigo, Etios) should cost you around INR 3700, while an AC 6 seater SUV (Innova, Ertiga, Xylo) can cost INR 4700.

Eating Options On the Way

• Resto Junction, Kurali - Chandigarh Road
• D Star Tourist Dhaba, Khwaspura
• Sarai Bharatgarh, Kharota
• Sarwan Confectionary, Chatra

Possible Stopovers on the Way

• Anandpur Sahib, Ropar
• Chintpurni Temple, Una
• Bhakra Nangal Dam
• Ropar Wetland/Lake