Short answer: Kangra Airport (Gaggal, code DHM) is a small single-terminal airport in the Kangra valley, about 13 km from Dharamshala and 10 km from Kangra town, with flights mostly from Delhi. Its short runway and valley weather mean delays are common, so keep your arrival evening light. A pre-booked taxi to Dharamshala or McLeodganj costs ₹700 and the driver tracks your flight.
Kangra Airport, which everyone here calls Gaggal after the village it sits in, is tiny. One terminal, one belt, and the exit doors open straight onto the car park. That makes it a lovely airport to land at, but there is not much there: no metro, no app-cab queue and only a handful of taxis when two flights land together.
This Kangra airport guide covers what flying in is actually like, why flights get delayed, and what a cab into town costs.
The airport in brief
- Name and code: Kangra Airport, Gaggal (DHM)
- Where: on the Pathankot–Mandi highway, about 10 km from Kangra town and 13 km from Dharamshala
- Flights: mostly to and from Delhi, on smaller aircraft because the runway is short
- Facilities: a small café, an ATM (not always working), and a taxi union counter outside arrivals
- Mobile signal: good on all networks
Fares from Gaggal Airport
These are our current one-way fares. They include tolls, parking and the driver’s allowance, so the number you see is the number you pay.
| To | Distance | Sedan | SUV | Tempo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kangra town | 10 km | ₹700 | ₹700 | ₹700 |
| Dharamshala | 13 km | ₹700 | ₹700 | ₹700 |
| McLeodganj | 22 km | ₹700 | ₹700 | ₹700 |
| Chamunda Devi | 25 km | ₹700 | ₹700 | ₹700 |
| Palampur | 40 km | ₹700 | ₹720 | ₹960 |
| Jwalamukhi | 45 km | ₹700 | ₹810 | ₹1,080 |
| Bir Billing | 68 km | ₹816 | ₹1,224 | ₹1,632 |
| Dalhousie | 125 km | ₹1,500 | ₹2,250 | ₹3,000 |
| Manali | 225 km | ₹2,700 | ₹4,050 | ₹5,400 |
Our rates are ₹12/km for a sedan, ₹18/km for an Innova Crysta and ₹24/km for a 12-seater Tempo Traveller, with a ₹700 minimum. You can estimate any route on our taxi page.
How a pre-booked pickup works
- Send us your flight number on WhatsApp, with the number of passengers, bags and your hotel name.
- We confirm the car, the driver’s name and his number, and the fixed fare.
- On the day, the driver tracks your flight. When you walk out, he is right there with a name board.
- You pay the driver in cash or by UPI at the end of the ride.
Delays are normal at Gaggal
This is the part first-time visitors do not expect. Gaggal’s runway is short and sits in a valley under big mountains. When cloud sits low, which happens a lot in the monsoon and sometimes in winter, flights can be held in Delhi, diverted to Chandigarh, or cancelled.
What that means for you:
- Keep your first evening light. Do not book a paragliding slot or a non-refundable dinner for the evening you land.
- Your driver waits. We do not charge for delays.
- If you are diverted to Chandigarh, tell us and we can send a car there. It is about six hours to Dharamshala.
Going to the airport
For departures, reach Gaggal about 90 minutes before your flight. Allow:
- From Dharamshala: leave 2 hours before
- From McLeodganj: leave 2.5 hours before, because the bazaar traffic can be slow
- From Palampur: leave 2.5 hours before
- From Bir: leave 3.5 hours before
Small things that help
- Gaggal has an ATM, but do not count on it. Carry some cash or use UPI.
- Mobile signal is good at the airport.
- If you need a child seat, mention it when booking.
- Flying in for a tour? Airport transfers are already included in all our tour packages.
Quick questions
Is there a prepaid taxi at Gaggal Airport?
There is a local taxi union counter outside arrivals. Booking in advance means the fare and car are confirmed before you fly and a driver is waiting with your name.
How far is McLeodganj from Gaggal Airport?
About 22 km, usually 50 minutes to an hour by taxi.
Can I get a cab from Gaggal Airport to Manali?
Yes. It is about 225 km and 7 to 8 hours via Mandi. A sedan costs around ₹2,700 one way and an SUV around ₹4,050.
Written by the team at Ankush Travels, a tour and taxi company in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. We run these routes every week. Spotted something out of date? Tell us on WhatsApp.