Updated: November 2026
Short answer: From Kolkata, the classic way north is the daily Netaji Express (the old Kalka Mail): Howrah 21:55 to Chandigarh at 01:35 and Kalka at 03:00, two nights later. Faster is IndiGo’s afternoon non-stop to Chandigarh (14:00, landing 16:35), with a night in Chandigarh and a 290 km drive to Manali next morning. Rajdhanis reach Delhi in 17–18 hours. Flights plus our 4N/5D Kullu Manali package come to about ₹31,400–37,900 per person off-season; the Netaji Express in 3A makes it about ₹16,800.
Quick answer: Kolkata to Manali at a glance
- Fastest: IndiGo 6E874 Kolkata–Chandigarh non-stop, 14:00–16:35; night in Chandigarh, drive to Manali next morning.
- Classic train: 13051 Netaji Express, daily, Howrah 21:55 to Chandigarh 01:35 and Kalka 03:00 (about 29 hours).
- Overnight to Delhi: 12301 Howrah Rajdhani (16:50, New Delhi 10:05) and 12313 Sealdah Rajdhani (daily, 16:50, New Delhi 10:50).
- Puja vacation 2026: most schools closed 16–26 October; October is peak season in Manali.
- Time needed: 7 days by air, 9 by train.
- Cost: about ₹31,400–37,900 per person by air, or about ₹16,800 by Netaji Express (3A), with a 4N/5D package off-season.
Planning Manali from Kolkata?
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 Kolkata to Manali?
Kolkata has the oldest rail link to the Himalayan foothills in the country: the Howrah–Kalka Mail, renamed the Netaji Express in January 2021, still runs daily. That makes Kalka and Chandigarh natural gateways. By air, there is one non-stop a day to Chandigarh. Manali itself has no railway, and Kullu airport has no Delhi flights this winter.
| Route | Travel time to gateway | Then by road to Manali | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fly Kolkata → Chandigarh (6E874) | 2 h 35 min non-stop | 290 km, 7–8 h (next morning) | Short leave |
| Train to Kalka/Chandigarh (Netaji Express) | About 27–29 h | Kalka about 260 km, Chandigarh 290 km | Budget, families who like trains |
| Train to Delhi (Rajdhani) | 17–18 h overnight | 540 km: overnight drive or Volvo | Combining Delhi |
| Fly Kolkata → Delhi | About 2 h 15 min | 540 km by road | When the Chandigarh flight is full |
Our Chandigarh to Manali taxi starts from ₹4,199 one way for a sedan; pickups at Kalka can be arranged on the same basis.
Which trains run from Kolkata towards Manali?
From Indian Railways data on 5 November 2026 (the Netaji Express appears under number 13051 in current listings); check current numbers and timings on IRCTC.
| Train | Runs | Departs | Arrives | Journey | Approx. fare (SL / 3A) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13051 Netaji Express (formerly Kalka Mail) | Daily | Howrah 21:55 | Chandigarh 01:35, Kalka 03:00 (day 3) | 29 h 05 min to Kalka | ₹735 / ₹1,885 (to Kalka) |
| 12301 Howrah Rajdhani | 6 days a week | Howrah 16:50 | New Delhi 10:05 | 17 h 15 min | 3A about ₹2,360 + catering |
| 12313 Sealdah Rajdhani | Daily | Sealdah 16:50 | New Delhi 10:50 | 18 h 00 min | 3A about ₹2,375 + catering |
| 12325 Kolkata–Nangal Dam Express | Weekly | Kolkata 07:40 | Nangal Dam 16:05 (day 2) | 32 h 25 min | ₹795 / ₹2,005 |
The Netaji Express arrives at Chandigarh and Kalka in the small hours, so book a hotel near the station for a few hours’ sleep, or have our driver collect you at dawn for the drive to Manali. Many Kolkata families also break the journey in Shimla: Kalka is the start of the Kalka–Shimla toy train, which makes a natural first stop.
Can you fly from Kolkata to Manali?
To Chandigarh, one non-stop: IndiGo 6E874, which left Kolkata at 14:00 and landed at 16:35 on Friday 20 November 2026. Because it lands late in the afternoon, sleep in Chandigarh and drive to Manali the next morning; the hill road after dark is not worth the risk in winter. Connecting flights via Delhi or Patna are also available.
There are no Kolkata–Kullu flights, and the Delhi–Kullu service is suspended for winter 2026–27.
What is the best plan for a Manali trip from Kolkata?
