Chandigarh Manali travel guide

Distance 320 Kms travel time 9-10 hours

Chandigarh is well connected by road to almost every small and big town in northern India and also conveniently located within motor-able distance from a number of major cities of North India like New Delhi, Haridwar, Jaipur, Jammu, Jalandhar, Manali and Shimla.

National Highways 21 and 22 run through the city. Near perfect road condition and breathtaking views on either side of the road offers a pleasant drive.

The Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) is located in Sector 17 (City Center), Chandigarh.

Distance, Road Map and driving instructions

[adsense-codesquare]The Chandigarh to Manali distance is 320 Kilometers and travel time is 9 to 10 hours. The road is mostly hilly, though a national highway but partially four laned. The road towards Manali passes through Mohali and  is common exit for Ludhiana, Amritsar and Manali up to Kharar at a distance of 18 kilometers from Chandigarh. From Kharar one road takes left turn towards Ludhiana and the straight road goes towards Jalandhar Amritsar and Manali. At a further distance of  about 30 Kilometers the road passes through Ropar. One road bifurcates from this towards the right for Kullu Manali and Dharamshala.

The road further passes through Kiratpur and from this place splits into two, the right side road goes to Kullu Manali and the straight one to Dharamshala. Hill area starts from this point onwards.  Uphill Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh is 64 kilometers from this place, this drive has lots of curves and is also steep. The drive to Ghagas is a decline going downwards from Bilaspur. The roads from Shimla to Manali and Dharamshala to Manali also meet at Ghagas, so Ghagas is the confluence of four roads. Ghagas to Mandi via Sundernagar is a beautiful drive with normally less incline and reduced curves. But from Mandi to Manali the road becomes narrow with sharp inclines and curves along the river Beas. The vehicle average speed reduces to 30 Kms / Hour in this stretch. 

Favourite eat out stopovers between Chandigarh and Manali

There are no famous eating joints in between Chandigarh and Manali. As the drive is hilly which may lead to nausea and vomiting, light food with lot of fluids is recommended during the journey. There are some good restaurants on the national highway as it passes through Bilaspur. At Ghagas also there are some small eating joints. Although there are dhabas at about every kilometer or so along the highway, but tourists generally do not prefer to eat there, just stop for tea and snacks.

Luxury Volvo and other AC Bus Services

Super Luxury Bus Service On Manali Chandigarh Route

Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC Transport) bus services

Bus Enquiry and reservation centres HPTDC

Shimla: The Mall, Shimla -171001, Tel: (0177) 2652561, 2658302 Fax: (0177) 2652557

Manali: The Mall, Manali -175131, Tel: (01902) 253531, Fax: (01902) 252325

Delhi: Chanderlok Building  36, Janpath, New Delhi -110001. Tel: (011) 23325320, 23324764  Fax: (011) 23731072

Chandigarh Manali 320 Kms travel time 9-10 hours

Timetable Delhi Manali bus services.

# Himachal Roadways Bus Service

In addition to this there are a number of ordinary buses from Himachal Roadways (HRTC) and private deluxe buses available on this route as well as taxi services

Himachal Roadways (HRTC) enquiry numbers

Shimla ISBT: 0177-2658765, Chandigarh ISBT: 0172-2722625, Kullu: 1902-276243, Delhi ISBT: 011-23868694

Private buses between Chandigarh and Manali

Most private buses run on the Delhi Manali sector so there are less seats available from Chandigarh, and the timings are also odd from Chandigarh mostly after midnight. There are very few Volvo and ac buses that start from Chandigarh but a large number of private bus operators are there from Delhi which run a number of Volvo and other AC bus services from Delhi to Manali

Swagatam Tours 

Opp Main Bus Stand, Sec 22 Chandigarh

Mob 92186 00007

Manali Address: IBEX Hotel Complex, The Mall, Manali

Phone No: 01902 -252990, 253990 and 253499

Scheduled Timings for AC / Volvo / ordinary bus buses:

Chandigarh to Manali  bus services 8:30 PM

Manali to Chandigarh bus services 6:30 PM

Raj National Express

Volvo buses Departs New Delhi: 5:30 PM  Arrives Manali: 8:00 AM Price: Rs 900

Contact telephone numbers of other state transport departments at Chandigarh

Punjab Roadways Bus enquiry phone numbers

Chandigarh ISBT: 0172-2704023, 2606672

Himachal Roadways bus enquiry numbers

Chandigarh ISBT: 0172-2722625

Haryana Roadways bus enquiry numbers

Chandigarh ISBT: 0172-2704014

Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) enquiry number 0172- 2700006

By Air

The nearest airport from Manali is Bhuntar airport, situated near Kullu town,  it is about 50 kms from Manali and 10 Kms from Kullu town. There are limited flights from New Delhi and Chandigarh.

Content last updated in January 2023. Travel with confidence with Sunrsie Himachal Packages from Sunrise Holidays Shimla.