Shimla weekend trip from Delhi
Colonial ridge town above the Kalka–Shimla rail line
- By road
- 440 km
- By bus
- ≈ 9 h
- Best months
- Oct–Dec, Mar–Jun
- Trip length
- Fri–Sun
From
₹5,700 per person, all-in
Our estimate for 2 people on Comfortable, Fri 16 Oct – Sun 18 Oct, for the whole trip: travel both ways (the train or bus fare, which we book for you, plus its booking service charge), the stay, local transport and our fee. Everything is checked live before you pay.
Plan this weekendHow to get there
Overnight trains from Delhi
Himachal Express 14053Daily
10:50 pm
Old Delhi
6 h 33 min
5:23 am+1
Kiratpur Sahib · 59 km away
Indb Uhl Express 19307Thu, Fri
11:20 pm
Hazrat Nizamuddin
5 h 40 min
5:00 am+1
Chandigarh · 56 km away
Timetable times; trains can run late. Station distances are in a straight line to Shimla.
- Direct busAbout 9 h (fastest 8 h). Lowest fare we've seen: ₹540 a seat.
- By road440 km from central Delhi.
- Nearest railheadShimla, in town, with no direct train from Delhi.
- Nearest airportShimla, 10 km away in a straight line.
When to go
Best: Oct–Dec, Mar–Jun
Avoid: Jul–Aug
Jan
9°
-3°
7d rain
2d snow
Feb
11°
-1°
7d rain
1d snow
Mar
15°
3°
8d rain
Apr
19°
7°
7d rain
May
22°
10°
9d rain
Jun
23°
13°
12d rain
Jul
21°
15°
25d rain
Aug
21°
14°
24d rain
Sep
20°
12°
14d rain
Oct
18°
7°
2d rain
Nov
14°
2°
2d rain
Dec
11°
-1°
2d rain
1d snow
A sample 2-day plan
Saturday — the Ridge, Jakhu and Mall Road
- 9:30 amBreakfast, then walk the Ridge: Christ Church (1857), Scandal Point and the State Library building
- 11:00 amJakhu Temple (2,455 m) by the Jakhu ropeway or a steep 30-min walk from the Ridge
- 2:00 pmLunch at Indian Coffee House on the Mall, then Lakkar Bazaar for woodwork
- 4:30 pmGaiety Heritage Cultural Complex (restored 1887 theatre) and sunset from the Ridge
Sunday — Viceregal Lodge and the old town
- 9:30 amGuided tour of the Viceregal Lodge / Indian Institute of Advanced Study on Observatory Hill (ticketed)
- 12:00 pmHimachal State Museum near Chaura Maidan for Pahari miniatures
- 1:30 pmLunch, then walk down to the Lower Bazaar and Kali Bari temple
- 4:00 pmAnnandale ground viewpoint or a short drive to Mashobra for cedar woods
Your own plan is timed around the train or bus you take and where you stay.
Nearby alternatives
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Shimla: questions people ask
How far is Shimla from Delhi?
About 440 km by road from central Delhi. By public transport, direct buses take about 9 h and the Himachal Express takes 6 h 33 min to Kiratpur Sahib.
What is the best time to visit Shimla?
Oct–Dec, Mar–Jun. Avoid Jul–Aug.
Is there a train from Delhi to Shimla?
Yes. The best overnight option is the Himachal Express (14053): it leaves Old Delhi at 10:50 pm and reaches Kiratpur Sahib at 5:23 am the next day (daily). Kiratpur Sahib is 59 km from Shimla in a straight line. Also: the Indb Uhl Express (19307) at 11:20 pm from Hazrat Nizamuddin.
How much is the bus from Delhi to Shimla?
The lowest fare we've seen on a direct bus is ₹540 a seat, and the journey takes about 9 h. Fares move with dates and demand.
What is the weather like in Shimla?
Warmest in Jun (days around 23°C), coldest in Jan (nights around -3°C). The wettest month is Jul, with about 25 rainy days. Snow is most likely in Jan and Feb.
Can I do Shimla in a weekend from Delhi?
Yes. Leave Delhi on Friday evening and be back by Sunday night or early Monday; the sample plan above covers 2 days there.
How much does a weekend trip to Shimla cost?
From about ₹5,700 per person for 2 people on our Comfortable style for Fri 16 Oct – Sun 18 Oct, for the whole trip: travel both ways (the train or bus fare, which we book for you, plus its booking service charge), the stay, local transport and our fee. It's an estimate until we check it live; the price for your dates is on the trip page.
Go to Shimla this weekend
The train, bus or cab, where you'd stay, every day planned and one all-in price per person for the whole trip. We book your train, bus or flight, stay and cabs, and confirm them before you pay.