Two good plans. If leave is short, fly 6E874 to Chandigarh, stay overnight, drive to Manali next morning, spend four nights, and fly back: seven days. If you have time and want to keep the cost down, take the Netaji Express to Kalka, add a night in Shimla, then Manali, and come back the same way: about nine days.
Our Kullu Manali package from Chandigarh (4N/5D, from ₹12,999 per person) fits the flight plan; the Shimla Manali tour from Chandigarh (5N/6D, from ₹12,499 per person) suits Netaji Express travellers who want Shimla as well.
When should travellers from Kolkata go to Manali?
- Puja vacation: most West Bengal schools closed from 16 to 26 October 2026. Manali is clear and beautiful in October, but it is peak season in our pricing, so book early.
- Christmas and winter holidays: for snow, travel between late December and February; the weeks after New Year are cheaper than the holiday week itself.
- Summer: April to June is a popular escape from Kolkata’s heat and humidity. Peak pricing applies.
- Avoid: mid-July to mid-September, the Himachal monsoon.
How much does a Manali tour package from Kolkata cost?
Per person, two sharing a room, split into reaching Chandigarh or Kalka and back, and the land package.
| Part of the trip | Per person (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Kolkata–Chandigarh–Kolkata, return | ₹18,400–₹24,900 | Kolkata–Chandigarh, lowest daily fares about ₹9,200–12,400 one way in December 2026. |
| Train 13051 Netaji Express to Kalka, 3A, return | about ₹3,800 | Listed 3A fare about ₹1,885 each way to Kalka; sleeper about ₹735. Add one extra day each way. |
| 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 | ₹31,400–₹37,900 | Off-season, Deluxe hotels, twin sharing. Lunches, activities and snow gear extra. |
| Total with train (3A) + package | about ₹16,800 | The cheapest way, but it adds two days each way. Add a Chandigarh/Kalka hotel if you arrive at night. |
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 Kolkata look like?
Seven days with the afternoon non-stop flight.
| Day | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fly 6E874 Kolkata–Chandigarh (14:00–16:35). Evening in Chandigarh: Sukhna Lake or Sector 17. | Chandigarh |
| Day 2 | Early start for Manali via Kiratpur, Bilaspur, Mandi and Kullu (about 290 km). Arrive by late afternoon. | 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 or Naggar Castle; afternoon drive down to Chandigarh, or stay and leave at dawn on Day 7. | Manali / Chandigarh |
| Day 7 | Fly Chandigarh–Kolkata (check the day’s timing). | — |
What this means for your trip
For Kolkata travellers, the choice is time versus money: the afternoon flight to Chandigarh makes Manali a one-week trip, while the Netaji Express halves the travel cost and adds the charm of the old Kalka Mail. Either way, plan the hill drive in daylight. Puja holidays fall in peak season; January and November are better value. For a longer circuit, see our Himachal tour package from Kolkata.
Manali tour package from Kolkata: frequently asked questions
How do I go from Kolkata to Manali?
Fly IndiGo non-stop to Chandigarh (14:00–16:35) and drive about 290 km to Manali the next morning, or take the daily Netaji Express from Howrah to Chandigarh or Kalka and continue by road. There is no direct flight or train to Manali.
Which train goes from Howrah to Kalka?
The Netaji Express, formerly the Howrah–Kalka Mail, runs daily from Howrah at 21:55 and reaches Chandigarh at 01:35 and Kalka at 03:00 two nights later. Current listings show it as 13051; check the number and timing on IRCTC.
Is there a direct flight from Kolkata to Chandigarh?
Yes, one a day on IndiGo: 6E874, which left Kolkata at 14:00 and landed at 16:35 on a typical November 2026 day. Other options connect via Delhi or Patna.
What is the cost of a Manali trip from Kolkata?
About ₹31,400–37,900 per person off-season with return flights and our 4N/5D Kullu Manali package from ₹12,999, or about ₹16,800 with the Netaji Express in 3A. Puja and New Year dates cost more.
Is Durga Puja a good time to visit Manali?
The weather is excellent, with clear skies and crisp days, but October is peak season in Manali and prices are about 25% higher on our packages. Book flights and hotels early.
How many days are needed for Manali from Kolkata?
Seven days by air, including a night in Chandigarh on the way. Nine days by train, especially if you add Shimla via Kalka.
Get your Manali quote from Kolkata
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.
Get a free quote · WhatsApp us · Call +91 70874 88961 · info@suzutravels.com
Suzu Travels is an HP Tourism registered travel agent (Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022) — see our certificates.
