Updated: November 2026
Short answer: From Chennai, fly IndiGo’s one non-stop to Chandigarh (6E6005, 08:35, landing 11:30, about 2 h 55 min) or connect via Delhi, Bengaluru or Hyderabad, then drive 290 km to Manali. By train it is 32 h 30 min to Delhi on the daily Tamil Nadu Express, and about 42 hours to Chandigarh on the twice-weekly Madurai–Chandigarh Superfast. Flights plus our 4N/5D Kullu Manali package come to about ₹32,900–42,400 per person off-season; plan seven days.
Quick answer: Chennai to Manali at a glance
- Best route: IndiGo 6E6005 Chennai–Chandigarh non-stop, 08:35–11:30, then a cab to Manali.
- Only one non-stop to Chandigarh; other options connect in about 5–8 hours.
- By train: 12621 Tamil Nadu Express, daily, Chennai Central 22:00 to New Delhi 06:30 (day 3); 20493 Madurai–Chandigarh SF, twice a week from Perambur.
- Tamil Nadu summer vacation 2026: 17 April to 31 May (classes 4–12 reopened 1 June).
- Time needed: 7 days by air.
- Cost: about ₹32,900–42,400 per person with flights and a 4N/5D package off-season.
Planning Manali from Chennai?
Tell us your travel dates, group size and whether you will fly or take the train. We’ll match the pickup in Chandigarh to your arrival and send one all-in quote for the cab, hotels and sightseeing. Get a free quote · WhatsApp us · Call +91 70874 88961
How do you get from Chennai to Manali?
Chennai is the farthest of the big metros from Manali, about 2,200 km to Delhi by rail. A flight to Chandigarh followed by the hill drive is the only practical way for a one-week holiday. Manali has no railway, and Kullu airport has no Chennai flights and no Delhi flights this winter.
| Route | Travel time to gateway | Then by road to Manali | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fly Chennai → Chandigarh (6E6005) | 2 h 55 min non-stop | 290 km, 7–8 h by cab | Most travellers |
| Fly Chennai → Delhi | About 2 h 50 min | 540 km, overnight drive or Volvo | When the Chandigarh non-stop is full or costly |
| Train to Delhi (Tamil Nadu Express) | 32 h 30 min | 540 km by road | Long holidays, rail lovers |
From Chandigarh airport our Chandigarh to Manali taxi starts from ₹4,199 for a sedan; an Innova Crysta from ₹7,199.
Which trains run from Chennai towards Manali?
From Indian Railways data on 5 November 2026; check current timings on IRCTC.
| Train | Runs | Departs | Arrives | Journey | Approx. fare (SL / 3A) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12621 Tamil Nadu Express | Daily | Chennai Central 22:00 | New Delhi 06:30 (day 3) | 32 h 30 min | ₹886 / ₹2,235 |
| 12615 Grand Trunk Express | Daily | Chennai Central 18:15 | New Delhi 05:10 (day 3) | 34 h 55 min | ₹889 / ₹2,235 |
| 12433 Chennai Rajdhani | 2 days a week | Chennai Central 06:05 | Hazrat Nizamuddin 10:30 (day 2) | 28 h 25 min | 3A about ₹3,230 + catering |
| 20493 Madurai–Chandigarh SF | 2 days a week | Perambur 09:15 | Chandigarh 03:30 (day 3) | 42 h 15 min | ₹960 / ₹2,400 |
The Tamil Nadu Express’s 06:30 arrival works well with the 07:40 Kalka Shatabdi to Chandigarh, if the train is on time; in December and January it often is not, because of fog. The Madurai–Chandigarh train is the only direct option to Chandigarh, but its 03:30 arrival means waiting for daylight before the hill drive.
Can you fly from Chennai to Manali?
To Chandigarh, yes, once a day. On Friday 20 November 2026 IndiGo 6E6005 left Chennai at 08:35 and landed in Chandigarh at 11:30. Every other option connects, typically via Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad or Pune, and takes 5 to 8 hours. With the 11:30 arrival you reach Manali around 7–8 pm in good conditions; in mid-winter we prefer a night in Chandigarh or Mandi.
There are no Chennai–Kullu flights, and the Delhi–Kullu link is suspended for winter 2026–27.
What is the best plan for a Manali trip from Chennai?
Book 6E6005 to Chandigarh, spend the first night in Chandigarh or Mandi in winter (or drive straight up in summer), then four or five nights in Manali, and fly home from Chandigarh. That is a seven-day trip that does not feel rushed.
Our Kullu Manali package from Chandigarh (4N/5D, from ₹12,999 per person) covers the Manali part; we add the transit night when you enquire. If you are coming this far, the Shimla Manali tour from Chandigarh (5N/6D, from ₹12,499 per person) is good value for seeing both hill stations. Bring proper woollens, gloves and closed shoes from November to March; we can arrange snow suits locally.
When should travellers from Chennai go to Manali?
- Summer vacation: Tamil Nadu schools broke on 17 April 2026, and classes 4–12 reopened on 1 June 2026. Late April and May are peak in Manali; book early.
