You Can’t Take a Train to Manali (But Here’s the Closest One & How to Reach!)
Let’s get one thing straight, dost: you can’t take a direct train to Manali. Yep, sorry to break your “window seat, chai-sipping” dream ride to the mountains, but the truth is — Manali city doesn’t have a railway station of its own. And no, there’s no “Manali Express” either. But hey — don’t pack away your bags yet. We’ve got a smart jugaadu plan to get you there.
Now, if you're typing “manali train station” into Google hoping to book tickets, you'll end up with more confusion than clarity. But no worries — we’re here to sort that mess with dher saari gyaan and some pahadi tadka. So let’s solve this “railway riddle” once and for all!
What’s the Closest Railway Station to Manali?
The closest railway station to Manali is Joginder Nagar Railway Station, about 165 km away. It’s a tiny station on a narrow-gauge line, so unless you love slow romantic train journeys that take forever (like in old Bollywood songs), this isn’t your best bet.
Instead, most travelers prefer to arrive via Chandigarh or Delhi. Why? Because they’re better connected and much faster. From either of those cities, you can continue by bus or cab and be singing “yeh haseen waadiyaan” in no time.
Delhi to Manali by Train? Not Quite.
So technically, there is no Delhi to Manali train, but here’s the trick — take a train from Delhi to Chandigarh or Ambala. Then hop on a Volvo or book a taxi to Manali city. It’s smooth, scenic, and super popular. Travel time from Chandigarh is around 8–10 hours, depending on road traffic and how often you stop for maggi and chai.
Chandigarh to Manali Distance & Other Routes
The Chandigarh to Manali distance is about 305 km. The road winds through dreamy pine forests, riverside dhabas, and tiny hill towns — so keep your camera ready. Whether you book a shared tempo, cab, or a luxury Volvo, the journey is just as much fun as the destination.
And What About the Airport?
Great question! The Manali closest airport is the Kullu–Manali Airport in Bhuntar. It’s about 50 km from Himachal Manali, and flights come in from Delhi and Chandigarh. If you're lucky and the weather gods are happy, you’ll land with a view of the snow-capped peaks!
Bus Kar Yaar – Literally!
If you’re a road-trip junkie, just skip the train altogether. The distance from Delhi to Manali by bus is about 550 km and takes 12–14 hours. Book a comfy sleeper Volvo and let the mountains greet you in the morning. Throw in a playlist and you’re set.
The Bottom Line:
There’s no direct train to Manali city, but who cares? The combination of train + bus or flight + cab is the best way to reach this gem in Himachal Manali. And remember, getting there is half the fun — especially with the views, the food, and a bit of Himachali masti along the way.
So pack light, charge your phone, and get ready to say “chal, Manali chalte hain!” — because train or no train, this trip’s gonna be epic.
