# How to Reach Shimla 2026: Toy Train, Bus, Car & Flight from Delhi and Chandigarh

> How to reach Shimla in 2026: the Kalka-Shimla toy train (trains, timings and the current Dharampur-Shimla-only status), HRTC buses from Delhi and Chandigarh, driving via Parwanoo and Solan, Alliance Air flights to Jubbarhatti, the road and flight from Dharamshala, plus parking and the sealed-road rules around the Mall.

- **URL:** https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/how-to-reach-shimla
- **Category:** Transport
- **Published:** 2026-10-27
- **Updated:** 2026-10-27
- **Author:** Dharamshala Stay Team
- **Image:** https://www.dharamshalastay.com/images/places/kalka-shimla-toy-train.jpg (The Kalka-Shimla toy train arriving at Summer Hill station in fresh snow, Shimla)

**Short answer:** Most people reach Shimla **by road from Chandigarh** (119 km, about 3.5 hours by car or 4 by bus) or **by overnight bus or car from Delhi** (370 km, about 8 to 9 hours), according to the Shimla district administration. The **Kalka-Shimla toy train** normally takes 5 to 6 hours from Kalka, but since 30 August 2026 trains have run **only between Dharampur and Shimla**, with a road transfer from Kalka. **Alliance Air** restarted flights from Delhi to Shimla’s Jubbarhatti airport (23 km from town) in May 2026, six days a week; Chandigarh airport (about 120 km) is the reliable fallback.

![Christ Church on the Ridge in Shimla with snow on the ground](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/images/places/shimla-christ-church-snow.jpg)

This page covers every way in, with what we could confirm on 27 October 2026 and what we could not. For what to do once you arrive, see our [Shimla travel guide](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/shimla-travel-guide) and [places to visit in Shimla](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/places-to-visit-in-shimla).

## How to Reach Shimla: Quick Facts

| Mode | From | Distance and time | Status (27 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car or taxi | Chandigarh | 119 km; about 3.5 hours | Open; four-laning to Dhalli still incomplete |
| HRTC bus | Chandigarh | About 4 hours; buses about every half hour | Running |
| Car or taxi | Delhi | 370 km; about 8 hours | Open |
| HRTC bus | Delhi | About 9 hours; ordinary, deluxe and Volvo | Running |
| Toy train | Kalka | 96 km by rail; about 5 to 6 hours | **Dharampur to Shimla only** since early Sept 2026; road link Kalka-Dharampur |
| Road | Kalka | 80 km; about 3 hours | Open |
| Flight | Delhi | About 1 hour 15 minutes, Alliance Air, 6 days a week (not Tuesdays) | Schedule published May 2026; check before booking |
| Flight | Dharamshala (Gaggal) | About 50 minutes, Alliance Air, 5 days a week | Schedule published May 2026; check before booking |
| Road | Dharamshala | 235 km via Hamirpur (about 7 hours); 270 km via Mandi | Open |
| Road | Manali | 280 km; about 7 hours 15 minutes | Open |

Road distances and times: Shimla district administration. Flight times: The Tribune, 9 May 2026.

## Is the Kalka-Shimla toy train running?

**Partly. As of the latest reports we found, trains run between Dharampur and Shimla, not from Kalka.**

- **30 August 2026:** soil washed away near **Bridge No. 57 between Koti and Gumman**, in Solan district, leaving the track hanging; ten trains were cancelled (ThePrint).
- **Early September 2026:** services resumed **between Dharampur and Shimla** after more than a week, with travellers covering Kalka to Dharampur by road. PTI reported (5 September 2026) that full Kalka-Shimla operations would resume only after the damaged track near Parwanoo was repaired and cleared; no date was given.
- **27 October 2026:** we found **no report of full through-running from Kalka**. Check the live status on Indian Railways NTES or IRCTC before you plan around the train.

This is not the first monsoon break: in September 2025 the line was shut for five days by landslides at Koti and Kanoh before trains resumed (The Tribune, 6 September 2025).

### Kalka-Shimla trains in the regular timetable

When the full line is running, these are the regular trains from Kalka, as listed on RailYatri and ixigo in October 2026. Times change and the line is currently cut, so treat them as a guide only.

| Train | Leaves Kalka | Reaches Shimla | Classes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52457 Kalka-Shimla Express | 3.30 am | 8.50 am | Check IRCTC |
| 52451 Shivalik Deluxe Express | 5.45 am | 10.40 am | First class |
| 52453 Kalka-Shimla Express | 6.20 am | 11.50 am | Check IRCTC |
| 52459 Him Darshan Express | 7.00 am | 12.20 pm | Vistadome and first class |
| 52455 Himalayan Queen | 11.55 am | 4.55 pm | Chair car and first class |

**About the line:** opened in 1903, 96 km long, 2 ft 6 in narrow gauge, and part of the UNESCO "Mountain Railways of India" World Heritage Site. The district administration counts 103 tunnels (Wikipedia notes 102 are in use); the Barog tunnel, at about 1.1 km, is the longest. The overnight **Kalka Mail** from Delhi reaches Kalka early in the morning, in time for the first trains up (district administration).

