350 km · 7 – 8 hours
Delhi to Shimla Cab
350 km · ~7.5 hours via NH5 through Chandigarh
Delhi to Shimla is the classic North Indian hill station run — 350 km, 7.5 hours through Chandigarh and the Kalka ghat climb. The British summer capital at 2,200 metres remains a colonial-era charmer with Mall Road, Christ Church and the heritage Kalka-Shimla toy train as the alternative last-leg option.
Route description
NH44 Delhi-Chandigarh (250 km, 5 hours, fast expressway). Chandigarh-Kalka is quick (40 km, 1 hour). The Kalka-Shimla stretch is 90 km of winding two-lane mountain road through Solan and Kandaghat — allow 2.5 hours and expect motion-sickness from the curves. Shimla town traffic adds 20–30 minutes.
Stops and attractions en route
- Murthal dhabas(80 km from Delhi)
Breakfast halt on NH44.
- Chandigarh (bypass or halt)(250 km from Delhi)
Natural lunch halt; good city for a quick stretch.
- Kalka(295 km from Delhi)
Ghat entry; last flat-country town.
- Solan(315 km from Delhi)
Hill-stretch tea halt.
- Shimla (Mall Road)(350 km from Delhi)
Hotel drop near Mall Road / The Ridge / Chhota Shimla.
How Outstation Pricing Works
- •Per-KM rate — varies by vehicle type and city of pickup
- •Minimum 300 KMs per calendar day
- •Driver allowance charged per day
- •Night halt allowance — if vehicle retained overnight
- •Toll, parking, and interstate taxes — at actuals
- •GST at 5% on invoice
All outstation trips are round-trip by default — billed garage to garage. Even if you drop one side only, return kilometers are included in the calculation. One-way drop service is available from select cities at different rates.
Worked example: A 2-day trip covering 350 km one side (700 km round trip) is billed as the higher of actual kilometers or 600 KMs (2 days × 300 KM minimum), plus 2 days of driver allowance, plus tolls/parking at actuals, plus 5% GST. Contact us for a specific quote.
Trip Summary
- Distance (one side): 350 km
- Round trip distance: ~700 km
- Estimated driving time: 7 – 8 hours
- Highway: NH44 Delhi-Chandigarh, then NH5 via Kalka, Solan and Kandaghat
- Stops en route: Murthal dhabas, Chandigarh (bypass or halt), Kalka, Solan, Shimla (Mall Road)
Vehicle Options for This Route
- Sedan (Dzire / Etios)4 passengers + 2 bagsEconomical choice for 2-3 travellers
- Premium Sedan (Honda City / Ciaz)4 passengers + 2 bagsFor executives preferring a quieter cabin
- SUV (Innova Crysta / Ertiga)6 passengers + 3 bagsFamily and small groups; preferred for long highway drives
- Tempo Traveller12 passengers + luggageGroup travel — recommend for 7+ passengers
Final vehicle assignment and rate is confirmed once you share travel dates and pickup city.
Get Your Exact Quote
Share your dates and vehicle preference — we respond within an hour with a written, itemised quote for Delhi to Shimla.
One-Way Drop Also Available
Need a Delhi to Shimla drop only? We offer one-way drop service from Delhi — pay only for one side, no return charges.
- •Point-to-point drop — no return kilometers charged
- •Available in Dzire (sedan) and Ertiga (SUV) only
- •24–48 hour advance notice recommended
- •Different rates to round-trip outstation — ask for a quote
Frequently asked questions
What about the Kalka-Shimla toy train?
A fun alternative to the road climb — UNESCO heritage narrow-gauge railway, 5 hours, multiple tunnels and viaducts. We can drop you at Kalka station, your luggage travels ahead to Shimla in our cab, you enjoy the toy train, and the cab picks you up at Shimla station. Requires 4-week advance train booking.
Can we continue to Manali or Kinnaur from Shimla?
Yes — Shimla-Manali is 250 km (8 hours) via Mandi; a great 2-night Himachal add-on. Shimla-Kinnaur-Spiti is a 7+ day committed circuit we run regularly. Contact us with dates for a written quote.
Is Shimla crowded?
Yes in peak summer (May-June) and during Christmas-New Year. Off-season (September-November, February-March) is far quieter and the weather is still pleasant. We recommend off-season for a better experience.
How is the outstation fare calculated?
Outstation trips are billed per kilometer with a minimum of 300 KMs per calendar day. The per-km rate depends on your vehicle type and city of pickup. Driver allowance is charged per day. Toll, parking, interstate taxes, and GST at 5% are added at actuals. Contact us for an exact quote for your dates.
Is this a one-way or round-trip rate?
All outstation bookings are round-trip — billed garage to garage. Even for a one-side drop, return kilometers are included. We do offer one-way drop service from select cities at different rates — ask us for availability.
What is included in the fare?
The base fare covers vehicle hire (per-km rate × total kilometers) and driver allowance. Toll charges, parking fees, interstate permit taxes, and GST at 5% are charged at actuals and itemized on your invoice.
How are days counted?
Calendar days — Day 1 starts when the vehicle departs from our garage. Each calendar day carries a minimum of 300 KMs. For example, a 3-day trip has a minimum billing of 900 KMs regardless of actual distance covered.
What is driver allowance and night halt?
Driver allowance is a daily charge covering the driver's meals and incidentals during outstation duty. Night halt is an additional charge when the vehicle is retained overnight. Both vary by city — contact us for specifics.
What vehicles are available for outstation?
We offer sedans (Swift Dzire, Toyota Etios), SUVs (Innova, Ertiga), premium sedans (Honda City, Ciaz), tempo travellers, and buses. Availability varies by city.