Route guide
Road, bus or toy train: routes, travel times and fares at a glance.
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At a glance
• Distance: about 115 km
• By road: 3.5–4.5 hours
• By bus: 4–5 hours
• By toy train: 6–7.5 hours
You drop from about 7,400 ft to about 1,100 ft.
Option 1 · By road
Shimla → Shoghi → Kandaghat → Solan Bypass → Dharampur → Parwanoo → Zirakpur → Chandigarh
Mostly four-lane NH-5
Check the tolls on this route with our free Toll Calculator.
Food stops on NH-5
Dharampur is known for its dhabas, with Giani Da Dhaba a longtime favourite.
The Jabli food courts have clean facilities and branded eateries.
The scenic detour
Shimla → Kufri → Chail → Sadhupul → Kandaghat, then NH-5. Expect dense forest, lighter traffic and riverside cafés.
Adds 1.5–2 hours. The road is single-lane in parts, so drive it in daylight.
Taxi or self-drive
• Private taxi: about ₹3,500–₹4,500 one way
• Self-drive: full control over stops and pace
Expect heavy traffic near Parwanoo and Zirakpur.
Option 2 · By bus
• Board at Shimla ISBT Tutikandi
• Arrive at ISBT Sector 43 or Sector 17
• Fares: about ₹450–₹900
HRTC runs Ordinary, Deluxe and Volvo buses through the day.
Option 3 · By train
The UNESCO-listed toy train takes 5–6 hours from Shimla to Kalka, through tunnels and over old bridges.
From Kalka, take a train or a taxi for the last 30 km.
Before you go
• Leave before 10 AM, especially on Sundays
• Sit up front if you get motion sickness
• Use engine braking on long descents
• Check for snow from December to February
Plan your trip
A side-by-side comparison of every option, plus answers to common questions.
reachbyroutes.in