**Booking:** tickets are sold on IRCTC like any other train. Book early for summer weekends and holidays, and check the live status on the morning you travel.

Riding the Kangra Valley line too? See our [Kangra toy train guide](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/kangra-toy-train-guide).

## How do I get to Shimla by bus?

**HRTC** (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) runs most of the buses, and its tickets can be booked on the HRTC online booking portal, per the district administration.

- **From Chandigarh:** buses run about every half hour; about 4 hours.
- **From Delhi:** ordinary, deluxe and Volvo (HRTC’s Himsuta) services, mostly overnight; about 9 hours. Delhi departures are mostly from ISBT Kashmere Gate; confirm the boarding point on your ticket.
- **Arriving in Shimla:** long-distance buses use the **ISBT at Tutikandi**, about 4 km from the main town (district administration). Take a taxi or local bus to Cart Road, then walk or use the lift up to the Mall.

**Fares:** we have not quoted HRTC fares, because the figures on booking sites disagree and change; check the HRTC portal for the current fare on your date.

## How do I drive to Shimla from Delhi or Chandigarh?

The road climbs from **Parwanoo** (at the Haryana-Himachal border near Kalka) through **Solan** and **Kandaghat** to **Shoghi** and Shimla, on NH-5.

- **Four-laning:** the Parwanoo-Solan-Kaithlighat-Dhalli four-lane project is **not complete**. In November 2025 the Himachal Pradesh High Court criticised NHAI for an "inordinate delay" of over six years and noted stretches near Kandaghat, Datyar and Chakki in "pitiable condition" (PTI, 6 November 2025). Expect good four-lane sections mixed with slower ones.
- **Shoghi barrier:** most traffic from Chandigarh and Delhi enters Shimla here. In the Christmas-New Year rush, police hold and release vehicles in turns; over 1.65 lakh vehicles came through in the ten days before 27 December 2023 (The Tribune).
- **Winter:** the road beyond Dhalli towards Kufri and Narkanda is the first to shut after heavy snow (on 23 January 2026 the Shimla-Kufri road was closed, per ETV Bharat). Do not drive hill roads after dark in winter, when shaded bends ice over.

**Not driving yourself?** We arrange taxis across Himachal: [book a taxi](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/taxi). For routes into the Kangra Valley, see our [Chandigarh to Dharamshala taxi](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/taxi/chandigarh-to-dharamshala-taxi) and [Delhi to Dharamshala taxi](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/taxi/delhi-to-dharamshala-taxi).

## Where do I park in Shimla, and can I drive to the Mall?

**You cannot drive a private car onto the Mall, the Ridge or the roads leading up to them without a permit.** All roads from Cart Road to the Mall side are sealed or restricted (district administration). In April 2026 the Himachal Assembly raised the penalties: ₹5,000 for a restricted road without a permit, ₹2,000 for breaking permit conditions, and for sealed roads ₹15,000 in the bill as passed (ThePrint, PTI, 1 April 2026) or ₹10,000 as listed in the Act notified on 11 May 2026. A daily permit was raised to ₹1,000. Sealed roads named include the Mall Road, Navbahar to the Ridge, Chhota Shimla to the Mall and Ridge, and IGMC to the Ridge.

**Parking listed by the district administration:** the car park near the lift (about 800 vehicles), ISBT Tutikandi, near the High Court, the railway goods-shed parking near Victory Tunnel, the old bus stand, Chhota Shimla and Sanjauli. Parking on the sides of Cart Road is prohibited. The district page dates from 2018, so check locally for changes.

**Getting around:** the **HPTDC lift** links Cart Road with the Mall; local buses run on the ring road from about 7 am to 9 pm; and HPTDC runs daily sightseeing buses, booked at the Tourist Information Centre on the Mall (district administration).

## Can I fly to Shimla?

**Yes, on a small scale, but have a back-up.** Shimla airport at **Jubbarhatti**, 23 km from the city, has a short runway (1,230 m) and is limited by weather. **Alliance Air**, the only airline there, flies a 48-seat ATR 42-600.

