By Air: : The Bhuntar Airport, also known as Kullu Manali Airport located nearly 50 kilometers to the south of Manali on NH 21 is the closest airport from here. The airlines operational at this airport are: Air India Regional, Jagson Airlines and Kingfisher Airlines that connect Manali to a number of major cities of the country including Delhi, Chandigarh, Pathankot, Dharamsala and Shimla via air. The Bhuntar Airport has more than a kilometers long single runway and it is quite challenging for the pilot as the airport is set up in the midst of a deep valley surrounded by tall mountains. To reach Manali from this airport one can rent a pre paid taxi which is very easily available here and charges around 1000 INR. Chandigarh Airport located roughly 300 kilometers from Manali is the nearest major airport that provides a better air connectivity with rest of the country.

By Rail: Manali is not easily accessible by rail route. Joginder Nagar Railway Station, parked about 135 kilometers from Manali is the nearest narrow gauge train station while the nearest broad gauge railway station from here is located at Chandigarh about 275 kilometers away. To reach Joginder Nagar from Manali one will have to hire a taxi which will cost around Rs. 1000 or more.

By Road: Manali is well connected with Delhi and other destinations of the state and country via a well established road network. To reach Manali from Delhi one will have to take NH 1 up to Chandigarh and then continue traveling on NH 21 that passes through Bilaspur, Sundernagar, Mandi and Kullu and finally reaches Manali. The total distance between Delhi and Manali comes around 550 kilometers. Manali is located about 40 kilometers from Kullu, 102 km from Mandi, 134 km from Sundernagar, 175 km from Bilaspur, 246 km from Dharamsala, 258 km from Shimla, and 286 km from Chandigarh. Direct buses, both state transport and private, ply to almost all these destinations from Manali. Hiring a private cab to reach Manali is also another alternative but it involves about a 6 hours drive on hilly roads of Himachal Pradesh. So the taxi and the taxi driver both need to be prepared and competent.