- Pongal (mid-January): a good snow window. Solang and the Atal Tunnel area usually have snow by then.
- Northeast monsoon months (October–December at home): Manali is dry and clear then, which makes November and early December an attractive, off-season escape.
- Avoid: mid-July to mid-September in Himachal (monsoon landslides).
How much does a Manali tour package from Chennai cost?
Per person, two sharing a room, split into reaching Chandigarh and back and the land package.
| Part of the trip | Per person (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Chennai–Chandigarh–Chennai, return | ₹20,000–₹29,400 | Chennai–Chandigarh, lowest daily fares about ₹9,900–14,700 one way in December 2026. |
| Land package: Kullu Manali package from Chandigarh, 4N/5D | From ₹12,999 | Manali, Solang, Kullu and Manikaran; private sedan; breakfast and dinner; Deluxe ₹12,999, Super Deluxe ₹15,339, Luxury ₹17,549 per person, twin sharing, off-season |
| Total with flights + package | ₹32,900–₹42,400 | Off-season, Deluxe hotels, twin sharing. Lunches, activities and snow gear extra. |
Off-season rates apply 1 July–30 September, 1 November–19 December and 6 January–14 March; peak dates (15 March–30 June, all of October and 20 December–5 January) are priced 25% higher. Flight fares are the lowest fares we saw for each December 2026 departure day when we checked on 5 November 2026; they move daily, so treat them as a guide. Train fares are the listed adult fares; check IRCTC before booking. For lunches, activity tickets and snow gear, see our Manali trip cost breakdown.
What does a 7-day Manali itinerary from Chennai look like?
Seven days with the 08:35 non-stop and a transit night on the way up.
| Day | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fly 6E6005 Chennai–Chandigarh (08:35–11:30). In summer drive straight to Manali; in winter drive to Mandi or stay in Chandigarh. | Mandi / Chandigarh / Manali |
| Day 2 | Continue to Manali (or rest if you arrived the night before). Evening on Mall Road. | Manali |
| Day 3 | Manali local sightseeing: Hadimba Devi Temple (built in 1553) in its cedar grove, Van Vihar by the Beas, the hot springs at Vashisht village, and Old Manali’s cafés and Mall Road in the evening. Our Manali local sightseeing guide has the order and taxi rates. | Manali |
| Day 4 | Solang Valley, then the Atal Tunnel (9.02 km, opened in October 2020) to Sissu in Lahaul. Snow play here from late December in most winters; after fresh snow, police often allow only 4×4 vehicles beyond Solang. See our Solang Valley guide. | Manali |
| Day 5 | Kullu valley day: the gurudwara and hot springs at Manikaran and the riverside at Kasol, or a shorter loop to Naggar Castle. River rafting near Kullu runs when the season and water level allow. | Manali |
| Day 6 | Weather buffer: keep this day free for snow, a second try at Sissu if the tunnel road was shut, or the walk from Vashisht up to Jogini Falls. | Manali |
| Day 7 | Drive to Chandigarh and fly home (check the return flight time; most Chennai connections go via Delhi or Bengaluru). | — |
What this means for your trip
From Chennai, think of Manali as a seven-day holiday built on one non-stop flight. Book 6E6005 early, add a transit night in winter, and keep a spare day in Manali for snow or road closures. The train is a two-night journey each way and only suits long holidays. For more on costs, see our Himachal trip cost guide. Thinking of Kashmir instead? See our Kashmir tour package from Chennai, with flight options and prices.
Manali tour package from Chennai: frequently asked questions
How do I reach Manali from Chennai?
Fly IndiGo non-stop from Chennai to Chandigarh (6E6005, about 2 h 55 min) and drive about 290 km to Manali in 7–8 hours. There is no direct flight or train to Manali.
Is there a direct flight from Chennai to Chandigarh?
Yes, one: IndiGo 6E6005, which left Chennai at 08:35 and landed at 11:30 on a typical November 2026 day. Other options connect via Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad or Pune.
Is there a train from Chennai to Chandigarh?
Yes. 20493 Madurai–Chandigarh Superfast runs twice a week and leaves Perambur at 09:15, reaching Chandigarh at 03:30 two days later, about 42 hours. The daily Tamil Nadu Express goes to New Delhi in 32 h 30 min.
How much is a Manali package from Chennai?
About ₹32,900–42,400 per person off-season with return flights to Chandigarh and our 4N/5D Kullu Manali package from ₹12,999. Add a transit night in winter.
How many days do I need for Manali from Chennai?
Seven days: a travel day each way and four or five nights in the mountains, with one spare day for weather.
When is the best time for Chennai travellers to visit Manali?
Late December to February for snow (Pongal in mid-January is a good window), March to June for sightseeing, and November for clear, off-season travel. Avoid mid-July to mid-September.
Get your Manali quote from Chennai
Send your dates, group size and hotel class. We’ll quote the pickup in Chandigarh, hotels, cab and sightseeing as one itemised price, and help you pick the train or flight that fits it. No payment until you approve the quote.
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