Kalka to Shimla distance

Kalka to Shimla distance

Kalka is the last broad gauge station on Delhi Chandigarh Kalka Section of the Indian Railways. Being the nearest broad gauge rail head for Shimla Kalka serves as an important transit station for tourists heading towards Shimla.

Kalka is the last city in Haryana bordering Himachal Pradesh. Next to Kalka is the entry point of Himachal Pradesh.  Hill area starts as soon as one enters Himachal Pradesh.

Kalka to Shimla Distance.

The Kalka to Shimla distance is 90 kilometers by road and 96 kilometers by the Kalka Shimla toy train. The Kalka Shimla distance can be covered in three hours by road and about five and a half hours by the Kalka Shimla toy train.  The Kalka Shimla road is a two lane national highway; the whole terrain is hilly having beautiful views of the mountains and the valley. There are a   number of eating and refreshment joints all along the highway. The Kalka Shimla distance is less as compared to the time taken to travel, this mainly due to hill terrain.

Kalka Shimla Travel tips

As all buses come from Chandigarh there are fewer chances to get proper seat from Kalka. It is advised to get down from train at Chandigarh railway station itself and take bus to Shimla from Chandigarh ISBT itself.

The other option is to take taxi from the Kalka Taxi union which is located on the Kalka railway station.Most tourists prefer to travel by taxi and all type of vehicles like Maruti Dzire, Etios, Tata Indica, Tavera, and Toyota Innova vehicles are easily available.

If you are coming by own car, make sure that you have checked for proper paring place at your hotel in Shimla as there are parking problems in Shimla which aggravates during the tourist season.

Kalka to Shimla by bus

Kalka to Shimla by bus

Kalka is the last broad gauge station on Delhi Chandigarh Kalka Section. Being the nearest broad gauge rail head for Shimla Kalka serves as an important transit station for tourists heading towards Shimla.  Shimla is 90 kilometers from Kalka railway station.

There are three options to go to Shimla from Kalka station. Narrow Gauge Kalka to Shimla train, buses and by taxis. There is no air connectivity between Kalka and Shimla.

Kalka railway station to Kalka bus stand

The Kalka bus stand is about half a kilometer from the Kalka railway station. Auto Rickshaws are easily available from either side and the travel time is just five minutes.

Kalka Shimla by Bus

Kalka lies on the national highway between Chandigarh and Shimla. All buses that go to Shimla from Kalka come from Chandigarh 30 kilometers before Kalka. Chandigarh bus stand is the major originating / change over bus stand for tourist travelling towards Shimla.  There is 24 hours bus service from Chandigarh to Shimla, but frequency is less in the odd hours. All types of buses including deluxe and Volvo buses are available from Chandigarh. As this is an interstate route there is Kalka to Shimla government bus service only. Government buses are available every half an hour. Himachal Roadways HRTC, Punjab Roadways, CTU, Haryana roadways buses ply on this route

As buses start from Chandigarh most of the seats get filled from Chandigarh itself so there is less chances of getting proper seats in buses from Kalka.

Kalka to Shimla bus fare

The Kalka to Shimla bus fare by ordinary bus is Rs 170 and by deluxe bus it is Rs 350

Kalka to Shimla bus timing

Buses from Kalka to Shimla ordinary / deluxe / Volvo buses are available every half an hour

Kalka to Shimla Distance by bus

The Kalka to Shimla distance by road is ninety kilometers and Kalka Shimla travel time is more than three hours by bus. As the terrain is hilly the travel time is more. From Kalka to Shimla there are so many buses by HRTC or Punjab roadways, Haryana roadways.

Kalka Shimla travel tip

As all buses come from Chandigarh there are fewer chances to get proper seat from Kalka. It is advised to get down from train at Chandigarh railway station itself and take bus to Shimla from Chandigarh ISBT itself.

The other option is to take taxi from the Kalka Taxi union which is located on the Kalka railway station.

Shimla to Manali Distance

Shimla to Manali Distance

The Shimla to Manali distance is 250 kilometers. The terrain is hilly so the travel time is about 9 to 10 hours. By road is the only mode for travel as there is no rail link between Shimla and Manali. Although there is an Airport in Shimla and Bhuntar ( Kullu, near Manali) there are no direct flights in between them.

Private and government deluxe buses are available between Shimla and Manali in the morning and evening only. Most tourists prefer to travel by taxi and all type of vehicles like Maruti Dzire, Etios, Tata Indica, Tavera, and Toyota Innova vehicles are easily available both at Manali and Shimla. More details will be given on Shimla to Manali article.

Four laning of this road is also going on at some places which will make the drive more convenient. Some tunnels are also in the making and will be operational in the coming months.