Chandigarh to Shimla by Road – Distance, Time and Useful Travel Information

Popularly and rightly called “the queen of hill stations”, Shimla has everything one can ask for. From the snow-covered mountains, breathtaking lakes, pleasant climate to the alluring greenery. Retaining its old-world charm, Shimla’s colonial-styled bungalows, beautiful churches and the very famous Mall Road are much liked to this day. Therefore, every year tourists flock to this beautiful hill town which is perched at an elevation of 2,200 meters to enjoy the beautiful weather here. Shimla is easily accessible by road from Chandigarh, Delhi and other major cities. Book a Chandigarh car rental for the best experience on your effortless journey to Shimla from Chandigarh by road and other means of travel.

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Why travel from Chandigarh to Shimla?

Chandigarh to Shimla is one of the most scenic routes in India for a road trip.  Shimla is still one of the most popular hill stations in North India. The British made this hill town their summer capital as and when temperatures rose in the nearby plains. A road trip from Chandigarh to Shimla is very special because the journey is as beautiful as the final destination. The stunning landscape, the lush greenery, and the beautiful lakes and streams are sights worth traveling for.

So if you are one of those who loves to be on the road, then this road trip guide to Shimla will help you plan your trip just the right way. With Savaari’s Chandigarh taxi service, you can transform your drive into an enjoyable and exciting journey, while also customizing it according to your preferences, travel time, and budget. We will help you discover a few routes, some hidden gems along the way and some places to eat so that your trip becomes more memorable. Let’s get started!

Traveling from Chandigarh to Shimla by car

Traveling from Chandigarh to Shimla by road is the most convenient way of covering this distance, as both cities are located at a distance of 112.3 km.  The road trip can be easily covered in about three to three and a half hours. One can choose to either drive their own vehicle or book a cab from Chandigarh to Shimla. When you book a cab with Savaari, you not only get to plan your trip according to your convenience but you also take home a wholesome experience that is otherwise restricted when you take a bus, train or flight. So sit back, enjoy your ride and keep those cameras ready. 

Quick Facts about Chandigarh to Shimla

Highway Name	Chandigarh to Shimla highway
Highway Number	NH-5
Route Distance	112.3 Km
Starting Point	Firozpur
End Point	Shipki La
Highway Quality	Good

Best time to take a road trip from Chandigarh to Shimla by car

Shimla is known for its pleasant weather throughout the year. The summers are beautiful here and the winters are equally alluring. During winters, the scenic landscape gets covered in snow which is one of the best things about Shimla. However, even though tourism thrives here throughout the year, it is best to avoid the monsoon season which usually starts in the month of July and ends in September. Winters in Shimla can be extreme, but people come here to experience snowfall in India.

When you take a road trip to Shimla, it is not just the final destination but the journey which will delight you throughout. It offers a sneak peek of the snow-clad mountains, quaint villages on the way and some hidden wonders. Below are some of the routes you can choose when planning a road trip from Chandigarh to Shimla. 

Route 1: Distance and Time taken from Chandigarh to Shimla via NH5  

Chandigarh to Shimla Distance Via NH7 and NH5

The distance of 120 km is covered in about 4 hours 10 minutes. This is the fastest and the most preferred route by travellers. You will pass through views of the valleys and towns of Panchkula, Saproon, Mansar and Kashmari. Book a spacious Chandigarh tempo traveller with Savaari and enjoy a great trip with your family and friends.

Chandigarh to Shimla Road Conditions Via NH5

Chandigarh — Panchkula — Saproon —  Mansar — Kashmari — Shimla 

Popular places along the way:

1. Morni Hills, Panchkula – Situated on the outskirts of Panchkula, Morni Hills is a perfect place for trekking and bird-watching. You may easily spot  Wallcreeper, Crested Kingfisher, Bar-tailed Treecreeper, Blue Peafowl, Kalij Pheasant, Red Junglefowl, Grey Grancolin, Quails, Himalayan Bulbul etc.
2. Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, Panchkula – Spread over an expanse of 2,600 hectares in the foothills of Shivaliks, Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife haven with a wide variety of mammals, insects and reptiles. Also, this sanctuary has the highest variety of Sambar clusters in the country.
   
