How to Reach Shimla? A Complete Travel Guide

When summers become unbearable, and all you can think about is a getaway from the fatigue and your monotonous lives, Shimla is a town that appeals to tourists and filmmakers alike.

The once summer capital of the British, Shimla, was heavily influenced by the existence of the British. The British influence on Shimla is still dominant in the town, allowing Shimla to enjoy the same status as it did before.

Shimla is one of India’s most popular tourist places with an equal appeal to families and romantic getaways. Known for its snow-covered hills, mystic rivers, and astounding heritage, Shimla is an amalgamation of fun, beauty, and calmness. Shimla is located in northern India in Himachal Pradesh and is visited by millions of tourists each year.

On your trip to Shimla, you’d want to visit all the Shimla tourist places in India. And that’s why we have compiled a small travelling guide to help you visit all the popular Shimla tourist places in India.

A Brief History Of Shimla

The ‘Queen of the Hills’ Shimla is the largest town in Himachal Pradesh. Shimla gets its name from an incarnation of the goddess Kali, Shyamala Mata.

Before independence, Shimla was popular as the summer capital for the British. The habitation of the British here was so much that they built a direct railway track to Shimla from Kalka in Haryana.

Right after independence, Shimla first became the capital of Punjab and, finally, Himachal Pradesh.

Even today, Shimla continues to be the favourite tourist destination of cinematographers and tourists alike. The glory and beauty of the place remain intact, making all the Shimla tourist places in India one of the most preferred tourist destinations.

How To Travel To Shimla

Before you start looking for North Indian tours and travel Shimla tickets, you must know about the different routes you can take to India’s different Shimla tourist places.

By airThe Jubbarhatti airport, located about 23 km from Shimla is the nearest. The airport is well connected to major cities of India, with regular flights operating between Shimla and Chandigarh, Delhi, and other cities.

By train – Shimla could also be visited by a train. The famous direct train to Shimla from Kalka is one of the best methods of travelling to Shimla. You can board a train from Delhi or Chandigarh and board the popular Toy Train to Shimla. Your train journey to Shimla would be about 7 hours and you can always book it in advance.

By road – Shimla has a thriving bus service that connects it to all major cities in North India. Finding a bus to travel to Shimla is easy as there are multiple HRTC and HPTDC buses that operate daily from cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, and more. If you are feeling more adventurous or have a big family, you can also book a taxi to Shimla and easily travel to all the Shimla tourist places in India.

Hotel Booking Tips for Shimla

Shimla is a fabulous place to stay. However, where you choose to stay during your trip to Shimla is also important, since you can easily overspend on hotels without enough amenities.

To book an ideal hotel for yourself on your trip to Shimla, you can start by considering the following tips:

  • Location – Book a hotel around an area which you plan to visit. If you want to visit any of the popular Shimla tourist places in India, book a hotel in that area specifically.
  • Hygiene – Quality and hygiene are always the top preference of every tourist. You can always check the ratings of every hotel on Cleartrip before booking them.
  • Budget – Choose hotels that are in your budget range and plan your spending throughout your trip early only. Go through the average hotel prices and finalise a budget before your stay.
  • Extra amenities – Since Shimla could get cold, especially during winters, you can always check whether your preferred hotel provides hot water, blankets, and other things required for your well-being.

Popular Shimla Tourist Places India

On your North India tours and Shimla Himachal Pradesh trip, visiting all the tourist places could get difficult, especially if your trip is shot. However, you can always start by exploring the most popular Shimla Tourist Places India mentioned below:

  • Mall Road – Known as “The Mall”, the mall road is one of those places where you’ll be able to explore the real culture and tastes of people. A mall road is a social place with multiple cafes, restaurants, and shopping spots, allowing you to buy different souvenirs from Shimla as well.
  • Scandal point – The Scandal Point is a popular place because of its history. It’s the same place where the King of Patiala eloped with the daughter of the British Viceroy. The place is a cultural and architectural hub now.
  • Christ Church – Being the second oldest church in the entire North India region, the Christ Church has a lot of religious significance. Built on The Ridge, the church is a popular landmark of Shimla and is visited by thousands of tourists every year.
  • Shimla State Museum – There’s so much to see and explore when it comes to the culture and history of the entire state of Himachal Pradesh. The Shimla State Museum has a variety of culturally rich artefacts and historical offerings that will leave you surprised.
  • Rothney Castle – Home of Allan Octavian Hume, the civil servant of the British who founded the Congress in 1885, the Rothney Castle is a magnificent mansion with plenty of architectural appeases that appeal to all the tourists.

Best time to visit Shimla

Shimla is one of those places that have its appeal through winters and summers alike. If you want to witness the beautiful snow and the different adventures, winters are the best time to visit Shimla. You can also visit a lot of popular Shimla tourist places in January and other months of Shimla, making January to March the best time to visit Shimla. On the other hand, you can also have the time of your life in Shimla during the summers from April to June when the weather isn’t too cold or too hot. The temperature during these months ranges between 15°C to 30°C.

Conclusion

Shimla is the most popular tourist destination in India for many reasons. Right from the culture and history of the town to the aesthetic of the place, everything makes the Shimla tourist places India a must-visit destination. We hope our travel guide to Shimla helped you gather enough insights into the beauty of the place.

If you plan to travel to other destinations next, you might want to check our guides on other places on our blog. You can also book your flight to Shimla through Cleartrip ticket booking portal and find the best deals for yourself.

FAQs

How can I travel to Shimla?

Travelling to Shimla the fastest and most convenient way possible is by booking a flight ticket to Shimla. However, you can also visit Shimla via train or by road.

When is the best time to visit Shimla?

Shimla appeals throughout winters and summers alike. If you would like to explore Shimla through its winters, the months from January to March are the best. However, the most ideal time is between April to June.

How many days are enough for a Shimla trip?

A trip that lasts anywhere from 3 days to a week would be enough for Shimla.

How can I travel around Shimla?

You can easily book a cab to travel throughout Shimla. Other than that, buses and rickshaws are also easily available in Shimla.

What are some interesting things to do in Shimla?

In Shimla, you can have fun skiing, going to water parks, paragliding, and gondolas, or even visiting the museums and other historical places with your family.

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