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

As the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is one of the oldest and the most popular hill stations in Northern India. With stunning views of the Himalayan peaks, alpine forests, and an undeniable colonial charm; Shimla is truly the Queen of the Himalayas. The bustling Himalayan town of Shimla is the perfect order among chaos, albeit with breathtaking views of mountains and valleys. From the golden sunshine in the summers to the charming, white wonderland of the winters, every season paints a different picture. Book a Delhi car rental for the best experience on your effortless journey to Shimla from Delhi by road and other means of travel.

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Why travel from Delhi to Shimla?

Like the destination, the journey to Shimla is also magical and equally interesting when taking a road trip from Delhi. When you book road trip from Delhi to Shimla with Savaari, you can enhance your experience by enjoying everything that lies on the way, you can turn your drive into a fun-filled journey and also customize the trip to your liking, travel time, and budget. With Savaari’s Delhi 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.

delhi to shimla by road

Traveling from Delhi to Shimla by Car

A trip from Delhi to Shimla by car is the best way to travel and experience the journey. On your Shimla trip from Delhi, you will pass through the villages of Haryana and Punjab and the hilly locales of Himachal. Thus, experience the joy of being on the road by booking a Delhi to Shimla cab from Savaari and cover the Delhi to Shimla distance in optimal time. Let us help you discover the best way for a memorable and fulfilling Delhi to Shimla trip by road. For a reverse itinerary, book a Shimla to Delhi cab with Savaari for a convenient and comfortable travel experience.

Delhi to Shimla by cab

Quick Facts about Delhi to Shimla

Road Distance from Delhi to Shimla 343 kms
Aerial Distance from Delhi to Shimla 277 kms
Travel Time for Delhi to Shimla by Road 7 hours and 20 minutes
Travel Time for Delhi to Shimla by Train 9 hours and 40 minutes
Travel Time for Delhi to Shimla by Flight 1 hours
Best Routes Delhi to Shimla Via NH 44 and NH 5
Best Time to visit December – January and March – June
Savaari travel magazine

Best time to Take a Road trip from Delhi to Shimla by Car

The best time to travel to Shimla from Delhi by car is between March and June when the temperatures are perfect for long journeys and nature is also in full bloom in the hills. However, if you like to experience the winter chills, you can travel during the holiday season (December and January). The road distance is roughly 342 km. If traveling in winter, snowfall in some parts of Himachal can impact the itinerary. Take the following road route for the best travel experience. Once you arrive in Shimla, you can easily book a Shimla taxi service to explore the beautiful surroundings at your leisure.

savaari-delhi-shimla-roadtrip

Best Route: Distance and time taken from Delhi to Shimla via NH 44 & NH 5

Delhi to Shimla distance Via NH 44 & NH 5

This is the best route and the only tried and tested highway route to cover the Delhi to Shimla distance. You will find very light traffic on this route, except when there are sudden closures for roadwork. After completing your trip to Shimla, you can easily book a car rental in Shimla to explore the city and its surroundings.

Delhi to Shimla road conditionsVia NH 44 & NH 5

Before you travel, always check for live traffic updates or real-time maps to get a better idea of the Delhi to Shimla road condition. Here’s a basic road map for this route:

Delhi — Panipat — Karnal — Kurukshetra — Ambala — Chandigarh — Kalka — Solan — Shimla
delhi-shimla-route1

Places to see on Delhi to Shimla Road Route

  • Panipat – Take a tour of the historic battlefield of Panipat and its associated memorial and museum.     
  • Kurukshetra – You can visit the tranquil Brahma Sarovar and sites from Mahabharat.
  • Chandigarh – If you have time, you can take a quick tour of India’s most planned and beautiful city and see its iconic monuments.     
  • Kalka – The Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary is another popular place to visit and explore the local avifauna and other wildlife.
  • Famous for Kalka-Shimla single-gauge railway and Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • Parwanoo – Known for fruit farming, Parwanoo is lined with orchards, where you can stop by for fresh fruits and fruit-based goodies.
  • Kasauli – The Gilbert Trail is a famous nature trail for walks and watching the sunset on the hills.

Places to eat on this route

  1. Haveli, Murthal, Haryana – landmark highway side family restaurant and food complex with themed setting and plush interior which explains why it’s always busy. 
  2. Amrik Sukhdev, Sonipat, Haryana – popular and busy highway side eatery with multi-cuisine buffet and a la carte options, good for families and large groups.
  3. Pooran Singh Da Dhaba, Ambala Cantt., Ambala – family-owned old dhaba famous for home-style lunches.
  4. Stop by the famous ‘Chana Kulcha’ vendor in Kandaghat, if crossing around evening.

Other means of travelling from Delhi to Shimla

How to reach Shimla by Train?

