A magical milieu of cultures, the Himalayan town of Manali is one of the oldest and most popular mountain destinations in India. The exquisite views of the Greater Himalayas, ancient Hindu and Buddhist communities, and the vibrant international culture have made this place a respite for wandering souls and travellers with a love for quirky locales. Book a Delhi car rental for the best experience on your effortless journey to Manali from Delhi by road and other means of travel.
Table of Contents
- Why travel from Delhi to Manali?
- Traveling from Delhi to Manali by road
- Best time to take a road trip by car
- How to Reach Manali By Train
- How to Reach Manali By Flight
- Attractions in Manali for Sightseeing
- Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Manali
- Hotels and resorts – Accommodation in Manali
- Nearby Roadtrips
Why Travel from Delhi to Manali?
With endless views of the breathtaking Greater Himalayas on one hand and the colourful multi-cultural communities on the other, Manali has become the ‘it’ locale for wanderers, artistic souls, and seekers of all things mystical. When you book a road trip from Delhi to Manali with Savaari, you can enhance your experience by enjoying everything that lies on the way, you can turn your drive into a fun-filled journey and also customize the trip to your liking, travel time, and budget. With Savaari’s Delhi taxi service, you can transform your drive into an enjoyable and exciting journey, while also customizing it according to your preferences, travel time, and budget.
Travelling from Delhi to Manali by Road
A trip from Delhi to Manali by road is the best way to experience the shifting cultures from the metros to the smaller towns, and villages, and finally into the pine-laden hills and lush valleys of Himachal. When you book a Delhi to Manali cab with Savaari, you will get to enjoy the rustic landscape of Haryana and Punjab, and the scenic mountain views of Himachal Pradesh. You can also book a cab from Delhi airport when you reach their by flight. With our completely customizable trip packages, you can stop at any of these places and do quick sightseeing. Let us help you discover the best routes to travel from Delhi to Manali by car.
Quick Facts about Delhi to Manali
| Road Distance from Delhi to Manali | 550 kms |
| Aerial Distance from Delhi to Manali | 403 kms |
| Travel Time for Delhi to Manali by Road | 11 hours |
| Travel Time for Delhi to Manali by Train | 8 hours |
| Travel Time for Delhi to Manali by Flight | 1 hours and 20 minutes |
| Best Routes | Delhi to Manali Via NH 44 |
| Delhi to Manali Via NH 9 | |
| Best time to visit | April- June (Summers) and December-February (Winters) |
Best time to Take a Road trip from Delhi to Manali
The weather in Manali can be defined as classic mountain weather, with chilly and snowy winters and pleasant, warm summers. The rainy season, between July and September, sees heavy rainfall and floods in the region, causing landslides and roadblocks. So, depending on your travel goals, you can visit Manali either in summer or winter. If you want to experience snowfall, then the period between December and February is the best time to visit. Otherwise, to enjoy all outdoor activities, the spring-summer months are better when the temperature is very conducive. The snowfall time here can vary year on year, so check the forecast before travelling.
Popular Routes from Delhi to Manali
Route 1: Distance and time taken from Delhi to Manali Via NH 44
Delhi to Manali distance via this route is 536 kms and takes about 12 hours to reach. The road condition is good and can be taken by travellers who wish to stop by scenic locations on their way.
| Delhi — Kurukshetra – Chandigarh — Shimla — Naggar — Manali |
|---|
Popular Places to Visit along the way
- Panipat – Take a tour of the historic battlefield of Panipat and its associated memorial and museum.
- Kurukshetra – You can visit the tranquil Brahma Sarovar and sites from Mahabharat.
- Chandigarh – If you have time, you can take a quick tour of the most planned and beautiful city of India and see its iconic monuments.
- Bilaspur – You can glimpse the Bhakra-Nagal Dam from a distance.
- Mandi – A major transport and trading junction, Mandi is famous for Prashar Lake and Rewalsar Lake.
- Kullu – You can get the first look at the Himalayan ranges from here. Kullu Market near the highway is also a good place to stop by for tea and Tibetan trinkets.
- Naggar – Stop by the ancient Naggar Castle.
Places to eat on the way
- Haveli, Murthal, Haryana – Landmark highway side family restaurant and food complex with themed setting and plush interiors.
