How to Reach Manali from Pune

Manali is one of the most popular hill stations in India, situated in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Known for its snow-capped mountains, lush green valleys, adventure sports, temples, and monasteries - Manali attracts tourists from across the country and the world.

If you are traveling from Pune and wondering how to reach Manali, this article covers all the details.

By Air

Currently, there are no direct flights between Pune and Manali. The nearest airport to Manali is Bhuntar Airport, which is approximately 50km away. Here are the flight options to reach Manali from Pune:

• Take a flight from Pune Airport to Delhi Airport. Many airlines offer regular flights on this route, including IndiGo, Air India, Vistara and SpiceJet. The flight duration is around 1.5 to 2 hours.

• From Delhi, take a connecting flight to Kullu-Manali Airport in Bhuntar. The flight duration is about 1 hour.

• Once you land at the Kullu Airport, you can hire a taxi to reach Manali, which takes about 1.5 hours.

Also read - How to Reach Manali from Kolkata

Reach Manali from Pune By Train

There are no direct train connections between Pune and Manali either. However, you can reach Manali from Pune by train via routes:

Via Delhi

• Take a train from Pune to Delhi - plenty of options available including Indrayani Express, Deccan Queen, Punjab Mail etc.

• From Delhi, take an overnight train to Pathankot railway station. Some trains are Himachal Express, Himalayan Queen etc.

• From Pathankot, take a taxi or bus to Manali. It is a 10-hour picturesque drive crossing destinations like Mandi, Kullu etc.

Via Chandigarh

• Take a train from Pune to Chandigarh - options include Sachkhand Express, Jan Shatabdi Express etc.

• From Chandigarh, there are daily buses operated by HRTC to Manali. It is a 9-hour drive.

So if you are not pressed for time, the train+road route opens up the hill stations along the way for stopover.

Also read - How to Reach Manali from Chennai

By Road

For someone comfortable driving long distances, the road route from Pune to Manali can be an extremely scenic choice. Here is the route:

• The total driving distance from Pune to Manali is approximately 1400 km, spanning across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.

• Some major stops on the way are Surat, Udaipur, Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Shimla before reaching Manali.

• Depending on the number and duration of stops, the total Pune to Manali road trip duration can be:
  

  • Non-Stop Driving: 18 to 20 hours

  • With stops and breaks: 25 to 30 hours the choice boils down to whether you want to stop over in places like Udaipur, Shimla etc. or complete the journey quickly. Consider road conditions, weather etc. before planning as well.

By Bus

There are regular Volvo and deluxe buses operated by Himachal Tourism and other private travel companies from Pune to Manali.

• Buses generally depart in the evening from Pune and reach Manali by day evening. The total duration is around 38-40 hours.

• Major stops include Surat, Udaipur, and Jaipur before reaching Manali via Shimla and Kullu.

• Plan in advance for bus journeys as seats fill up quickly, especially in the holiday season.

Conclusion

So in summary, flight/train reaches the fastest but misses out on scenic stops while bus/road allows a more eventful journey from Pune to Manali. Choose what works best based on your time, budget and interests. Safe travels!