Shimla Travel Guide
Plan your visit to Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: the best time to go, how to reach, what to see, and practical, current tips from the Way to India Travel Desk.
When to visit Shimla, and the monsoon to avoid
The pleasant months are March to June, and December to February brings the snow. The one season to plan around is the July to September monsoon, when landslides and mist can spoil the trip.
- March to June: pleasant and greenThe most comfortable season, warm days and cool evenings, ideal for the Mall, the toy train and day trips to Kufri and Naldehra. It is also the busiest, so book ahead.
- December to February: snowCold, with a real chance of snowfall and snow play around Kufri and Narkanda. Pack proper warm layers, and keep your plans flexible in case a heavy snow spell blocks a road for a day.
- Pack for the hillsEven in summer the evenings are cool, so carry a light jacket. A small day pack and a basic medical kit help, and good walking shoes matter because Shimla is all slopes and steps.
The monsoon brings heavy rain, frequent landslides on the hill roads, and mist that hides the very views you came for. Himachal sees real disruption in these months, so unless you have a specific reason, plan Shimla for spring, early summer or the winter snow instead.
How to reach Shimla
Most people reach Shimla through Chandigarh, then drive up or, best of all, take the famous toy train from Kalka.
- Fly to Chandigarh, not ShimlaShimla's own Jubbarhatti airport (about 22 km out) has only limited, seasonal flights, so the reliable gateway is Chandigarh airport, about 115 to 120 km and 3.5 to 4 hours by road. We arrange a car with an experienced hill driver from there.
- By the Kalka-Shimla toy trainTake a train to Kalka, then ride the UNESCO toy train up to Shimla in about 5 to 6 hours. It is the most beautiful way to arrive; see the toy-train section for which train to choose and how to book it ahead.
- By road from DelhiAbout 342 to 350 km and 7 to 8 hours by car from Delhi via Chandigarh, on a good highway most of the way. Many visitors break the drive at Chandigarh, or take the train to Kalka and the toy train on from there.
Fly into Delhi, the main international gateway, then continue to Shimla by road or by the Chandigarh-Kalka toy-train route in a day. There are no direct long-haul flights to the hills.
Fly into Delhi (or Chandigarh on some routes) and continue by road or rail. Chandigarh is the practical air gateway for the Shimla hills.
Shimla is an easy road and rail trip from Delhi, Chandigarh and across the north, and pairs naturally with Manali on the classic Himachal hill circuit.
The Ridge, the Lodge, the temple, and what you pay
Shimla is the traffic-free Ridge and Mall first, then the colonial Viceregal Lodge, the hilltop Hanuman temple, and the snow point at Kufri. Most of it is free or costs very little.
- The Ridge and Mall RoadThe traffic-free heart of Shimla, free to wander, with Christ Church, Scandal Point, the old Gaiety Theatre and Lakkar Bazaar. The Ridge in the evening, with its mountain views, is the best free experience in town.
- Viceregal LodgeThe grand British seat of power, now a research institute, costs about 100 rupees for Indians and 500 for foreign nationals (about 50 for Indian children and seniors). It is open Tuesday to Sunday, about 9:30 am to 5 pm, and closed Mondays, with a guided tour of the historic interior.
- Jakhoo Temple and the Hanuman statueOn the highest hill in town at about 8,000 feet, with the 108-foot Hanuman statue visible across Shimla. The temple and the walk up are free; the ropeway is about 250 rupees one way and about 490 rupees return. Watch the monkeys, as the next sections explain.
- Kufri and the nearby pointsKufri (about 16 km) is the popular snow and viewpoint spot, but it is crowded and touristy. Quieter Naldehra, Mashobra, Chail and Fagu are lovely alternatives for a half-day drive.
The Ridge, the Mall and Jakhoo temple are free, and the Viceregal Lodge costs very little. The real planning is around the toy train (book ahead) and the season (avoid the monsoon) rather than ticket prices. For the toy train in full, see the next section.
The Kalka-Shimla toy train, and how to ride it well
The narrow-gauge railway from Kalka up to Shimla is a UNESCO World Heritage line and the most magical way to reach the hills. It is also the thing people most often fail to book in time, so here is how to do it properly.
- The journeyThe line climbs 96 km from Kalka to Shimla through 102 tunnels and over 800 bridges, in about 5 to 6 hours, winding through pine forest and Himalayan valleys. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage railway since 2008, and the ride itself is the experience.
- Which train to takeThe Shivalik Deluxe is the premium service, with cushioned seats, big windows and a small number of carriages, so it is the most comfortable and the first to sell out. The Himalayan Queen and the Kalka-Shimla Express are the main alternatives, and the ordinary passenger trains are the cheapest.
- The faresFares run from about 70 rupees on the ordinary passenger service to about 600 rupees and up for the Shivalik Deluxe, depending on the class and the day. It is remarkable value for one of the world's great train rides.
- Book ahead on IRCTCBook on the IRCTC site (irctc.co.in) or app, ideally as early as you can, since the Shivalik Deluxe in particular sells out and the advance-reservation window is now 60 days. We can arrange your tickets as part of the trip.
- Make a plan BIf the train is full or a section is disrupted, the road from Kalka or Chandigarh is the easy backup, so you still reach Shimla comfortably. Many visitors ride the toy train one way and drive the other.
The premium Shivalik Deluxe has few seats and books up fast, especially in the spring and summer season and at weekends. If riding the toy train matters to you, tell us early and we will lock in the tickets the day the window opens.
Signature experiences in Shimla
Beyond the views, these are the experiences people remember, and how to arrange them.
