How to Reach Shimla: By Road, Toy Train, Bus and Air

Times are for a private car in normal traffic. Weekend and holiday traffic between Chandigarh and Shimla can add an hour or more.

From Delhi, the route runs up the NH44 to Ambala and Zirakpur, then climbs from Parwanoo through Dharampur and Solan to Shimla on the NH5. Much of the hill section has been widened, which has cut journey times, but the approach into Shimla is still slow at busy times.

A private taxi is the most comfortable way for families: door to door, flexible stops at Kasauli, Solan or the dhabas on the way, and a driver who knows where to drop you near your hotel, since many central hotels sit on car-free lanes. Our Delhi to Shimla and Chandigarh to Shimla pages show fares by vehicle.

There's no broad-gauge line to Shimla. Trains from Delhi run to Kalka, at the foot of the hills, and from there the narrow-gauge Kalka–Shimla railway climbs about 96 km to Shimla through 102 tunnels and over hundreds of bridges. Opened in 1903, it's part of the UNESCO 'Mountain Railways of India' World Heritage Site. The trip takes about five to six hours at a gentle 25–30 km/h.

The usual plan is an early express from Delhi to Kalka timed to connect with a toy train, or the toy train one way and a taxi the other. Seats sell out in season, so book ahead on the Indian Railways booking site. Our toy train guide covers trains, booking and timings.

HRTC, Himachal's state bus corporation, and private operators run frequent buses from Delhi and Chandigarh to Shimla, including overnight AC Volvos from Delhi that take about 8 to 10 hours. Most arrive at the ISBT at Tutikandi, below the town, from where you take a local taxi or bus to your hotel. Buses are the cheapest option, and HRTC tickets can be booked online.

Shimla's airport is at Jubbarhatti, about 23 km from the city. It's small, with few flights, mostly to Delhi, and flights are affected by weather. Check current schedules with airlines before relying on it.

Most air travellers fly into Chandigarh, which has plenty of flights from across India, and drive the 125 km from the airport to Shimla in about 3.5 to 4.5 hours. We meet flights at Chandigarh and Delhi; see our airport transfer pages.

App-based cabs are limited in Shimla, and local taxis work through stands and taxi unions, so it's simplest to keep the car that brought you or book a local taxi for sightseeing. In the centre you'll walk: the Mall and the Ridge are closed to tourist vehicles, and the public lift connects the lower Cart Road with the Mall.