3. Manki Point, Kasauli – You have to take a detour to reach this place. This point offers a panoramic view of the city of Chandigarh. Legend has it that Lord Hanuman rested one of his feet here which resulted in the shape of this place looking like a foot. You can also enjoy the great views of the river Sutlej from here and pay your respects at the Hanuman temple. 
4. Sunset Point, Kasauli – A little ahead of Manki Point is the Sunset Point in Kasauli. Enjoy your time watching the sun play peek-a-boo with the clouds because you may take home some of the most stunning pictures of the sunset from here. 
5. Mohan Shakti National Heritage Park – Visit India’s first-ever national heritage park. One can explore the park, pass through grasslands, indulge in bird watching or catch glimpses of archaeological sites, and gorgeous landscapes of peaks, clouds and sunshine. In addition to these, one can also explore the complex of the Park which has a herbal therapy section, community kitchens, theme parks, residential blocks, temples, study centers, open theatres or ropeway trolleys.
6. Tara Devi Temple – For some peace and tranquility, stop at Tara Devi Temple which is quite famous for its clean and fresh surroundings. 
7. Vaishno Devi Temple – Regarded as a very auspicious pilgrimage for the Hindus, Vaishno Devi Temple is reached after an 11 km trek through the mountainous terrain. There is no place like Vaishno Devi for finding inner peace and strength.

Places to eat along the way:

1.  Almakrand Restaurant, Khanna – Stop by at the restaurant for a wholesome meal of Chole Bhature, Pav Bhaji or some piping hot rice cakes
2. Old School Social Cafe and Restaurant, Khanna – Stop here for some freshly baked pizza and pasta. They are your best option for Italian and Continental food. 
3. Hangout, Kasauli – Try this rooftop restaurant at Kasauli. They have good food, and pleasant music, and the open area is perfect for a lovely dinner.
4. Narinder Sweet House, Kasauli – This little shop around the corner is perfect for a break enjoyed with some chai and fried pakoras.   

Route 2: Distance and Time taken from Chandigarh to Shimla via SH 16

Chandigarh to Shimla distance Via SH 16 

The distance of 113 km is covered in close to 4 hours and passes through Bilaspur and Kurali before entering the beautiful town of Shimla. The road condition is good and can be taken by travelers as an alternative route.

Chandigarh to Shimla Road Conditions Via SH 16 

Chandigarh — Siswan — Barotiwala — Kunihar — Shimla

Popular places along the way:

• Gurudwara Sheesh Mahal Sahib, Paroul – Approximately 20 km from Chandigarh, this is an exceptionally beautiful Gurudwara. Surrounded by lush greenery on all sides, people like to stop here for a quiet break and of course some delicious langar too.

• Shimla Farm Camping – Open 24 hours, this place is a perfect destination for camping under the night sky. 
• Gorton Castle, Shimla – Gorton Castle was built in 1904 and is surrounded by tall lush green Deodar trees. The scenic beauty of the location makes it look incredibly majestic. Many people believe that the castle has a magical vibe to it. Its stone structure and glass windows take visitors back to the bygone era.
  
• Baba Bhalku Rail Museum, Shimla – At a distance of 1 km from Shimla Railway Station and 190 m from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Baba Bhalku Railway Museum was inaugurated on 7th July 2011 as a tribute to the man who guided the construction of the rail line with his supernatural powers. The museum has some very interesting parts from the pages of history such as the 1930 lost property register. The register has details of lost properties like bags, umbrellas, caps, and coats left in the waiting rooms of the station or the trains. The museum also has on display several items and parts used in the trains dating back to the early 20th century.

Places to eat along the way:

• Mitran da Dhaba, Siswanbadi Road – This dhaba would be on the highway. Stop here for some lip-smacking Punjabi food prepared with generous dollops of ghee and butter. Their Kali Dal and Mango Lassi are quite a hit among regulars. 
• Raja Dhaba, Chandigarh Road – Quite famous for its plush interiors and heavenly food, Raja Dhaba is a great option for a wholesome lunch or dinner. Their naan chole and unmatched variety of chats are to die for. 
• Coco Toucan, Baith Saida – Stop here to taste some of the best cakes, pastries, cookies and homemade chocolates. A passionate baker, the owner of this bakery is warm and welcoming who bakes some of the best cakes in town which are sure to give his customers gastronomical heaven in their mouth. 
  

