A 4-night, 5-day Manali trip from Delhi costs roughly ₹10,000–17,000 per person on a tight budget (Volvo bus, budget hotel on twin sharing, shared local taxis) and about ₹25,000–37,000 per person for a comfortable mid-range trip (approx., as of October 2026).
Flying to Kullu instead of taking the bus usually adds ₹8,000 or more per person. Below is the full Manali trip cost, line by line, so you can build your own budget.
What decides your Manali trip cost?
Four things move the number more than anything else:
- How you get there. The overnight Delhi–Manali bus is the cheapest option by far; flights to Kullu-Manali Airport (Bhuntar) are few and pricey.
- When you go. May–June and late December–New Year are peak season, and hotel rates rise sharply. November and early December are quieter and cheaper.
- Where you stay. A homestay in Old Manali and a resort on the Naggar road can be ₹8,000 a night apart.
- How many local taxi trips you take. Manali's local taxis charge per vehicle, so a couple pays double what a group of four pays per head.
Delhi to Manali: bus vs flight cost
Manali is about 600 km from Delhi, and the bus takes roughly 11–13 hours overnight.
- HRTC Volvo (Himsuta): from about ₹1,488 one way on booking platforms; HRTC's top Scania sleepers go up to about ₹3,600 [CHECK on hrtchp.com before booking].
- Private Volvo / sleeper buses: listed from about ₹649 (off-peak) to ₹2,300 one way on AbhiBus.
- Flight to Kullu (Bhuntar): Alliance Air is the only airline on the Delhi–Kullu route, and fares usually start around ₹4,000–10,000 one way depending on dates [CHECK]. The airport is about 52 km from Manali, so add a taxi transfer [CHECK current fare].
- Train + road: take a train to Chandigarh (₹400 sleeper to ₹1,500 AC, per SOTC's guide) and a bus or taxi up from there. This only saves money if you already have a cheap train ticket.
For most budget travellers, the overnight Volvo is the smart choice: it saves a night's hotel too.
Hotel cost in Manali by budget
Stay type | Approx. rate per room per night | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
Hostel dorm / basic homestay | ₹500–1,200 | Old Manali, Vashisht |
Budget hotel | ₹1,000–3,000 | Mall Road side lanes, Aleo |
Mid-range hotel | ₹3,500–7,000 | Hadimba Road, Log Huts area |
Luxury / boutique | ₹8,000–25,000 | Naggar road, Prini |
Hotel ranges from SOTC's 2026 Manali cost guide and TravelTourister; approx., as of October 2026. Expect higher prices from 20 December to 2 January.
Food cost in Manali
Dhabas and cafés in Old Manali serve a full thali or momos-and-thukpa meal for about ₹150–300 per person. Mid-range restaurants on and around Mall Road cost ₹500–1,000 per person per meal.
A realistic food budget is ₹600–1,000 per person per day on a budget trip and ₹1,500–2,500 for mid-range.
Local sightseeing and taxi cost
Manali taxi rates are per vehicle, not per person. Published 2026 rates collected by Travel Coffee show a wide spread, so always get a written quote:
Trip from Manali | Approx. fare per vehicle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Local sightseeing (Hadimba, Vashisht, Old Manali, Club House) | ₹1,300–4,500 | Half to full day |
Solang Valley | ₹2,000–4,500 | No permit needed |
Atal Tunnel and Sissu | ₹3,000–6,000 | No Rohtang permit needed; open year-round, weather permitting |
Rohtang Pass (summer only) | ₹4,000–12,500 | Plus permit, see below |
Rohtang permit:
If you visit Rohtang between roughly mid-May and late October, your taxi needs a permit from the Himachal government's portal (rohtangpermits.hp.gov.in): ₹500 permit fee + ₹50 congestion charge per car.
Only 1,200 tourist vehicles a day are allowed (800 petrol, 400 diesel), and tourist permits are not issued for Tuesdays. In November and winter, Rohtang is generally shut to tourists, so Solang Valley and Sissu (via Atal Tunnel) become the snow points [CHECK closure status on the day].
