Shimla is the most beautiful and charming hill station of Himachal Pradesh. Whether you are planning a family trip, a romantic gateway or a solo adventure Shimla never disappoints you.
From colonial buildings to snow covered hills and Mall Road strolls, this place has something for everyone. And if you are sitting in Delhi and already planned to travel to Shimla and thinking “How to reach Shimla” then don’t worry we have covered every details in this article.
Where is Shimla Located?
Shimla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh situated in the foothills of Himalaya. It is about 340 km to 350 km from Delhi. Depending on the route and traffic it can take anywhere between 7 to 10 hours to reach by road.
- Route Map: Delhi -> Panipat -> Kurukshetra ->Chandigarh -> Solan -> Shimla
- Distance Around- 345 km
- Travel Time- 7 to 9 hours
If you are planning to go by road try to leave early in the morning (4 to 5 Am) to avoid traffic near Delhi and enjoy the peaceful hill drive later.
Travel Options by Road:
1. Buses
You can easily book buses online from ISBT Kashmiri Gate, Delhi. Himachal Road Transport (HRTC), Himachal Tourism and many private operators rum daily services to Shimla. You will find both Ac Volvos and non Ac options.
2. Taxi or cab
Yes this is a bit expensive but if you are going in a group or family it is quite convenient.. You can book a cab online or via travel agents.
3. Personal car
Want to travel yourself? That’s great!!! Just follow google maps take some prior knowledge about the route and enjoy your trip. You can take a break at Murthal (for food!) or at Chandigarh and enjoy your journey. Roads are mostly good, mainly the highway till Chandigarh. From there the hilly roads begin.
By Train – Delhi to Shimla by Rail
One of the most scenic ways to reach Shimla is by train. But keep in mind there is no direct train from Delhi to Shimla. But no need to worry you can take a train from New Delhi to Kalka and then Kalka to Shimla.
Step 1- Delhi to Kalka
Kalka is the nearest broad gauge railway station to Shimla about 90kms away.
Popular Trains to Kalka from Delhi
- Kalka Shatabdi (12005) – Fast & Comfortable
- Himalayan Queen (14095)
- Paschim SF Express (12925)
Travel Time – 4.5 hrs to 5.5 hrs
Step 2 Kalka to Shimla Toy Train
The Kalka Shimla Toy train is a UNESCO world heritage ride. It takes about 5 to 6 hrs and passes through 100 tunnels giving you an great experience of hill ride.
Toy Train Options
- Shivalik Deluxe Express
- Himalayan Queen toy train
- Rail Motor Car
If you want a unique experience definitely go for this one. But remember to book early, mainly during the tourist season.
3. By Air – Nearest Airport to Shimla
Yes Shimla does have an Airport. But flights are limited and sometimes get cancelled due to bad weather.
Airport: Jubbarhatti Airport, about 22 km from Shimla
Flight Option: From Delhi to Shimla (Alliance Air usually operates)
But here is the catch. Most travelers prefer flying to Chandigarh which has more flights from daily and is just 120kms From Shimla.
From Chandigarh you can take a cab or bus to Shimla. It takes about 3 to 4 hrs from there.
Best Time to Visit Shimla
The Best time depends on what you want:
- March to June: Pleasant weather perfect for sightseeing.
- December to February: Snowfall season, It is great for snow lovers.
- July to September: Monsoon – landslide can occur so travel with caution.
Avoid weekends or long holidays, if you don’t like crowds. Shimla gets packed fast.
Now that you know how to reach Shimla from Delhi, all that left is packaging your bags and hit the road.
Want an Easy, Budget-Friendly Trip from Delhi?
Planning everything on your own can time consuming. If you would rather sit back and relax checkout our Shimla tour package from Dehli. They arrange everything for you.
