™ 1The Ridge & Mall Road
Shimla’s open heart – a wide square on the Ridge with views of the snow peaks, and the pedestrian Mall lined with Tudor-style buildings, cafés and shops. Lakkar Bazaar for wooden crafts is a short walk away.
Shimla travel guide
The old summer capital of British India – colonial lanes, deodar forests and the famous toy train
📍 Himachal Pradesh 12 places to visit 🏨 7 stays to book Updated 20 Oct 2026
Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh, built along a ridge at about 2,200 m with the Mall Road, the Ridge and Jakhoo Hill at its heart. Once the summer capital of British India, it is the gateway to Kufri, Mashobra and Naldehra and one of the most visited hill stations in the country.
History of Shimla
Shimla (long spelt Simla) is thought to take its name from Shyamala Mata, a form of the goddess Kali. Before the British came, the ridge was a cluster of small villages in thick forest, and the area was held by the Gurkhas from 1806 until the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814–16 brought it under British control.
The first proper British house, Kennedy Cottage, went up in 1822, and officers soon came every summer to escape the plains. In 1864 Shimla was made the summer capital of British India, and for months each year the government of the whole country ran from here. The Viceregal Lodge (1888), Christ Church and the Gaiety Theatre (1887) date from this time.
The Kalka–Shimla Railway opened in 1903, winding through more than a hundred tunnels; it is now part of the Mountain Railways of India UNESCO World Heritage Site. Shimla also saw major moments in history – the Simla Convention of 1914, the Simla Conference of 1945 and the Simla Agreement of 1972 between India and Pakistan.
When Himachal Pradesh became a full state in 1971, Shimla became its capital. Today it is a busy hill city loved for walks on the Mall, apple orchards nearby and winter snow at Kufri.
Best time to visit Shimla
March–June and September–November are the best months for Shimla. Come in December–February for a chance of snow, and avoid July–August, when monsoon landslides are common.
Mar–Apr
Spring · Pleasant, about 8–22°C
Best
Rhododendrons and clear mornings; comfortable for walking the Ridge.
May–Jun
Summer · Mild, about 15–28°C
Best
Peak season for families escaping the heat – book early and expect traffic.
Jul–Aug
Monsoon · Heavy rain, fog
Avoid
Landslides on the highway and toy-train line are common. Go only with flexible plans.
Sep–Nov
Autumn · Crisp, about 7–20°C
Best
Clear views of the snow peaks and fewer crowds.
Dec–Feb
Winter + snow · Cold, often near freezing
Good
Snow in Kufri and Narkanda most winters and in Shimla town in some years.
How to reach Shimla
✈️
Nearest airport
Shimla Airport, Jubbarhatti (SLV)About 23 km from the Mall (45 min–1 hour by taxi). Flights are few and weather-dependent – Chandigarh Airport (IXC), about 115 km away (3–4 hours by road), is the better-connected option.
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Nearest railway station
Shimla station (Kalka–Shimla narrow gauge toy train)About 1 km below the Mall on Cart Road. The toy train from Kalka (about 96 km) takes 5–6 hours; Kalka is the nearest broad-gauge station with direct trains from Delhi.
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Bus stand
ISBT Shimla, Tutikandi (Cart Road, about 3 km from the Mall) – HRTC and private buses to Delhi, Chandigarh, Manali, Dharamshala and other cities, including overnight Volvos. Old bus stand (Cart Road, near the Lift) – local buses and services to nearby towns such as Mashobra, Kufri and Naldehra. The public lift near the old bus stand takes you up from Cart Road to the Mall in a couple of minutes.
| From | Distance by road | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | About 345 km | 7–9 hours (overnight bus) |
| Chandigarh | About 115 km | 3–4 hours |
| Kalka | About 90 km | 2.5–3 hours |
| Kasauli | About 70 km | 2–2.5 hours |
| Ludhiana | About 210 km | 5–6 hours |
| Amritsar | About 340 km | 8–9 hours |
| Dharamshala | About 235 km | 7–8 hours |
| Manali | About 250 km | 7–8 hours |
Distances and times are approximate and change with traffic and weather.
Famous places to visit in Shimla
2Christ Church
The yellow neo-Gothic church that is Shimla’s best-known landmark, consecrated in 1857. Look for its stained-glass windows and the old clock above the entrance; it looks lovely lit up at night.
3Jakhoo Temple
A Hanuman temple on Jakhoo Hill, the highest point in Shimla at about 2,450 m, with a giant 108-ft Hanuman statue seen across the town. Walk up through the deodars or take the ropeway; keep food and glasses away from the monkeys.
4Viceregal Lodge (IIAS)
The grand stone residence of the British Viceroys, finished in 1888 and now home to the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. Guided tours show the wood-panelled halls, and the lawns look out over the hills.
5Kalka–Shimla Toy Train
A UNESCO-listed narrow gauge line opened in 1903, climbing from Kalka through more than a hundred tunnels and hundreds of bridges. Even a short ride to Shoghi or Barog shows off the curves and valley views.
6Gaiety Theatre
A Victorian Gothic theatre that opened in 1887, where Rudyard Kipling once acted. It still hosts plays and exhibitions, and short guided visits show the beautifully restored hall.
7Annandale
A rare flat meadow ringed by deodars, once Shimla’s racecourse and fair ground. Today it is run by the army and has a small Army Heritage Museum.
8Tara Devi Temple
A hilltop temple to Goddess Tara with wide views over Shimla and the surrounding ranges. Drive up or walk the forest path from the highway; mornings are calm and clear.
9Chadwick Falls
A tall waterfall hidden in the Glen forest, reached by a short but steep walk. It is at its fullest just after the monsoon; the path gets slippery, so wear good shoes.
