How to reach Mandi

Fly to Bhuntar (Kullu) airport, 60 km north. Daily flights from Delhi, Chandigarh. Taxis ?1500-2000 (1½ hrs), shared cabs ?300-400. In monsoon, flights sometimes divert, so keep a road backup ready.

Beautiful all the way. From Delhi take NH44 to Chandigarh, then NH154 via Bilaspur - smooth four-lane till Sundernagar, then winding mountain road with Beas river views. Overnight HRTC Volvos from Delhi (?1100-1500), luxury cabs ?9000-12000. Best views if you drive yourself.

No broad-gauge in Mandi. Pathankot (210 km) is the practical junction for most trains. The gorgeous narrow-gauge toy train from Pathankot to Joginder Nagar (55 km from Mandi) takes 8 hrs but is pure joy. HRTC buses connect both stations to Mandi.