According to the schedule published by The Tribune on 9 May 2026:

| Route | Days | Times |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi to Shimla | Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri | 7.20 am to 8.35 am |
| | Sat | 7.50 am to 9.05 am |
| | Sun | 6.20 am to 7.35 am |
| Shimla to Delhi | Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri | 11.30 am to 12.40 pm |
| | Sat | 12 noon to 1.10 pm |
| | Sun | 8.00 am to 9.10 am |
| Shimla to Dharamshala | Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri | 9.00 am to 9.50 am |
| | Sat | 9.30 am to 10.20 am |
| Dharamshala to Shimla | Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri | 10.15 am to 11.05 am |
| | Sat | 10.45 am to 11.35 am |

No flights on Tuesdays. The Delhi service restarted on 10 May 2026 after a break of several months, and the Shimla-Dharamshala service on 11 May 2026. Airports Authority of India figures show just 8,052 passengers at Shimla in April 2025 to March 2026, down 68 per cent, so flights here have been anything but steady. **Check the current schedule with Alliance Air before booking**, and keep Chandigarh airport (about 120 km by road) as your fallback.

## How do I get from Dharamshala to Shimla?

| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Taxi or car via Hamirpur | 235 km; about 7 hours (district administration). Our guide puts it at 230 to 240 km and 6 to 7 hours with a tea stop |
| Car via Mandi | 270 km; about 9 hours |
| HRTC bus | About 8 to 9 hours via Hamirpur |
| Flight | Alliance Air Kangra (Gaggal) to Shimla, about 50 minutes, five days a week from 11 May 2026; check it is still running |

Full route, stops and bus details: [Shimla to Dharamshala](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/shimla-to-dharamshala). If you fly into Gaggal from Shimla, our [Kangra airport guide](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/kangra-airport-gaggal-guide) explains the transfer, and we can meet you with a [Gaggal airport to McLeod Ganj taxi](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/taxi/gaggal-airport-to-mcleod-ganj-taxi). Planning the whole state? See [how to reach Dharamshala](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/how-to-reach-dharamshala) and the [Delhi, Dharamshala and Manali itinerary](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/himachal-itinerary-delhi-dharamshala-manali), and browse [hotels in Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/hotels) for the Kangra leg.

## Which way should I choose?

| You want | Choose |
|---|---|
| Fastest from Delhi | Alliance Air when it is flying; otherwise fly to Chandigarh and drive |
| Cheapest | HRTC bus |
| The experience | Toy train, once the full line reopens (today: road to Dharampur, then train) |
| Flexibility with luggage | Taxi, parked near Cart Road |
| Winter (December to February) | Road by day, with a buffer day for snow beyond Dhalli; see [Shimla in December](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/shimla-in-december-christmas-new-year) |

## What is confirmed and what is not (27 October 2026)

| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Road distances and times | Confirmed: Shimla district administration |
| Toy train Dharampur-Shimla running | Confirmed by PTI, 5 September 2026 |
| Toy train Kalka-Dharampur | Not confirmed restored as of 27 October 2026 |
| Train timings | From RailYatri and ixigo listings; check IRCTC or NTES |
| Alliance Air schedules | Published May 2026; current operation not independently confirmed |
| Sealed-road fines | Raised in 2026; ₹10,000 or ₹15,000 for sealed roads depending on the version |
| Four-lane highway to Dhalli | Not complete (High Court, November 2025) |
| HRTC fares and timings | Not quoted; check the HRTC portal |

## FAQs

**What is the best way to reach Shimla from Delhi?**
Most people take an overnight HRTC bus (about 9 hours) or drive (370 km, about 8 hours), according to the Shimla district administration. Alliance Air also flies Delhi to Shimla six days a week on the schedule published in May 2026, and Chandigarh airport, about 120 km away, is the reliable fallback when Shimla flights do not operate.

**Is the Kalka to Shimla toy train running in 2026?**
Only partly, as far as we could confirm on 27 October 2026. After track damage near Bridge No. 57 between Koti and Gumman on 30 August 2026, trains restarted between Dharampur and Shimla in early September, with a road link from Kalka to Dharampur. We found no report of full Kalka-Shimla running since, so check NTES or IRCTC before you book.

**How long does the toy train take from Kalka to Shimla?**
About 5 to 6 hours for the 96 km, depending on the train. In the regular timetable the Shivalik Deluxe Express is quickest at about 4 hours 55 minutes (5.45 am to 10.40 am), and the Himalayan Queen takes about 5 hours (11.55 am to 4.55 pm), per RailYatri listings.

**Are there flights to Shimla?**
Yes, but few. Alliance Air flies a 48-seat ATR 42-600 to Jubbarhatti airport, 23 km from Shimla. From May 2026 it announced Delhi-Shimla flights six days a week (not Tuesdays) and Shimla-Dharamshala flights five days a week. Weather often affects the short runway, so check the current schedule and keep Chandigarh as a back-up.

