Bus from Delhi to Dharmasala

Hi,

I am new to India Mike and am trying to navigate my way around the site so apologies if this question has already been asked. My boyfriend and I go to India for the first time in September (yay!) and fly into Delhi. I have just read that the Dalai Lama will be in Dharamsala from the 4th-6th and we are really interested in going. I was just wondering if there is a bus that runs from Delhi to Dharmasala? If so, can anyone recommend a particular company and know the links for the companies? How long is the ride? Also, we will be lugging around 2 big backpacks. Does anyone know where they store the luggage and if this will cost more? Thanks

Have you checked HRTC's website?

In addition to HRTC, you also have the option of HPTDC buses. Please follow the link:

http://www.hptdc.nic.in/bus.htm

You can book your tickets online, or else at Himachal Pradesh Bhawan, Near Mandi House (for HRTC buses), and Chandralok Bldng, Janpath (for HPTDC buses).

Both are within walking distance from Connaught Place (CP).

Your luggage would be safely kept in the underneath compartment (like in the National Express coaches in the UK). No extra charges for it.

Hi. Thanks so much for your help. Haven't looked at either website but will now. Didn't know the bus names. Also thanks for letting me know about the luggage safety - always good to know our bags are safe. Thanks

Just wanted to add a bit

The facility of a secure luggage compartment is available in Deluxe/Volvo coaches only...not in ordinary buses.

Do you know what is available on the ordinary buses? I'm thinking of taking a morning bus now but it is just the ordinary bus available - no deluxe or volvos run until the late afternoon. Thanks

Hi... Not very sure whether it would help, but! I just finished my weekend trip to McLeodganj. I had booked a non-AC bus through Redbus website. It was of AMA tours and travels and the fare was Rs.650 in one direction. The bus starts at around 6:30pm from Delhi and reaches McLeodganj by around 7am. Though I did not use, there was a luggage cabin at the back of the bus for backpackers and other travelers with considerable luggage. The bus as such was clean and roomy. Not many complaints!

I guess, the buses operated by private travel companies, as in the case of venkatnhave a luggage-cabin at the rear.

However, I think that the government-run ordinary buses, such as those starting from ISBT Kashmiri Gate, do not have such facility.

Anyways, you will have enough space to keep your luggage inside the bus. Atleast near the driver's seat .

sometimes the buses have {although new} quite tight seats therefore since i am quite tall and have long legs & due to this i booked both the two front seats

buses run between Majn Ka Tilla in Delhi and Mcleod Ganj (Upper Dharamsala).
This is current as of June 2012.
Any travel agent in McLeod or Majnu will arrange a seat for you.
It's a sleeper bus, the chairs recline very far so you can sleep.

Hi.
I'd like to take an overnight bus from Delhi straight up to Mcleod Ganj (& not have to switch in lower Dharamshala.) Can anyone help me with the following:
1. I'd like to maximize my day in Delhi & arrive in Mcleod not too early (after 8 or even 9 am would be great). Are their buses that leave Delhi at 8pm or a bit later or only at 5-6?
2. Are their buses that leave from PaharGanj?
3. Are their sleeper buses without AC -- recall the AC makes it quite cold once in the mountains.
Thank you!
Batya

buses from majnu ka till go direct to upper dharamsala (they serve the Tibetan community so they have no business in Lwr Dharamsala).
There are no buses from Paharganj that go straight to Upper Dharamsala and probably none that go to lower Dharamsala.
Maybe there are buses to Kangra, not so far from Lwr Dharamsala.

Use some initiative, get the email address or telephone number of a travel agent in Majnu Ka Tilla and they will give you all the info on buses to McLeod Ganj (upper Dharamsala)