ArticleVerified 2026-09-27

How to reach Shimla — road, rail and air

Getting to Shimla via Chandigarh in about three hours, by the UNESCO Kalka-Shimla Railway, or by HRTC bus — and what each approach actually involves.

Photo: Soorajkurup · CC BY-SA 4.0

Three real ways in

Shimla is unusual among Himachal hill stations in having a genuine rail option, not just road — the Kalka-Shimla Railway makes the final approach part of the experience rather than just a means of transport.

By road from Chandigarh

The most direct route: about 108 km and just over three hours. HRTC buses and private taxis run this road regularly, and Chandigarh's own airport makes it the practical gateway for most visitors arriving by air from elsewhere in India.

By the Kalka-Shimla Railway

Take a mainline train to Kalka first, then switch to the narrow-gauge Kalka-Shimla Railway for the final stretch — about 82 km and roughly two and a half hours, through more than a hundred tunnels. The Shivalik Deluxe Express serves meals on board and is worth booking well ahead in peak season.

By road from Delhi

A longer option: HRTC and private operators run direct overnight buses, though many travellers prefer breaking the journey via Chandigarh instead — arriving fresher, with a shorter final leg and more flexibility on timing.

> trains and road transfers to Kalka can run behind schedule, and the mountain line won't wait.

By air

Chandigarh Airport is the practical choice for most visitors, with regular flights from Delhi and other major cities. A smaller Shimla airport exists at Jubbarhatti, but its short single runway and limited flight schedule make Chandigarh the more reliable option for planning around.

Getting around once you're there

The Ridge, Christ Church and Jakhoo Temple are all within a short walk or taxi ride of each other. Kufri and Tara Devi Temple, further out, are reached by road; see the two-day plan for the full sequence.

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Questions people ask

How do I get to Shimla from Chandigarh?

Drive or take an HRTC bus — about 108 km and just over three hours. Chandigarh has the nearest major airport, so most visitors flying in from elsewhere in India connect onward from there rather than through a closer but much smaller airfield.

Can I take a train all the way to Shimla?

Yes — take a mainline train to Kalka first, then the narrow-gauge Kalka-Shimla Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage line, for the final stretch. It's about 82 km and roughly two and a half hours from Kalka itself, through more than a hundred tunnels.

Is there a direct bus from Delhi to Shimla?

Yes, HRTC and private operators run direct overnight buses covering the whole route from Delhi, though many travellers prefer breaking the journey via Chandigarh instead, arriving fresher and with real flexibility on timing for the final approach up into the hills.