- Amrik Sukhdev, Sonipat – Popular and busy highway side eatery with multi-cuisine buffet and a la carte options, good for families and large groups.
- Pooran Singh Da Dhaba, Ambala Cantt.– Family-owned old dhaba famous for home-style lunches.
- Bahadur Dhaba, Bilaspur – Local eatery, popular among travelers, offering traditional meals and quick bites.
- Chawla’s, Mandi – One of the oldest eateries on this highway offering Punjabi delicacies and popular among travelers.
Delhi to Manali Road Condition Via NH 44
This is the fastest route to travel from Delhi to Manali and is used by most travelers. This route has standard highway tolls and the road conditions are better since there are no road closures. You can also easily hire a Delhi tempo traveller to reach your destination.
Route 2: Distance and time taken from Delhi to Manali Via NH 9
Delhi to Manali distance Via NH 9
This is a longer route to travel from Delhi to Manali than the previous one and also takes a little more time. Also, the road conditions on this route are variable. The distance from Delhi to Manali on this route is around 592 KM and takes about 14 hours. To avoid road closures, always check for the latest updates and follow a live map when travelling to get the best idea of Delhi to Manali road conditions. Here’s a basic Delhi to Manali road map for this route:
| Delhi — Hansi — Patiala – Mandi — Manali |
|---|
Places to see on the way
- Patiala – Take a tour of the 18th-century royal palace of Qila Mubarak or the mirrored palace of Sheesh Mahal, the erstwhile residence of the Maharaja of Patiala.
- Swarghat – You can take a detour to the tranquil surroundings of the Gobindsagar Lake.
- Bilaspur – You can glimpse the Bhakra-Nagal Dam from a distance.
- Mandi – A major transport and trading junction, Mandi is famous for Prashar Lake and Rewalsar Lake.
- Kullu – You can get the first look at the Himalayan ranges from here. Kullu Market near the highway is also a good place to stop by for tea and Tibetan trinkets.
- Naggar – Stop by the ancient Naggar Castle.
Places to eat on the way
- Star Highway, Rhotak – Highway side eatery, popular among travelers for late-night food options.
- Bhai Ji Da Dhaba, Hansi – Classic highway dhaba serving, traditional home-style meals.
- Chawla’s Chicken Treat, Patiala – A locally famous eatery specializing in chicken dishes.
- Heritage Haveli, Rupnagar – Village-themed, family restaurant serving North Indian food.
- Bahadur Dhaba, Bilaspur – A local eatery, popular among travelers, offering traditional meals and quick bites.
- Chawla’s, Mandi – One of the oldest eateries on this highway offering Punjabi delicacies and is popular among travelers.
Delhi to Manali Road Condition Via NH 9
This is the alternative route you can take to cover the Delhi to Manali distance. This route experiences a little more Delhi to Manali road traffic, especially around the city areas.
Delhi to Manali Best Route
Both the above routes have interesting pit stops, including sightseeing and food options. So, both are good for travelling from. However, if you want to cover the Delhi to Manali distance in optimal time, then Route 1 is the best choice since it is the faster route.
Other means of traveling from Delhi to Manali
How to Reach Manali By Train
You can also cover the Delhi to Manali distance by train. Although there are no direct trains from Delhi to Manali, you can take an express train from Delhi to Chandigarh or Kalka. From Chandigarh you can take a bus or book a cab from Chandigarh to Kalka and from there, you can take the single-gauge trains to Manali.
For Delhi to Manali train booking, you can visit the website of Indian Railways or any online travel portal for the best deals. The train ticket price will depend on the train route you choose and the season of travel. The train journey time can range from 10 hours to 23 hours, depending on the train.
