Morning bus from Delhi to Dharamsala?

heroandkeira · Oct 28th, 2009, 00:32

Hi All

I know that this topic has been written about fairly extensively, however, I am wondering whether anyone can give me some information on whether there are any buses that depart from Delhi to Dharamsala in the morning?

My partner and I arrive at 4am, and really just want to head straight up rather than waiting for the overnight bus.

Can anyone shed any light on whether morning buses exist?

If not, does anyone have any ideas about what we can do between 4am and 6pm (or friendly places to chill out with our bags!)while we wait for our bus?

Thanks for your assistance!

Regards

Hero

vinayverma · Oct 28th, 2009, 02:05

Hero,
Almost all the buses leave in the evening..
so spend some time in Delhi catch a nap and recharge coz the bus ride to Dharamshala is not so smooth.

Larsuld · Oct 28th, 2009, 02:19

Well, it's some years ago that I took one, but in 2004 there were direct state-run buses between Delhi's ISBT (Inter state bus terminal) and Dharamsala in the day time. Not knowing better I'd presume they are still there. If no one else can answer or give you some bus office phone number to call etc, I'll ask my friend who is a Tibetan living in Delhi. I'm sure she knows.

If it is still there, I'm not sure if it's possible to book in advance. What I did was just get in the bus, then buy a ticket. It's not as comfortable as the private buses, but it's a fraction of the price. I personally prefer travelling in the day time.

Other possibilities - take the train to Pathankot, then a bus to Dharamsala. Not sure about the train schedule but it's not impossible there is one leaving in the morning.

If you are coming straight from the U.K. then I'd also suggest you just take it easy for a day then take the night bus as Vinay suggests. Book a hotel, have them pick you up in the airport. Then take a tour of Old Delhi, JAma Masjid, Red Fort, etc for a few hours.

heroandkeira · Oct 28th, 2009, 05:30

Thanks Vinayverma and Larsuld - it's as I thought then

I think we will take your tips and organise a hotel room for the day in Delhi to try and get some quality sleep before the trip up.

Cheers

Hero

Shivani Skydancer · Oct 28th, 2009, 06:26

You can get HP state run ordinary buses from ISBT in the early mornings..it's cheap but no reclining seats. It would take about 14 hours to reach Dharamshala passing interesting, and once you enter Himachal, beautiful scenery along the way. There would be no need to book ahead, just show up at the bus station at 6 am but no later than 7 am.

Your other choice would be to take a taxi from the airport to Majnu ka tila Tibetan Colony, check into a cheap room just for the day, which you can get for 300 or 400 rupees, take a shower, leave your luggage in your room, book tickets for the evening bus to Mcleodganj (600 rupees) which you can do at any number of tour offices right there, and then you have the day free to explore Delhi! The buses leave around 6pm, so plenty of time. And they leave from Majnu ka tila. You would reach Dharamshala/Mcleodganj about 7am.

From Majnu ka tila you can take a cyclerickshaw for 20 rupees for the 10 minute ride to the nearest metro station Vidhan Sabha. The metro is quick, safe, and cheap to get around. Chandni Chowk would be interesting to get off, and then you might like to explore the Jama Masjid and the old bazaars.

I've used both the ordinary daytime bus service and the overnight ones. The daytime one was bearable, but crowded, and with lots of luggage, I think you'd be better using the overnight option.

Oct 28th, 2009, 00:32	#1
heroandkeira Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: London Posts: 3	Morning bus from Delhi to Dharamsala? Hi All I know that this topic has been written about fairly extensively, however, I am wondering whether anyone can give me some information on whether there are any buses that depart from Delhi to Dharamsala in the morning? My partner and I arrive at 4am, and really just want to head straight up rather than waiting for the overnight bus. Can anyone shed any light on whether morning buses exist? If not, does anyone have any ideas about what we can do between 4am and 6pm (or friendly places to chill out with our bags!)while we wait for our bus? Thanks for your assistance! Regards Hero

Oct 28th, 2009, 02:05	#2
vinayverma Maha Infrequent Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 1,472	Hero, Almost all the buses leave in the evening.. so spend some time in Delhi catch a nap and recharge coz the bus ride to Dharamshala is not so smooth. __________________ If Life is a journey....travel on...and on..on..on.....

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Volvo bus Delhi to Dharamsala need info	CFPhotoGrafie	India Travel Itinerary Advice	6	Oct 9th, 2009 22:46
Delhi to Dharamsala: How long does it take by bus?	branchazel	Delhi	28	Jul 25th, 2009 12:20
Bus service Delhi-Dharamsala	nishita	Himachal Pradesh	19	Apr 27th, 2009 23:58
delhi-dharamsala by bus	bin sleepin	Buses, Automobiles, Motorcycles, and Bicycles	1	Nov 9th, 2008 01:13
Bus Delhi to Dharamsala	celineandsteve	Buses, Automobiles, Motorcycles, and Bicycles	5	Aug 4th, 2008 19:29

Oct 28th, 2009, 02:19	#3
Larsuld High altitude porter Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Copenhagen Posts: 94	Well, it's some years ago that I took one, but in 2004 there were direct state-run buses between Delhi's ISBT (Inter state bus terminal) and Dharamsala in the day time. Not knowing better I'd presume they are still there. If no one else can answer or give you some bus office phone number to call etc, I'll ask my friend who is a Tibetan living in Delhi. I'm sure she knows. If it is still there, I'm not sure if it's possible to book in advance. What I did was just get in the bus, then buy a ticket. It's not as comfortable as the private buses, but it's a fraction of the price. I personally prefer travelling in the day time. Other possibilities - take the train to Pathankot, then a bus to Dharamsala. Not sure about the train schedule but it's not impossible there is one leaving in the morning. If you are coming straight from the U.K. then I'd also suggest you just take it easy for a day then take the night bus as Vinay suggests. Book a hotel, have them pick you up in the airport. Then take a tour of Old Delhi, JAma Masjid, Red Fort, etc for a few hours.

Oct 28th, 2009, 05:30	#4
heroandkeira Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: London Posts: 3	Thanks Vinayverma and Larsuld - it's as I thought then I think we will take your tips and organise a hotel room for the day in Delhi to try and get some quality sleep before the trip up. Cheers Hero

Oct 28th, 2009, 06:26	#5
Shivani Skydancer ॐ Ψ ॐ Ψ ॐ Join Date: May 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 240	You can get HP state run ordinary buses from ISBT in the early mornings..it's cheap but no reclining seats. It would take about 14 hours to reach Dharamshala passing interesting, and once you enter Himachal, beautiful scenery along the way. There would be no need to book ahead, just show up at the bus station at 6 am but no later than 7 am. Your other choice would be to take a taxi from the airport to Majnu ka tila Tibetan Colony, check into a cheap room just for the day, which you can get for 300 or 400 rupees, take a shower, leave your luggage in your room, book tickets for the evening bus to Mcleodganj (600 rupees) which you can do at any number of tour offices right there, and then you have the day free to explore Delhi! The buses leave around 6pm, so plenty of time. And they leave from Majnu ka tila. You would reach Dharamshala/Mcleodganj about 7am. From Majnu ka tila you can take a cyclerickshaw for 20 rupees for the 10 minute ride to the nearest metro station Vidhan Sabha. The metro is quick, safe, and cheap to get around. Chandni Chowk would be interesting to get off, and then you might like to explore the Jama Masjid and the old bazaars. I've used both the ordinary daytime bus service and the overnight ones. The daytime one was bearable, but crowded, and with lots of luggage, I think you'd be better using the overnight option.