Waiting at the Kalka Station

Hello 'mikers,

I'm taking the shatabdi from NDLS to Kalka, which reaches Kalka station at 9.30 at night. My ticket to Shimla from Kalka, on the rail motor that leaves kalka station at 5.15 a.m is waitlisted. I plan to hold on to it till the last minute and if doesn't getconfirmed, travel unreserved on one of the morning trains. I also plan to stay at the waiting rooms at the station for the night.

Will the waitlisted ticket allow me to stay at the station overnight or will it create problems?

assuming your NDLS to Kalka is a confirmed one, you have every right to ask for a waiting room once you reach Kalka.
assuming you intend to spend the night on the platform (not sure if it is ok with you), wait-listed ticket is just as good as a confirmed one...

try to contact Kalka Station Master ... 01733221079 ..

Except that there are just 2 rooms at the Kalka Station & they get booked real fast. In an alternative you can also stay at hotels (around 3 or 4 in number) that are near Kalka station. They will also provide a drop to the station in the morning.

My reply comes 2 months too late. But my experience at the kalka station was quite painless. There was a general waiting room that was very comfortable and an executive lounge for 20 Rs. an hour, which even more comfortable with soft cushioned sofa's, clean toilets and hot shower. One of the best stations I've been in India.

The waiting rooms and dormitaries were all booked out. But the station's not a bad place at all to spend the night.

Thanks a lot sasanka, vinay sinha and paramiyer. Really appreciate the help.

how was the trip by the way ...
waiting for a write-up with photos ....

Believe it or not, the trip is still happening

I'm in Kullu at the moment, planning my journey further.

Hi,

I had planned to visit shimla 14/7 with confirmed ticket on rail motor but unfortunately rail motor is cancelled on the day.... so i have now booked a wait list ticket on passenger train,n im not sure whether it will get confirmed.

can you suggest me a alternate to reach shimla after arriving by kalka mail...

@Vijay: Have you tried Shivalik Deluxe ... this leaves after rail motor

You can avail a cab to Shimla from Kalka as well ...

Thanks sasanka, Shivalik deluxe is also full with huge waiting list.

Do you have any idea about nominal cab fare for tavera or sumo from kalka to shimla... so i could bargain to get a decent price at railway station...

Another option for you could be to take one of the passenger trains that leave from Kalka to Shimla. There's one at 7 in the morning, if I remember correctly.

@Vijay:
Please put your PNR no here for an analysis
http://indiarailinfo.com/train/pnr/1554/1982/2862

When I went to Kinnaur, mine also was in waiting list but got confirmed

Finally reached and returned from shimla....
For my unluck... kalka mail came 6 and half hour late..n
Its quite unfortunate for me tat, both sides railmotor were cancelled.. and my express train tickets never got confirmed....

So i had to take taxi from kalka and vice.. learned a lesson for trusting indian railways!!!!

Though travel to shimla has been rough and tough, stay in shimla been a pleasant one..

@Vijay: would love to read your travelogue

i am so confused
now i am planning evening delhi-kalka shatabdi and it will reach kalka at 10.30pm and i want to experience rail motor car
so, if waiting rooms and dormitaries were all booked out, then what to do ?
i am going on mid jan to see snowfall , please help