Shimla has been a hill retreat since the British made it the summer capital of India, and it still wears that history openly: a mock-Tudor Ridge, a neo-Gothic church, colonial cottages clinging to ridges of deodar and oak, and a narrow-gauge railway that corkscrews up from Kalka. Today most visitors arrive by road, and the drive from Chandigarh, climbing from the plains to over 2,000 metres in a few hours, is part of the experience. This guide covers Shimla by road from Chandigarh and Delhi, the RutzIndia.com fares for 2026, what to see, how the town's vehicle restrictions affect you, when to go for snow or for summer, and a three-day plan that reaches Kufri and Narkanda.
Shimla by road: distance, time and taxi fare
Shimla is about 115 km from Chandigarh on NH-5 via Parwanoo and Solan, typically 3.5 hours by car, and about 345 km (7 hours) from Delhi. A one-way sedan from Chandigarh costs Rs 4,140 Pay Now to Reserve and an Innova Crysta Rs 6,570 Pay Now to Reserve (minimum fare applies); from Delhi, Rs 12,420 Pay Now to Reserve and Rs 19,670 Pay Now to Reserve. All fares are before 5% GST.
Our per-km rates apply on hill roads just as on the plains: Rs 36 for a Dzire-class sedan, Rs 57.6 for an Innova, Rs 84 for a Fortuner and Rs 78 for a Tempo Traveller. Round trips are billed on the higher of actual distance or 250 km per calendar day. A two-day Chandigarh-Shimla-Chandigarh trip therefore bills at 500 km (Rs 18,000 Pay Now to Reserve in a sedan), and a three-day trip from Delhi at 750 km (Rs 27,000 Pay Now to Reserve in a sedan, Rs 42,750 Pay Now to Reserve in an Innova). Himachal's entry tax for vehicles registered outside the state, tolls, and parking in Shimla are passed on at actual cost. For point-to-point bookings, see the dedicated Chandigarh to Shimla taxi and Delhi to Shimla taxi pages; for local sightseeing once you are there, our Shimla taxi service offers the 8 hr/80 km sedan package at Rs 7,200 Pay Now to Reserve.
What to see in and around Shimla
The Ridge and Mall Road
The Ridge is Shimla's open-air living room: a wide promenade with views over the hills, the yellow Christ Church at one end and the half-timbered State Library building nearby. Mall Road runs below it, lined with cafes, bookshops and the Gaiety Theatre. Both are pedestrian areas; your chauffeur drops you at the nearest point on Cart Road and you take the public lift or walk up.
Jakhu temple
On the highest hill in town, the Jakhu temple is dedicated to Hanuman and marked by a very tall statue visible across Shimla. A steep walk or a short ropeway reaches it. The monkeys here are notorious for snatching glasses and phones.
Viceregal Lodge
The former residence of the British Viceroys, a grey stone mansion on Observatory Hill, now houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. Guided tours of parts of the building and the lawns are usually available; check timings before you go.
The Kalka-Shimla railway
The narrow-gauge line, with its tunnels, stone arch bridges and the station at Barog, is part of the UNESCO-listed Mountain Railways of India. Some travellers like to ride the toy train one way and let their chauffeur meet them at the other end. The Kalka-Shimla railway article on Wikipedia explains its history and engineering.
Day trips from Shimla
- Kufri (about 16 km): pony rides, the Himalayan Nature Park and, in winter, snow play. Our Kufri by road guide covers it.
- Mashobra and Naldehra: forested ridges, apple orchards and one of India's oldest golf courses.
- Chail (about 45 km): a former royal retreat with a cricket ground high on a hilltop.
- Narkanda (about 65 km): apple country and Hatu Peak, a winter ski slope and summer viewpoint.
- Tara Devi and Sankat Mochan: temples on the approach road with views back to town.
The road from Chandigarh and Delhi
Chandigarh to Shimla (about 115 km). Leave via Zirakpur and Pinjore to Kalka and Parwanoo, where Himachal begins. From Parwanoo, NH-5 climbs through Dharampur, Solan and Kandaghat to Shimla. Much of the Parwanoo-Solan stretch has been widened to four lanes with new tunnels and bypasses, making the climb faster than a decade ago, while other sections remain two-lane. Popular stops include Timber Trail near Parwanoo, the roadside dhabas at Dharampur and the town of Solan. Allow 3.5 hours, more on summer weekends when traffic backs up near Shoghi and at the entry to Shimla.
Delhi to Shimla (about 345 km). The route follows NH-44 north via Panipat and Ambala to Zirakpur, then joins the Chandigarh route. Leave Delhi by 6 am to beat the Singhu border traffic and reach Shimla by early afternoon.
Driving norms in the hills. Our chauffeurs follow hill-driving conventions: uphill traffic has right of way on narrow bends, horns are used before blind curves, and cars descend in low gear. Night driving on the upper sections is avoided where possible, and in winter the car carries chains when snow is forecast. The Parwanoo to Dharampur section has seen landslides during intense monsoon spells, so we check road status each morning in July and August.
When to visit Shimla
- March to June is peak season: pleasant days of 15-28 C and cool nights. May and June weekends are crowded; book cars and hotels early. The Shimla Summer Festival is traditionally held around the end of May or early June.
- July to September is the monsoon. The hills are green and misty, but landslides can close roads for hours. Travel with flexible plans.
- October and November bring clear skies and crisp air, ideal for views of the snow ranges from Narkanda.
- December to February is snow season. Shimla may get snowfall a few times a winter; Kufri and Narkanda more often. Christmas and New Year are very busy. Roads beyond Shimla may close after heavy snow until they are cleared.
Official updates on road and weather conditions are posted by the Shimla district administration, and the Himachal Pradesh tourism department publishes festival calendars and destination information.
Chauffeured services from RutzIndia.com
- One-way hill drop from Chandigarh, Chandigarh airport, Kalka station or Delhi to your Shimla hotel.
- Round trips and tours from Chandigarh or Delhi, with the chauffeur staying in Shimla for local runs to Kufri, Chail and Narkanda.
- Longer Himachal circuits to Manali, Dharamshala or Kinnaur; see our Himachal taxi service.
- Airport pickups at Chandigarh and Shimla airports, with flight tracking, a name board and free waiting of 60 minutes after international arrivals or 30 minutes after domestic flights.
- Groups in a Tempo Traveller from Chandigarh, popular with families and college groups.
| Vehicle | Chandigarh to Shimla one way (115 km) | Delhi to Shimla one way (345 km) | Two-day round trip from Chandigarh (500 km billed) | Three-day round trip from Delhi (750 km billed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dzire-class sedan | Rs 4,140 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 12,420 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 18,000 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 27,000 Pay Now to Reserve |
| Innova Crysta | Rs 6,570 Pay Now to Reserve (minimum fare applies) | Rs 19,670 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 28,500 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 42,750 Pay Now to Reserve |
| Toyota Fortuner | Rs 11,730 Pay Now to Reserve (minimum fare applies) | Rs 28,980 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 42,000 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 63,000 Pay Now to Reserve |
| Tempo Traveller | Rs 10,200 Pay Now to Reserve (minimum fare applies) | Rs 26,910 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 39,000 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 58,500 Pay Now to Reserve |
Fares are before 5% GST. Tolls, the Himachal entry tax for outside-registered vehicles, and parking are billed at actual cost. On multi-day trips the chauffeur's night allowance of Rs 1,500 is added per night. We use cars within four model years, which matters on steep hill roads. Pay by card or UPI in the booker; corporate travellers receive a GST invoice.
Our cancellation policy is the same across India: free cancellation more than 72 hours before pickup, 10% within 72 hours, 50% within 48 hours and 100% within 24 hours or on a no-show.
Book a Chandigarh to Shimla cab
A three-day Shimla plan by car
Day 1: Chandigarh to Shimla (about 120 km). Leave at 8 am, coffee stop near Dharampur, reach Shimla by lunchtime. Check in, then take the lift up to the Mall, walk to the Ridge and Christ Church, and browse the Lakkar Bazaar for wooden crafts. Dinner on the Mall.
Day 2: Kufri, Chail and Mashobra (about 110 km). Head out early to Kufri, then take the back road through forests to Chail for its palace and hilltop cricket ground. Return via Mashobra's orchards in the late afternoon.
Day 3: Narkanda and back (about 250 km). Drive to Narkanda for Hatu Peak and the apple country, return through Shimla for a visit to the Viceregal Lodge, and descend to Chandigarh by evening. Alternatively, continue from Narkanda into Kinnaur or take the road to Manali; see our Manali by road guide.
This itinerary totals about 480 km and is billed at the three-day minimum of 750 km (Rs 27,000 Pay Now to Reserve in a sedan), plus two night allowances, tolls, entry tax, parking and GST.
Practical tips for a Shimla road trip
- Restricted and sealed roads. Many roads in central Shimla require special permits for private vehicles; your chauffeur will drop you at the nearest permitted point. Plan to walk.
- Parking. Hotels with parking are worth the premium; otherwise public multi-level lots on Cart Road are used.
- Motion sickness. The NH-5 climb has many curves; sit in front, keep a window open and avoid heavy meals before the drive.
- Layers. Evenings are cool even in May; in winter, carry heavy woollens, gloves and waterproof shoes.
- Monkeys. Secure glasses, food and phones near Jakhu and the Ridge.
- Weekends. Avoid Friday-evening departures from Chandigarh or Delhi in summer; leave early Saturday instead.
Where to stay and who the trip suits
Shimla's hotels fall into a few distinct belts. Properties around the Mall and the Ridge put you in the middle of things but usually lack parking, so the car stays in a public lot and you walk down a steep lane with your bags; porters are available. Hotels along Cart Road and the Circular Road are easier for cars. For quiet, look to Chotta Shimla, Kasumpti or the forested ridges of Mashobra and Kufri, where larger resorts have their own parking and views of the ranges. In peak season and at Christmas, confirm parking in writing when you book.
The trip suits almost everyone. Families from Punjab, Haryana and Delhi use Shimla as a long-weekend escape from summer heat. Honeymooners pair it with Manali on a week-long Himachal circuit. Senior travellers appreciate that the hotels and main sights can be reached without trekking. Business travellers attending government meetings in the state capital book the chauffeur for the day. And winter visitors come hoping to see snow, which we recommend chasing up to Kufri or Narkanda rather than waiting for it in town.
