Manali to Mcleodganj

Manali and Mcleodganj are separated by an aerial distance of 82 kms only. But although the distance is minor, there are almost no direct flights that fly on the route. Most of them are either Via or Stop-Over flights with a huge layover time in between. Major operators on the route include Alliance Air and Air India etc. And not just the time, but the tickets are also on the more expensive side. Have a look at the details-
Departure Airport- Kullu Manali Airport
Arrival Airport- Gaggal Airport
Starting Ticket Fares- INR 19500
Approx. Time Taken- 7 hours to 47 hours (1+ Stops)

Since there are no railway stations either in Manali or in Mcleodganj, you will first have to take a bus from Manali to Jogindar Nagar which is the nearest railway station to it. From Jogindar Nagar, there are several trains available that can take you to Pathankot which is the nearest railway station to Mcleodganj. Again, from Pathankot, you will have to take a bus to reach Mcleodganj. Have a look at the details below-

Step 1: Manali to Jogindar Nagar in Bus

The total distance between Manali and Jogindar Nagar is around 144 kms which can be covered in a bus.
Starting Ticket Fares: INR 1199
Approx. Time Taken: 6 hours

Step 2: Jogindar Nagar to Pathankot in Train

Jogindar Nagar is a small dreamy railway station, closest to Manali. From here, around 4 to 6 toy trains run between Jogindar Nagar and Pathankot.
Boarding Station: Jogindar Nagar
Deboarding Station: Pathankot
Frequency of Trains: All Days
Starting Ticket Fares: INR 35
Approx. Time Taken: 5 hours to 10 hours

Step 3: Pathankot to Mcleodganj in Bus

Once you deboard at Pathankot, there are several buses and other public transport options available outside the railway station that can take you to Mcleodganj in no time.
Starting Ticket Fares: INR 250
Approx. Time Taken: 3 hours to 5 hours

The total distance of 223 kms between Manali and Mcleodganj can be best covered in a bus. There are several buses that run between Manali and Dharamshala. Mcleodganj is just around 6 kms from Dharamshala and you can cover that in local public transports like autos, shared jeeps and local taxis. The buses run on a daily basis between Manali and Dharamshala. Have a look at the details-
Boarding Points: Manali
Deboarding Points: Dharamshala
Starting Ticket Fares: INR 457
Approx. Time Taken: 8 hours to 9 hours

No doubt, the easiest way to travel from Manali to Mcleodganj is in a car. As the time taken is also less than the other means and you can also look out and admire the beautiful scenery on the way outside. The roads are so smooth and the air so pleasant that the drive makes for a good road trip experience. As you near Mcleodganj, you can spot the mighty Dhauladhar mountain ranges on the route. Stops on the way include Bajaura, Kandi Pass, Mandi, Nurpur, Pathankot and Kangra Valley. The total time taken for the journey is approximately 6 to 7 hours. The cab fares begin from INR 5500 and go up depending on the car and schedule that you choose.