Bir Billing is a sleepy village nestled in the Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh. It’s best known as the paragliding capital of India, attracting professionals as well as first-timers to its open skies. But despite being a tourist favorite, getting to Bir is not as easy as booking a nonstop flight. There is no airport in Bir itself, and on more than one occasion I’ve heard travelers wonder where to land and how the final leg of the journey will be covered.
And if you’re starting to plan your trip by air, this guide will help you figure out your best choices. We’ll examine that which is the nearest airport to Bir Billing, Distance between it, time taken from that to Bir and the transport facilities to reach Bir from the airport. This guide breaks it down whether you’re flying in from Delhi, Mumbai, or anywhere outside the country, so your journey can start smooth — and continue to be that when you land.
Taxi or Private Cab
The most convenient and time saving is the hiring of a taxi. One can easily reserve one through airport itself, but one can find it through websites such as Ola, Savaari, and local travel agents. You may pay about 2000-3000 depending on the vehicle and time of the year.
Local Buses
Low-cost travelers can use regular HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) buses to Dharamshala and to Baijnath or direct to Bir, 45 minutes 5 km drive to Billing. The other option is to go there via local cab/shared taxi in Baijnath or Paprola bus stand.
Self-Drive or Rental
In the case you want to experience road trip and prefer to drive through the Himachal loop of its winding roads yourself then you can rent a car in Dharamshala or Kangra city. Just make sure that you are sure when driving on mountain roads.
Other Airports Near Bir Billing (If Flights to Kangra Are Full)
Sometimes, direct flights to Kangra may be limited or booked, especially during tourist seasons. Here are a couple of alternative airports you can consider:
1. Chandigarh International Airport (IXC)
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Distance to Bir Billing: ~290 km
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Travel Time: 6.5 to 8 hours by road
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Recommended For: Travelers looking for more frequent flight options
Chandigarh is a major international airport with more connectivity than Kangra. From here, you can hire a cab or take an overnight Volvo bus to Bir or Baijnath.
2. Pathankot Airport (IXP)
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Distance: ~140 km
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Travel Time: 4 to 5 hours
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Why Consider: Sometimes cheaper and less crowded than Kangra or Chandigarh
City Closest to Bir Billing
Bir Billing is near to the major city known as Dharamshala which is situated at a distance of approximately 65 km. The closest town is however Baijnath (only 12 km from Bir) and this town is well connected by road as well as rail. When the point of entry is through train, your nearest railways station is at Baijnath Paprola.
FAQs About Bir Billing and Air Travel
Q1: Which is the nearest airport to Bir Billing?
The nearest airport is Kangra Airport (Gaggal Airport) near Dharamshala, approximately 67 km from Bir Billing.
Q2: How to reach Bir Billing by air?
Fly into Kangra Airport (DHM), then take a taxi or bus to reach Bir. You can also fly into Chandigarh or Pathankot if Kangra is unavailable.
Q3: Which city is closest to Bir Billing?
Baijnath is the closest town, about 12 km away, while Dharamshala is the nearest major city, located around 65 km from Bir Billing.
Conclusion (150 words)
The adventure included going to Bir Billing. It does not have its own airport however traveling to it is not a complicated issue once you have decided which mode of transport to choose. Bir Billing is only a scenic 23 hour drive to the nearest airport Kangra (Gaggal Airport).
And you will not have difficulties in taking the ride toward the end with a well connected network of buses, taxis and rental cars. And in the case of people travelling into cities with few flights to Kangra, you have flexibility, in terms of stopovers, such as Chandigarh and Pathankot, you just have to plan a road trip.
Whichever way you go, the end is worth doing. You may come to ride the high wind, the more laid-back monasteries, or the Himachali welcome, but one thing you may not be aware of is that, getting to Bir Billing is not as difficult as you may have imagined and once you have been there, it is difficult not to remember. Are you ready to fly high? You are now perfectly aware of how to get there.