city near mountain under blue sky during daytime

Shimla

Shimla is a hill station in northern India's Himalayan foothills. Visitors come for its colonial-era streets, the Kalka-Shimla toy train and the pine forests around town.

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Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh, a state in the Himalayan foothills of northern India. The British developed it as a hill station and used it as the summer capital of British India, so colonial-era buildings still line the ridge and Mall Road. The most memorable way in is the Kalka-Shimla railway, a narrow-gauge line that climbs through tunnels and forest. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Shimla suits a short hill-station break, a slow scenic train ride, and walks through pine and deodar forest. Summer days are far cooler than on the plains, and winter brings snow. The town sits on steep slopes, so expect plenty of stairs and hill climbs on foot. Spring and autumn usually offer the clearest views. Two or three nights in town, plus a day trip or two, is a practical length for a first visit.

Shimla in five

Take the toy train one way, then a taxiThe Kalka-Shimla narrow-gauge line is a UNESCO World Heritage railway and takes roughly five to six hours for about 96 km. Many visitors ride it up and return by taxi or bus, which saves a long day.
Fly to Chandigarh, not ShimlaShimla has a small airport with limited flights, so most visitors fly into Chandigarh and continue by road or by train from Kalka. Check which service is running before you plan around it.Chandigarh travel guide
Walk the Mall and the Ridge, then leave the centerThe car-free Mall Road and the Ridge hold the main sights in a few hours. For quieter walking, move on to Mashobra or Naldehra rather than adding a third day in town.
Book hill weekends and May earlyLate spring and school holidays fill hotels and clog the single road from the plains. Book ahead for May and June weekends, and expect long queues on the highway.
Pack warm layers, even in springAt roughly 2,200 m, evenings are cold from October to March and snow can close side roads. In the July to September monsoon, landslides can cut roads, so keep a buffer day.Insurance for mountain trips

Things to do in Shimla

See all attractions in Shimla

a church with a clock on the front of it

Church · ShimlaChrist Church, ShimlaThe interior has set opening hours, so check the hours on this page before you plan the visit.

Museum · ShimlaHimachal State Museum

Sight · ShimlaGaiety Theatre

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to ShimlaPut the places you like in Shimla on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Getting there: Chandigarh airport plus road, or Kalka by rail then the toy train
Getting around: Walking in the center; taxis for Kufri, Mashobra and Naldehra
Best base: Near the Mall for walkability; Mashobra for quiet
Time needed: 2 nights; 3 with Kufri and Mashobra
Elevation: About 2,200 m, cool all year

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low0°Snow chance
FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh14°Low2°Cold, snow
MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh18°Low6°Clear, cool
AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh23°Low10°Spring views
MayRain16 rainy daysHigh25°Low13°Peak season
JuneRain18 rainy daysHigh27°Low16°Busy, warm
JulyRain29 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low17°Monsoon
AugustRain29 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Landslide risk
SeptemberRain20 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Clearing
OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh21°Low10°Crisp, clear
NovemberClear4 rainy daysHigh18°Low6°Cold, quiet
DecemberClear4 rainy daysHigh15°Low3°Snow, holiday

Average daily high and low in Shimla, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Shimla

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 11°
Humidity: 76%
Wind: 8 km/h
Chance of rain: 2%

Shimla

04:07 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:30

Today18°7°2%Tuesday: Clear. High 18°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 2%.
Wed19°7°0%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 19°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu19°8°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri17°7°0%Friday: Clear. High 17°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat18°6°0%Saturday: Clear. High 18°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun18°6°0%Sunday: Clear. High 18°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 03:14 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR

Amount

Converted to

INR · Indian Rupee

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Kufri and Naldehraabout 30 to 60 min by taxiPine ridges and short walks; Kufri is crowded, Naldehra quieter. Snow in winter only.
Mashobraabout 30 min by taxiCedar forest and a calmer stay than the center, a good overnight.
Chandigarhabout 3 to 4 hours by roadLe Corbusier's planned city, a useful stop before or after the hills.Read the guide

Before you go to Shimla

Car with driver from ChandigarhDoor to hotel in 3 to 4 hoursCheck car options

Hotels near the MallHeritage lodges and guesthousesCheck availability

eSIM for the hillsSignal drops between valleysRead the guide

Cover for landslide delaysRebooking if the road closesRead the guide

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Rules for Shimla, checked

Check your e-visa eligibility at indianvisaonline.gov.in before you fly, as foreign visitors need an approved visa before arrival.
Hotels ask foreign guests to fill in a registration form at check-in, so carry your passport and visa and keep copies.
Remove your shoes before entering Jakhoo Temple and other shrines, and cover your shoulders and knees.
Dial 112 for police, fire or ambulance from any phone in Shimla and across India.

Plan around Shimla

All of India

Visas, trains and seasons, country-wide

Read the guide Manali travel guide

The next valley north, a long mountain road away

Read the guide Chandigarh travel guide

The gateway city for flights and rail

Read the guide Mussoorie travel guide

A similar British-era hill station further east

Read the guide India e-Visa guide

Apply before you fly to Delhi or Chandigarh

Read the guide Getting around India

Trains, flights and road transfers

Read the guide

Shimla FAQ

Is the Shimla toy train worth it?

Yes if you treat it as the experience, not the transport. It is slow, with stations and tunnels on the way up. If time is short, ride it one way and take a taxi back.

How many days do you need in Shimla?

Two nights cover the Mall, the Ridge and a short day trip. Add a third night only if you plan Mashobra or a walk in the cedar forests.

When does it snow in Shimla?

Usually December to February, with the best chance in January. It is not guaranteed in a given week, and snow can close side roads, so keep your dates loose.

Is Shimla or Manali better?

Shimla suits an easy, short break with a heritage railway. Manali is farther, higher and better for adventure and mountain scenery. See the Manali guide for how the two compare.

Can you visit Shimla from Delhi?

Yes, by train to Chandigarh or Kalka then the toy train or a taxi, or by overnight bus. Allow a full day each way and book the train early.