The trip to Dalhousie is a long one if you are heading from Delhi. There are direct buses to Dalhousie from Delhi which take around 12 hours to reach Delhi. It usually involves taking an overnight train to Pathankot (about 10 hr) and then a 2–3 hr drive from Pathankot to Dalhousie. The options for overnight trains are Delhi-Pathankot or Delhi-Chakki Bank train.
By Plane
While Dalhousie does not have its own airport, cities close to this hill-station do have one. The closest domestic airport is in Pathankot which is just 75 kilometres away from Dalhousie but is connected to New Delhi only. The second nearest airport is Gaggal airport which is in the Kangra district and is approximately 140 kilometres away from the town. The airport is well-connected to both domestic and international cities. You can hire a bus from Kangra to Dalhousie, which will charge a nominal fee of INR 150 only or take a private cab/taxi transfer.
By Bus
Though the drive might be a long one but the roads leading to Dalhousie or in and around nearby towns like Pathankot and Chamba are in good condition. Many deluxe, semi-sleeper, luxury and Volvo buses run from ISBT New Delhi covering a distance of approximately 590 kilometres. Most of the buses stop by the roadside dhabas and eateries. A lot of private companies, Himachal Road Transport Corporation and Haryana Road Transport Corporation run buses to Dalhousie.
By Train
The most cost-effective and convenient way to reach Dalhousie is by train. Pathankot’s Chakki Bank railhead is the nearest railway station from Dalhousie (approximately71 kilometres). Many superfast, deluxe and express trains are well linked with most of the Indian cities including Jammu, Delhi, Jaipur, Bhatinda, Ahmedabad and Jodhpur. You also have the option to take an overnight train and reach Dalhousie in the morning. You can hire a private or a shared cab from the railway station which will take 2 to 3 hours to reach Dalhousie. The second nearest railway station from Dalhousie is Delhi which is well-connected to most of the Indian cities but from where you have to take a train again.