From Mumbai to Shimla -- Need advise on getting there

burnz · Sep 5th, 2006, 12:43

am planning a trip to Shimla for a week at the Oberoi's Wildflower Hall... was trying to research information on planning my travel route from Mumbai to Shimla... looks like i'll have to fly in to Delhi or Chandigarh first, before proceeding to Shimla via air/road/rail... would appreciate any advice from fellow travellers on how best to get to Shimla? many thanks!!

dhananjay · Sep 5th, 2006, 13:26

Hmm ... Fly to Delhi ... then Shatabdi to Chandigarh/Kalka ... Maybe they have a direct flight to Chandigarh from Mumbai now as well ... Reserach ... The best is to fly to Delhi and then Shtabdi to Kalka and drive to Shimla ... out of Shimla dont miss the toy train ride,
Cheers,
Dhananjay

sabby80 · Sep 5th, 2006, 13:35

fly to chandigarh - hire a taxi to Kalka railway station & hop on to the toy train to Shimla. Its ridiculously slow, but then worth it at least once! The only prob is u hav to get to kalka pretty much early in the morn to catch some of the better toy trains. In fact there arnt any trains after 12pm or so. If u arent interested in the toy train then u cld even fly to delhi & catch a luxury bus to Shimla. Hope u hav a great time
cheers
Sabby

burnz · Sep 5th, 2006, 14:01

thanks for the tips guys.
right now, my plan is to spend a few nights at the Oberoi's Wildflower Hall, do some trekking/whitewater rafting/mountain biking etc. and the hotel is suggesting that i can consider flying in to Chandigarh, after which they can send a hotel car to pickup at Chandigarh airport and take a 3-4hr drive to Shimla. would that be feasible?

i'm quite intrigued by the toy train from kalka to shimla.. but like u've mentioned sabby, the train timings can be a little off..

so looks like i've narrowed my route to 2 choices:
1. fly mumbai to chandigarh, then 3-4hr drive from Chandigarh to Shimla
2. fly mumbai to delhi, then overnite bus ride from Delhi to Shimla

any other options? thanks for your help folks!

burnz · Sep 5th, 2006, 14:03

btw, a friend mentioned to me that Manali is a nicer place to visit compared to Shimla.. plus it's more accessible.. any inputs on this?

sabby80 · Sep 5th, 2006, 14:07

Hi burnz,
theres no doubt manali is far better compared to shimla! If u can still change ur schedule then I'd reccomend Manali over Shimla anyday.

cheers
Sabby

sabby80 · Sep 5th, 2006, 14:09

Heres how to get to Manali -

http://www.indiamike.com/india/showthread.php?t=24894

My personal fave is the sleeper A/C overnight bus - I've travelled thrice on it & never regretted!

Sabby

burnz · Sep 5th, 2006, 14:11

well if it's Manali, how would the travel routes work out?

frankly, the only reason why i've been wanting to visit Shimla is the beauty of the Wildflower Hall property. but my traveling plans are still very flexible, so Manali's definitely a possibility if it's highly recommended.

sabby80 · Sep 5th, 2006, 14:16

just go thru the link I've sent u & I'm sure u'll be able to figure out how best to get there! There are equally good hotels in Manali - go there instead! u wont regret at all.

A few snaps of my last trip.
Manali : A different Perspective!

burnz · Sep 5th, 2006, 14:18

sabby, u r awesome and a lifesaver!
drooling over ur Manali pics as we speak

sabby80 · Sep 5th, 2006, 14:24

Ha Ha, I hope u have a great time in Manali, Burnz

Cheers
Sabby.

rajeev1008 · Sep 5th, 2006, 17:09

The overnight bus to Manlai is good, but the travel time (+12 hrs) makes it quite uncomfortable for ppl not used to long travels sitting in a bus. The delhi - kullu jagson flight not very reliable - gets cancelled so very often.
For trekking/mountain biking , Manali is better. Though i think wildflower hall is much too nice for any hotel in Manali

