Shimla and Manali, nestled in the Himachal Pradesh, are two of the most famous hill stations. With a Hyderabad to Shimla Manali trip tourists can seek a quiet escape or thrilling tour. Their pristine beauty, cool weather, and outdoor sports meanwhile make them an ideal destination.
If you’re from Hyderabad, planning a budget friendly trip to Shimla Manali, here’s a guide. It will further help you to make the most of your trip. That too without burning a hole in your pocket.
1: Best Time to Visit Shimla and Manali
Choosing the right time for your trip is crucial for both budget and experience. The summer months (March to June) are the most famous for visiting these hill stations.
It is due to pleasant weather. However, this Shimla Kullu Manali Hyderabad best for tourist plan option. So, you might find higher hotel rates and crowded attractions.
To save money and avoid the rush, try going during the off season. The months of September to November and late February to early March offer more easy vibe.
As there are fewer tourists, lower hotel prices, and discounts on thrills. Further, if you love snow, December to February is the best time to visit. But, be ready for slightly higher travel expenses during this peak winter period.
2: How to Reach Shimla and Manali from Hyderabad
One of the biggest factors of a budget trip is figuring out how to get there. While Shimla and Manali are both located in the northern part of India. But, you have various options to meanwhile travel from Hyderabad.
By Air
The quickest way to reach Shimla or Manali is by flight. While Shimla has an airport, it is small and only connected to Delhi. Manali’s nearest airport is Bhuntar, which is about 50 km from the town. You can fly from Hyderabad to Delhi or Chandigarh.
It firstly offers better flight deals. After that, take a bus or taxi to Shimla or Manali. If you are looking to save on flight tickets, book in advance. Above all, look for budget airlines that offer great discounts.
By Train
If you’re looking for a more cheaper option, touring by train is a great choice. You can firstly board a train from Hyderabad to Delhi or Chandigarh.
From there, take a bus or taxi to Shimla and Manali. A journey by train further takes longer but is much cheaper than to flights. The most budget friendly trains from Hyderabad to Delhi are the Dakshin Express or AP Express.
By Bus
For a direct journey, buses from Delhi and Chandigarh are available to both Shimla and Manali. You can take a train or flight to Delhi.
After that, book a bus for the remaining journey. Volvos are more comfortable but slightly pricier. While, state run buses are cheaper but less comfortable.
By Car
For those seeking ease, hiring a car or driving your own vehicle is one more option. This might cost you more than to public transport.
But, it meanwhile allows for scenic stops along the way. That further comes in between mainly if you plan to take the Manali route.
3: Accommodation Options on a Budget
Finding cheaper places to stay is must for a budget trip. Both Shimla and Manali offer a range of staying options. That range further from budget guest houses to hostels and dormitories.
Hostels
If you’re touring solo or with friends, hostels can be the most cheaper choice. They mainly offer dormitory style rooms with shared facilities at very low rates.
There are many famous hostels in Manali and Shimla. All of them further have multiple branches across the regions.
Budget Hotels
Budget hotels and guest houses are plentiful in both cities. These are mainly located a little further from the main tourist areas.
But, they further offer more comfort and clean facilities. You can find rooms starting at around INR 500 1500 per night, as per the season. Websites can meanwhile help you to book budget stays at lower rates.
Homestays
For a more local experience, try staying in home stays. These are often cheaper than hotels.
Above all, they allow you to experience the culture and lifestyle of Himachal Pradesh. Home stays can be found in both Shimla and Manali. They further offer good value for money.
4: Food and Dining on a Budget
Food in Shimla and Manali can range from street food to high end dining. But there are plenty of cheaper options for budget tourists for Hyderabad to Shimla Manali trip.
Street food is an ideal way to try local flavors. That further help you to keep the costs low.
Shimla
Try the local dishes for example Chana Madra, Siddu, and Tandoori Momos. The Mall Road in Shimla has various budget eateries. There, you can enjoy a meal for as low as INR 100 to 200 per person.
Manali
Manali offers a range of budget friendly restaurants. Many of them are further lying near the Old Manali area.
Local dishes for example Kadhi, Chana Bhatura, and Tibetan Momos are cheaper and tasty. A meal at a local place can cost between INR 150 300.
Meanwhile, avoid dining at costly hotels and restaurants targeting tourists. Instead, explore local markets and street food stalls for real and low cost meals.
5: Exploring Shimla and Manali on a Budget
Both Shimla and Manali offer a wide range of activities. You can enjoy most of them without spending much money. Here’s how you can meanwhile explore these hill stations in budget.
Shimla
Visit Jakhoo Temple (free entry), stroll along the Mall Road, and explore the Ridge area. You can meanwhile visit Kufri for scenic views and low cost activities.
That are for example horse riding or a go karting track. If you are into nature, a walk through the Shimla Heritage Walk is free. It meanwhile offers lovely views of the nearby.
Manali
For thrill lovers, Solang Valley offers activities for example paragliding and zorbing. That are more cheaper than in famous tourist spots.
You can visit the Old Manali area, which has scenic views and quiet cafes. Don’t miss a trip to Hidimba Temple (free entry). Visit the Rohtang Pass (though the permit is often costly during peak seasons).
For transport, try using local buses or shared cabs to get around. Above all, these are cheaper than hiring private taxis.
6: Money Saving Tips for Your Trip
Book in advance
Whether it is hotel, transport, or activities, booking in advance will save you money. It guarantee the booking mainly during peak seasons.
Travel with a group
Group travel further allows you to split costs for transport, hotels, and even activities.
Use local transport
Instead of taxis, further use public buses and shared cabs to get around the cities.
Bargain
When shopping for souvenirs or booking tours, don’t hesitate to bargain for a better price.
7: Conclusion
Planning a budget trip from Hyderabad to Shimla and Manali is possible with the right approach. It further goes from cheaper transport options to budget stays and cheap local meals.
These hill stations meanwhile offer plenty of options to explore without spending much. Just plan ahead for Hyderabad to Shimla Manali trip and choose the right time to visit. That offers an enjoyable and budget friendly experience in the hill stations of Himachal Pradesh.