Shimla or Simla is the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh in India.
It is a very popular holiday-retreat during the summer months and is
well-known for its Victorian architecture, which is reflected in certain
areas of the Mall and The Ridge. It is also a famous holiday spot for
honeymoon.
Shimla's cool climate is the precise reason why it is such a popular
summer retreat. Located at an altitude of approximately 2200m above sea
level, the region has a hilly terrain and is covered by dense evergreen
forests. A few visitors choose to visit Shimla during spring or autumn,
when the place is less crowded and the views are too spectacular for
words.
By train
The nearest broad gauge head is at Kalka - a four- to seven-hour journey from Delhi. After that, take the mountain train from Kalka to Shimla. This railway track has recently been granted the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The view is stunning, with the line passing through an amazing 103
tunnels. The fastest way to get to Kalka is to catch the Shatabdi
Express, which departs early morning from the New Delhi Railway Station,
arriving at Kalka four hours later. A detailed list of trains between
Delhi, Kalka and Shimla is available at and You can also choose to get off at Chandigarh (en-route to Kalka), and catch a taxi from there.
Note that while the Shivalik Deluxe Express can be reserved 60
days in advance like most Indian trains, most of the other mountain
trains can only be reserved 30 days before journey date. Passengers on
the Shivalik Deluxe Express are served meals on the train--breakfast on
the way to Simla, dinner on the way down.
By plane
Shimla has its own airport at a place known as Jubbarhatti (IATA code:SLV),
22 km away, a distance which, owing to the difficulties of the
mountainous terrain, poor condition of road surfaces, and the increasing
traffic congestion, often takes hours to traverse by car from Shimla.
The airport has severe limitations imposed both by its elevation at
1,546 metres above sea level and by the shortness of its single runway
(1,230 m) which ends in precipice at either end, and it can accommodate only
turboprop Dornier aircraft; jets such as Airbus A310, 320s and Boeing
737s can all land at the larger Chandigarh (IATA code:IXC)
airport.
The Chandigarh Airport, located at a distance of 120 km from Shimla
along far better roads and at an elevation of only 308 metres above sea
level, offers far better flight options. Major airlines including Indian Jet Airways and Air Deccan operate flights to Delhi, Jammu, and Mumbai. Most of the flights to Mumbai require a stop-over in Delhi. Tip, confirm the flights till the very last moment, bad weather often delays flights during the winter fog.
After landing at the airport, take a pre-paid taxi to minimize
hassle. Chandigarh is a good four-hour drive away, so stop for a bite on
the Kalka-Shimla highway.
By Taxi
- Savaari.com (Savaari Car Rentals), ☎ 0 90 4545 0000 (info@savaari.com), . India's largest inter-city and local cab booking service who have a presence in 98 cities across the country. You can book a cab in Shimla either on their website or through their Call center.
- Shimla taxi (shimlataxi), Local service provider in Shimla. They support website bookings.
- Himachal taxi (himachaltaxi). Another local service provider in Shimla. You can make enquiries through their website or call their customer service number
