Delhi to Shimla Road Distance: 350 km · 7-8 hours · Cab from ₹3,850
Delhi → Karnal → Ambala → Pinjore → Solan → Shimla
Hairpins, tea stops and a driver who has done this climb a hundred times.
Cab fare, all inclusive
Distance
350km
Drive time
7hrs
Since 2015 · 4.9★
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Driving Delhi to Shimla: what this corridor is like
Hill-trained drivers
Every driver on this corridor has logged the climb in all four seasons and carries chains from December to February.
Start before sunrise
Leaving by 5 AM clears the plains before traffic and puts you on the ghat section in daylight, which is the whole point of a road trip here.
Permits and stops handled
Rohtang, Atal Tunnel timings, Kufri parking, Kempty falls — the driver knows which need a permit and which are worth the detour.
What the Delhi to Shimla road is actually like
The road to Shimla is really two roads. The first is NH-44 out through Murthal, Panipat, Karnal and Ambala, a wide six-lane run where the main danger is complacency, with the Murthal dhabas the customary parantha stop and the toll gates behind you by Ambala. Then at Zirakpur you turn towards Pinjore and Kalka, cross into Himachal at Parwanoo, and there the hill road starts in earnest: NH-5 climbing through Dharampur towards Barog in a long chain of hairpins, with the old railway tunnel near the road. Barog is the halt our drivers swear by, for tea and the view, before Solan, Kandaghat and the final pine-lined climb into the town. From December to February there is snow around Kufri and black ice on the shaded bends in the early morning, so we start after eight rather than before. From July to September the Solan section throws landslides and closures. In May and June the whole Kalka road jams on weekends, and coming down we use low gear the entire way so the brakes never overheat.
How far is Shimla from Delhi?
The distance from Delhi to Shimla is 350 km by road via NH-44 & NH-5, and the drive takes about 7-8 hours. A one-way AC cab starts from ₹3,850 (sedan), with SUV and Tempo Traveller options also available. Toll and state tax are charged extra at actual.
By Road
350 km
Drive Time
7-8 hours
Cab From
₹3,850
Fuel (self-drive)
₹2,500
Delhi to Shimla distance, time & cab fare
- Road distance
- 350 km (217 miles)
- Drive time by cab
- 7-8 hours
- Best route / highway
- NH-44 & NH-5
- AC Sedan cab fare Swift Dzire / Etios · 4 seater
- ₹3,850 (₹11/km)
- Ertiga SUV cab fare Maruti Ertiga · 6 seater
- ₹5,250 (₹15/km)
- Innova Crysta cab fare Toyota Innova Crysta · 7 seater
- ₹6,300 (₹18/km)
- Tempo Traveller cab fare 12-seater AC
- ₹8,050 (₹23/km)
- Approx. fuel cost (self-drive)
- ₹2,500 one-way
* Cab fares are one-way and include fuel & driver. Toll and state tax are extra at actual.
Delhi to Shimla: cab vs train vs bus vs flight
A quick comparison of travel time, cost and comfort for the 350 km journey to help you choose the right mode.
Cab / TaxiRecommended
- Travel Time
- 7-8 hours
- Cost
- From ₹3,850
- Comfort
- Door-to-door, private, flexible stops
- Best For
- Families, groups, comfort
Train
- Travel Time
- 8-10 hrs
- Cost
- Budget (subject to availability)
- Comfort
- Fixed timing, station-to-station
- Best For
- Solo budget travellers
Bus
- Travel Time
- 8-11 hrs
- Cost
- Most economical
- Comfort
- Shared, fixed stops
- Best For
- Backpackers, low budget
Flight
- Travel Time
- 1-1.5 hrs + transfers
- Cost
- Highest
- Comfort
- Fastest but airport transfers needed
- Best For
- Long distances, time-critical
For Delhi to Shimla, a private cab offers door-to-door pickup, no fixed timetable and the freedom to stop anywhere en route.
Toll plazas on this route
Total toll
₹390
01Panipat Toll
- At km
- 90 km
- Toll (car)
- ₹165
02Karnal Toll
- At km
- 130 km
- Toll (car)
- ₹130
03Ambala Toll
- At km
- 200 km
- Toll (car)
- ₹95
Total one-way toll
₹390
* FASTag accepted at all plazas. Rates approximate, may vary. Tolls are billed at actual on your trip.
