How to reach Manali from Delhi?

Hi,

I am a new member. I am planning for a trip to Manali from Delhi in October. Can someone let me know which is the best option to reach Manali from Delhi - by air or bus?
Heard bus journey is a long one.

Thanks.

You can reach Manali by Bus/car/ flight.
You can take the HP tourism bus from Scindia House (CP) in the evening (it start around 7PM) and reaches Manali in the morning.
You can also srive all the way to Manali..best way is to start early morning 4AM or so and even if you drive at normal speed you'll reach Manali by late afternoon or evening.
You can fly from Delhi to Bhunter airport (nearest to Manali) and then takes around 1-2 hours to reach Manali by car from the airport.

I found Bus and car the best way ..apart from being cheap.

Options :-
1) Flight
Though Kullu has an airport but not sure whether operating or not. (please check it with Indian airlines/other domestic airlines ).

2) Train
Delhi- Chandigarh (Shatabdi Exp) . Chandigarh - Manali by bus/car

3)Road
By bus /car .It takes nearly 14 hrs. Can take luxury bus (a/c) from Delhi.Night service available too.

The Kullu Airport is actually in Bhunter..its 20mins drive from Kullu.

Most comfortable - Delhi-Chandigarh Shatabdi Express train, onward to Manali by jeep taxi (Tata Sumo, Qualis, Armada...)
Comfortable, but complex: You probably need a reliable agent to book the whole journey in order for this route to go seamlessly.

Most convenient - The direct HP tourism bus from Connaught Place: a 14-16 hour overnight bus ride on a luxury 2*2 coach. Plenty of other buses are available, both private and government run, of various quality, comfort and reliability. Buses advertised by agents in Pahar Ganj are best avoided.

Fastest (if conditions are ideal), and by far the most expensive - Flight from Delhi to Bhuntar, then a 2-hour taxi ride onward to Manali. Flights are scheduled regularly, but often cancelled or delayed (due to poor weather, mechanical problems, etc.). The planes are small, and the ride is rough. Because of the limited number of passengers, the tickets are quite expensive. Also, the baggage allowance is half only half as much as for most other flights.

Sounds really good, thanks for great input...
A couple of questions ref this HP Tourism luxury 2*2 coach though:
_ How and when to book? Directly with the company? Prebookings or there and then?
_ What would the cost be?

On the way 'back', I'd like to stop by in Dharmasala and Shimla. Any suggestions for transports there, i.e. Manali-Dharmasala-Shimla-Delhi?

Also, is the Kangra Valley Railway worth a try a bit?

Cheers

Bus is the cheapest, but bumpy and don't expect much sleep.

The dramatic change in scenery when the sun starts coming up makes it more than worthwhile, though.

magnus,
I suggest you follow this route :

1. From Delhi to Pathankot by overnight train and from Pathankot to Kangra(for Dharamsala) by K.V.railway. Its certainly worth it!

2. From D'sala to Manali by bus with a halt at Mandi for a night, if you have the time.

3. From Manali to Shimla by HPTDC's overnight deluxe coach.

4. From Shimla to Delhi by train/road or a combination of the two.

You can book for the HPTDC coach on reaching Manali, at their tourist information office on the Mall. I do not know the current Manali-Shimla fare.

Just came to know that Luxury AC bus service has also started between Delhi-Manali. Its on latest Volvo buses.
I don't know from where to book that in Delhi...maybe ISBT????
anyone has any idea?

here is the link on the page of Himachal Roadways which tells the timings and the fare also

http://hrtc.nic.in/acdetail.htm

And one month advance reservation is availiable from
H.R.T.C.,
Advance Reservation Counter No. 40 & 8,
1st Floor, ISBT Kashmiri Gate,
New Delhi-110 001.
Tel. Number : 91-11-23868694, 23863473

I will advice you to take halt in chandigarh and then proceed for manli better to stay at kullu

Dear Friends
Please let me know the how to reach kullu from chandigarh by valvo bus. I m going to kullu in may 09 month & total 15 persons.
Also confirm contact nos. address or email add.

Madhu

HRTC has recently started TATA AC Bus from Chandigarh to Manali. It leaves at 8-40 pm. Fare is Rs.400 per person. You can book it on the counter at ISBT in Chandigarh.

You can also book online at http://www.hp.gov.in/hrtctickets/

However, Online booking allows a maximum of 10 tickets to be booked for each journey. You will have to go to the Counter and book tickets from there in case you want more than 10.

what is the best way to get to manali from delhi in early october? How is the weather over there at that time?

Weather would be pleasant. Book the Volvo either from HRTC or HPTDC.