Dharamshala is in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, about 480 km north of Delhi. Here is how to get here.
By Air — Gaggal (Kangra) Airport, DHM
The nearest airport is Kangra Airport at Gaggal, around 13 km from Dharamshala and 22 km from McLeodganj. There are daily flights from Delhi, and connections to other cities through Delhi. A pre-booked taxi takes 30–40 minutes to Dharamshala and 45–60 minutes to McLeodganj.
By Train — Pathankot
The nearest broad-gauge railway stations are Pathankot Junction and Pathankot Cantt (Chakki Bank), around 90 km away, with overnight trains from Delhi. The drive from Pathankot to Dharamshala takes about 2.5–3 hours. The narrow-gauge Kangra Valley Railway from Pathankot to Joginder Nagar is a slow but beautiful heritage ride; Kangra Mandir station is the nearest stop for Dharamshala.
By Road
Volvo and HRTC buses run overnight from Delhi (ISBT Kashmere Gate) and Chandigarh to Dharamshala and McLeodganj. By car or taxi, the route from Delhi runs via Ambala, Ropar, Una and Kangra and takes 10–11 hours.
Getting Around
Roads in the upper town are narrow and steep, and parking is limited. Most visitors hire a local taxi for airport transfers and sightseeing rather than self-driving.
Planning tip: Book your airport pickup in advance so a driver is waiting at arrivals with your name — especially for evening flights.
Planning this trip?
Book a private cab with an experienced local driver.