Delhi to Shimla cab fare
Fuel and driver included · Tolls and taxes extra
Sedan
Swift Dzire / Etios · 4 Seater
Ertiga SUV
Maruti Ertiga · 6 Seater
Innova Crysta
Toyota Innova Crysta · 7 Seater
Tempo Traveller
12-Seater AC · 12 Seater
* Toll & state tax extra at actual. Fares based on 350 km one-way.
Tips from drivers who run this route every week
Best time to travel
March to June for pleasant weather, December to February for snowfall experience.
Local insider tip
The Kalka-Shimla mountain stretch is scenic. Stop at Barog for tea and views.
Why 10,000+ travellers choose Triveni Cabs™
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Delhi to Shimla FAQs
What is the distance from Delhi to Shimla by road?
The road distance from Delhi to Shimla is approximately 350 km via NH-44 & NH-5. By air the straight-line distance is shorter, but 350 km is the actual driving distance you cover by car, cab or bus.
How long does it take to drive from Delhi to Shimla?
The drive from Delhi to Shimla takes approximately 7-8 hours via NH-44 & NH-5 in normal traffic. Starting early morning (5-6 AM) helps you avoid city congestion and reduces total travel time.
How much does a cab from Delhi to Shimla cost?
A cab from Delhi to Shimla starts at ₹3,850 for an AC sedan (Swift Dzire/Etios). An Ertiga SUV starts at ₹5,250, an Innova Crysta at ₹6,300, and a 12-seater Tempo Traveller from ₹8,050. Outstation trips are billed on a 300 km per day minimum. Toll and state tax are extra at actual.
What is the cab fare for an SUV or Innova from Delhi to Shimla?
An Ertiga SUV from Delhi to Shimla starts at ₹5,250 and an Innova Crysta at ₹6,300 for the 350 km trip. The published rates are ₹15/km for Ertiga and ₹18/km for Innova, with the outstation minimum applied. Ertiga seats 6 passengers and Innova seats 7; both are options for families and hill or rough-road sections.
What is the best route from Delhi to Shimla?
The recommended and fastest route from Delhi to Shimla is via NH-44 & NH-5. Popular stops en route include Karnal, Ambala, Pinjore, Solan. Our drivers know all alternative routes and pick the optimal path based on live traffic, road work and weather.
How much toll do you pay from Delhi to Shimla?
Toll charges from Delhi to Shimla depend on the highway plazas on NH-44 & NH-5 and are paid at actual via FASTag. The driver handles all toll payments and they are added transparently to your final bill — there are no hidden charges.
What is the approximate fuel cost from Delhi to Shimla?
If you self-drive, expect roughly ₹2,500 in petrol/diesel one-way for Delhi to Shimla (based on about 14 km/l). Booking a Triveni cab includes fuel in the fare, so you only pay toll and state tax extra.
Can I reach Shimla from Delhi by train, bus or flight?
Yes — Delhi to Shimla is connected by road (7-8 hours by cab), and most major routes also have trains and state/private buses. A private cab is the most flexible option with door-to-door pickup, no fixed timing and freedom to stop en route.
What is the best time to travel from Delhi to Shimla?
March to June for pleasant weather, December to February for snowfall experience. For the smoothest drive, start early in the day to avoid traffic and reach Shimla with daylight to spare.
What are the best stops en route from Delhi to Shimla?
Popular stops en route include Karnal, Ambala, Pinjore, Solan. These make convenient halts for food, fuel, restrooms and photos, breaking up the 350 km journey comfortably.
Is a one-way or round-trip cab better from Delhi to Shimla?
If you only need a single drop, a one-way cab from Delhi to Shimla is cheaper because you do not pay for the return run. Choose a round trip when you want the same car and driver to wait and bring you back — it works out economical for same-day return.
What vehicles are available for Delhi to Shimla, and is night travel safe?
Triveni Cabs™ offers AC Sedan, SUV (Innova/Ertiga) and 12-seater Tempo Traveller for Delhi to Shimla, all GPS-tracked with verified drivers. Daytime travel is recommended, but our experienced drivers handle night drives on the NH-44 & NH-5 safely too.
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