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Manali is one of the most popular hill stations in India, situated in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh. Known for its scenic beauty and adventurous activities, Manali attracts tourists from all over the country, including the metropolitan city of Mumbai.
Reaching Manali from Mumbai is easy if you plan your trip well in advance. There are flights, trains, and buses - you can choose your preferred mode of transport accordingly. The distance between Mumbai and Manali is about 1,400 km, which takes around 18 to 24 hours to cover depending on the route you take.
By Air
The fastest way to reach Manali from Mumbai is to take a flight. There are no direct flights between the two destinations. You will have to take a connecting flight via New Delhi.
Popular airlines that fly between Mumbai and New Delhi are - GoAir, IndiGo, Air India, and Vistara. The flight duration is about 2 hours.
From New Delhi, you can take a connecting flight to Kullu Airport which is about 40 km away from Manali. The flight duration is around 1 hour.
Some of the airlines flying to Kullu from New Delhi are - Air India, Vistara, and Alliance Air.
Once you land at the Kullu airport, you can easily find taxis to reach Manali which takes about 1.5 hours.
By Train
There are no direct train connections between Mumbai and Manali. However, you can take a train to the nearest railway station which is at Joginder Nagar, about 165 km away from Manali.
Some popular trains from Mumbai that go to Joginder Nagar railway station are - Mumbai LN Nagar Express, Sewa Express, and Kerala Express.
The train journey between Mumbai and Joginder Nagar may take 18 to 24 hours depending on the train you choose.
From Joginder Nagar, you can hire a taxi which will take about 5 hours to reach Manali. Make sure to bargain for the best rates.
By Bus
Buses are the most convenient and pocket-friendly option to reach Manali from Mumbai. Regular state-run buses and Volvo buses ply on this route on a daily basis.
There are both state-run ordinary buses as well as private sleeper and semi-sleeper buses that go from Mumbai to Manali.
Popular bus operators are Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), Himsuta, Lakshmi Holidays, etc.
The bus journey may be 24 to 30 hours long with adequate rest stops in between.
Buses are available both during the day time or overnight journeys so you can choose as per your preference.
Also read - How to Reach Mahabaleshwar from Pune
Making the Journey Comfortable
While the journey from Mumbai to Manali can be slightly exhausting given the long distance, you can plan smartly to make it more comfortable:
Pack light luggage only carrying necessities
Keep some food, snacks, water, or drinks handy during the journey
Stay well-rested before starting the trip
Choose night journeys by trains or Volvo buses to sleep during the ride
Carry motion sickness or headache medicines if needed
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for the journey
So plan ahead, purchase your tickets in advance, pack smartly, and be prepared for an epic journey from Mumbai to the heavenly abode of Manali! The long hours of travel will melt away once you reach and behold the gorgeous snow-capped peaks.
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