Airports with Hill Stations in India: Fly Directly to the Mountains!

Posted on Monday, January 12th, 2026 by Chakshu Kaur Leave a Comment

Travelling by flight is one of the easiest and fastest ways to reach any hill station. From Himachal Pradesh to Kashmir, Meghalaya to Ooty many popular hill stations now have airports nearby which makes your journey super convenient. Knowing the nearest airport to Manali, Shimla, or Dharamshala can save you hours of road travel and make your trip way more comfortable. This guide covers hill stations with airport access, nearby airports, and useful flight tips, so you can reach the hills faster and start your vacation.

Popular Hill Stations with Nearby Airports

Many hill stations in India are now much easier to reach thanks to nearby airports. You don’t have to sit through long, tiring road journeys anymore. A short flight followed by a beautiful drive is often all it takes to reach the mountains. Below are some popular hill stations and the airports closest to them, so you can plan your trip smartly and save time.

Hill Station	Nearest Airport	Approx Distance	State
Manali	Bhuntar Airport (KUU)	~50 km	Himachal Pradesh
Shimla	Jubbarhatti Airport (SLV)	~22 km	Himachal Pradesh
Dharamshala	Kangra Airport (DHM)	~12 km	Himachal Pradesh
Mussoorie	Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED)	~60 km	Uttarakhand
Gulmarg	Srinagar Airport (SXR)	~56 km	Jammu & Kashmir
Leh	Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL)	~4 km	Ladakh
Ooty	Coimbatore Airport (CJB)	~85 km	Tamil Nadu
Meghalaya (Shillong)	Shillong Airport (SHL)	~30 km	Meghalaya

How to Reach These Hill Stations from Nearby Airports?

It is generally easy to get to your favourite hill station after you have landed at the nearest airport. Most airports have taxis, shared cabs and occasionally buses readily available outside their terminals. Here is a brief guide on how to get to each of the following hill stations after landing.

1. Manali (via Bhuntar Airport)

Bhuntar Airport is the nearest airport to Manali, located approximately 50 km away. From here, you may take a taxi or a shared cab. The journey takes about 2 to 3 hours and along the way you will get to enjoy beautiful views of the river and mountains.

2. Shimla (via Jubbarhatti Airport)

Jubbarhatti is the closest airport to Shimla, the distance from there to the city is 22 km. Taxis are the most reliable and comfortable option and the ride usually takes less than an hour depending on the conditions of the traffic and weather.

3. Dharamshala (via Kangra Airport)

Kangra Airport is the nearest airport to Dharamshala, which is around 12 km away. It is a short and smooth drive that makes Dharamshala one of the quickest hill station to fly to in Himachal Pradesh.

4. Mussoorie (via Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun)

The best option for Mussoorie is Jolly Grant Airport, which is located in Dehradun. The hill station comes to about 60 km and the road trip takes around 2 hours. The taxis and buses are very frequent from the airport.

5. Gulmarg (via Srinagar Airport)

The nearest airport to Gulmarg is Srinagar Airport, which is around 56 km away. The most common way of getting from the airport to Gulmarg is taxis, and the driving time is about 2 to 3 hours through the beautiful Kashmir valleys.

6. Leh (via Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport)

The Kushok Bakula Rimpochee airport is in very close proximity to the town and thus is the nearest airport to Leh Ladakh. The distance is only 4 km, so you can be at your hotel in 10–15 minutes via taxi.

7. Ooty (via Coimbatore Airport)

Coimbatore Airport is the nearest airport to Ooty, which is about 85 km away. The drive takes 3 hours and includes ghat road which is very twisty, thus a comfortable cab should be your choice.

8. Meghalaya – Shillong (via Shillong Airport)

Shillong Airport is the airport closest to Meghalaya, located approximately 30 km from the city. Taxis are readily available, and the trip time is usually about an hour through the green surroundings.

