# Dharamshala to McLeod Ganj: Distance, Ropeway, Bus & Taxi

By Chhobyang, 2026-10-14

**McLeod Ganj is about 9 km from Dharamshala by road, or 1.8 km by the Dharamshala Skyway ropeway, a ride of about five minutes.** By road the drive usually takes around 25 minutes, and longer on busy weekends. Buses, shared taxis and private cabs all make the climb.

"Dharamshala" often means two places: the lower town (about 1,457 m), with the bus stand, Kotwali Bazaar and the cricket stadium, and upper Dharamshala, where McLeod Ganj sits at around 2,000 m, home to the Dalai Lama's temple and the Tibetan community in exile.

## How does the Dharamshala Skyway ropeway work?

The Skyway opened in January 2022. Its lower station is on the Dharamshala and Kotwali Bazaar side near Bypass Road, and the upper station is on Temple Road in McLeod Ganj, a short walk from the main square. The cabin covers 1.8 km in about five minutes, with views over the Kangra valley. At the launch, fares were reported as ₹300 one way and ₹500 return; check current prices at the station.

## Can I take a bus or shared taxi?

Yes. Local buses run between the Dharamshala bus stand and McLeod Ganj through the day, and shared taxis leave when full. Both are the cheapest way up; allow extra time on weekends and in the peak months of May, June and October.

## What about a private taxi?

Taxis wait at the bus stand and near Kotwali Bazaar, and any hotel can call one. A cab is the easiest choice with luggage or a family, and it can carry on past McLeod Ganj to the Bhagsu waterfall or Dharamkot.

## How far is McLeod Ganj from Norbulingka and the airport?

Norbulingka, the Tibetan arts institute in Sidhpur, is about 7–8 km from Dharamshala town and about 12 km from McLeod Ganj. Kangra (Gaggal) Airport is about 15 km south-west of Dharamshala.

Our three Dharamshala hotels are in Sidhpur, near Norbulingka, so McLeod Ganj is an easy half-day trip: [Hotel Buddha House](/dharamshala-hotels-buddha-house-himalayan-brothers), [Quartz Himalayan Brothers](/hotel-quartz) and [Hotel Samdupling](/hotel-samdupling). The front desk can arrange a taxi.

More distances and places: [Dharamshala travel guide](/dharamshala).

## Quick answers

**How far is McLeod Ganj from Dharamshala?**

About 9 km by road. By the Dharamshala Skyway ropeway the distance is 1.8 km, about five minutes in the cabin.

**Where does the Dharamshala ropeway start and end?**

The lower station is on the Dharamshala and Kotwali Bazaar side near Bypass Road; the upper station is on Temple Road in McLeod Ganj. It opened in January 2022.

**How much is the Dharamshala to McLeod Ganj ropeway ticket?**

Reported fares at the 2022 launch were ₹300 one way and ₹500 return per person. Fares change, so check at the station before you go.

**How far is McLeod Ganj from Norbulingka?**

About 12 km. Norbulingka, in Sidhpur, is about 7–8 km from Dharamshala town.


## Sources

- [Dharamshala, Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharamshala)
- [Dharamshala–McLeodganj ropeway now operational, India Infra Hub](https://indiainfrahub.com/news/dharamshala-mcleodganj-ropeway-now-operational-to-reduce-travel-time-between-tourist-hotspots-to-just-five-minutes)
- [Bonanza for tourists as Dharamsala ropeway inaugurated, The Tribune](https://tribuneindia.com/news/bonanza-for-tourists-locals-as-dharamsala-ropeway-inaugurated-362763)
- [Norbulingka Institute and Doll Museum, District Kangra](https://hpkangra.nic.in/tourist-place/norbolingka-institute-and-doll-museum/)

---
Canonical page: https://www.hotelhimalayanbrothers.com/blogs/dharamshala-to-mcleodganj
Source: Himalayan Brothers Hotels (https://www.hotelhimalayanbrothers.com/). Summary for LLMs: https://www.hotelhimalayanbrothers.com/llms.txt