Delhi-Kalka-Shimla trains

meczko · Jun 9th, 2008, 03:35

Dear All,

I have been reading this forum for some time and found it great - loads of useful information here!

Perhaps somebody could clarify: if I book the tickets for the 7.40 Shatabdi train from Delhi to Kalka (arrival in Kalka at 12.00) and for the 12.10 Kalka to Shimla toy train, does the latter train wait in case the Shatabdi arrives late?

I would like to avoid being stuck in Kalka - perhaps it's better to book the 5.50 Himalayan Queen to Kalka instead, to be on the safe side?

Thanks in advance!
Marek from Poland

rajeev1008 · Jun 9th, 2008, 09:32

Shatabadi is hardly ever late, specially as it gets a generous 50 minutes for the Chandigarh-Kalka stretch (37 km only) .

Anyway don't worry, the Kalka-Shimla train waits for the Shatabadi, so even if its late, you won't miss the connection to Shimla.

bigjed · Jun 15th, 2008, 14:09

bugger the toy train - take a taxi!

frenchie · Jun 15th, 2008, 14:38

Hey! Was just considering the same dilemma myself. Decided to book the himalayan queen from New Dehli to Kalka, then from Kalka to Shimla. Apparently the trip from Kalka to Shimla is very beautiful.

bigjed · Jun 15th, 2008, 14:39

yip it's beautiful alright - but a hell of a long time to sit on a train!

when will you be there Frenchie? We'll be doing the opposite, Shimla/Kalka/Delhi but are concerned that the train doesn't get into Delhi til late at night.

frenchie · Jun 15th, 2008, 14:43

Ah... is a taxi from Kalka to Simla $$$? Is it a nice way to travel? I have plenty of time on my hands

bigjed · Jun 15th, 2008, 14:46

it was a great car ride - our first in India apart from the car from Delhi airport to the hotel in Karol Bagh - we also took a taxi from Shimla to McLeod Ganj - brilliant way to go and with your Aussie dollar (I'm a kiwi) it shouldn't cost you more than $40. To be fair we only took the taxt to Shimla because we couldn't get tickets on the toy train and wanted to get the hell out of New Delhi!

Mickey S · Jun 15th, 2008, 14:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by frenchie

Hey! Was just considering the same dilemma myself. Decided to book the himalayan queen from New Dehli to Kalka, then from Kalka to Shimla. Apparently the trip from Kalka to Shimla is very beautiful.

The train ride is part of the experience and should not be missed. Certainly, a taxi is no substitute unless you simply want to get to Shimla as fast as possible.

As for the scenery... it's nice, but not as spectacular as many have you believe. Anyone who's taken scenic train rides elsewhere in the world - Switzerland, New Zealand, north Wales - will probably be disappointed. And Shimla itself is one of the most disappointing destinations ever; stay just long enough to organise your bus onwards into the mountains.

bigjed · Jun 15th, 2008, 14:56

it looks like Frenchie is only looking at going to Shimla - (which is really only a gateway to Himachal Pradesh isn't it?) and then on to Varanasi/Agra/Rajasthan.

We enjoyed Shimla and will be back there in October - but only really went there to get to McLeod Ganj and other places in HP.

meczko · Jul 3rd, 2008, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajeev1008

Anyway don't worry, the Kalka-Shimla train waits for the Shatabadi, so even if its late, you won't miss the connection to Shimla.

Are you sure? It seems like it doesn't wait - see here:
Kalka - Shimla connections from Delhi
and here:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...readID=1629418

ashvin30 · Jul 3rd, 2008, 19:14

Dear all,

Please see the thread:
Kalka - Shimla connections from Delhi

Most of your questions are already answered there.

zerostress · Jul 4th, 2008, 01:01

If I miss the toy train, will it be easy to share a taxi to Shimla?
Price?

bigjed · Jul 4th, 2008, 06:06

easy to take a taxi from Kalka tro Shimla, we did it in 2006 I finks it cost around 1500rs. Can't remember but it shits all over spending 9 hours on a toy train!!!

rajeev1008 · Jul 4th, 2008, 09:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by meczko

Are you sure? It seems like it doesn't wait - see here:
Kalka - Shimla connections from Delhi
and here:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...readID=1629418

I am willing to stick my neck out for this

. My parents have been taking this connection for the past 5 years. The train does wait, but the wait is usually 10 minutes - ie the toy train leaves 10 minutes after the arrival of Shatabadi, whenever that is. The 10 minute interval is enough for the transfer if you use a porter.

nishanthe · Jul 4th, 2008, 11:10

How about seating? is it over crowded?

