Overview
Shimla to Kullu is roughly 195–210 km on the main route, usually 6 to 7½ hours by taxi down from Shimla via Ghaghas and Sundernagar to Mandi, then up the Beas valley through Pandoh and the Aut tunnel to Kullu at about 1,280 m. It's the classic Shimla–Kullu–Manali circuit, and many travellers stop in Kullu rather than going straight on to Manali, for Dussehra, rafting, quieter riverside hotels or easy access to Kasol and Jibhi. Between spring and late autumn, there's also a slower, more scenic option over Jalori Pass. We pick you up from your Shimla hotel's nearest vehicle point and drop you at your Kullu hotel.
Usual route: Ghaghas and Sundernagar to Mandi, then up the Beas via Pandoh and the Aut tunnel (or Jalori Pass in season)
Included
- Fuel and driver allowance
- Tolls and state entry taxes
- Pickup anywhere in Shimla
- Short refreshment stops
Not included
- ×Parking at sightseeing stops
- ×Detours beyond the agreed route (quoted upfront)
- ×Night allowance on trips that need one (quoted upfront)
The climb from Shimla to Kullu
How high you go, and the stops along the way. Useful if anyone in your group gets motion sick or feels the altitude.
Start
2,376 m
Shimla
Total descent
−1,097 m
over ~205 km
Finish
1,279 m
Kullu
- Shimla
- Shalaghat or Ghaghas
- Sundernagar
- Mandi
- Pandoh dam
- Aut
- Kullu
Illustrative profile. Start, finish altitudes are approximate; stops are shown in order, not to scale.
Shimla to Kullu taxi fare and cab rates
Starting prices for a one-way trip (~205 km), per vehicle, with fuel, driver, tolls and HP entry tax included. Your exact price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book; it can vary with dates, vehicle model and extra stops. All Himachal taxi fares
₹5,750
starting · one way
₹7,250
starting · one way
₹8,000
starting · one way
₹13,000
starting · one way
Your quote
Shimla → Kullu
Sedan · one way · ~205 km
- FuelIncluded
- Driver & driver allowanceIncluded
- Highway tollsIncluded
- Himachal state entry taxIncluded
- Pickup anywhere in ShimlaIncluded
Total you pay
starting price
₹5,750
Only ever extra: parking at sightseeing stops you choose (paid at cost), and detours you add on the day (quoted before you go).
Driving tips for this route
- 1Leave Shimla by 8 am to reach Kullu by mid-afternoon with a lunch stop in Mandi or Sundernagar.
- 2The road out of Shimla to Ghaghas is winding; after that, the highway through Sundernagar and Mandi is easier.
- 3The Pandoh–Aut gorge has slow patches and road work; expect stops.
- 4The Jalori Pass route via Narkanda and Ani is open roughly April–November and is much slower; ask us if you'd like it.
- 5During Kullu Dussehra (October), traffic into Kullu slows sharply; allow an extra hour.
Worthwhile stops on the way
Shimla
Pickup
Shalaghat or Ghaghas
Tea and views on the way down from Shimla.
Sundernagar
Lake town on the highway.
Mandi
Temple town on the Beas; the usual lunch stop.
Pandoh dam
Reservoir on the Beas just beyond Mandi.
Aut
Just after the tunnel; turn-off for Jibhi and Tirthan.
Kullu
Drop at your hotel
Main route or Jalori Pass?
The main route via Mandi is the faster and more reliable option all year. The Jalori Pass route runs east from Shimla through Narkanda, drops to the Sutlej at Luhri, climbs through Ani to Jalori at around 3,100 m, and descends through Jibhi and Banjar to Aut. It's beautiful, with deodar forest and high meadows, but narrow and slow, often 10 hours or more, and the pass is usually closed by snow from about mid-December until spring.
A good compromise is to break the Jalori route with a night in Jibhi, so neither day is too long.
Why stop in Kullu
Kullu is lower and quieter than Manali, about 40 km down the valley, with riverside hotels along the Beas. It's the place to be for Kullu Dussehra in October, and the base for river rafting in season. It's also closer to the Parvati valley, which branches off at Bhuntar, about 10 km south, and to Jibhi and Tirthan, via Aut. From Kullu, Manali is an easy day trip or the next stop.
- Kullu to Manali: about 40 km
- Kullu to Kasol: via Bhuntar
- Kullu to Jibhi: via Aut, about 60 km
Lunch in Mandi
Mandi is the natural halfway point, about four hours from Shimla. Its old town, with the Bhutnath and Panchvaktra temples and the Seri Manch market, is worth an hour. If you're not in a hurry, Rewalsar lake, about 25 km from Mandi, makes a good detour, though it adds an hour or two to the day.
The Shimla–Kullu–Manali circuit
Most visitors do this drive as part of the classic circuit: two nights in Shimla, two in Kullu or Manali, and back to Chandigarh or Delhi. Keeping the same car for the whole circuit means the driver stays with you, handles local sightseeing in each town, and you don't need to rebook between stops. Tell us your plan and we'll price the whole trip.
Weather & road conditions
When to go to Kullu
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January: Fine, check weather | February: Fine, check weather | March: Best time | April: Best time | May: Best time | June: Best time | July: Monsoon, landslide risk | August: Monsoon, landslide risk | September: Best time | October: Best time | November: Best time | December: Fine, check weather |
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
Pickup options
- • Shimla hotels (nearest vehicle point to the Mall)
- • Shimla ISBT and railway station
- • Chotta Shimla, Sanjauli and New Shimla
Other ways to travel
HRTC buses run from Shimla to Kullu and Manali via Mandi. There's no railway between them. Shimla and Bhuntar airports both have limited flights.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Shimla to Kullu cab cost?+
Starting one-way fares are Sedan ₹5,750, SUV ₹7,250, Toyota Innova Crysta ₹8,000, Tempo Traveller ₹13,000, all-inclusive with fuel, driver, tolls and Himachal entry tax. Your exact taxi price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book.
How far is Kullu from Shimla?+
Roughly 195–210 km on the main route, usually 6 to 7½ hours by taxi (approximate; verification pending).
Can we take the Jalori Pass route?+
Yes, roughly April–November when it's open. It's slower, often 10 hours or more; a night in Jibhi breaks it up.
Is Kullu on the way to Manali?+
Yes. Kullu is about 40 km before Manali.
Where do we stop for lunch?+
Usually Mandi or Sundernagar, roughly halfway.
Is the road open during the monsoon?+
Usually, but slides around Mandi and in the gorge can close it for hours.
Can you drop us in Bhuntar or Kasol instead?+
Yes. Bhuntar is before Kullu, and the Kasol road turns off there.
Which car is best?+
A sedan for two to four; an SUV or Innova Crysta for families or the Jalori route.
Can we visit Rewalsar lake on the way?+
Yes. It's about 25 km from Mandi and adds an hour or two to the day.
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