Three ways from Delhi to McLeod Ganj
McLeod Ganj, also written McLeodganj and part of Dharamshala, is about 500 km from Delhi and about 10 km by road from lower Dharamshala. Most people take the overnight bus. A short flight lands at Kangra Airport in Gaggal. The train stops at Pathankot Cantt, about 91 km away, and you finish by road.
Times and fares below are 2026 examples and do not replace a check for your date. Delays are common on mountain roads, so do not book a tight connection on the same day.
Delhi to McLeodganj compared
What each way costs in time and money.
| Way | Time | Cost (2026 examples) | Last stretch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight bus | About 11 hours 20 minutes to 11 hours 40 minutes | From ₹752 (Ordinary) to ₹1,558 (Himsuta) | Direct |
| Daytime bus | 08:30–20:00 | From ₹1,501 | Direct |
| Flight to Kangra | About 1 hour in the air | Check the airline | Shuttle or taxi from Gaggal |
| Train to Pathankot Cantt | – | – | Taxi or bus, about 91 km |
The bus examples are from a booking site with no travel date selected, so final prices differ.
Tours and transfers from McLeod Ganj
Temple visits, treks and day trips once you have arrived, with live prices and availability.
By bus: Delhi to Dharamshala
The state bus company HRTC runs the route.
Overnight Himsuta
Listed 20:50–08:10, 11 hours 20 minutes, from ₹1,558. Arrival is early morning, which suits a first day with the temple.
Overnight Ordinary
Listed 19:20–07:00, 11 hours 40 minutes, from ₹752. The fare is lower than on the Himsuta.
Daytime Himsuta
Listed 08:30–20:00, from ₹1,501. You arrive in the evening and see the road in daylight.
Before you book
The operator's own page lists the Dharamshala to Delhi route and carries an undated notice that mentions only BS-VI Volvo buses to Delhi and restrictions on some services. Check the service for your date.
Kangra Airport and the Delhi to Dharamshala flight
Kangra Airport is in Gaggal. An airline route page lists regular Delhi to Dharamshala flights of about 1 hour. The airport operator publishes timetable downloads and tells passengers to confirm with the airline, so check your flight with the airline.
A minibus from Gaggal to McLeod Ganj started on 11 March 2026. It is a 25-seat, non-air-conditioned HRTC bus. The fare is ₹60 to Dharamshala and ₹100 to McLeod Ganj. The launch timetable listed five runs from the airport, the first at 07:15–08:00 and the last at 15:50–16:40, timed to flights. The current timetable may differ, so check it before you rely on it. A taxi is the fallback.
By train: via Pathankot, then the road
There is no train to McLeod Ganj.
The district page names Pathankot Cantt as the broad-gauge station, about 91 km from McLeod Ganj, and sends you on by taxi or bus. The narrow-gauge station Kangra Mandir is a different station and line. Look up current trains and fares for the Pathankot leg before you book the road transfer.
From lower Dharamshala to McLeod Ganj, a local guide gives a taxi at about ₹300 to ₹500 and 20–30 minutes, and a bus at about ₹20 to ₹30 and 30–45 minutes. The ropeway takes about 5 minutes.
Dharamshala and the ropeway →Entry rules and travel advice
As published in October 2026. Check before you fly.
Visa and passport
German citizens need a visa before entry. An e-visa is ruled out for a provisional passport, and an ID card is not enough. For UK full passports, the UK foreign office asks for 6 months of validity from arrival and 2 blank pages.
Arrival forms
The UK advice names an e-Arrival Card, filled in within the 72 hours before arrival, and a self-declaration on Air Suvidha within 24 hours before arrival. The German foreign office also mentions the requirement.
Government travel advice
The UK advises against all travel to parts of India, such as the 10 km border strip with Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir (with exceptions), and all but essential travel to Manipur. The German foreign office has a partial travel warning, updated 14 October 2026, and names Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur and the Pakistan border area. The US has India at level 2, increased caution, issued in June 2025. None of the three names Himachal Pradesh as a warning area. This is not a statement about safety.
Protests
The German foreign office mentions protests in New Delhi with possible limits on internet and traffic, and announced protests in Punjab from 15 October 2026. No closure of the route to McLeod Ganj is named. Leave a buffer.
Getting to McLeod Ganj: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Delhi to McLeod Ganj?
Most people take the overnight HRTC bus, listed at about 11 hours 20 minutes to 11 hours 40 minutes. You can also fly to Kangra Airport in Gaggal, about 1 hour from Delhi, or take a train to Pathankot Cantt and continue by road.
Is there a train to McLeod Ganj?
No. The nearest broad-gauge station is Pathankot Cantt, about 91 km away, followed by a taxi or bus.
Is there a bus from Kangra Airport to McLeod Ganj?
A 25-seat HRTC minibus started in March 2026, at ₹100 to McLeod Ganj and ₹60 to Dharamshala. Check the current timetable. A taxi is the fallback.
How much is the bus from Delhi?
Examples from 2026 run from ₹752 for an Ordinary overnight bus to ₹1,558 for a Himsuta. The final price depends on the date and service.
How do I get from Dharamshala to McLeod Ganj?
By taxi (about ₹300 to ₹500, 20–30 minutes), by bus (about ₹20 to ₹30, 30–45 minutes) or by ropeway (about 5 minutes).