Continuing from the previous article where I provided information on Delhi to Leh Bus Service; in this article, I will pen down details on how you can do this journey the other way around; that is to travel by Leh to Delhi Bus. It is actually the reverse route of Delhi to Leh Bus service and a great way to experience a really different side of traveling to and from Ladakh.
Also read: Delhi to Leh Bus Service
This bus service is run by HRTC in the months from July till September. It starts from June 15th after the Manali Leh highway has been reopened for the year; and declared safe for a bus to ply by authorities. This bus service remains operational until September 15th after which it is suspended until next year.
The total duration of the journey is approximately 52 hours; of which travel time is close to 35 hours (excluding the night stay at Keylong). This bus covers a total of over 1100 kilometers through some of the most challenging roads; and 5 high altitude passes; running through six different states or UTs (Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir).
Quick Navigation
Leh to Delhi Bus Service
The bus from Leh to Delhi starts from the Leh bus stand at 5 AM. It is a normal HRTC bus, not a deluxe or luxury one but comfortable enough for a long journey. The total journey is of 2 days and 2 nights. On the first day, the bus reaches Keylong by late-night and stops there for the night. On the second day, it starts early at 6.30 AM from Keylong and reaches Manali by noon. After a quick lunch break, it starts again from Manali at around 2 PM, runs non-stop with a few breaks, and reaches Delhi the next day in the morning at around 4.30 AM.
Also read: Return Journey by Leh – Delhi Bus Service via Manali
Booking
Passengers are required to buy their ticket a day before and reach the bus stand by 4.30 AM. This ticket can be bought from Leh Bus stand. There is no online booking system available and you will have to go to the bus stand in person to buy this ticket. Also, it can only be bought a day in advance and not before that.
Fare
You will have to buy two tickets for this journey. The first ticket will be for Leh to Keylong and then from Keylong to Delhi. From Leh to Keylong will cost you about Rs. 500; and then another Rs. 850 for Keylong to Delhi; thus a total of around Rs. 1300 for Leh to Delhi.
Accommodation at Keylong
The bus reaches Keylong by around 6-7 PM. Accommodation here is not part of your ticket and passengers are required to make their own accommodation arrangements. However, you can easily get a hotel near the bus stand itself for Rs. 600 – Rs. 800. There is also a unisex dormitory near the bus stand where you can get a bed for Rs. 100.
Also read: How I traveled to Ladakh by Public Transport
Bus route
This bus follows the Manali Leh highway and then NH1 till Delhi. You will be traveling from Leh to Karu, Upshi, Tanglang La, Pang, Lachulung La, Nakeela, Sarchu, Baralacha La, Jispa, Keylong, Rohtang La, Manali, Chandigarh and arrive at Delhi
Leh to Delhi Bus Timings
This bus starts from Leh Bus stand at 5 am and arrives at Keylong by 7 pm. From Keylong, it starts again at 6 in the morning and reaches Manali at 1 PM. After the lunch break, it starts from Manali at 2 PM and reaches Delhi at 4.30 AM the next day.
Leh to Delhi HRTC Bus
For further inquiries, you may call the numbers provided below.
Delhi to Leh bus (Operated by Himachal Pradesh Tourism)
Departure : Every alternate day (till Sept 15) from ISBT, Counter 7 Time: 02:30 pm
For more information, you can call ISBT at 011- 23868694
ISBT Chandigarh (Himachal counter): 0172-2668943
Keylong bus station: 01900-222245
Manali Bus stand at 01902-252323, 01902-252116 & 01902-253147
HRTC Keylong depot contact number: 01900-222245
Conclusion
I hope the information above on Leh to Delhi Bus service was of help. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section below; or at our Community Forum; and I will be glad to answer.
33 comments
I am traveling from leh to Delhi
My No 9419175906
Hello,
Do you know how can I go from Delhi to Leh on 18 september? Do you know some shared cabs?
Hello, I Am traveling from Mumbai, will take a bus from ISBT to LEH as you have mentioned it will depart by 03.30 pm and reach LEH on the 2nd day by 7 pm. As for the night stay still it has a tent with arent of 200, also wanted to ask any cheap hotel or tent at or near Saboo village. AS I am traveling for the purpose of meditation at Vipassana Ladakh.
Is Delhi to Leh Bus stated on 2 June 23?? how to confirm that Bus is started or not?
It will probably start near 15th June only
Can I get ticket from Leh to Keyyong, and get down anywhere in between at my choice? Will I get transportation from in between to Manali in similar manner ?
Leh to Delhi bus: can I board the bus as upshi? As I shall be coming back from Tsomoriri/Hanley? Or any other point? Whether the bus plies every day or alternate day?
Bus service now working in October 2022
Thanks Mangesh
Hello Vargis
Please give an idea, we are 6persons could I get from Leh a personal car upto Delhi and what will be approx fare.
And please suggest me with in 4 days in ladakh which places should I go to visit with a minimum cost bcz we will go after Amarnath from Baltaal.
I am from Rajasthan.I want to visit Manali and Leh with my wife.Please tell us the best and least days consuming plan.
