Mountain town in Himachal Pradesh, India
Internet in Manali: speed, SIM cards and coworking
Is the internet good in Manali?
Median fixed broadband in India is 64 Mbps and mobile is 128 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Old Manali cafés often have workable wifi, but outages are common. Mobile 4G/5G is patchy outside town.
Getting online in Manali
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Home fibre | Fibre from Airtel and Jio is available in town; 50–200 Mbps costs about 700–1,000 INR a month, but many guesthouses rely on slower broadband. |
| Cafés and coworking | Old Manali cafés often have workable wifi, but outages are common. Mobile 4G/5G is patchy outside town. |
| Outages | Landslides and snow can cut power and internet for hours or days. |
| Tourist SIM | Airtel kiosks in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru arrivals halls; passport, visa and photo needed. About ₹350–450 for 28 days with 1.5–2 GB a day. |
| eSIM | Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors. |
| Carriers | Jio, Airtel, Vi |
| Monthly data plan | ₹300–500 ($3.1–5.2) |
| Blocked services | TikTok, WeChat and many other Chinese apps are banned since 2020; VPNs are legal. Regional mobile-internet shutdowns happen during unrest. |
Coworking in Manali
There's no dedicated coworking scene here; people work from cafés and accommodation.
Internet speeds in South Asia
National medians, Speedtest Global Index.
| Country | Fixed | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal | 89 Mbps | — |
| Bangladesh | 71 Mbps | 39 Mbps |
| India | 64 Mbps | 128 Mbps |
| Sri Lanka | 37 Mbps | 59 Mbps |
| Pakistan | 18 Mbps | 32 Mbps |
| Afghanistan | 6 Mbps | 19 Mbps |
Quick answers
Is the internet fast in Manali?
Median fixed broadband in India is 64 Mbps and mobile is 128 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Old Manali cafés often have workable wifi, but outages are common. Mobile 4G/5G is patchy outside town.
Which SIM card should I get in Manali?
Airtel kiosks in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru arrivals halls; passport, visa and photo needed. About ₹350–450 for 28 days with 1.5–2 GB a day.
Can I use an eSIM in India?
Yes. Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors, and travel eSIMs work too.
More about Manali
Going to Manali solo?
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Sources
- Speedtest Global Index: India
- Jio
- Airtel
- Vi
- HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation)
- Kullu Manali Airport (Airports Authority of India)
Speeds are medians from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index, cited for reference. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.