.

khaadu75 · Sep 12th, 2006, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabby80

Hi burnz,
theres no doubt manali is far better compared to shimla! If u can still change ur schedule then I'd reccomend Manali over Shimla anyday.

cheers
Sabby

Sabby, I totally disagree with you on manali being better than Simla ... though I wonder what angle you talking about !! The only angles that I can see Manali better from are as follows --

1. Longer travel distance
2. Loads of people and that too not local but weird junkies from across the world .
3. Crowds ...
4. Wider spread of cuisines .. but why wud someone from a huge city like Bombay wanna try anything but local dishes ??
5. Easier access to dope ...
6. Scenic beuty ... that lies in the eyes of the beholder -- both have different landscapes so only when an individual gets to both the places can he decide which is better , and photos don't speak the truth at all .

So guys ... Vist it yourself and decide what is better !!!

Cheers

sabby80 · Sep 13th, 2006, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by khaadu75

Sabby, I totally disagree with you on manali being better than Simla ... though I wonder what angle you talking about !! The only angles that I can see Manali better from are as follows --

1. Longer travel distance
2. Loads of people and that too not local but weird junkies from across the world .
3. Crowds ...
4. Wider spread of cuisines .. but why wud someone from a huge city like Bombay wanna try anything but local dishes ??
5. Easier access to dope ...
6. Scenic beuty ... that lies in the eyes of the beholder -- both have different landscapes so only when an individual gets to both the places can he decide which is better , and photos don't speak the truth at all .

So guys ... Vist it yourself and decide what is better !!!

Cheers

Khaadu75, You have every right to disagree with me. My personal opinion is that Manali is a better place compared to Shimla & again that's my personal opinion! I've been there 4 times & wld gladly go there any number of times & just to dispell your doubts

1.I love the journey to Manali - despite the 5 extra hours compared to Shimla
2.I like the crowd in Manali - they seem absolutely normal to me!
3.Food is nothing great - Delhi has better fare!
4.Couldnt care any less about dope - not everyone who goes to Manali is a drug addict!!
5.To me Manali is simply more beautiful - my eyes are just fine!!

khaadu75 · Sep 13th, 2006, 15:18

Sabby, Seems that in ur hurry to reply you didnt read my last line .. 'So guys ... Vist it yourself and decide what is better !!! ' ....

My only intention of posting was that a traveller shud be able to decide which is better only by visioting the 2 diff places . And well , for us who are hilly billies .... Simla is better than Manali , though if I had options of more towns ... these two wud be the bottom two ...

They barely hill stations anymore ... i agree they on a hill and are stations thus they qualify but besides that they suck . Its a pity coz they have lost the charm and identity that they possesed once upon a time ..

Theres much miore to Himachal than Manali & Simla ...

Cheers

Sep 5th, 2006, 12:43	#1
burnz Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bandra, Mumbai Posts: 24	From Mumbai to Shimla -- Need advise on getting there am planning a trip to Shimla for a week at the Oberoi's Wildflower Hall... was trying to research information on planning my travel route from Mumbai to Shimla... looks like i'll have to fly in to Delhi or Chandigarh first, before proceeding to Shimla via air/road/rail... would appreciate any advice from fellow travellers on how best to get to Shimla? many thanks!!

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Sep 5th, 2006, 13:26	#2
dhananjay Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Park Cafe, Shimla Posts: 305	Hmm ... Fly to Delhi ... then Shatabdi to Chandigarh/Kalka ... Maybe they have a direct flight to Chandigarh from Mumbai now as well ... Reserach ... The best is to fly to Delhi and then Shtabdi to Kalka and drive to Shimla ... out of Shimla dont miss the toy train ride, Cheers, Dhananjay

