TransportTravel note
The tunnel is quick; the queue to reach it isn't
Atal Tunnel south portal, Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Published Oct 10, 2026 · RegretMap travel note
The situation
The Atal Tunnel turns the drive towards Lahaul into a short hop, which is why so many day-trippers head that way at once. On busy weekends the slow part is the road from Manali to the south portal, not the tunnel itself.
The lesson
Leave Manali early, before the day-trip traffic builds.
Advice for future travellers
Carry water and a snack in the car, and keep the return time flexible in case of a jam near Solang.
This travel note was written by the RegretMap team from general travel guidance. It isn't a personal account and may be out of date. Check official sources for permits, weather, safety and transport.