Jun 9th, 2008, 03:35	#1
meczko Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Poland Posts: 39	Delhi-Kalka-Shimla trains Dear All, I have been reading this forum for some time and found it great - loads of useful information here! Perhaps somebody could clarify: if I book the tickets for the 7.40 Shatabdi train from Delhi to Kalka (arrival in Kalka at 12.00) and for the 12.10 Kalka to Shimla toy train, does the latter train wait in case the Shatabdi arrives late? I would like to avoid being stuck in Kalka - perhaps it's better to book the 5.50 Himalayan Queen to Kalka instead, to be on the safe side? Thanks in advance! Marek from Poland

Jul 4th, 2008, 01:01	#12
zerostress Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Italy Posts: 29	If I miss the toy train, will it be easy to share a taxi to Shimla? Price? __________________ http://www.susimedici.it

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Jun 9th, 2008, 09:32	#2
rajeev1008 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Delhi Posts: 195	Shatabadi is hardly ever late, specially as it gets a generous 50 minutes for the Chandigarh-Kalka stretch (37 km only) . Anyway don't worry, the Kalka-Shimla train waits for the Shatabadi, so even if its late, you won't miss the connection to Shimla.

Jun 15th, 2008, 14:09	#3
bigjed Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Burkina Faso Posts: 54	bugger the toy train - take a taxi!

Jun 15th, 2008, 14:38	#4
frenchie Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 26	Hey! Was just considering the same dilemma myself. Decided to book the himalayan queen from New Dehli to Kalka, then from Kalka to Shimla. Apparently the trip from Kalka to Shimla is very beautiful.

Jun 15th, 2008, 14:39	#5
bigjed Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Burkina Faso Posts: 54	yip it's beautiful alright - but a hell of a long time to sit on a train! when will you be there Frenchie? We'll be doing the opposite, Shimla/Kalka/Delhi but are concerned that the train doesn't get into Delhi til late at night.

Jun 15th, 2008, 14:43	#6
frenchie Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 26	Ah... is a taxi from Kalka to Simla $$$? Is it a nice way to travel? I have plenty of time on my hands

Jun 15th, 2008, 14:46	#7
bigjed Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Burkina Faso Posts: 54	it was a great car ride - our first in India apart from the car from Delhi airport to the hotel in Karol Bagh - we also took a taxi from Shimla to McLeod Ganj - brilliant way to go and with your Aussie dollar (I'm a kiwi) it shouldn't cost you more than $40. To be fair we only took the taxt to Shimla because we couldn't get tickets on the toy train and wanted to get the hell out of New Delhi!

Jun 15th, 2008, 14:56	#9
bigjed Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Burkina Faso Posts: 54	it looks like Frenchie is only looking at going to Shimla - (which is really only a gateway to Himachal Pradesh isn't it?) and then on to Varanasi/Agra/Rajasthan. We enjoyed Shimla and will be back there in October - but only really went there to get to McLeod Ganj and other places in HP.

Jul 3rd, 2008, 19:14	#11
ashvin30 Pilgrim Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Allahabad, India Posts: 25	Dear all, Please see the thread: Kalka - Shimla connections from Delhi Most of your questions are already answered there.

Jul 4th, 2008, 06:06	#13
bigjed Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Burkina Faso Posts: 54	easy to take a taxi from Kalka tro Shimla, we did it in 2006 I finks it cost around 1500rs. Can't remember but it shits all over spending 9 hours on a toy train!!!

Jul 4th, 2008, 11:10	#15
nishanthe Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sri Lanka Posts: 64	How about seating? is it over crowded?

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