| Tips for getting around Simla posted by real travelers and Simla locals. Simla Map |
 | Simla Transportation | Tips 1 - 10 of 12 |  |
Shimla or Simla has an airport about 23 km off Shimla, named Jubbarhati Airport. But for me, using a night bus from Delhi to Shimla was nice and more economic.
So, take a deluxe bus from bus station nearby Majnu-ka-Tilla at Old Delhi to direction Shimla. Reservation for advance booking is available. Leave a Comment Theme: Bus
|
Visiting Simla?
Read reviews about Simla Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
It really is the ONLY way to get to Shimla! This gorgeous little mountain railway was built by the British during the height of the Raj and connects the town of Kalka in the Punjab to Shimla via 103 tunnels in a little over 100 kms of track. The train runs four times a day with uphill services departing at 4am, 5.30am, 6.30am and 11.55am. You can check out the most up-to-date service information at Indian Railways We came from Chandigarh in the morning and caught a bus to Kalka which connected with very little time to spare, leave yourself plenty of time if you have to make connections (rule number 1 in India!)
There are 2 classes of travel 1st and 2nd with quite a price difference between them. We travelled 2nd class at Rs.36 for the 5 hour trip (about AUS$1) I think forst class was about Rs. 300 and the only difference was reserved seating and padded vinyl seats in 1st class. Since we arrived late there were no seats left so we sat on our bags in the aisle and then variously sat in the open doorway to watch the world move by the train. It really was a fantastic way to travel and the carriage was abuzz with happy Indian holidaymakers all getting ready for their fun at Shimla! Once we saw the first snow by the tracks there was a stampede of people over to the windows and howls of delight from young and old alike!!
The train will take you to the main railway station which is then about 1.5 kms to the main part of town near the Christ Church. There will however be plenty of porters more than willing to carry your luggage at the station but do remember to fix a price beforehand and bargain hard.
Have Fun!! Leave a Comment Theme: Train
|
 | |  |
Heading to the Mall Road, you can use a lift nearby parking lot of Shimla. It's about Rs5 per person. Take a walk from bus station or parking lot to this building and going up about 2 minutes and voila! You're already at Mall Road. Leave a Comment Theme: Other
|
To help with climbing up the hill from Cart Road, (where the bus station is located), to The Mall, there's this two stage lift which is quite fun to use even if you're not carrying heavy bags up and down.
Open: 8am-9pm. Ticket costs Rs7 for one way. Leave a Comment Theme: Other
|
Old buses but nice to Shimla and around >> such as Kufri, Dhalli, Sanjauli, Mashobra, Fagu and Chail. Leave a Comment Theme: Bus
|
Visiting Simla?
Read reviews about Simla Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
The cars are not allowed at Mall Road. So, if you find lazy enough to walk along the beautiful buildings, alleys and hills, you can rent a horse. Also to direction to Jakhoo Temple, Kalibari Temple and Baleuganj. Leave a Comment Theme: Other
|
It's also a major attraction for tourists >> train which runs on 96.54 km long Kalka - Shimla and passes through 102 tunnels. Leave a Comment Theme: Train
|
In the medical shop right opposite to the Club Mahindra property in Mashobra called Whispering pines, they arrange cars and tours.The owner of the medical shop Mr.Sharma is very helpful and has useful information.He rents cars with drivers and can also arrange for home cooked food! Theme: Car/Motor Home
|
Air
Nearest airport to Shimla is at Jubberhatti, 26 km from Shimla. It has connecting flights to Delhi and Kullu. The nearby Chandigarh airport is, however, more handy as it is connected to all the major airports in India. Following is the schedule of flights from and to Shimla:
Jagsun Airlines
Flight No. From To Departure Arrival Days of Week
JA221 Delhi Shimla 8.40 AM 9.40 AM Tue, Thu, Sat
JA221 Shimla Kullu 10.00 AM 10.20 AM Tue, Thu, Sat
JA222 Kullu Shimla 10.50 AM 11.20 AM Tue, Thu, Sat
JA222 Shimla Kullu 11.40 AM 12.40 PM Tue, Thu, Sat
Road
Shimla is well connected by road with Kalka, Chandigarh, Ambala, Delhi, Dehradun, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Jammu and other towns of Punjab and Haryana. Following are the road distances from Shimla to major cities of India:
Place Distance (Km.)
Kalka 90
Chandigarh 117
Delhi 370
Ludhiana 220
Dehradun 240
Kullu 240
Manali 280
Kalpa 260
Narkanda 64
Mandi 156
Dharamshala 280
Nahan 140
Taxi services are available on a seat- basis between Shimla, and Kalka. There is deluxe bus service between Shimla and Delhi. Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation also runs deluxe buses between Shimla and Delhi.
Train
Shimla is connected by a broad gauge line up to Kalka. From Kalka to Shimla, a narrow gauge line covers 96 kilometers, of track. The journey by train, which takes about six hours, crossing 103 tunnels is one of the finest ways of enjoying the scenic beauty. There is another option for a fast train Shiwalik Express or a delightful ride in the Rail Car.
The Rail Car takes about 4 hours. Kalka has direct rail connections with Delhi, Calcutta and Amritsar. For more information on Kalka-Shimla Railway
Kalka to Shimla
Train No. Train Name Departure Arrival
1 KS Passenger Kalka Shimla Passenger 04.00 AM 09.20 AM
241 NG Superfast Shivalik Deluxe Express 05.30 AM 10.15 AM
251 Mail Kalka Shimla Mail 06.00 AM 11.00 AM
255 Express Himalayan Queen Express 12.10 PM 05.20 PM
253 Holiday Holiday Special 06.30 AM 11.55 AM
101 Rail Motor Car Rail Motor car 11.35 AM 03.40 PM
257 Holiday Holiday Special 12.45 PM 06.30 PM
Shimla to Kalka
Train No. Train Name Departure Arrival
256 Express Himalayan Queen 10.35 AM 04.05 PM
2KS Passenger Shimla Kalka Passenger 02.25 PM 08.15 PM
242 NG Superfast Shivalik Delux Express 05.30 PM 10.15 PM
252 Mail Shimla Kalka Express 06.05 PM 11.05 PM
258 Holiday Holiday Special 09.25 AM 03.20 PM
102 Rail Motor Car Rail Motor car 11.30 AM 04.25 PM
254 Holiday Holiday Special 03.50 PM 09.05 PM
Note: Train No. 253/254, 257/258 and 101/102 are Holiday Specials and run during the period from 1st May to 15th July, 15th September to 30th October and 15th December to 15th January. Leave a Comment Theme: Train
|
| | |
Travelling from Delhi to Shimla is a long process but the beauty really starts when you reach Kalka and pick up 'The Toy Train' to Shimla. Not exactly top class luxury but the views are a delight although with 103 tunnels and over 700 non-girder bridges in a distance of only 96-km you would think that there would not be many much chance for views - but there certainly is !!!
The longest tunnel is 3,760 feet long and commonly referred to as the 'Kissing Tunnel' as it took quite a while to get through the tunnel and the train, used to be, plunged into darkness. In days gone by many young courting couples are rumoured to have used this opportunity to steal a quick kiss with their loved one (Scandelous - oooh!)
|
 | 1 | 2 |  |
|
|
on July 8, 2005
on April 9, 2004
on April 20, 2007
on June 25, 2009
on December 23, 2008
on October 18, 2005
