How to Reach Shimla

Shimla is a hill station in Himachal Pradesh, lying at an altitude of 2202 meters above sea level. Being a popular tourist destination in Himachal, it is well-connected with major cities of India like New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Amritsar, Ahmedabad, and Bangalore. You can easily reach Shimla by air, rail, and road.

The nearest major airport from Shimla is located in Chandigarh and is 115 km away. To reach Shimla by train, the closest broad gauge railway station is in Kalka and is approx. 96 km away. You can also plan a road trip from nearby cities in Himachal. Delhi to Shimla distance is approx. 346 km and is one of the most popular road trips in India. You can also avail state-run and private buses and taxis. You can reach Shimla by air at Jubbarhatti Airport, located at the heart of Shimla. However, only limited flights from Delhi to Shimla are operational.

Let's have a detailed look at the best way to travel to Shimla by Train, Flight, and Road

Shimla By Air

Jubbarhatti Airport is also known as Shimla Airport and is the closest to Shimla. It receives daily flights from Delhi and Kullu and is situated 23 km from the city. However, Shimla Airport has one of the smallest airstrips and has limited flights. Thus, it is recommended to choose Delhi or Chandigarh to Shimla flights. If you wish to fly from any other part of the country or abroad you will have to change flights to Delhi.

If you are coming from Chandigarh, you can take cabs to Shimla, which will take 3 to 4 hours to reach. Regular buses are available too. From Delhi, a road trip will take you around 8 hours.

Shimla By Train

The best way to travel to Shimla is by train. The trains run on the track connecting Shimla to Kalka. This 96 km long railway track offers a magical train ride through 102 tunnels, 87 bridges, sharp curves, gradients, and spectacular views of the Himalayas. For the construction of this track, engineers and construction workers took great risks. No wonder this narrow gauge track was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It takes around 5 hours to reach Kalka to Shimla by train. You can reach Kalka from all major cities of India. Trains start plying from 4 am onwards from Kalka station and offer chair car seating. Breakfast is provided by some trains, though it is advisable to order your breakfast when you buy your ticket. You can buy tickets by booking online. Some trains are Shivalik Deluxe Express, Shivalik Express (also called the toy train), Rail Motor, Himalayan Queen, and Holiday Trains. Holiday trains run only during tourist seasons.

Shimla By Road

These are some popular routes to reach Shimla by road. These undulating mountain roads to Shimla also provide an enchanting experience like the train journey. Shimla, "the capital of Himachal Pradesh is well connected by road with neighboring states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, and Punjab.

• The city nearest to Shimla is Kalka (80 km away)
• Chandigarh connects to Shimla through the NH-22 (119 km away)
• The national capital of Delhi is 370 km away

Several state and private run buses can be boarded from bus stations of the various cities and towns around Shimla. They charge according to the distance and comfort offered. The most comfortable buses are Volvos. They are air-conditioned and provide television screens with a CD/DVD player for entertainment. You can also select lower-priced deluxe buses, other air-conditioned buses, JNNURM buses, and ordinary buses.

Getting Around in Shimla

Shimla is swarmed with tourists throughout the year, and thanks to Shimla's local transportation, tourists can explore all the major attractions in the city. Buses, cabs, taxis, car rentals, and more are available in Shimla to cover shorter and longer distances. You can choose the mode of transport as per your itinerary or places you want to visit in and around Shimla. Special buses are also run by Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department Corporation, which only covers tourist attractions.

Here are the different ways to move around in Shimla -

Local Buses in Shimla

The most convenient way to travel to Shimla is by bus. Whether you want to explore the tourist attractions or plan an excursion from Shimla to Kufri, buses are the best ways to travel in Shimla. You can get both state-run as well as private buses in the city.

Taxis in Shimla

Taxis are available from different parts of Shimla. However, areas like The Ridge and Mall Road do not allow private vehicles.

Car Rentals in Shimla

Another famous way to move around in Shimla is by availing rental services. Both self-driven and chauffeur-driven options are available. If you are a motorbike enthusiast, you can hire a bike to explore Shimla.

Shimla on Foot

The best way to explore the city is on foot. Many tourist places are located within walking distance of each other. Also, there are trekking routes around Shimla like Tara Devi, The Ridge, Mall Road, Jakhoo Hill, and more.