- Ride the toy train upThe Kalka-Shimla UNESCO railway is the signature Shimla experience. Book the Shivalik Deluxe ahead if you can, sit by a window, and let the tunnels and valleys unfold over the morning.
- An evening on the Ridge and MallThe traffic-free Ridge at sunset, a slow walk down the Mall, a coffee at the historic Indian Coffee House, and shopping at Lakkar Bazaar. The gentle, classic Shimla evening, and it costs nothing.
- Walk or ride up to JakhooClimb the forest path or take the ropeway to the Hanuman temple at the top of town, for the giant statue and the panorama. Leave your glasses in your bag and carry nothing loose, because the monkeys are bold.
- A colonial heritage strollShimla was the summer capital of British India, and the Viceregal Lodge, Christ Church, the Gaiety Theatre and the old Mall tell that story beautifully. A guided heritage walk brings the Raj-era town alive.
- A quiet day at Naldehra or ChailSwap the Kufri crowds for the pine calm of Naldehra and its old golf course, or the palace and the high cricket ground at Chail. A lovely, uncrowded half-day with a driver.
Mistakes and scams to avoid in Shimla
Shimla is easy and charming, but a popular hill town has its traps, so a little awareness keeps the trip smooth.
- Do not leave the toy train to chanceThe Shivalik Deluxe and the popular services sell out, so book ahead on IRCTC. Turning up hoping for a seat in season is the most common Shimla letdown.
- Do not travel in the peak monsoonJuly to September brings landslides and blocked roads in the Himachal hills, and mist that hides the views. Plan for spring, summer or the winter snow instead.
- Do not get caught by the Jakhoo monkeysThey snatch glasses, phones and food in a flash. Remove your glasses, keep your phone away, carry nothing loose, and hire a stick at the bottom if you like.
- Do not overpay the Kufri pony and photo toutsAt Kufri the pony rides and costume photos are pushed hard and overcharged. Agree the price clearly before you start, or skip Kufri for quieter Naldehra or Mashobra.
Shimla for every kind of traveller
Shimla rewards very different visitors in different ways. Here is what it offers you, and the one tip that matters for each.
- Couples and honeymoonersThe toy train, the misty Ridge in the evening and a cosy heritage hotel make Shimla a classic honeymoon. Pair it with Manali for the full Himachal romance, and ride the train by day for the views.
- Families with childrenThe toy train is a thrill for children, and the snow around Kufri in winter is the highlight. Keep them close from the monkeys at Jakhoo, and agree any pony price up front.
- Senior travellersVery doable with planning. The Ridge is flat and traffic-free, and the Himachal Tourism lift saves the steep climb between Cart Road and the Mall for a small fee. Take the toy train rather than the winding drive, and we keep the days unhurried.
- Friends and young groupsGreat for the Mall cafes, a heritage walk and adventure on the Manali leg. Shimla itself is gentle, so plan an evening on the Ridge rather than a late night out.
- Backpackers and budget travellersAlmost everything that matters is free or cheap, the ordinary toy-train fare is tiny, and the lanes off the Mall have simple rooms and good cheap food within walking distance of the Ridge.
- PhotographersThe toy train through the tunnels, the Ridge at sunset, the Viceregal Lodge and the snow points all shoot beautifully. Clear mornings after a rain spell, or a fresh winter snowfall, give the cleanest light.
Planning Shimla from abroad
Shimla was the summer capital of British India, and the UNESCO toy train and the colonial Mall make it a uniquely rewarding heritage trip. A little planning makes the hills easy and comfortable.
- Route through Delhi and ChandigarhFly into Delhi, then reach Shimla by road via Chandigarh (about 7 to 8 hours from Delhi), or take the train to Kalka and the toy train on up. Shimla's own airport has only limited, seasonal flights, so do not plan to fly straight in.
- Ride the heritage toy trainThe Kalka-Shimla UNESCO railway is the heart of the trip, and the Shivalik Deluxe is the comfortable way to do it. Book ahead, as it sells out, and we can arrange the tickets as part of your itinerary.
- Walk the Raj-era townThe Viceregal Lodge, Christ Church, the Gaiety Theatre and the old Mall tell the story of Shimla as the summer seat of the British Raj. A guided heritage walk is the rewarding way to see it, especially for the diaspora and history lovers.
- Gentle and senior-friendlyFor parents and grandparents, the traffic-free Ridge and the lift that saves the steep climb make Shimla manageable, and the toy train spares the winding drive. We pace the days so an older traveller is comfortable. Just plan around the monsoon.
Tour packages that visit Shimla
Every journey below is private, hand-crafted and fully customizable. Tell us your dates and we tailor the itinerary, the pace and the priests or guides around you.
7D / 6NKullu Manali Tour Package from Hyderabad
- Visit Chail Palace
- Visit Chail Gurdwara
8D / 7NKullu Manali Tour Package from Chennai
- Visit Jakhoo Hill
- Ride on Shimla-Kalka Railways
7D / 6NHimachal Tour Package for Couple
- Kufri
- Rohtang Pass
8D / 7NKullu Manali Tour Package from Ahmedabad
- Visit Chadwick Falls
- View Scandal Point
10D / 9NHimachal Tour Package
- Scenic and beautiful places of Shimla
7D / 6NHimachal Holiday Tour Package
- Sightseeing of Shimla
- Visit scenic Kufri and Fagu
Kullu Manali Tour Package from Pune
- Visit Chail Palace
- Visit Buddhist Monasteries
7D / 6NKullu Manali Tour Package from Delhi
- Visit Jakhoo Hill and Temple
- Visit Solang Valley
5D / 4NManali Tour Package for Couples from Delhi
- The Mall Road
- The Lakkar Bazaar