Top 10 Summer Hill Station Trips from Delhi: Temperature Guide, Crowd Levels & Best Time

When Delhi hits 45°C in summer, the only cure is a hill station escape. From the pine forests of Shimla to the snow-capped views of Manali, these 10 summer hill station trips from Delhi offer relief from the scorching plains. This guide includes temperature charts, crowd levels, best time to visit each destination, and cab costs to help you plan the perfect summer getaway. Book your hill station cab with Triveni Cabs.

Summer Temperature Comparison Chart

Hill Station	Altitude	April Temp	May-June Temp	Distance from Delhi
Shimla	2,205m	12-22°C	15-28°C	350 km
Manali	2,050m	5-18°C	10-25°C	540 km
Mussoorie	2,005m	12-24°C	16-30°C	290 km
Nainital	1,938m	10-22°C	15-27°C	300 km
Dharamshala	1,457m	14-26°C	18-30°C	475 km
Dalhousie	1,970m	10-20°C	15-28°C	560 km
Kasol	1,580m	8-20°C	12-28°C	520 km
Lansdowne	1,706m	12-24°C	16-30°C	250 km
Kasauli	1,795m	12-22°C	16-28°C	300 km
Chopta	2,680m	5-15°C	8-20°C	400 km

1. Shimla - The Queen of Hills

Drive Time: 7-8 hours | Cab Cost: ₹5,000-7,000 one-way | Crowd Level: Very High (May-June)

India's most popular summer hill station offers colonial architecture, the famous Mall Road, and Kufri for adventure activities. April-early May is ideal before the peak summer rush. View Shimla tour packages.

Best Time: April (pleasant weather, fewer crowds) | Avoid: Last 2 weeks of May and first week of June (extremely crowded)

2. Manali - Adventure Paradise

Drive Time: 12-14 hours | Cab Cost: ₹6,500-9,000 one-way | Crowd Level: Very High (May-June)

Manali is cooler than Shimla and offers more adventure activities - Rohtang Pass opens in May, Solang Valley has paragliding, and Old Manali has the best cafe culture in North India. Explore Manali packages.

Best Time: April-May for pleasant weather, March for snow remnants | Avoid: June weekends (highway jams)

3. Mussoorie - Queen of the Hills (Closest Escape)

Drive Time: 6-7 hours | Cab Cost: ₹4,500-6,000 one-way | Crowd Level: High

Mussoorie is the closest proper hill station from Delhi, making it perfect for a quick 2-day summer escape. The Kempty Falls, Camel's Back Road, and Gun Hill offer classic hill station experiences. Combine with Dehradun for the Robber's Cave and Forest Research Institute.

Best Time: March-April | Tip: Visit Landour (above Mussoorie) for a quieter, more authentic experience

4. Nainital - The Lake Retreat

Drive Time: 6-7 hours | Cab Cost: ₹4,500-6,000 one-way | Crowd Level: High (peak summer)

Nainital's charm lies in its beautiful lake surrounded by pine-covered hills. Boating on Naini Lake, the ropeway to Snow View Point, and the Mall Road make it family-friendly. Nearby Bhimtal and Sattal are quieter alternatives. Browse Nainital tours.

Best Time: March-April (before the summer rush)

5. Dharamshala/McLeodganj - The Himalayan Culture Hub

Drive Time: 9-10 hours | Cab Cost: ₹6,000-8,000 one-way | Crowd Level: Moderate

Home to the Dalai Lama and Tibetan culture, Dharamshala offers a unique summer experience. The Triund Trek (9 km) is one of the most rewarding short treks in India. The Norbulingka Institute and Tibetan Museum provide cultural depth. Explore Dharamshala packages.

Best Time: April-June (before monsoon)

6-10. More Options

6. Dalhousie - The Quiet Retreat

Drive: 11-12 hours | Cost: ₹7,000-9,000. Less crowded than Shimla/Manali with colonial churches, Khajjiar (Mini Switzerland of India), and stunning Panchpula waterfalls. Add nearby Chamba for ancient temples.

7. Kasol - The Backpacker's Paradise

Drive: 11-12 hours | Cost: ₹6,500-8,500. In the Parvati Valley with riverside camping, Kheerganga trek, Manikaran hot springs, and Israeli-inspired cafes. Perfect for young travelers and trekking enthusiasts.

