How to Reach Leh, Ladakh, India
By Train
Leh does not have a railway station. The nearest major railhead is Tawi Railway Station in Jammu, which is approximately 700 km away from Leh. From Jammu, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Leh. The journey by road from Jammu to Leh usually takes about 2 days, with a recommended stopover in Srinagar or Kargil for acclimatization and rest.
By Flight
Leh's Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is well-connected with several major cities in India. It is advisable to book flights well in advance due to the limited number of flights and the high demand during the peak tourist season.
By Road
Leh can be reached by road via two routes. One is the Srinagar-Leh Highway (NH-1), and the other is the Manali-Leh Highway. The highways are only open for a few months (typically from June to October) each year depending on the snowfall. Both journeys offer breathtaking views but require careful planning and acclimatization to the high altitude.
How to Reach Leh, Ladakh from India's Top 10 Cities
- New Delhi (1047 km by road)
- - Flight: Direct flights available to Leh.
- - By Road: Delhi - Manali - Leh with a recommended stopover in Manali.
- - Train: Travel to Jammu Tawi Railway Station by train and then proceed by road to Leh.
- Mumbai (Approx. 2300 km by road)
- - Flight: Direct flights are available with one stop, usually in New Delhi or Srinagar.
- - By Road: Mumbai - Delhi - Manali - Leh or Mumbai - Delhi - Srinagar - Leh with recommended stopovers in Delhi, Manali or Srinagar.
- - Train: Travel to Jammu Tawi Railway Station by train and then proceed by road to Leh.
- Kolkata (Approx. 2340 km by road)
- - Flight: Flights available with one stop, usually in New Delhi.
- - By Road: Kolkata - Varanasi - Delhi - Manali - Leh with stopovers in Varanasi, Delhi and Manali.
- - Train: Travel to Jammu Tawi Railway Station by train and proceed by road.
- Bengaluru (Approx. 3160 km by road)
- - Flight: Direct flights available with one stop, typically in New Delhi.
- - By Road: Bengaluru - Hyderabad - Nagpur - Delhi - Manali - Leh with stopovers in Hyderabad, Nagpur, Delhi and Manali.
- - Train: Travel to Jammu Tawi Railway Station by train from Bengaluru and then by road.
- Chennai (Approx. 3050 km by road)
- - Flight: Flights available with one stop, often in New Delhi.
- - By Road: Chennai - Nagpur - Delhi - Manali - Leh or Chennai - Nagpur - Delhi - Srinagar - Leh with recommended stopovers in Nagpur, Delhi, and Manali or Srinagar.
- - Train: Travel to Jammu Tawi Railway Station and proceed by road.
- Hyderabad (Approx. 2350 km by road)
- - Flight: Direct flights available with one stop, usually in New Delhi.
- - By Road: Hyderabad - Nagpur - Delhi - Manali - Leh with stopovers in Nagpur, Delhi, and Manali.
- - Train: Travel to Jammu Tawi Railway Station and then by road.
- Ahmedabad (Approx. 1800 km by road)
- - Flight: Direct flights available with one stop in New Delhi.
- - By Road: Ahmedabad - Udaipur - Jaipur - Delhi - Manali - Leh with recommended stopovers in Udaipur, Jaipur, Delhi, and Manali.
- - Train: Travel to Jammu Tawi Railway Station by train and proceed by road.
- Pune (Approx. 2300 km by road)
- - Flight: Flights available with one stop, usually in New Delhi.
- - By Road: Pune - Mumbai - Delhi - Manali - Leh with a recommended stopover in Mumbai, Delhi, and Manali.
- - Train: Travel to Jammu Tawi Railway Station by train and continue by road.
- Jaipur (Approx. 1300 km by road)
- - Flight: Direct flights available to Leh with one stop, often in New Delhi.
- - By Road: Jaipur - Delhi - Manali - Leh with recommended stopovers in Delhi and Manali.
- - Train: Travel to Jammu Tawi Railway Station and then by road to Leh.
- Surat (Approx. 1900 km by road)
- - Flight: Flights available with one stop, typically in New Delhi.
- - By Road: Surat - Udaipur - Jaipur - Delhi - Manali - Leh with recommended stopovers in Udaipur, Jaipur, Delhi, and Manali.
- - Train: Travel to Jammu Tawi Railway Station by train from Surat and continue by road.
Remember that road distances are approximate and the actual travel distance could vary according to the chosen route, road conditions, and stopovers. It is also important to note that while Leh is accessible by road from different parts of the country, visitors should be prepared for high-altitude travel and must ensure proper acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness.