Chandigarh serves as a perfect starting point for your Shimla Manali trip. Planning a budget trip from Chandigarh to Shimla Manali is an exciting chance. You can explore two of India’s most famous hill stations while keeping your expenses low.
They stands out with stunning scenery, pleasant weather, and various thrills to choose from. In short, these places offer a cheaper and pleasant experience for all kinds of tourists. This guide will walk you further the steps to plan a budget friendly trip to them. Meanwhile, it offers all from travel tips and stays to budget activities and meals.
Choosing the Best Time to Visit
The first step for your budget trip is choosing the best time to visit Shimla Manali. Both of them have some thing unique to offer year round. But, the season you choose will further affect your overall costs.
If you are Chandigarh Shimla Manali budget plan on a tight budget, try visiting during the shoulder seasons. That meanwhile lies from March to June and September to November.
During these months, the weather is pleasant, and you can avoid the peak tourist rush. That further leads to lower staying prices and fewer crowds at famous places.
Moreover, try touring outside the peak winter (December to February) or summer (June to August). These seasons meanwhile ensure that you can get better deals on hotels and transport.
Affordable Transportation Options
One of the main expenses when going from Chandigarh to Shimla and Manali is transport. By luck, there are many budget friendly options to choose further.
If you are looking for the cheapest mode of transport, taking a state run bus. Taking a Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus is a great option. These buses are firstly reliable and highly cheaper than to private taxis or cars. The distance between Chandigarh and Shimla is about 113 km.
That further takes around 4 5 hours by bus. While Chandigarh to Manali is around 310 km, taking about 8 9 hours. Opting for overnight buses can save you on stay for the night. It meanwhile helps you to stay within your budget.
If you prefer a bit more comfort without overspending, take a semi deluxe or Volvo bus. These buses further offer good seating and are more cheaper than hiring a private vehicle.
If going in a group, rent a self drive car or share a taxi. Above all, it could also be a cost saving option.
Budget Friendly Accommodations
Stays can take up a big chunk of your travel expenses. But with a little research, you can find plenty of budget friendly hotels and guest houses. That lie further in both Shimla and Manali.
In Shimla, look for stays in areas for example Mall Road and Lakkar Bazaar. Choose the areas slightly outside the main tourist zones like Chotta Shimla or New Shimla.
Guest houses, home stays, and budget hotels offer rooms starting at INR 600 to 1000 per night. Try to book well in advance or travel during the off season. With that, you might even find great deals on mid range hotels.
Similarly, Manali offers cheaper stays in areas for example Old Manali, Vashisht, and Naggar Road. Backpacker hostels, guest houses, and budget hotels can be found here.
The prices start from INR 700 per night. Booking stays online through websites can further help. With that, you find cheaper stays and take benefit of early bird discounts.
Affordable Dining Options
Eating on a budget in Shimla and Manali is easy. All thanks to the various small eateries and dhabas. That further offer tasty meals at cheaper prices.
In Shimla, you can find cheaper food joints along Mall Road and Lower Bazaar. Local Himachali dishes like chana madra, babru, and siddu are not only tasty but also inexpensive. Many dhabas serve thalis (Indian meal plates). That meanwhile include rice, roti, dal, and vegetables for as low as INR 150.
In Manali, Old Manali is home to many budget friendly cafés and restaurants. That offer Indian, Tibetan, and continental cuisine. You can meanwhile explore local Tibetan food stalls in the Manali market.
That further serve momos, thukpa, and other snacks at low cost. To save even more, opt for veg meals. As they are mainly less expensive than non veg options.
Free and Low Cost Activities
The best things about Shimla Manali is that there are many free or low cost activities. That meanwhile allow you to enjoy the region’s natural beauty and culture within the bank.
In Shimla, take a walk along Mall Road, explore the Ridge, and visit Jakhoo Temple. All of them are free activities. You can also explore the nearby Kufri.
That further offers scenic views and cheaper horse riding experiences. If you like history, visit the Viceregal Lodge. It has tickets costing just INR 50 per person.
Manali, famous for its outdoor sports, also has plenty of budget friendly activities. Trekking is a great way to explore the natural landscapes of the region without spending much. Enjoy famous trails like the Jogini Falls trek, Beas Kund trek, or visit the Solang Valley.
They are great budget friendly options. Vashisht Temple, famous for its hot springs, is one more free attraction to enjoy. For adventure seekers, activities for example paragliding, river rafting, and skiing are available. They comes at cheap rates during certain times of the year.
Tips for Saving More
There are many small but impactful ways. With that, you can save more during Chandigarh to Shimla and Manali trip. For instance, carry your own snacks and water bottles.
That further helps you to avoid frequent purchases on the way. Also, opt for shared taxis or public transport within Shimla and Manali. This will meanwhile helps to save money on private rides. Bargain with shopkeepers when buying souvenirs or booking activities, as prices are often negotiable.
Plan your trip in a way that reduce back and forth travel between places. Grouping nearby places together can meanwhile help you save on transport costs.
Conclusion
Planning a budget trip from Chandigarh to Shimla Manali is entirely possible. Just do careful planning and make smart choices. Travel during the off season, choose cheaper transport, find budget stay, and enjoy low cost activities.
With that, you can have an ideal Chandigarh to Shimla Manali trip without spending much. These tips, allows you to enjoy the beauty of Shimla and Manali. Above all, you can stick to your budget, creating lasting moments along the way.