Best Time to Visit These Hill Stations

In order to ease trip planning, a quick table is provided below indicating the best time to visit a particular hill station. This assists you in choosing the time for flight booking and avoiding travel difficulties due to weather.

Hill Station	Best Time to Visit	What to Expect
Manali	March to June, December to February	Pleasant weather in summer, snowfall in winter
Shimla	March to June, December to February	Cool climate, great for sightseeing and snow lovers
Dharamshala	September to November, March to May	Clear skies, peaceful vibes, perfect for exploring
Mussoorie	March to June, September to November	Mild weather, beautiful views, perfect for family trips
Gulmarg	December to February, April to June	Snow activities in winter, beauty in summer
Leh	May to September	Open roads, comfortable weather, smooth flight operations
Ooty	October to June	Cool temperatures, green tea gardens, relaxed travel
Meghalaya (Shillong)	October to April	Pleasant climate, less rainfall, easy road travel

Things to Do at Hill Stations

No matter which hill station you visit, some experiences are common everywhere and truly make the trip special. 

• Take Beautiful Walks: Mountain fresh air and valley views are the essential features of any hill station morning and evening walks.
• Local Sightseeing: Get to know the place’s culture and vibe by visiting viewpoints, temples, monasteries, and local landmarks.
• Local Food: The range of tastes is from street snacks through comfy cafés to warm comfort food; thus, the mountain places are perfect for the local flavors and warm comfort food trying.
• Nature Photography: The mountain land provides the best areas for clicking photos of landscapes, sunsets, forests, and roads covered with fog.
• Shopping in Local Markets: Woolen products, handmade items, souvenirs, and local specialties can be bought from small markets.
• Relax & Unwind: Often the best way is just to slow down, appreciate the weather, and have a break from urban life.
• Short Drives & Viewpoints: A combination of beautiful drives and nearby viewpoints will still add extra charm to your hill station holiday.

However, these uncomplicated experiences are what make every hill station, refreshing and unforgettable, wherever you go.

Plan Your Hill Station Trip with Travanya!

Ready to escape to the hills without the travel stress? Let us help you book the best cheap flights and plan a smooth journey to your favourite hill station. From choosing the right airport to finding affordable fares, we’ve got you covered.

📞 Call us at +91-86999-95345 and start planning your hill getaway today.

FAQs

1. Does Shimla have an airport?

A: Yes, Shimla has its own airport called Jubbarhatti Airport. It is located around 22 km from the city and is the closest airport to Shimla. However, flight connectivity is limited, so it’s best to check availability in advance.

2. What is the nearest airport to Manali?

A: The nearest airport to Manali is Bhuntar Airport (KUU), situated about 50 km away. It is also known as the closest airport to Manali and offers scenic road connectivity to the hill station.

3. Which is the closest airport to Dharamshala?

A: Kangra Airport (DHM) is the closest airport to Dharamshala, located just 12 km away. It is one of the most convenient hill stations in Himachal Pradesh to reach by air.

4. What is the nearest airport to Mussoorie?

A: The closest airport to Mussoorie is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, approximately 60 km away. From here, taxis and buses are easily available for a comfortable road journey.

5. What is the nearest airport to Gulmarg?

A: Srinagar Airport (SXR) is the nearest airport to Gulmarg, located around 56 km away. The drive from Srinagar to Gulmarg is scenic and usually takes 2 to 3 hours.

6. Which airport is closest to Leh Ladakh?

A: The nearest airport to Leh Ladakh is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL). It is just 4 km from the city, making Leh one of the easiest high-altitude hill destinations to reach by flight.

7. What is the nearest airport in Meghalaya?

A: Shillong Airport (SHL) is the nearest airport in Meghalaya, located about 30 km from the city. It offers smooth road connectivity and is ideal for travellers heading to Shillong and nearby areas.

8. Are there hill stations in India with airport access?

A: Yes, there are several hill stations in India with airport access, including Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Leh, Gulmarg, Ooty, and Shillong. These airports help reduce travel time and make hill vacations more convenient.