Quick Facts10-sec scan
How I Did It
- Overnight train Delhi → Pathankot, sleeper (~₹300) — left ~11:45 pm, reached ~7:15 am, zero spent on a hotel.
- HRTC ordinary bus Pathankot → Dharamshala (~₹220, ~3.5 hrs, buses every few minutes), then local bus up to McLeod (~₹25).
- 3 nights in a Dharamkot dorm (~₹400/night) — cheapest beds, best views, at the Triund trailhead.
- Dhabas and Tibetan joints (~₹700/day); Triund self-guided — no guide, no fee beyond the checkpost entry.
My Route
- 1Delhi → Pathankot~₹300,overnight sleeper ~₹300, ~9–10 hrs, arrive ~7:15 am
- 2HRTC ordinary bus (~₹220, ~3.5 hrs) → Dharamshala
- 3Local bus~₹25~₹25) → McLeod Ganj → Dharamkot (dorm, 3 nights
- 4Triund day trek~₹200entry ~₹200 at Gallu checkpost
- 5Return: same route in reverse
My Experience
This was my “how cheap can this actually go” experiment, and the answer is: very. The sleeper berth cost less than a Delhi pizza; I woke in Pathankot as the hills appeared. Get this right — check whether your train goes to Pathankot Junction or Pathankot Cantt. They’re kilometres apart — I nearly headed to the wrong bus stand before a tea vendor corrected me.
The HRTC ordinary bus to Dharamshala is the unsung hero: ~₹220 for 85 km of pretty country is absurd value. From Dharamshala the local bus crawls to McLeod, then the walk up to Dharamkot — my legs complained, my eyes did not.
Triund on day 2: 9 km up, 4–5 hours, tea shops at the moments of despair. ~₹200 entry at the Gallu checkpost — keep the receipt, they check. Day 3: Bhagsu waterfall and temple complex, both free, both lovely. Day 4: morning bus back, ₹400 more in my pocket than planned — which felt like winning.
What I Spent
| Expense | Approx Cost |
|---|---|
| Delhi → Pathankot sleeper (×2) | ₹600 |
| Pathankot → Dharamshala HRTC bus (×2) | ₹440 |
| Local buses (Dharamshala ↔ McLeod) | ₹100 |
| Dorm, Dharamkot (3 nights) | ₹1,200 |
| Food, 4 days | ₹3,200 |
| Triund entry + trail snacks | ₹400 |
| Misc | ₹500 |
Prices are approximate and may vary.
Travelled: April 2025
Money Saver
The overnight sleeper is the whole trick — it replaces a hotel night and costs ~₹300. On the 85-km Pathankot hop, skip the private “Volvos”: HRTC ordinary buses are plentiful, comfortable enough, ~₹220.
Reality Check
Sleeper train both ways + HRTC ordinary buses + Dharamkot dorm. Whole-trip transport: under ₹1,200.
Nothing I skipped — but I’d pay ₹200 extra for a window-side bus seat. The views deserve it.
Almost going to the wrong Pathankot station. Check Jn vs Cantt before you leave Delhi.
How good the free stuff was — Triund, Bhagsu, the temple complex. My cheapest days were my favourites.
In a heartbeat — this is now my default “I need mountains this weekend” formula.
What I Wish I Knew
- Book the sleeper berth early — confirmed berths vanish on summer weekends; the waitlist is brutal.
- Buses marked “McLeod Ganj” often terminate at Dharamshala — plan the local leg up instead of being surprised.
- Dharamkot/Bhagsu beds run ₹100–200 cheaper on weekdays; weekends fill with the Delhi crowd.
- Triund needs no guide — go self-sufficient with water and snacks, start early, check the weather (snow shuts it in peak winter).
- Carry cash up from Dharamshala; ATMs thin out in Dharamkot.
About the Traveler
Written by the Wayfare founder — travelling the Himalayas on a budget and writing down everything, so the next traveler spends less.
Founder stories · real trips, real costs.
Divya
Is the sleeper actually comfortable enough, or should I pay for 3AC?
Honestly fine — ~9–10 hours overnight and I slept through most of it. 3AC (~₹750–1,000) is comfier but triples the cost; the point is keeping transit under ₹1,200 total.
How do I get from the station to the bus stand?
Auto or a short walk, depending on Jn vs Cantt — exactly why I say check before leaving Delhi. From the main bus stand, Dharamshala buses leave every few minutes in the morning; I just walked up and got on.
Traveler discussion (0)
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