You can also cover the Delhi to Shimla distance by train. However, there are no direct trains from Delhi to Shimla. You can take an express train from Delhi to Kalka and from Kalka, you can take the singe-gauge trains. For train booking, you can visit the website of Indian Railways or any online travel portal for the best deals. The train fare will depend on the train route you choose and the season of travel. The train journey time can range from 10 hours to 23 hours, depending on the train. You can visit the Indian Railways website for your Delhi to Shimla train bookings, or choose your options from the multiple online portals.

There are 17 weekly trains between Delhi and Kalka, of which, 7 run on a daily basis. From Kalka, there are about 5 trains that go to Shimla daily. The fastest train from Delhi to Kalka is KALKA SHATABDI SUPERFAST EXP (12011).

Train Name Departure Arrival Duration
12005 – Kalka Shatabdi 17:15 21:20 04 hr 05 min
12057 – Uhl Janshatabdi 14:35 19:05 04 hr 30 min
14095 – Himalyan Queen 05:35 11:10 05 hr 35 min
12925 – Paschim Express 11:05 16:45 5 hr 40 min
12311 – Hwh Dli Klk Mail 21:30 04:35 07 hr 05 min
22455 – Snsi Klk Sup Express 07:50 12:20 04 hr 30 min

How to reach Shimla by Flight?

You can cover the Delhi to Shimla distance by booking a flight. The nearest airport is Shimla Airport (SLV). The average flight duration is 1 to 2 hours, depending on the airline route. The flight cost can range from 1500 to 5000, depending on the booking window, available deals, and travel season. For your flight booking, visit any airline website or online travel portals for the best deals. Book an airport taxi from Shimla for a hassle-free commute to your hotel. You can also book our Delhi airport cab for a comfortable travel from the airport.

Explore Shimla Like a Local: A Handy Guide

One can spend an entire week exploring the city but Shimla is not just about the Mall Road or sitting at the Ridge. For a perfect Shimla tour, you have to explore beyond the city and head into the quaint villages and hilly hamlets that dot this region. Make the most of your Shimla trip with our tips and suggestions. You can always book a tempo traveller in Delhi in case you are travelling in a large group.

Attractions in Shimla for Sightseeing

Some of the most popular and prominent places for Shimla sightseeing are Jakhoo Temple, Kali Bari Temple, Christ Church, The Ridge, and Himachal State Museum.

delhi-shimla-christ-church

You can also visit the meadows of Annandale which also houses a golf course and offers scenic mountain views. Shimla Tourism also offers scenic treks to Chadwick Falls and Summer Hills near the town. Check out this comprehensive Shimla travel guide to make the most out of your trip.

Things to keep in mind when touring Shimla

  1.  If you are traveling in winter, carry ample warm clothes, since nighttime temperatures can drop dramatically.
  2. For trekking expeditions, it is better to sign up with a local trek/adventure group or get a guide who can take you around. 
  3. If you are doing day trips around the town you can also leave early and use the maximum daylight hours.
  4. Also, do a tour of Naldehra for the ultimate mountain holiday experience.
  5. If you are traveling in summer, then do visit the Shimla Reserve Forest Sanctuary and experience Himalayan wildlife.
  1. Sita Ram and Sons, Lakkad Market
  2. Café Shimla Times, Hotel Willow Banks,
  3. Cecil Restaurant, The Mall, Mall Road.
  4. Himachali Rasoi, Middle Bazar, Mall Road.
  5. Café Sol, Mall Road.
  6. Ashiana Grand, Ridge, Mall Road.
  7. Hideout Café, Adjacent to the fire station, The Mall.
  8. Eighteen 71 Cookhouse & Bar, Near Tourism Lift Hotel Willow Banks.

Hotels and Resorts – Accommodation in Shimla

Hotel Name Address
Shimla Havens Resort Village – Gahan, Gahan Road, Post, Summer Hill, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171005.PH:098160 91066
The Chalet’s Naldehra Shimla – Tatapani – Mandi Road, Durgapur, Shimla, Naldehra, Himachal Pradesh 171007. PH:0177 274 7715
Woodsmoke Resort & Spa Village Anandpur, P.O, Shoghi, Himachal Pradesh 171219. PH:098168 98166
Woodville Palace Hotel Raj Bhawan, Road, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171002. PH:0177 262 3919
Koti Resorts Sadhora,Baldeyan, Mashobra-Naldehra Road, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171007. PH:092185 01601

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 the Savaari cab booking app for booking your Delhi to Shimla cab.

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An Essential Road Trip Guide from Delhi to Shimla!
Article Name
An Essential Road Trip Guide from Delhi to Shimla!
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Find the best information regarding Delhi to Shimla distance, the optimal time to visit, places to eat and different routes to reach Shimla by Car.
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Savaari Car Rentals
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