Spread across five hills in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, Dalhousie is popularly called ‘Mini Switzerland of India’ due to its pristine beauty and jaw-dropping locales. This idyllic hill town is one of India’s most frequently visited hill stations. Reaching Dalhousie is relatively easy, as it is accessible from all the major cities and towns of Himachal Pradesh. Each mode of transportation offers a unique travel experience, and the best way to reach Dalhousie can vary depending on your starting point and budget.
Dalhousie does not have its airport and railway station. However, the nearest airport is located in Dalhousie, and the railhead is situated in Pathankot, from where tourists can arrive at Dalhousie without any hassle. Moreover, they can hire a taxi or board a bus for Dalhousie from nearby towns. Below, you will find detailed information on how to reach Dalhousie so that you can choose the most suitable mode of transportation.
You can also book a Dalhousie tour package for a hassle-free trip to this scenic hill town. Here is how to reach Dalhousie:
Let’s have a detailed look of the best way to travel to Dalhousie by Train, Flight, and Road
Dalhousie By Air
Gaggal Airport in Dalhousie is the nearest airport to Dalhousie. It is situated around 108 km from the town, and taxis are readily available to reach the hill station from the air terminal. The other nearest airports to Dalhousie are Chandigarh (255 km), Amritsar (208 km), and Jammu (200 km). Gaggal Airport receives limited flights from a few cities.
However, the other airports are the major airports in the country, and they receive regular and direct flights from all over the country. After getting down at any airport, tourists can hire a private taxi or board a bus to reach Dalhousie. This is the fastest way to reach Dalhousie, so if you want to get there quickly, choose this mode of transportation.
Travel by Flights | Travel Time | Distance | Airport |
Delhi to Dalhousie |
11 hours 20 minutes |
521 KM |
Indira Gandhi International Airport |
Dharamshala to Dalhousie |
3 hours 40 minutes |
118 KM |
Gaggal Airport |
Amritsar to Dalhousie |
4 hours 45 minutes |
202 KM |
Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport |
Pathankot to Dalhousie |
2 hours 55 minutes |
87 KM |
Pathankot Airport |
Chandigarh to Dalhousie |
7 hours 20 minutes |
346 KM |
Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh Airport |
Dalhousie By Train
Pathankot is the nearest railway station to Dalhousie, located 80 km from the hill town. This railway station is well-connected to various cities in India, like Delhi, Mumbai, Jammu, Kanyakumari, Pune, Chennai, and Amritsar. Taxis can be found from outside the railway station to reach Dalhousie. Tourists can also hire a private taxi or cab from Pathankot for Dalhousie, which will take almost 2 to 3 hours to get there without hassle.
Travel by Train | Travel by Train | Travel Time | Distance | Train Name |
Delhi to Dalhousie |
Pathankot Railway Station |
09 hours 30 min |
484 KM |
Jammu Mail |
Amritsar to Dalhousie |
Pathankot Railway Station |
02 hours 35 min |
114 KM |
JU JAT Express |
Ludhiana to Dalhousie |
Pathankot Railway Station |
03 hours 10 min |
172 KM |
Sampark Kranti Express |
Chandigarh to Dalhousie |
Pathankot Railway Station |
04 hours 35 min |
265 KM |
Kalka SVDK EXP |
Note: If you are looking for a budget option to reach Dalhousie, a combination of train and road travel is the best mode of transportation for you.
Dalhousie By Road:
Dalhousie is well-connected by road from the nearby cities and towns of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh. State bus services and luxury coaches connect the towns in and around Dalhousie. Delhi to Dalhousie buses are available regularly from the national capital. The overnight luxury buses from Delhi make the journey comfortable. Taxis and private vehicles also frequently ply on the route. Also, there is no dearth of road transport to travel back from Dalhousie to Delhi, Dalhousie to Dharamshala, and Dalhousie to Amritsar. Tourists can board the private and state-run buses or hire cabs at their convenience.
Distance from Dalhousie to Major cities are listed below:
Location | Distance | Time | Route |
Delhi to Dalhousie distance |
565 KM |
11 hours 20 min |
NH44 |
Amritsar to Dalhousie distance |
202 KM |
5 hours 10 min |
NH54 |
Pathankot to Dalhousie distance |
82 KM |
2 hours 50 min |
NH154 |
Dharamshala to Dalhousie distance |
120 KM |
3 hours 50 min |
NH154A |
Chandigarh to Dalhousie distance |
340 KM |
7 hours 10 min |
NH44 |
Jammu to Dalhousie distance |
173 KM |
4 hours 40 min |
NH44 & NH154A |
Chamba to Dalhousie distance |
55 KM |
2 hours 10 min |
NH154A |
Ambala to Dalhousie distance |
363 KM |
7 hours 20 min |
NH44 & NH154A |
Manali to Dalhousie distance |
327 KM |
10 hr 21 min |
NH3, NH 154, & NH 154A |
Katra to Dalhousie distance |
205.6 KM |
5 hr 29 min |
Dhar – Udhampur Rd |
Shimla to Dalhousie distance |
347.6 km |
9 hr 22 min |
NH205 |
Getting Around in Dalhousie
Dalhousie is among the most sought-after tourist places in Himachal Pradesh and thrives by tourists from all over the country. This beautiful hill town has a good transporting system, allowing visitors to explore the city at its best. Various roads in Dalhousie are one-way, so it is advisable to walk the shortest distance, as taking a cab or taxi will take a lot of time. The best way to get around in Dalhousie depends on where one wishes to visit. Here, we are mentioning some of the options for getting around in Dalhousie. Check it out to enjoy the sightseeing in Dalhousie.
Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) Bus:
It is one of the best ways to visit nearby places, including Dalhousie to Khajjiar and Dalhousie to Dharamshala. With the state-run buses, tourists can choose to visit these popular destinations and explore the breathtaking beauty of Himachal. The distance from Dalhousie to Amritsar is just 200 km, which can be covered by HRTC and other major cities, from which one can easily get the bus to visit here.
Rent a scooter and bike in Dalhousie:
This is among the best ways to travel within the city and explore the major attractions of Dalhousie at its best. At a minimal rent, scooters and bikes are easily available with which people can explore the Dalhousie tourist places, including St. John’s Church, Panchpulla, Satdhara, Sri Raghunath Temple, and Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary.
Dalhousie Taxi:
Taxi is one of the most comfortable, convenient, and fast modes to get around Dalhousie. Government and private taxis are available to enjoy sightseeing near the hill town. Travelers can visit Khajjiar, Chamba, Dharamshala, and Mcleodganj without hassle. Chamera Lake is another popular tourist attraction known for boating and water sports in which one can indulge to make their Dalhousie trip memorable.
After knowing how to reach Dalhousie, you can select the mode of transportation that is most convenient for you. Dalhousie tour packages are recommended for hassle-free experiences and a stress-free stay. Don’t wait, contact our travel experts now to plan your trip.