How to Go Shimla: A Friendly Travel Guide
So, you’re finally planning a trip to Shimla? Great choice! Shimla isn’t just another hill station—it’s that cozy mountain town where you can sip chai while watching clouds float by, stroll on Mall Road with hot corn in your hand, and wake up to pine-scented air that feels like therapy.
But here’s the real deal: before you can enjoy all that, you need to figure out how to go Shimla. Trust me, this part can feel a little confusing because there are so many options—flights, trains, buses, cabs, and even toy trains.
Don’t worry though. Grab a cup of coffee, and let’s break down every possible way to reach Shimla—from Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Bangalore, and more—like I would explain to a close friend.
Why Planning How to Reach Shimla Matters
Shimla is in Himachal Pradesh, tucked in the Shivalik range of the Himalayas at about 2,200 meters above sea level. That means:
- No direct airport in Shimla (though there’s a small one nearby at Jubbarhatti).
- Trains don’t go all the way up to Shimla (except the famous toy train).
- Roads are the most common way people travel.
So knowing the best route from your city saves you time, money, and a lot of headaches.
How to Go Shimla from Delhi
Delhi is the most common starting point for Shimla trips, and you’ve got multiple ways to do it.
1. By Road (Bus or Car)
- Distance: ~350 km
- Time: 7–9 hours
- You can either drive yourself or take an HRTC/Volvo bus from Kashmiri Gate ISBT.
- The drive via NH44 and NH5 is scenic, especially after Chandigarh.
Pro tip: If you’re not a fan of winding roads, sit in the front seats of the bus—it’s smoother.
2. By Train
- No direct train from Delhi to Shimla.
- You take a train from Delhi to Kalka (about 4–5 hours).
- From Kalka, hop on the Kalka–Shimla toy train, a UNESCO World Heritage experience.
- Journey: 5–6 hours.
- The train passes through 100+ tunnels and countless bridges. It’s slow but magical.
So, if you’re asking “how to reach Shimla from Delhi by train”, the answer is: Delhi → Kalka (by regular train) → Shimla (by toy train).
3. By Air
- Nearest airport: Jubbarhatti Airport (22 km from Shimla).
- Direct flights from Delhi are limited and often expensive.
- Easier option: Fly Delhi → Chandigarh, then take a cab/bus to Shimla (3–4 hours).
How to Go Shimla from Chandigarh
Chandigarh is like the gateway to Himachal. If you’re already here, Shimla is a quick hop.
- By Road: 115 km, ~3–4 hours. Plenty of buses and cabs available.
- By Train: Chandigarh → Kalka by car/train → Kalka–Shimla toy train.
- By Air: Chandigarh Airport is well connected to major Indian cities. From here, take a cab to Shimla.
This is honestly the easiest and most comfortable way if you’re coming from anywhere in India—first fly into Chandigarh, then drive up.
How to Reach Shimla from Lucknow
- By Air: Lucknow → Chandigarh by flight, then 3–4 hour drive to Shimla.
- By Train: Lucknow → Kalka (via Delhi), then toy train to Shimla.
- By Road: Long road trip (around 800 km, 15–16 hours). Only for hardcore road-trippers.
How to Reach Shimla from Pune
- By Air: Easiest. Pune → Delhi or Chandigarh by flight, then continue by road/train.
- By Train: Pune → Delhi (long 20–22 hours), then Delhi → Kalka → Shimla (toy train).
- By Road: 1,700+ km. Honestly, better to mix train/flight with road.
So, if you’re asking how to go Shimla from Pune—take a flight to Chandigarh. That’s the most stress-free option.
How to Reach Shimla from Chennai
- By Air: Chennai → Delhi/Chandigarh flight, then road trip to Shimla.
- By Train: Chennai → Delhi (Rajdhani or other express, ~30+ hours), then Delhi → Kalka → Shimla toy train.
- Direct road trip? Forget it. That’s like 2,500 km. Unless you’re on a biking expedition, don’t even think about it.
How to Reach Shimla from Bangalore
- By Air: Bangalore → Chandigarh (with a layover, as there’s no direct flight), then road to Shimla.
- By Train: Bangalore → Delhi (36+ hours), then Delhi → Kalka → Shimla.
- Road trip is possible but extremely long (~2,500 km).