Sep 5th, 2006, 13:35	#3
sabby80 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 139	fly to chandigarh - hire a taxi to Kalka railway station & hop on to the toy train to Shimla. Its ridiculously slow, but then worth it at least once! The only prob is u hav to get to kalka pretty much early in the morn to catch some of the better toy trains. In fact there arnt any trains after 12pm or so. If u arent interested in the toy train then u cld even fly to delhi & catch a luxury bus to Shimla. Hope u hav a great time cheers Sabby

Sep 5th, 2006, 14:01	#4
burnz Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bandra, Mumbai Posts: 24	thanks for the tips guys. right now, my plan is to spend a few nights at the Oberoi's Wildflower Hall, do some trekking/whitewater rafting/mountain biking etc. and the hotel is suggesting that i can consider flying in to Chandigarh, after which they can send a hotel car to pickup at Chandigarh airport and take a 3-4hr drive to Shimla. would that be feasible? i'm quite intrigued by the toy train from kalka to shimla.. but like u've mentioned sabby, the train timings can be a little off.. so looks like i've narrowed my route to 2 choices: 1. fly mumbai to chandigarh, then 3-4hr drive from Chandigarh to Shimla 2. fly mumbai to delhi, then overnite bus ride from Delhi to Shimla any other options? thanks for your help folks!

Sep 5th, 2006, 14:03	#5
burnz Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bandra, Mumbai Posts: 24	btw, a friend mentioned to me that Manali is a nicer place to visit compared to Shimla.. plus it's more accessible.. any inputs on this?

Sep 5th, 2006, 14:07	#6
sabby80 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 139	Hi burnz, theres no doubt manali is far better compared to shimla! If u can still change ur schedule then I'd reccomend Manali over Shimla anyday. cheers Sabby

Sep 5th, 2006, 14:09	#7
sabby80 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 139	Heres how to get to Manali - http://www.indiamike.com/india/showthread.php?t=24894 My personal fave is the sleeper A/C overnight bus - I've travelled thrice on it & never regretted! Sabby

Sep 5th, 2006, 14:11	#8
burnz Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bandra, Mumbai Posts: 24	well if it's Manali, how would the travel routes work out? frankly, the only reason why i've been wanting to visit Shimla is the beauty of the Wildflower Hall property. but my traveling plans are still very flexible, so Manali's definitely a possibility if it's highly recommended.

Sep 5th, 2006, 14:16	#9
sabby80 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 139	just go thru the link I've sent u & I'm sure u'll be able to figure out how best to get there! There are equally good hotels in Manali - go there instead! u wont regret at all. A few snaps of my last trip. Manali : A different Perspective!

Sep 5th, 2006, 14:18	#10
burnz Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bandra, Mumbai Posts: 24	sabby, u r awesome and a lifesaver! drooling over ur Manali pics as we speak

Sep 5th, 2006, 14:24	#11
sabby80 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 139	Ha Ha, I hope u have a great time in Manali, Burnz Cheers Sabby.

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Sep 5th, 2006, 17:09	#12
rajeev1008 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Delhi Posts: 206	The overnight bus to Manlai is good, but the travel time (+12 hrs) makes it quite uncomfortable for ppl not used to long travels sitting in a bus. The delhi - kullu jagson flight not very reliable - gets cancelled so very often. For trekking/mountain biking , Manali is better. Though i think wildflower hall is much too nice for any hotel in Manali .

Sep 13th, 2006, 15:18	#15
khaadu75 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kotgarh, Himachal Pradesh Posts: 136	Sabby, Seems that in ur hurry to reply you didnt read my last line .. 'So guys ... Vist it yourself and decide what is better !!! ' .... My only intention of posting was that a traveller shud be able to decide which is better only by visioting the 2 diff places . And well , for us who are hilly billies .... Simla is better than Manali , though if I had options of more towns ... these two wud be the bottom two ... They barely hill stations anymore ... i agree they on a hill and are stations thus they qualify but besides that they suck . Its a pity coz they have lost the charm and identity that they possesed once upon a time .. Theres much miore to Himachal than Manali & Simla ... Cheers