8. Lansdowne - The Cantonment Calm

Drive: 5-6 hours | Cost: ₹4,000-5,500. A quiet cantonment town with very few tourists. Bhulla Lake, St. Mary's Church, and Tip-n-Top viewpoint. Perfect for a peaceful 2-day weekend getaway.

9. Kasauli - The Pine Forest Getaway

Drive: 6-7 hours | Cost: ₹4,500-6,000. Tiny cantonment town with nature walks through pine forests, Monkey Point viewpoint, and charming colonial architecture. Combine with Barog for a quiet retreat.

10. Chopta - The Mini Switzerland

Drive: 9-10 hours | Cost: ₹5,500-7,500. Chopta is the base for the Tungnath-Chandrashila trek (world's highest Shiva temple). The meadows at 2,680m offer stunning Himalayan panoramas. Perfect for trekkers and nature lovers who want to escape commercial hill stations.

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Related Reading

Plan your hill station escape with these helpful guides:

• Best Road Trips from Delhi - more destinations including plains and desert routes
• Monsoon Road Trips - continue the adventure into rainy season
• New Year Trip from Delhi - winter hill station escapes for NYE celebrations
• Road Trip Packing Checklist - what to pack for hill station trips
• Outstation Cab Booking Tips - first-timer guide to booking long-distance cabs
• How to Book Tempo Traveller - group travel to hill stations saves money
• Family Trip to Jaipur - alternative family-friendly destination guide

Summer Hill Station Travel Tips

• Leave before dawn: Depart Delhi by 4-5 AM to avoid both city traffic and highway congestion
• Avoid weekends: Hill stations are 3x more crowded on weekends. Visit mid-week for a better experience
• Light woolens: Evenings in hill stations can drop to 10-15°C even in May. Carry a light jacket
• Book return cab: Round-trip cabs are cheaper than one-way bookings. Book the complete package for best rates
• AC or non-AC: You will not need AC above 1,500m altitude; save money with a non-AC cab for hill trips

Hill Station Cab Cost Comparison

Destination	Sedan (One-Way)	SUV (One-Way)	Round Trip Sedan
Shimla (350 km)	₹5,000	₹7,500	₹7,000
Manali (540 km)	₹6,500	₹9,500	₹10,800
Mussoorie (290 km)	₹4,500	₹6,500	₹5,800
Nainital (300 km)	₹4,500	₹6,500	₹6,000
Dharamshala (475 km)	₹6,000	₹8,500	₹9,500

Note: Toll charges (₹400-1,200 depending on route) and state entry permits (₹200-500) are additional. Round trip rates apply when you return to Delhi within 7 days. For groups of 8+, a tempo traveller brings per-person costs down to ₹1,000-2,000 for most hill stations.

Why Choose a Cab Over Bus or Train for Hill Stations?

Buses to hill stations are uncomfortable for families - the Volvo to Manali takes 14 hours on winding mountain roads with no flexibility for stops. Trains reach only Kalka (for Shimla) or Kathgodam (for Nainital), requiring further road transport. A pre-booked cab door-to-door offers incomparable comfort: you control departure time, stop wherever you want for photos or breaks, carry unlimited luggage, and reach your hotel directly.

Since 2015, Triveni Cabs has completed over 500+ hill station trips from Delhi. Our hill-route drivers are specially selected for mountain driving experience - they know every hairpin turn, every safe overtaking zone, and every scenic viewpoint. Vehicles undergo extra checks before mountain trips: brake pads, coolant levels, tyre condition, and functioning defoggers. Our safety page details our mountain driving protocols.

Contact us at 366 Dandupura, Agra or call 7668570551. All quotes are transparent with no hidden charges - the price you are quoted is the price you pay. Check our customer reviews from hill station travelers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the cheapest hill station trip from Delhi?

Lansdowne (250 km, ₹4,000 one-way sedan) is the most affordable option and makes an excellent weekend getaway. Mussoorie and Nainital at 290-300 km are the next most affordable. For longer stays, round trip packages offer the best per-km value.

Do I need an SUV for hill stations?

For destinations like Shimla, Mussoorie, and Nainital, a sedan is perfectly fine as the roads are well-maintained. For Manali (especially Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley side trips), Kasol, and Chopta, an SUV is recommended for the rougher last-mile roads. Our team can advise the best vehicle for your specific destination.

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