Chandigarh to Shimla distance - A travel guide by road, toy train

Chandigarh to Shimla is one of the best routes famous for panoramic views, hill drive and food stalls. Here in this guide, we are describing Chandigarh to Shimla distance, food, panoramic station and activities on this route. It is a complete travel guide for Chandigarh to Shimla.   

This route has everything starting from a lush green valley, windy mountain road and scenic view points. This panoramic road is perfect no matter if you are travelling by bus, car or train, the experience is equally memorable.    

Chandigarh to Shimla distance  

Chandigarh to Shimla distance by road    

Chandigarh to Shimla distance is 110 to 112 Kilometers by road. It takes 2.5 to 3 hours by road, if you are travelling continuously without too many stops on the way.   

Travel time is 3 to 4 hours if you are travelling by bus. Buses may take meal stoppages and also stop at every town on the way to Shimla.   

Chandigarh to Shimla distance by toy train    

Kalka to Shimla distance by train is 90 km by narrow gauge. The total distance from Chandigarh to Shimla distance by train is 120 Km. However if you are travelling by train then travelling time is significantly high. It is 30 to 40 minutes from Chandigarh to Kalka and about 5 to 6 hours between Kalka and Shimla  

To travel Chandigarh to Kalka is 25 km by train. You can take a broad gauge train to Chandigarh, after that narrow gauge Kalka Shimla toy train would take you to Shimla.   

Chandigarh to Shimla Route   

The route from Chandigarh to Shimla is a four lane road to Shimla. It is a well maintained road as Shimla and also Chandigarh both are capital cities of their respective states.   

Pinjore, Parwanoo, Dharampur, Kumarhatti, Solan, Kandaghat, Shoghi towns are on the way to Shimla. After Parwanoo, the hilly section of this route starts. There are two toll barriers on this route at Chandimadir and Sanwara within 120 km of Chandigarh to Shimla distance. Toll fee for Chandimadir is 34 and for Sanwara is 90 rupees.   

Chandigarh →  Chandimandir  →  Pinjore →  Timber Trail →  Dharampur →  Solan →  Kandaghat →  Shoghi →  Shimla   

Food Joints between Chandigarh to Shimla    

Parwanoo/Kalka -  

At Parwanoo and Kalka hilly road starts. This segment is the entry point of Himachal Pradesh. There are numerous Dhabas and food joints on this route. We have selected some of the famous food joints on this route.  

Sharma Vaishnav Dhaba ( Parwanoo)  

This Dhaba is located at Parwanoo famous for pure veg thali and all pure veg Items.  

Ishar Sweets (Koti)   

This sweet shop is a very famous shop in this area. You can try Dakke wali Kulfi, Jalebi, Samosa and local Himachali sweets.   

Dharampur    

Dharampur is the most famous stoppage for food on Chandigarh to Shimla route. Non veg and veg food is available in many restaurants scattered on Chandigarh Shimla road near Police Thana. Some of the top picked hotels are shown below   

Giani Da Dabha- Famous for Non Veg    

Haveli Dharampur - Family restaurant, clean washroom   

Jabli Turn- Toward Kasauli    

Savoy Greens- Best for Snacks tea, Prantha   

Dochi Cafe - Wood fired Pizza  

Lord of Drinks - Scenic Cafe   

Solan/Barog   

Chachu Da Dhaba     

This Dhaba is best for Poha, Rajma Chawal, Maggi and tea   

Shoghi/Shimla   

All the Dhabas in Shoghi are operated 24 hours as many truck drivers only have their ,  

Veg Thali - Kadi Chawal, Rajma Chawal  

Sarawati Bhojnalaya- Palak Paneer, Rajma, Veg Thali  

Best way to Travel Chadigarh to Shimla  

Chandigarh to Shimla by Cab    

Traveling Chandigarh to Shimla by cab is considered to be the best way to travel on this route. There is a smooth highway till Tipra in Pinjore and after that a hilly road with panoramic view points starts. If you are in a cab you can stop the vehicle on view points. Traveling by cab is also the best for families with kids. You should start early in the morning to avoid congestion and traffic on this route.  

Chandigarh to Shimla by toy train    

Travelling from Chandigarh to Shimla by toy train is a unique experience of life time. It is really awesome to travel by this train for 5 to 6 hours between Kalka to Shimla. To get a toy train you would need to reach Kalka railways station from Chandigarh. Kalka can be reached by train itself or alternatively you can take a cab to Kalka.   