10Kufri
A small hill resort at about 2,700 m known for winter snow, pony rides to Mahasu Peak and the Himalayan Nature Park. Stop at Green Valley’s deodar-covered slopes on the way.
11Mashobra
A quiet village of apple orchards and dense oak and deodar forest, home to the Presidential Retreat. A peaceful place to stay away from the crowds of the Mall.
12Naldehra
Meadows in a deodar forest with one of India’s oldest golf courses, said to have been laid out at Lord Curzon’s wish. Good for picnics, short walks and pony rides.
Timings and entry fees change – please check locally before you go.
🚂 Kalka–Shimla toy train at a glance
- Route
- Kalka to Shimla, about 96 km of narrow-gauge line
- Heritage
- Opened in 1903; part of the UNESCO “Mountain Railways of India” World Heritage Site
- On the way
- Over 100 tunnels and hundreds of bridges; the long Barog tunnel and station
- Time
- About 5–6 hours end to end
- Booking
- Book on IRCTC – trains fill up in summer and on weekends
- Tip
- Ride one way and take a taxi the other to save time
Trains are sometimes cancelled after heavy rain or landslides – check the running status on the day.
Shimla itinerary
2 days in Shimla
Day 1
- The Ridge, Christ Church and Mall Road.
- Walk or take the ropeway up to Jakhoo temple.
- Evening at the Gaiety Theatre and Scandal Point.
Day 2
- Viceregal Lodge in the morning.
- Afternoon: Kufri or Mashobra for forest walks and views.
3 days with the toy train
Day 1
- Ride the toy train up from Kalka; check in and stroll the Mall in the evening.
Day 2
- Ridge, Christ Church, Jakhoo temple and Viceregal Lodge.
Day 3
- Day trip to Kufri and Naldehra, or Tara Devi on the way down.
Trip budget for Shimla
| Item | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (homestay / hotel) | About ₹2,000–5,000 / night | Higher in May–June and at Christmas–New Year |
| Food | About ₹500–1,000 per person / day | Mall Road cafés cost more than Lower Bazaar dhabas |
| Toy train Kalka → Shimla | About ₹100–700 per person | Depends on train and class |
| Taxi Chandigarh → Shimla | About ₹3,000–4,500 one way | 3–4 hours |
| Local taxi (Kufri / Mashobra) | About ₹1,500–2,500 | Half-day trip |
| Weekend for 2 (approx.) | ₹12,000–20,000 | 2 nights’ stay + food + local taxis |
Costs are rough estimates for Oct 2026 and rise sharply in peak season.
Shimla vs Kasauli, Chail and Narkanda
Shimla or a quieter hill town nearby? Here’s how they compare.
| Place | From Chandigarh | Vibe | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shimla | About 115 km, 3–4 h | Colonial capital, busy Mall Road | Toy train, heritage, first visits |
| Kasauli | About 60 km, 2 h | Small cantonment town | Short trips, walks |
| Chail | About 110 km, 3.5 h | Forest, palace, quiet | Heritage stay, calm |
| Narkanda | About 180 km, 5–6 h | Apple orchards, higher and snowier | Snow, skiing, Hatu Peak |
Where to stay in Shimla
Stay near the Mall and the Ridge to walk everywhere – vehicles are not allowed on most of the Mall. For quiet and forest views, look at Mashobra, Kufri or the hills around Chharabra, 12–16 km out. Homestays below the Mall are cheaper but involve steep steps.
The Baan Vista
Shimla · Homestay
Pay ₹0 now · pay at the stay
New
from ₹6,000 ₹5,400
STAY IN HILLS
Shimla · Homestay
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New
from ₹1,500 ₹1,350
Founding Member
The Baan Vibes Homestay
Shimla · Homestay
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New
from ₹1,200 ₹1,080
Founding Member
Northmoon Homestay Fagu
Shimla · Homestay
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New
from ₹2,500 ₹2,250
Founding Member
The Heritage Jasmine Lodge BnB
Shimla · Homestay
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New
from ₹1,800 ₹1,620
Founding Member
Ashritz Villa
Shimla · Farmhouse
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New
from ₹2,500 ₹2,250
Founding Member
The Mud & Deodar Retreat mashobra
Shimla · Villa
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New
from ₹1,500 ₹1,350
Plan your stay in Shimla
Find stays
7 homestay, hotel or cottages – book directly with the host.
Own a homestay or hotel in Shimla? List it with Stay in Bharat
Good to know before you go
ParkingCars can’t go on the Mall and parking is limited – ask your stay where to park.
Lifts & ropewayThe public lift links Cart Road with the Mall; a ropeway goes up to Jakhoo.
Monkeys at JakhooKeep glasses, phones and food out of reach.
TrafficThe Kalka–Shimla highway is slow on weekends – start early.
Snow daysAfter snowfall, roads to Kufri and Narkanda may need chains or close for a while.
FAQs about Shimla
What is the best time to visit Shimla?
March–June and September–November for pleasant weather, and December–February for a chance of snow. July–August has heavy rain and landslides.
Does it snow in Shimla?
Kufri, Mashobra and Narkanda get snow most winters. Shimla town gets snow in some years, usually in late December to February.
How do I reach Shimla from Delhi?
By road (7–9 hours or an overnight bus), or by train to Kalka and the toy train up (about 5–6 hours). Chandigarh is the nearest well-connected airport.
Is the Kalka–Shimla toy train worth it?
Yes, at least one way. It is a UNESCO World Heritage line with over 100 tunnels and views all the way – book in advance on IRCTC.
Can I drive on Mall Road in Shimla?
No, most of the Mall and the Ridge are closed to private vehicles. Park on Cart Road and use the public lift or walk up.
How many days are enough for Shimla?
Two days cover the town; add a day for Kufri, Mashobra or Naldehra.
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