**How far is Shimla from Chandigarh?**
119 km by road, about 3.5 hours by car or 4 hours by bus, according to the Shimla district administration. HRTC buses leave about every half hour. The road runs via Parwanoo, Solan and Shoghi on NH-5, where four-laning towards Dhalli was still incomplete in late 2025.

**Can I take my car to Mall Road Shimla?**
No, not without a permit. The roads from Cart Road up to the Mall, the Ridge and Chhota Shimla are sealed or restricted, and 2026 amendments raised fines to ₹5,000 for restricted roads and ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 for sealed roads. Park near Cart Road, for example at the car park near the lift, and walk or take the HPTDC lift up to the Mall.

**How do I go from Dharamshala to Shimla?**
By road it is about 235 km via Hamirpur, around 7 hours by car or 8 to 9 by HRTC bus; the Mandi route is about 270 km. Alliance Air also announced a 50-minute Kangra (Gaggal) to Shimla flight five days a week from 11 May 2026; confirm it is still running before you plan around it.

## Sources

- [How to Reach Shimla: distances, times, rail and bus notes (District Shimla, Government of Himachal Pradesh; checked 27 October 2026)](https://hpshimla.nic.in/how-to-reach/)
- [Local transportation and parking (District Shimla; page last updated 2018; checked 27 October 2026)](https://hpshimla.nic.in/local-transportation-and-parking/)
- [Himachal toy trains cancelled as section of Shimla-Kalka line hangs mid-air (ThePrint, 30 August 2026)](https://theprint.in/india/himachal-toy-trains-cancelled-as-section-of-shimla-kalka-line-hangs-mid-air-due-to-soil-slippage/3029052/)
- [Kalka-Shimla toy train resumes after landslide disruption; full service awaits repairs (PTI via NewsDrum, 5 September 2026)](https://www.newsdrum.in/national/kalka-shimla-toy-train-resumes-after-landslide-disruption-full-service-awaits-repairs-12495336)
- [Kalka-Shimla toy train partially resumes operations, Dharampur to Shimla (NewKerala, 5 September 2026)](https://www.newkerala.com/news/a/himachal-kalka-shimla-toy-train-partially-resumes-operations-tourists-526.htm)
- [Kalka-Shimla train services resume after 5 days (The Tribune, 6 September 2025)](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/kalka-shimla-train-services-resume-after-5-days)
- [52451 Shivalik Deluxe Express timetable (RailYatri; checked 27 October 2026)](https://www.railyatri.in/trains/route-52451-Shivalik-Deluxe-Express)
- [52455 Himalayan Queen timetable (RailYatri; checked 27 October 2026)](https://www.railyatri.in/trains/route-52455-Himalayan-Queen)
- [52459 Him Darshan Express timetable (RailYatri; checked 27 October 2026)](https://www.railyatri.in/trains/route-52459-Him-Darshan-Express)
- [Kalka-Shimla railway: history, gauge, tunnels (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalka%E2%80%93Shimla_railway)
- [Regular flights on Shimla-Delhi-Dharamshala route to resume from May 10; schedule (The Tribune, 9 May 2026)](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/regular-flights-on-shimla-delhi-dharamshala-route-to-resume-from-may-10-check-schedule/)
- [Alliance Air resumes flights from Jubbarhatti airport; 48-seat ATR 42-600 (The Tribune, 29 March 2025)](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/alliance-air-resumes-flights-from-jubbarhatti-airport)
- [Shimla Airport: runway, airline, AAI traffic April 2025 to March 2026 (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimla_Airport)
- [HC raps NHAI over delay in Parwanoo-Dhalli four-lane project (PTI via The Week, 6 November 2025)](https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2025/11/06/lgd30-hp-hc-nhai.amp.html)
- [HP Assembly amends bill to levy hefty fines for violations on Shimla’s sealed roads (ThePrint / PTI, 1 April 2026)](https://theprint.in/india/hp-assembly-amends-bill-to-levy-hefty-fines-for-violations-on-shimlas-sealed-roads/2894388/)
- [Shimla Road Users and Pedestrians Amendment Act, 2026 (Act 13 of 2026) summary (TeamLease RegTech)](https://teamleaseregtech.com/updates/article/56049/shimla-road-users-and-pedestrians-public-safety-and-convenience-amendment-act-2026/)
- [1.65 lakh vehicles enter Shimla in 10 days; traffic arrangements (The Tribune, 28 December 2023)](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/1-65l-vehicles-enter-shimla-in-10-days-traffic-security-arrangements-in-place-576013)
- [Shimla gets first snowfall of season after three-month dry spell; Shimla-Kufri road closed (ETV Bharat, 23 January 2026)](https://www.etvbharat.com/en/videos/season-first-snowfall-blankets-shimla-enn26012303343)

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