Chandigarh to Shimla Best Route

While you can take any of the two routes, we recommend Route 1 Via NH 5. The road conditions are excellent and the time taken is less. However, it is advisable to check live traffic updates before leaving for your trip.

Other means of traveling from Chandigarh to Shimla 

How to Reach Shimla By Flight:

The Shimla Airport, also known as Jubbarhatti Airport, is around 20km away from the main city and is also one of the very few airports at any of the hill stations. Having one of the smallest airstrips, the airport is not functional throughout the year. Therefore, it is advisable to choose Chandigarh or Delhi as connecting airports. Book your cab from Chandigarh airport for a hassle-free commute to your accommodation in the city. 

How to Reach Shimla By Train:

The nearest railway station to Shimla is the Kalka Railway Station which is about 90 km from the hill town. It takes around 5-6 hours from Kalka to reach here by train, but it’s a very beautiful journey with the tunnels and some gorgeous scenery. It surely makes up for the extra time taken on the route. So you can visit the Indian Railways website for your train bookings, or choose your options from the multiple online portals.

Explore Shimla like a local

Shimla’s timeless beauty which is adorned with snow-clad mountains, lush greenery and a beautiful lake makes it one of the most popular hill towns in the country. The best part about this hill town is not just limited to its scenic landscape, but the fact that it can be visited all throughout the year for its lovely weather. This makes Shimla one of the most favoured weekend getaways in the North. Here is a guide to exploring the best things to do in Shimla.

Popular attractions in Shimla for sightseeing

• Only 5 km from the famous Ridge is Summer Hill which offers spectacular views of the green valley. It is one of the best places in Shimla to start your day and is therefore quite popular among tourists. 
• Visit the busiest street of Shimla, the Mall Road. This stretch is a mini world in itself as it offers everything from clothes, shoes, and furniture to some rare spices. 
• Visit the Jakhu Temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The ancient temple is soaked in legends and mythology. However, people like to stop and admire the Hanuman statue here. It is the tallest in the world. There is also a considerable monkey population around this area to keep you company.  
• Relax and unwind at Mashobra. Only 10 km from Shimla, therefore you can easily head to Mashobra for some quiet time. 
• If you are visiting Shimla in winters, then a must-visit stopover is Kufri for its mind-blowing skiing experience.
• Lastly, stop at Chail for a day for some amazing hiking experience. It is a paradise for nature lovers because one can feel the purest touch of nature in this quaint fairy tale-like town.   

Savaari Recommends: Popular Places to eat in Shimla

• Italian and European – Baljee’s & Fascination 
• Indian – Devicos and Qilaa
• Fine Dining – Seventh Heaven
• Himachali cuisine – Ashiana & Goofa
• Cafe, French and Lebanese – Wake and Bake Cafe 

Hotels and Resorts – Accommodation in Shimla

Hotel	Address
Radisson Jass Shimla	Lower, Bharari Road, Goodwood Estate, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171001
Snow Valley Resorts Shimla	NH 22 Kachi Ghatti, Ghora Chowki, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171005
Woodville Palace Hotel	Raj Bhawan, Road, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171002
The Oberoi Cecil	Chaura Maidan Rd, Nabha, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171004

Nearby Road Trips from Shimla

Destinations	Distance	Time Taken
Shimla to Kufri	15 km	36 mins
Shimla to Chail	45 km	2 hours
Shimla to Narkanda	60 km	2 hours
Shimla to Parwanoo	80 km	2 hours
Shimla to Chandigarh	110 km	3 hours
Shimla to Jibhi	154 km	5 hours
Shimla to Mcleodganj	238 km	6 hours
Shimla to Manali	245 km	7 hours
Shimla to Mussoorie	257 km	7 hours

Download our Savaari car booking app for a smooth and pleasant journey.

Chandigarh to Shimla Highway News:

• Heavy rain persisted in various parts of the country including Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana
• Chandigarh-Shimla highway reopens for traffic
• Road in Kokunala collapsed in Shimla amid heavy rain
• Chandigarh–Shimla Expressway
• 39 km Parwanoo-Solan stretch on Shimla highway opened
• Fly in chopper from Pinjore to Shimla, Kullu soon
• Tourist arrivals likely to touch pre-Covid level in Himachal