What is the best time to visit Shimla?
Being a mountainous state, Himachal Pradesh is generally best visited between late March and mid-November, as it is freezing cold and snowy for much of the winter and few facilities remain open in the more remote parts of the state such as Spiti.
The main high season from April to June, though blessed with clear skies, is also when the touristic parts of the state are at their most crowded and expensive, thus not ideal. The monsoon can make it extremely cloudy and wet, especially in places like Shimla and Dharamsala, for much of July and August.
So the best time to visit overall is at the end of the monsoon in September and October, when the skies are mostly clear again, the days still warm and the nights not too chilly.
Find out more about the best time to visit India.
How many days do you need in Shimla?
For a comprehensive visit to Shimla, it is generally recommended to spend around 3 to 4 days. This duration allows you to explore the main attractions, enjoy leisurely walks on the famous Mall Road, and visit landmarks like the Ridge, Christ Church, and Jakhu Temple. You can also take a toy train ride on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kalka-Shimla Railway, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
If you have more time available, you can extend your stay to include nearby destinations such as Kufri, known for its scenic beauty and adventure activities like skiing and horse riding. Additionally, you may consider visiting Naldehra, famous for its golf course, or Mashobra, a serene hill station located a short distance from Shimla.
How to get here
Shimla can be reached by various means of transportation. The most convenient way to reach Shimla is by road, with well-connected highways linking it to major cities in the region. Alternatively, you can also take a scenic toy train ride on the Kalka-Shimla Railway, or fly to the nearest airport in Chandigarh and continue the journey by road.
Wherever you arrive in Shimla, you’ll be mobbed by porters. Most of the town is pedestrianised, and seriously steep, so you may be glad of the extra help to carry your gear, but it’s better to politely refuse their offer to tout you a hotel.
By plane
Shimla’s airport lies 20 km southwest of town on the Mandi road at Jubarhati. In 2017, after five years with no flights, Air India started a daily route between Shimla and Delhi. Note that antiquated facilities and frequent bad weather cause frequent delays.
By train
The train station is a 15 min walk southwest of The Mall. The toy train connects Shimla with Kalka, where you can change onto the main broad-gauge line for Chandigarh and Delhi.
By bus
Long-distance buses use the new multilevel bus stand 6 km southwest of the centre, on the Chandigarh road. Frequent minibuses link it to the Local Bus Stand on Cart Rd.
Find out the best ways to get to India.