Route & transit
How to Travel from Delhi to DharamshalaEleven hours from Delhi. Worth every one.
Flights to Gaggal, the overnight Volvo, the train via Pathankot, and the drive — what each really costs in time and money, and how to get the last 15 km to Rakkar.
- 75 min
- By air, DEL to DHM
- 10–11 hrs
- Overnight Volvo
- 4 options
- Compared honestly
Pickup from Gaggal included on residential stays
- Flight time
- 75 min (Delhi DEL → Kangra Gaggal DHM)
- Overnight bus
- 10 to 11 hours (Volvo AC sleeper/seater)
- Train option
- Vande Bharat to Amb Andaura, or train to Pathankot
- To Rakkar
- 15 km from Gaggal Airport (~30 min by taxi)
Option 1: Flights from Delhi to Gaggal (Kangra Airport) — Fastest
SpiceJet, IndiGo, and Alliance Air operate daily flights from Delhi (DEL) to Kangra Gaggal Airport (DHM). Flying time is approximately 70–75 minutes. From Gaggal, Rakkar village is only 15 km away (about 30 minutes by taxi), making it significantly closer than the climb to McLeod Ganj. Caveat: Gaggal is a visual-flight-rules airport; winter fog in Delhi and monsoon cloud in the valley can cause cancellations or delays. Always keep a buffer day before international connecting flights.
Option 2: Overnight Volvo Buses — Reliable & Popular
Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) and private operators run nightly semi-sleeper and sleeper Volvo buses from Kashmiri Gate (ISBT) and Majnu ka Tilla in Delhi. Buses depart between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM and reach Dharamshala or McLeod Ganj around 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM (10–11 hours). For Rakkar, ask to be dropped at the Dharamshala bus stand or near Sidhbari on the main highway.
Option 3: Train via Pathankot or Amb Andaura
The New Delhi–Amb Andaura Vande Bharat Express takes roughly 5.5 hours to Amb Andaura, followed by a 2.5-hour taxi ride to Dharamshala. Alternatively, overnight express trains run to Pathankot Cantt (PTKC), from where Rakkar is an 85 km taxi drive (about 2.5 to 3 hours).
Option 4: Driving from Delhi (480 km)
The route follows NH 44 through Ambala and Chandigarh, then NH 205 and NH 503 through Kiratpur, Anandpur Sahib, and Kangra. Driving time is roughly 9 to 11 hours depending on stops. Roads are four-lane highway until the foothills, after which mountain roads require steady driving.
Arriving at Mita Pottery Studio in Rakkar
Rakkar is situated on the south-east edge of Dharamshala along Rakkar Road near Sidhbari. From Gaggal Airport, taxis take about 30 minutes; from Dharamshala bus stand, about 15–20 minutes; from McLeod Ganj, about 40–45 minutes down the hill. Residential immersion and practice week guests receive complimentary airport pickup at Gaggal.
What it actually looks like
Not a brochure. Two clips from the studio’s own Instagram, shot on ordinary days. They play here without sound — tap either one for the whole thing, music and comments included.
Clay-covered hands, endless chatter, spontaneous pizza afternoons, little walks between making, and slow pottery while the monsoons roll in. No rush, no perfect schedule.
In a parallel universe I run a tiny pottery studio in the mountains. Life at the studio lately.
More of the day-to-day on Instagram, at @mitapotterystudio.
Frequently asked questions
Tap a question to open it.
What is the nearest airport to Dharamshala and Rakkar?
Kangra Gaggal Airport (DHM), located about 15 km from Rakkar village (a 30-minute taxi ride). Flights connect directly to Delhi and Chandigarh.
How long does the overnight bus from Delhi take?
Most overnight Volvo buses take 10 to 11 hours. They leave Delhi in the evening and arrive in Dharamshala early the following morning.
Is the flight to Gaggal reliable in winter?
Winter morning fog in Delhi and afternoon clouds in Kangra can cause flight delays or cancellations. If flying in December or January, book afternoon flights when possible and allow a day's buffer before onward international travel.
Does Studio Mita arrange airport transfers?
Yes. Airport pickup from Kangra Gaggal Airport is included in all Pottery Immersion and Practice Week packages. For weekend workshop guests, we can recommend vetted local taxi drivers or send a Google Maps pin for easy navigation.
Explore more
Come and make something
Pick a workshop and tell us the dates you are around — we confirm the slot on WhatsApp. Or just message +91 88796 54294 and ask us anything first.