Chandigarh to Dalhousie by road
| Distance | Driving time | Route |
|---|---|---|
| About 345 km | 8 hours | via Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Pathankot |
We take the plains route via Ludhiana and Jalandhar to Pathankot, then climb up to Dalhousie through Dunera and Banikhet. The hill section is the last two hours. Families often add Khajjiar the next morning; it is only 22 km from Dalhousie and the meadow is best before the day-trippers arrive.
Plains driving takes most of the day, so we start by 7 am and plan lunch around Jalandhar. If the group wants a break, Amritsar is only a small detour west of Jalandhar and works well as an overnight halt. Dalhousie’s cool evenings are a big change from Chandigarh summers, so pack a light jacket even in June.
Pickup in Chandigarh
We pick up from Chandigarh airport, the railway station, ISBT Sector 43 or your home or hotel in Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula or Zirakpur.
Arriving in Dalhousie
The town centre is narrow, so we drop you at your hotel or near Gandhi Chowk and wait at the nearest parking. Worth your time in Dalhousie: Khajjiar meadow, about 22 km away, Gandhi Chowk, Kalatop forest and Panchpula. See our Dalhousie page for more.
What a Chandigarh to Dalhousie trip costs
A 2-day return trip covers about 690 km. Outstation trips are ₹40 per km with a minimum of 300 km a day, so the estimate is 690 km × ₹40 = ₹27,600 plus tolls, driver included.