Flights are the best bet from Bangalore.
How to Go Shimla from Mumbai
A lot of folks ask “how to travel from Mumbai to Shimla”. Here’s how:
- By Air: Mumbai → Chandigarh flight (2.5 hours), then road trip to Shimla (3–4 hours).
- By Train: Mumbai → Delhi (Rajdhani/Shatabdi, 16–18 hours), then Delhi → Kalka → Shimla toy train.
- By Road: 1,700 km+ road trip. Fun if you’ve got time and friends, but otherwise skip.
How to Reach Shimla from Kolkata
- By Air: Kolkata → Delhi/Chandigarh flight, then onward to Shimla.
- By Train: Kolkata → Delhi (Rajdhani, 17–20 hours), then Delhi → Kalka → Shimla.
- Road? Way too long. Not recommended.
How to Reach Shimla from Hyderabad
- By Air: Hyderabad → Delhi/Chandigarh flight, then road to Shimla.
- By Train: Hyderabad → Delhi (~26 hours), then Delhi → Kalka → Shimla toy train.
- Again, road isn’t practical here.
How to Reach Shimla from Ahmedabad
- By Air: Ahmedabad → Chandigarh/Delhi, then road.
- By Train: Ahmedabad → Delhi (~14 hours), then Delhi → Kalka → Shimla.
- Road trip? Around 1,200 km. Doable if you love long drives.
Quick Comparison: How to Reach Shimla from Major Cities
| City | Best Option | Travel Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Road/Train | 7–9 hrs road / 10–11 hrs train | Closest big city |
| Chandigarh | Road | 3–4 hrs | Easiest access |
| Mumbai | Flight to Chandigarh | 6–7 hrs total | Comfortable & quick |
| Pune | Flight to Chandigarh | 7–8 hrs total | Best option |
| Bangalore | Flight to Chandigarh | 8–9 hrs total | Saves time |
| Chennai | Flight to Delhi/Chandigarh | 7–8 hrs total | Avoid train unless budget |
| Lucknow | Flight to Chandigarh | 4–5 hrs | Train possible via Delhi |
| Kolkata | Flight to Delhi/Chandigarh | 6–7 hrs total | Train is too long |
| Hyderabad | Flight to Delhi/Chandigarh | 6–7 hrs | Convenient |
| Ahmedabad | Flight/Train to Delhi | 5–6 hrs flight | Road trip doable |
How to Go Shimla by Train (For Train Lovers)
Let me pause here and talk about the toy train, because it’s honestly a whole experience in itself.
- The Kalka–Shimla toy train is slow (5–6 hours for 96 km), but you get tunnels, bridges, and views you can’t see from a car.
- Popular trains: Shivalik Deluxe, Himalayan Queen, and Rail Motor Car.
- If you love train journeys, plan your trip so you can do at least one way by toy train.
So if you’re asking how to go Shimla by train from your city, the answer is: reach Kalka first (from Delhi/Chandigarh), then take the toy train to Shimla.
FAQs About How to Reach Shimla
Q1: Is there an airport in Shimla?
Yes, at Jubbarhatti (22 km from Shimla). But flights are limited and often canceled. Better to fly into Chandigarh.
Q2: How to go Shimla from Delhi by train?
Take a train to Kalka, then hop on the toy train to Shimla.
Q3: Which is the fastest way to reach Shimla?
Fly into Chandigarh, then drive (3–4 hours).
Q4: Can I drive to Shimla in my own car?
Yes! Roads are well-maintained. Just avoid monsoon season for safety.
Q5: How far is Shimla from Manali?
About 250 km (7–8 hours by road).
Final Thoughts: Picking the Best Way for You
So, now you know all the ways on how to go Shimla. To keep it simple:
- From North India (Delhi/Chandigarh): Road or toy train.
- From West/South/East India (Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Lucknow): Flight to Chandigarh, then road.
- For the experience: Don’t miss the Kalka–Shimla toy train at least once.
At the end of the day, whether you fly, drive, or choo-choo your way up, Shimla will be worth it. The journey itself feels like part of the vacation—mountains slowly appearing, air getting cooler, and that excitement of reaching a hill town.
So, when are we booking the tickets? Because trust me, Shimla’s hot corn and cool breezes are waiting. 🌲☁️
