Route guide
Two road routes, plus bus and train options from Punjab to Himachal Pradesh.
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At a glance
• Distance: 400–435 km
• By road: 8.5–11 hours
• Manali altitude: 2,050 m
Best time: March–June and October–December.
Route 1 · Recommended
Amritsar → Pathankot → Nurpur → Kangra → Palampur → Baijnath → Joginder Nagar → Mandi → Kullu → Manali
About 400–415 km · 8.5–10 hours
Shorter and more scenic, through the Kangra Valley.
Route 2 · Wider highways
Amritsar → Jalandhar → Phagwara → Nawanshahr → Kiratpur Sahib → Bilaspur → Sundernagar → Mandi → Kullu → Manali
About 430–440 km · 10–11.5 hours
A dependable backup if Pathankot is congested.
Along the way
• Palampur's tea gardens
• Baijnath Temple
• Pandoh Dam near Mandi
• Kullu Valley
Option 2 · By bus
• Daily direct buses from Amritsar
• Board at the bus stand, Golden Gate or railway station area
• About 8.5–11 hours
Fares run ₹800–₹2,000, by season and seat type.
Option 3 · Train and road
Take the Paschim Express, Intercity or Jan Shatabdi to Chandigarh (4–5 hours), then a bus or taxi (6–8 hours).
About 10–12 hours in total
Manali has no railway station.
Before you go
• Start early to avoid city traffic
• Avoid night driving on hill roads
• Download offline maps
• Book Volvo tickets early in peak season
Plan your trip
Both routes, bus and train options, travel tips and FAQs.
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