From Delhi, there are 17 weekly trains to Kalka, of which, 7 run daily, and 70 weekly trains to Chandigarh, of which 34 run daily. The fastest train from Delhi to Kalka is the KALKA SHATABDI SUPERFAST EXP (12011) and the fastest train to Chandigarh is the NEW DELHI CHANDIGARH SHATABDI (12045). You can visit the Indian Railways website for your Delhi to Manali train bookings, or choose your options from the multiple online portals.
| Train Name | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
| 12005 – Kalka Shatabdi | 17:15 | 21:20 | 04 hr 05 min |
| 12057 – Uhl Janshatabdi | 14:35 | 19:05 | 04 hr 30 min |
| 14095 – Himalyan Queen | 05:35 | 11:10 | 05 hr 35 min |
| 12925 – Paschim Express | 11:05 | 16:45 | 5 hr 40 min |
| 12311 – Hwh Dli Klk Mail | 21:30 | 04:35 | 07 hr 05 min |
| 22455 – Snsi Klk Sup Express | 07:50 | 12:20 | 04 hr 30 min |
How to Reach Manali By Flight
There are numerous flights available daily from Delhi to Manali. The nearest airport is Kullu – Manali Airport (KUU). The average flight duration is 1.5 to 5 hours, depending on the air route. You can also book a Delhi airport taxi to reach Manali.
The Delhi to Manali flight cost ranges from Rs. 5000 to Rs. 10,000, depending on the booking window, available deals, and travel season. You can also visit any online travel portal for the best deals on Delhi to Manali flight booking.
Explore Manali Like a Local – A Handy Guide
Once a small Himalayan hamlet, Manali is not so small anymore and has evolved into an eclectic hub of nature, nightlife, art, and adventure. A paradise in the hills, Manali tourism can offer anything from a serene vacation to a party paradise, and everything in between. Beyond the scenic mountain views, lush forests, and gurgling rivers, Manali also offers endless adventure options. With our complete Manali travel guide and suggestions, you can make your Manali trip exciting and memorable. For a reverse trip, you book a cab from Manali to Delhi to travel comfortably to your destination.
Attractions in Manali for Sightseeing
Some of the most significant places to see on your Manali tour are the Buddhist Monasteries of Manali Gompa, Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa, and the Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa. Also visit the Vashisht Temple and its hot springs, the Hadimba Temple, hidden in the forests, and the nature park of Van Vihar. Explore the Mall Road for shopping and dining options. Manali sightseeing is not complete without exploring the Solang Valley and enjoying paragliding or skiing (in winter).
Things to keep in mind when touring Manali
- When traveling during the holiday season (Christmas and New Year), always book weeks in advance for the best deals.
- For long treks to nearby locales like Bijli Mahadev, Chandratal, Deo Tibba, etc. always sign up with a professional and local adventure group.
- Temperatures in February and March can jump radically, so, always look for accommodation with ample heating options.
- If you are planning to drive or trek to Rohtang Pass, check with locals for the exact time of accessibility, since sometimes snowfall lasts till May.
Savaari recommends: Popular places to eat in Manali
- Johnson’s Café, Circuit House Road.
- Café 1947, Near Nehru Kund, Bahang.
- People Art Café &Lounge, Manu Temple Road, Old Manali.
- Chopsticks, Mall Road.
- Drifter’s Café, Manu Temple Road, Old Manali.
- Café Nirvana, Old Manali.
- Lazy Dog, Manu Temple Road, Old Manali
Hotels and Resorts – Accommodation in Manali
| Hotel | Address |
| The Manali Inn | NH 21, Rangree, Near Indian Petrol Pump, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131 PH: 1800 11 3939 |
| Apple Country Resort | Log Huts Area Rd, Log Huts Area, District Kullu, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131 PH: 098166 00188 |
| The Orchard Greens | Log Huts Area Road, Old Manali, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131 PH: 093501 71709 |
| Fog Hills | Prini, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175103 PH: 094182 34297 |
| The Blue Magpie | Jhadang Village, Chichoga Rd, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131 PH: 099155 43910 |
Nearby Road Trips From Manali
| Destinations | Distance | Time Taken |
| Manali to Naggar | 23 km | 37 mins |
| Manali to Kullu | 41 km | 1 hour |
| Manali to Kasol | 76 km | 2 hours |
| Manali to Bir | 158 km | 5 hours |
| Manali to Mandi | 109 km | 3 hours |
| Manali to Tirthan Valley | 105 km | 3 hours |
| Manali to Shimla | 248 km | 7 hours |
| Manali to Chandigarh | 308 km | 8 hours |
| Manali to Leh | 427 km | 11 hours |
Download the Savaari car rental app today and enjoy seamless rides from all major transport hubs to your destination. Whether you’re in the mood for adventure or relaxation, this road trip guarantees an unforgettable experience.
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