Chandigarh to Shimla!

Eopperman

Can anyone please advise the easiest way to get from Chandigarh to Shimla?

steven_ber

A direct bus.

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Train information.

capt_mahajan

Yep...takes a few hours.

nomad

but, why shimla in may?

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Eopperman

Nomad, we are travelling in December.

Steven - where can I find out more about the busses and tariffs?

shere

http://himachal.nic.in/hrtc/route.asp

The above link is for Himachal buses. There are Punjab and Haryana buses that ply the same route.

steven_ber

Difficult for India.

Look at a map, look for the 2 places, see if direct roads connect them, Allow 30-40km each hour in hilly regions, 40-50km each hour otherwise (little more for main roads, little less for back roads).

I hope common sense works for guessing how often a bus runs (I only ever guess) Look to see how important each place is to the area, if one is a big local transport hub and the other is on a direct road (maybe even a direct road going to somewhere else), buses should be regular (depends on the distance to be travelled).

As both Chandigarh and Shimla are local transport hubs, maybe 4-5 hours apart, I'd expect a bus at least every hour during the day, but wouldn't be surprised if there were a bus every 30 minutes at certain times of the day.

I'm not aware of any websites for buses in this area, but all transport and tourism subjects are covered very well (better than most areas) for this area, so hopefully someone will provide a useful link. (EDIT, I see shere already has)

Seems a pity to miss the scenic toy train from Kalka to Shimla.

capt_mahajan

If bus, try to sit in front, people sometimes get sick on the hilly roads, and the laws of physics take over.

jyotirmoy

Plenty of buses from Chandigarh. There are Volvo bus services between Delhi & Shimla. Quite a few passengers get down at Chandigarh.

gautam

If i am not wrong, there is a direct delhi-shimla volvo.

011 2961262 is the number for haryana roadways @ delhi ISBT terminal.

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traveldonkey

Bus is the easiest. Chandigarh has an excellent Bus Station... and there are many buses that go to Shimla. But do enquire about luxury buses.. there might be a limited number of those

The journey should take approx 4-5 hrs.. dunno about current rates...

gautam

There is a railway station at kalka only if you want to enjoy the train journey

Catch a bus from chandigarh to kalka, one of the local buses.

You need to walk down like 1/2 a km before you reach the staion.

If you got time at your sleeves, the train journey should be once a lifetime experience.

karnail

One thing, try taking a train from Kalka its less than 100kms and will take around 5 hrs. there are 3-4 trains during day. From Chandigarh no need to make any inquiries, just reach sectoe-17 bus stand and wait for a govt. transport bus, prefer Haryana Roadways or Himachal Roadways. It will be around 60-65 paise per km. These buses will be ok for 100 odd kms. for anyone. Try some time amomgst the locals. You may also find real tourists in these buses also.
http://karnail.blogspot.com/

Eopperman

Thanks guys!

mira4bai4

Buses leave Chandigarh every 10 mins for Shimla. A standard bus fare is Rs 85/-, there is semi-deluxe, being better seats, this bus is about Rs 120/- but I am not sure of the timings, the Deluxe I think is twice a day and I am not sure of the price, maybe Rs 200/-. The semi and the deluxe stop short of the bus stand and so there is a bit of a walk to where ever you need to get to. Most standard buses stop at the Sanjouli (sp) side of the mall which gives a short but steep climb up to the top.

One good thing is that once at the top you are by the loos, then next stop is Baristars for a recharge, well that is my weekly process anyway.