🚂 Kalka–Shimla Express (52457)  

03:30 AM  

08:50–08:55 AM  

~5 hr 20 min  

🚂 Shivalik Deluxe Express (52451)  

05:45 AM  

10:35–10:40 AM  

~4 hr 50 min  

🚂 Kalka–Shimla Express (52453)  

06:20 AM  

11:35–11:50 AM  

~5 hr 15 min  

🚂 Him Darshan Express (52459)  

07:00 AM  

~12:30 PM  

~5 hr 30 min  

🚂 Himalayan Queen (52455)  

11:55 AM – 12:10 PM  

05:00–05:30 PM  

~5 hr 20 min  

Chandigarh to Shimla by bus   

Travelling from Chandigarh to Shimla can be done by bus. It is the most budgeted and pocket friendly way to travel to Shimla. All the buses to Shimla depart from sector 43 ISBT. You can also board on bus at other stoppages at Tribune Chowk and housing board light point in Chandigarh city. After boarding, the bus would pass by Pinjore, Pawanoo, Dharampur, Kumarhatti, Barog, Solan, Kandaghat, Shoghi and Shimla. The last stoppage of these buses is at new ISBT Shimla. If buses are going to the upper Shimla area or Kinnaur and Spiti then the stoppage could be at ISBT Lakkar Bazaar.   

Bus fare  

Non-AC Ordinary: ₹260 – ₹300  

Himmani Deluxe: ₹280 – ₹350  

Chandigarh to Shimla Volvo Bus   

Volvo / Himsuta AC: ₹400 – ₹50  

The first bus on this route starts at 3 AM in the morning and the last HRTC bus is at 8:30 PM. There is no bus service between this time of night so please travel accordingly. On high demand and tourist season some private operators run buses till 11 PM. Buses are available on a frequency of 30 mins in day timing.  

Scenic stoppage between Chandigarh to Shimla  

Chandigarh to Shimla route is famous for panoramic view points and destinations on the way. In fact this total route is like a tourist spot full of tourists, hotels, restaurants.   

Koti/Sanwara   

This place is the entry point of Himachal Pradesh. There are view points to stop vehicles and chill for a time at Timber Trail, Himachal Garden or at any view point near Toll gate.   

Dharampur/Kumarhatti/Barog  

There are view points and places to stop near Prachin Shiv mandir below Dagshai. Or if you are travelling via Barog this is itself a scenic point.   

Kandaghat/ Shoghi  

Kandghat and Shoghi are also good viewpoints for tourists and travellers. You can stop at Kandaghat. You can stop at many view points between Shoghi and Shimla.  

Travel Tips for Chandigarh to Shimla

Road tips   

• Start early morning to avoid traffic and congestion   

• Drive carefully on turns as this route has blind turns and steep slopes  

• Don't break continuously   

• Avoid night travelling if you are not experienced on hill driving   

• Check breaks, oil, types before starting journey  

Bus travel tips   

• Book volvo himsutta for comfortable travel.  

• Carry light jackets as ac buses get colder specially at night  

• Carry motion sickness medicines   

Toy train tips   

• Book seats 60 days before travel dates due to high demand.  

• Reach Kalka station on time as station is in mid of congested town  

• Carry snacks and food for long journey  

• Take early morning trains for fresh mountains  

Best time to travel  

Summers - Summers is the best time to travel to Shimla. Chandigarh and other parts of the country are extremely cold in Summers. Shimla is cold and the temperature is pleasant. You would start feeling cold temperature after crossing Pawanoo from Chandigarh.   

Winter - Winter has its own importance to travel to Shimla. If you want to see snow, winter is the best time for Shimla. You can enjoy activities like skiing, iceskating, snowballing in winters at Shimla  

Monsoon - Monsoon is the best time to see greenery on the Chandigarh Shimla route. However you should be aware of landslides and closure of roads due to rain.   

Accomodations    

Chandigarh Shimla route is full of homestays and all types of hotels. Staying at a viewpoint really adds adventure to your trip. Shoghi is considered to be the best place for panoramic landscapes. Yashvi Paradise at Anandpur Shoghi is the best place offering comfortable accommodation, jungle walk, bird watching and trekking. This is the best place to have a night stay on this route.