Hey I’m planning to return from leh to Delhi in July end is it possible?
Yes, this bus service has started yesterday
Yes its possibal..because i am going tommarrow..going leh to delhi….
Hello Vargis,
I am planning to visit Leh in october last week to witness the snow fall and adventure weather.
Will you give some insights about transportation and accommodation.
And i’m planning return by bus Leh – Delhi, is that good plan or not.
Delhi – Leh bus is no longer available Vigneshwar. Manali Leh road will already be closed so you will have to go via Srinagar and come back the same way. Even on that route there will be no bus and you will have to rely on shared cabs,
Hello Vargis,
Which bus stand is the correct stand to purchase the ticket?
On google map
Bus Stand JK SRTC, Leh
Bus Stand LBOC Ltd
Local Taxi Stand at Old Bus Stand
Is it one of these three?
Thank for your reply
Hi Jenny – It is the JKSRTC Bus stand.
Hi Vargis,
I just found out I have 2.5 weeks off of work so I’m planning a last minute trip to Leh for about 11 days. I was planning to fly in from Varanasi on the 11th and stay for a week and then head to Delhi by bus on Sept 18th… but I’m seeing here that the public buses only run until the 15th? Is there any other alternative after this date to travel from Leh to Delhi? Travelling on a budget.
One more question while I’m here, since I only have a few days to actually spend in Leh and the surrounding sights due to travel time and altitude acclimatization, what would you recommend being most feasible and worthwhile to do in my short 5ish days of productive travel. Again my trip dates are From Sept 11-21, but give or take 2-3 days in the beginning to adjust to altitude, and if I am taking the bus back to Delhi I will have to leave by the 18th.
Thanks so much.
Hi Bailey, The HRTC buses usually run for a little longer. You can board a bus for Keylong from Leh, then one for Manali and then another for Delhi for Manali. Another choice would be to travel by shared cabs that you can board from Leh bus stand.
Spending some times in the villages of Nubra valley, one night at Pangong Lake and another at Tso Moriri lake is what I would recommend doing. You should spend one day travelling towards Lamayuru and travel through Sham valley.
hello sir,
I am planning to leave from leh on 9th of august 2018
So i will b reaching delhi on 11th morning around 5am
Is that right sir??
N can u give more imformation about accomodation and about lunch n dinner stops for both the days if possible
N sir as i checed d website shows no bus online
So its only available offline sir?
N what about d feel of 2days 2 nights in normal bus?…is it comfortbale ride sir?…and sir as we will be getting down from hight so is der a chance that it can effect on health or body feel????
Thank you in advance sir
Hi Tushar – Yes you will reach Delhi on 11th morning. Accommodation you can either look for yourself or stay at the tented site, completely your choice. There is no online booking available ass it is a local bus. You will have to buy a ticket on the spot It is not a deluxe bus so not very comfortable, just about OK.
Thank u for d imformation sir…jst a follow up on dis
U wrote bus ticket price is 1300 from.leh to manali
But in HRTC website i checkd there is delux bus availble only up to manli from leh….with ticket of 2900 they provide accomodation too at night also?
Do you hav any information of this sir?
These are both different buses that is why the difference. HRTC Bus is an ordinary one so cheaper. HPTDC Bus is a luxury one so costlier.
Hey Hi Vargis , First Online booking was available but now i don’t know why they removed that also.?
So now we have physically go and book tickets 1 day prior at Leh Bus Stand ?
Also how many crowd is travelling through this bus ?
Like does it get crowded from leh itself towards keylong ?
And same as next day when it start from keylong to manali & manali to delhi ?
Hi Sneha,
1. Ticket – Yes you will have to buy in person.
2. Crowded – No
3. It will start at around 5 from Keylong, reach Manali at 1 PM and start for Delhi at around 2 after lunch break, reach Delhi by 4 AM the next day.
Thanks a lot.
I’ll have 2 bags with me. 1 Rucksack & 1 Trolley Bag. They will put in up carriers or how ?
Asking bcz so that I can carry covers of bag inorder prevent from climate !
Yes, the luggage will go in the roof carrier covered by a tarpaulin. Bag covers would be helpful. Get some of those polybags you get when go shopping to a showroom or a mall. That way, you can first keep your clothes and belongings in those polythene bags, then put them in the rucksack and trolley bag and then wrap in the bag cover. Kind of a double protection if it rained somewhere along the route.
Hi Vargis
I would like to know about the availability of accommodation at keylong while travelling from Delhi to leh and also in return journey and the budget of these hotels nearby and also if there is any availability of camping in keylong
Hi Utham,
1. No camps at Keylong
2. Several hotels available
3. Minimum rent would be about Rs. 700 to Rs. 1000
Hello Vargis,
I am not sure about this, but when I called the HRTC helpline in ISBT, Delhi, they said that the bus run on everyday from Delhi. Please confirm.
Thanks
Hi Abhra – Yes they change the frequency depending on the kind of tourist rush. If there are a lot of people traveling, it can be changed to a daily bus as well. Frequency this year will only be known once it stars in June.