Chandigarh Se Shimla Kaise Jayein: Ultimate Budget Guide (Under ₹1500)
Chandigarh se Shimla sirf 115 km door hai, aur yeh Himachal ka sabse popular hill station hai. Chahe aap family ke saath ja rahe hon, couple hon, ya solo backpacker — Shimla sabke liye perfect hai.
Sabse badi baat, Chandigarh se Shimla ka safar itna sasta ho sakta hai ki aapko 2 din ka weekend trip bhi ₹1500 ke andar pad jayega. Is guide mein main aapko bataunga kaise jana hai, kahan rukna hai, kya dekhna hai, aur paisa kaise bachana hai.
📍 Chandigarh to Shimla Distance, Time & Best Season
Shimla jane se pehle aapko basic details pata honi chahiye taaki aap apna trip achhe se plan kar sakein.
Distance: ~113–120 km (NH5 ke through)
Road Time: 2.5 se 4 ghante (Traffic par depend karta hai)
Toy Train Time: 5 se 6 ghante (Kalka se Shimla)
Best Time to Visit:
March–June: Garmi se rahat, temperature 15–30°C, sabse zyada tourists aate hain.
September–November: Clear sky, kam bheed aur pleasant weather.
December–February: Snowfall ka maza, heavy woolens zaroori hain.
July–August: Monsoon season, landslide ka risk rehta hai (avoid karein agar possible ho).
Pro Tip: Weekend trip ke liye Saturday subah nikalna best hai aur Sunday shaam tak wapas aa jana chahiye.
🚌 Chandigarh se Shimla Kaise Jayein? (Har Budget ke Liye)
1. HRTC Bus (Sabse Sasta aur Aasaan)
Chandigarh ISBT Sector 43 se Shimla ISBT ke liye har 30–60 minute par buses milti hain. Yeh subah 5 baje se raat 9 baje tak available hoti hain.
Buses Prices Time
HRTC Ordinary ₹150 – ₹180 3.5 – 4 ghante
HRTC Express ₹170 – ₹200 3.5 ghante
HRTC AC Volvo ₹280 – ₹350 3 – 3.5 ghante
Private Deluxe ₹200 – ₹300 3.5 ghante
Note: Sector 17 bus stand se bhi kuch private buses milti hain, lekin Sector 43 ISBT se HRTC ki bus pakadna zyada reliable aur sasta hota hai.
2. Train + Kalka–Shimla Toy Train (Experience ke Liye Best)
Agar aapko bas travel nahi karna, balki Himachal ki asli khoobsurti dekhni hai, to Toy Train ka option best hai.
Pehle Chandigarh se Kalka pahuncho — local train (₹20–40) ya bus (₹50–80) se (Time: 45–60 min).
Kalka se Shimla Toy Train Fares:
Shivalik Deluxe Express: ₹500–600 (AC, comfortable)
Rail Motor: ₹400–500
Ordinary Passenger: ₹50–100 (Khuli windows, asli maza)
Toy train 5–6 ghante lagati hai, lekin rasta itna sundar hai ki time ka pata nahi chalta. Isme 102 tunnels aur 800+ bridges aate hain. (Tickets IRCTC par advance mein book karein).
3. Apni Car/Bike se
Route: Chandigarh → Panchkula → Pinjore → Parwanoo → Solan → Shimla (NH5)
Fuel Kharcha (Round Trip Car): ~₹800–1000
Toll: ~₹100–150 (Parwanoo side)
Parking Tips: Shimla mein parking mehengi hai (₹50–100 per hour). Lakkar Bazar ya Lift ke paas park karein, wahan sasti milti hai.
4. Taxi / Cab
Chandigarh se Shimla one-way taxi ka kiraya ₹2500–3500 (small car) hota hai. Budget trip ke liye isko avoid karna hi behtar hai.
🚕 Shimla Mein Local Transport:--
Shimla city mein auto nahi chalti, yahan taxi union ka rule chalta hai.
Shimla ISBT se Mall Road: Lift (elevator) le sakte hain (₹10–20 per person), ya taxi (₹200–300).
Mall Road Sightseeing: Paidal chalein, sab kuch walkable hai.
Jakhoo Temple: Ridge se paidal 1.5 km ki chadhai hai (30–40 min), ya ropeway le sakte hain (₹100 return rate).
Kufri jane ke liye: Local bus (₹30–50) ya taxi (₹600–800 return).
🏠 Shimla Mein Budget Stay (₹300–₹600 mein)
Shimla mein saste hotels, dharamshalas aur hostels aasaani se milte hain. Online booking ki jagah seedha jaakar baat karne se sasta padta hai.
Stay Type Price (Per Person)- Best Locations
Dorm Bed (Hostel)₹300 – ₹400Lakkar Bazar, The Ridge ke paas
Dharamshala Room₹350 – ₹500Lower Bazar, Sabzi Mandi
Budget Guesthouse₹600 – ₹800 (2 log)Lakkar Bazar, Kaithu
OYO / Online Hotels₹500 – ₹800Nabha, Fagli
Mera Suggestion: Lakkar Bazar ya Lower Bazar ke paas guesthouse lein. Yahan se Mall Road sirf 5–10 min door hai aur khana bhi sasta milta hai.
🏔️ Shimla Mein Ghumne Ki Jagah (Top Places to Visit)
Mall Road: Shimla ki jaan. Subah-shaam yahan ghoomna free hai. Yahan purani architecture aur badiya cafes hain.
The Ridge: Mall Road se juda hua open space. Christ Church aur Scandal Point yahin hain.
Christ Church: North India ki second oldest church. Entry free hai.
Jakhoo Temple: Hanuman ji ki vishal murti, jo Shimla ka highest point hai.
