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How To Reach Dalhousie
Being up in the mountains, Dalhousie doesn’t have its own airport, but one can fly to nearby airports such as Pathankot Airport and Gaggal Airport. Pathankot Airport is located 75 km away in the neighbouring state of Punjab and services a single flight from New Delhi only. Most tourists making their way to Dalhousie prefer flying into Gaggal Airport which is 140 km away. Despite the distance, it is the more connected airport with more frequent flights coming in from New Delhi. For those arriving from other big cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Kochi would have one-stop flights that halt in New Delhi.
Other air routes one could pick are flying into Jammu Airport, which has flights from Delhi, Lucknow, Bathinda, Dehradun, Mumbai and Gwalior amongst others. However, the distance to Dalhousie then increases to 180 km. Or one could fly into Amritsar Airport from where it’s a five-hour drive to Dalhousie. The carriers that service these airports include Air India, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, Spice Jet and Vistara.
You’ll find adequate ground transport options once you land at any of these airports, with taxi and bus stands located right outside the terminals.
Travelling to Dalhousie by road can be a tremendous experience, with stunning views for company, enjoyed at your own pace and in your own private space. Tourists usually make this road-trip from New Delhi, covering 565 km over 11 hours via the NH1. Having said that, there are roads coming in from other places like Amritsar and Shimla. Across Haryana and Punjab, the roads are considered to be in great shape so there’s nothing to worry about there. However, for the final stretch that is Pathankot onwards, expect a more arduous uphill drive in tricky terrain.
Hired private vehicles - with or without drivers - as well as taxis can be taken for the road journey to Dalhousie from most major North Indian cities like Delhi, Chandigarh and Amritsar. The other option is to take a bus service at your preferred budget. State bus services such as Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HPTC) and Haryana Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) are popular affordable choices. While many private operators offer luxury seater and sleeper coaches, suitable for longer journeys.
If you’re looking for a more affordable yet scenic approach to Dalhousie, rely on the timeless services of the Indian Railways. The nearest station is called Pathankot Railway Station which is directly connected to most major parts of the country including Delhi, Jammu, Ahmedabad and Jodhpur, with express, mail and super-fast trains. After that, it’s an approximately 3-hour drive to Dalhousie that you can take via hired cars, taxis or bus services located right outside the station. Booking yourself an overnight train ride ensures you reach the station early next morning.
The only other railway station you can arrive at nearby is in Delhi, from where you’ll have to make car, taxi or bus arrangements.
Also check out the best time to visit Dalhousie and plan your journey accordingly.
By Foot
Being a small town, much of Dalhousie can simply be explored on foot. In fact, it’s one of the best ways to do so as you really get to a personal and profound experience of the place and its culture. Some of the things you can see simply by walking around include the main centre of town known as Mall Road, the churches of St. Patrick, St. Francis and St. John as well as the Subhash Baoli spring. Turn the walks into amateur hikes and you can get as far as the Panjpula Waterfall, Satdhara Falls, Bakrota Hills and the Bhulwani Mata Temple.
By Car / Taxi
The primary transport to move around Dalhousie and its nearby sights is by car — either private vehicles or hired taxis. With a car, you can explore the best places to visit in Dalhousie such as Khajjiar with its Switzerland-like scenery, Chamera Lake with its water-based activities, Daikund Hill Top and Chamba Jot with spectacular views and the teeming Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary. Cars are also convenient when it comes to having your own timings or keeping you warm during the cooler seasons.
One can travel the same routes by motorbike as well.
By Pony
One of the charming old-world ways to move around Dalhousie is by taking a pony ride. The local horses can be found in and around the town, offering an experiential way of covering short distances. It’s definitely the one most kids love!
By Bus
Bus is an option for longer distances such as Pathankot, Chamba and Khajjiar, with state services and private operators running daily from the main bus station near Gandhi Chowk. Just be sure to check the timings locally, as they can vary.
Now that you know all the ways to reach and move around Dalhousie, take the first step to making the journey by booking your Dalhousie Tour Packages with Thomas Cook, today.
