Shimla sits at about 2,200 metres in the Himalayan foothills, around 115 km by road from Chandigarh and 340–360 km from Delhi. Most visitors come by road up the four-lane highway via Kalka, Parwanoo and Solan; the romantic alternative is the Kalka–Shimla toy train. Shimla’s own airport at Jubbarhatti has only a handful of flights.
The main ways in, compared
| How | Typical journey | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi or car from Chandigarh | About 3–4 h (≈115 km) | Moderate | Most travellers |
| Car or Volvo bus from Delhi | About 7–9 h (≈350 km) | Low (bus) to moderate (car) | Direct, overnight option |
| Train to Kalka + toy train | About 4 h + 5–6 h | Low to moderate | The scenic, classic route |
| Train to Kalka + taxi | About 4 h + 2.5–3 h | Moderate | Rail comfort, faster finish |
| Flight to Shimla (Jubbarhatti) | About 1–1.5 h from Delhi | Varies; few seats | Time-poor travellers |
| Flight to Chandigarh + road | About 1 h flight + 3–4 h road | Varies | Reliable air access |
By road
From Chandigarh, the highway (NH5) runs through Pinjore, Kalka and Parwanoo and climbs via Dharampur and Solan to Shimla. Much of it has been widened to four lanes, and the drive takes around three to four hours depending on traffic. From Delhi, add the drive up the NH44 through Haryana to Chandigarh or Zirakpur — about seven to nine hours in total.
Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) and private operators run frequent buses, including overnight air-conditioned Volvo coaches from Delhi’s Kashmere Gate ISBT. They arrive at Shimla’s ISBT at Tutikandi, a few kilometres below the centre; local buses and taxis connect to the Old Bus Stand on Cart Road.
By train and toy train
The main line ends at Kalka, at the foot of the hills. The Kalka Shatabdi and other trains from New Delhi reach Kalka in roughly four hours; the morning Shatabdi connects with the narrow-gauge Himalayan Queen and other toy-train services. The 96 km Kalka–Shimla Railway takes around five to six hours. Shimla station is at the western end of town, about 1.5 km from the Ridge.
Book train tickets through Indian Railways (IRCTC) well ahead for summer and holidays. During heavy monsoon rain, toy-train services can be disrupted by landslides.
By air
Shimla Airport at Jubbarhatti, about 22 km from town, has a short runway and only a few small-aircraft flights, mainly from Delhi and a few other north Indian cities. Schedules change often and flights are frequently cancelled in bad weather — treat them as a bonus, not a plan. Chandigarh International Airport, with many daily flights, is the reliable air gateway, three to four hours by road from Shimla.
Getting around Shimla
- On foot: the Ridge and most of the Mall are car-free. Wear comfortable shoes — the town is all slopes and steps.
- The public lift: connects Cart Road with the Mall for a small fee; queues build up in peak season.
- Taxis: run on Cart Road and the outer roads, not on the Mall. For day trips, hire a car and driver for the day, or book a tour.
- Local buses: HRTC buses link Cart Road with the ISBT, Sanjauli, Mashobra, Kufri and beyond.
- Porters: licensed porters carry luggage to hotels near the Mall — agree the fee first.
- Driving yourself: possible but stressful — narrow roads, scarce parking and restrictions on vehicles in the centre. Non-Himachal vehicles pay an entry fee at the state border.
On from Shimla
- Kufri, Mashobra, Chail: 30 minutes to 2 hours by car; see our sights guide.
- Narkanda (≈65 km): 2.5–3 hours east on NH5.
- Manali (≈250 km): 8–10 hours via Bilaspur, Mandi and Kullu, or a private transfer.
- Kinnaur and Spiti: a multi-day road journey east along the Sutlej.
- Dharamshala (≈230–240 km): about 7–8 hours via Bilaspur and Hamirpur.