Kufri: Shimla se 13 km door. Green valleys aur horse riding (₹300–500) ke liye famous hai.
Annadale: Ek khubsurat army area aur picnic spot.
Chadwick Falls: Monsoon/barish ke baad yeh waterfall bahut sundar lagta hai (7 km door).
Tara Devi Temple: Shimla se 11 km door, shanti aur pahadi views ke liye best.
Viceregal Lodge (IIAS): British era ki shaandaar building aur museum (Entry ₹100).
🗓️ Shimla 2 Din Ka Itinerary (Weekend Plan)--
Day 1 (Saturday) — Arrival + Local Shimla
06:00 AM: Chandigarh ISBT se HRTC bus pakdo.
10:00 AM: Shimla ISBT pahuncho. Lift se Mall Road jao.
10:30 AM: Hotel/Dorm mein check-in karein aur fresh ho jayein.
11:30 AM: Mall Road par ghoomte hue breakfast — Bun Samosa (₹40) aur Chai (₹20).
12:30 PM: Christ Church aur Scandal Point dekhein.
01:30 PM: Jakhoo Temple ki chadhai, darshan aur upar se Shimla ka view.
03:00 PM: Lunch — Lower Bazar ke dhabe mein Rajma Chawal (₹80–100).
04:30 PM: Heritage walk karein.
06:00 PM: Ridge par sunset dekhein.
08:00 PM: Dinner — Thali (₹100–150).
Raat: Mall Road ki night walk (10 baje tak allowed hai).
Day 2 (Sunday) — Kufri aur Wapsi
07:00 AM: Breakfast — Stuffed Paratha (₹60) aur Chai (₹20).
08:00 AM: Local bus se Kufri jayein (₹30–50).
09:30 AM: Kufri ki green valley explore karein aur photos lein.
12:00 PM: Wapas Shimla aakar hotel se check-out karein.
01:00 PM: Lunch — Momos (₹50) aur Thukpa (₹80) Lakkar Bazar side.
02:30 PM: Lift se ISBT ki taraf jayein.
03:00 PM: Shimla se Chandigarh ke liye HRTC bus lein.
07:00 PM: Chandigarh wapas, ghar par aaram.
🍽️ Shimla Mein Khana-Peena (Budget Options)
Local Dhabe: Lower Bazar aur Lakkar Bazar mein Rajma Chawal ₹80, Kadhi Chawal ₹70 aur Veg Thali ₹100 mein mil jati hai.
Street Food: Bun Samosa ₹40, Momos ₹50, Maggi ₹50.
Famous Spots: Trishool Bakers (Lakkar Bazar) ka cake aur Indian Coffee House ki coffee (₹80–120) zaroor try karein.
Budget Tip: Agar aap local dhabe prefer karein, toh ek din ka khana ₹250–350 mein aaram se ho jata hai.
💰 Total Budget Breakdown (Per Person, 2 Din)
Kharcha (Expenses)Anumaanit Cost (₹)
Chandigarh–Shimla–Chandigarh Bus₹300 – ₹360
Shimla Local Lift/Bus₹100 – ₹150
Stay (1 Night Dorm/Guesthouse)₹300 – ₹500
Khana (2 Din)₹400 – ₹500
Jakhoo Ropeway (Optional)₹100
Kufri Bus (Optional)₹60 – ₹100
Miscellaneous (Extra)₹100 – ₹150
Total Estimated Budget₹1300 – ₹1800
Agar aap Kufri skip karte hain aur paidal ghoomte hain, toh yeh trip ₹1000–₹1200 mein bhi ho sakta hai.
🎒 Packing List (Chandigarh se Shimla)
Light jacket ya hoodie (Raat ko thand hoti hai).
Comfortable walking shoes (Mall Road aur Jakhoo ke liye).
Water bottle aur Power bank.
Cash (Chhote dhabe UPI lete hain, par cash safe rehta hai).
Original ID proof.
Snow season (Dec-Feb) mein gloves, cap aur thermal inners.
📌 10 Zaroori Tips (Paisa aur Time Bachane Ke Liye)
HRTC bus app se advance mein ticket book karein, taaki seat confirmed rahe.
Ek taraf Train aur ek taraf Bus se travel karein, isse paise bhi bachenge aur experience bhi milega.
Car se jaa rahe hain to gaadi Lift ke paas park karein.
Peak season nahi hai toh hotel pre-book mat karein. Walk-in bargain karne se 30–40% sasta padega.
Jakhoo Temple mein khane-peene ka saman haath mein mat rakhein, bandar chheen lete hain.
Mall Road par paidal jane ke liye Lift ka use karein.
Monsoon mein barish ki wajah se landslides hote hain, travel avoid karein.
Weekdays par travel karna hamesha sasta aur peaceful hota hai.
Golden Hour Photography: Ridge se sunset aur Jakhoo se city view zaroor capture karein.
Local logon se raaste aur bus timings puchte rahein, woh bahut helpful hote hain.
📸 Top Instagram-Ready Spots in Shimla
The Ridge par Christ Church ke saamne.
Mall Road ke heritage wooden benches.
Jakhoo Temple mein Hanuman murti aur City View.
Kufri ke lush green slopes.
Toy train ki window se valley ka view.
Conclusion
Chandigarh walon ke liye Shimla sabse aasaan aur sasta hill station hai. Sirf 3–4 ghante ki bus ride, aur aap Mall Road ki thandak mein honge. ₹1500 ke andar poora weekend trip, yeh koi badi planning nahi maangta. Bas HRTC bus pakdo, budget stay lo, aur Shimla ke purane charm ka maza lo.
Aapne kabhi Chandigarh se Shimla trip ki hai? Ya aapka koi sawaal hai? Neeche comment karke zaroor batayein, main jawab dunga. Happy Travelling! 🏔️🚌