Atal Tunnel: No toll and no Rohtang permit is needed. Outside (non-Himachal) vehicles pay a SADA entry fee of about ₹200 near Sissu.
Activity costs in Solang Valley
Activity | Approx. price per person |
|---|---|
Paragliding (short flight) | ₹2,200–3,500 |
Skiing (when there is snow) | ₹1,500–3,500 |
Solang ropeway | ₹750–1,125 |
Zorbing | ~₹500 |
River rafting on the Beas (summer) | ₹350–2,500 |
Activity prices from SOTC and TravelTourister; approx., as of October 2026 [CHECK]. Snow at Solang usually arrives from late November or December, but it varies year to year; skiing depends on it.
Manali trip cost: a worked 4N/5D budget from Delhi
Here is how the numbers add up for two people travelling together (per-person figures, room and taxis shared):
Item | Budget (per person) | Mid-range (per person) |
|---|---|---|
Delhi–Manali–Delhi bus | ₹1,300–3,000 (private/HRTC Volvo) | ₹3,000–4,000 (HRTC Volvo/sleeper) |
Hotel, 3 nights (the other nights are on the overnight bus) | ₹1,500–3,000 | ₹5,250–10,500 |
Food, 5 days | ₹3,000–4,000 | ₹7,500–10,000 |
Local taxis (Manali local, Solang, Sissu) | ₹3,150–4,000 | ₹5,000–7,500 |
One activity (paragliding or ropeway) | ₹0–2,200 | ₹2,200–3,500 |
Misc. (tips, snacks, shopping) | ₹1,000 | ₹2,000 |
Total | ₹10,000–17,000 (approx.) | ₹25,000–37,000 (approx.) |
Approx., as of October 2026 [CHECK]. A group of four sharing one taxi and two rooms can bring the budget figure down by ₹1,500–2,500 per head.
Manali trip package from Delhi vs DIY
If you would rather not juggle buses, hotels and taxi unions, a Delhi-to-Manali tour package bundles all of it. TravelBudgetly's Himachal Shimla Manali Dharamshala package (7N/8D) is listed at ₹32,400, and the Himachal Buy 1 Get 1 Free (6N/7D) at ₹45,000.
For couples, the Himachal Magic Moments honeymoon package is the closest match to a Manali tour package for couples.
DIY is cheaper for backpackers who are happy on overnight buses. A package often works out better for families and couples in peak season, when hotel and taxi rates jump.
How to cut your Manali trip cost?
- Travel in November or the first half of December, and avoid the Christmas–New Year week.
- Take the overnight bus both ways; it also saves two nights of hotel.
- Stay in Old Manali or Vashisht rather than right on Mall Road.
- Fill a taxi: four people sharing a Solang or Sissu trip pay a quarter each.
- Book activities at the counter after comparing two or three operators, not through your hotel.
- Carry some cash; ATMs beyond Manali town are few.
If you have more days, compare this with our Spiti Valley budget travel guide (a summer route), or look at budget hill stations under ₹5,000 for a weekend for a shorter break.
FAQs
How much does a Manali trip cost?
From Delhi, a 4N/5D Manali trip costs roughly ₹10,000–17,000 per person on a budget and ₹25,000–37,000 per person mid-range, travelling by bus (approx., as of October 2026). Flying to Kullu adds about ₹8,000 or more per person.
How many days are required for a Manali trip?
Plan at least 3 nights in Manali: one day for local sights (Hadimba Temple, Vashisht, Old Manali), one for Solang Valley, and one for Atal Tunnel and Sissu. Add a day if you also want Kullu or Naggar. With two overnight bus journeys, that makes a 5-day trip from Delhi.
Which time is best for a Manali trip?
March–June suits sightseeing and Rohtang (from mid-May). December–February is for snow. November is the cheapest window, with clear skies and fewer crowds, though Rohtang is usually closed and snow at Solang is not guaranteed.
What should I pack for a Manali trip in November?
Nights drop close to freezing in November, so carry thermals, a heavy jacket, woollen cap and gloves, waterproof shoes with good grip, sunscreen and lip balm.
