Shimla is a mountain area that will mesmerize you with its alluring and enchanting scenery. Shimla was the summer capital during British rule, present in the Himalayan elevations and up to the present, keeping its ethnic and actual pedigree. Shimla offers a diversity of charm and various activities for tourists, like historical architecture, touring of different places, shopping, and appealing beauty. Everyone can discover anything in Shimla if they are searching for a vacation, a solo trip, or a family trip from Kolkata to Shimla.
Also read: Shimla Kullu Manali Tour
How to reach Shimla from Kolkata?
Himachal Pradesh’s capital, Shimla, is a picturesque mountain town that entices people nationwide. Numerous choices are on hand when planning a trip from Kolkata to Shimla, according to your travel plans, choices, and finances. Here are several approaches to arriving at Shimla:
By Flight
This is the most efficient and feasible mode of travel from Kolkata to Shimla. Nevertheless, it is a more absurd one. You need to book a connecting flight through Dehradun, Delhi, or Chandigarh because there are no direct flights from Kolkata to Shimla.
According to the stopover duration and intended airport, the flight period could range between 4 and 10 hours. You could catch a cab or bus from Chandigarh to Shimla or Dehradun to Shimla, which could take 3 to 5 hours. You might travel to Shimla from Delhi for a duration of 8 – 10 hours via rail or bus. A standard round-trip airfare from Kolkata to Shimla ranges from about INR 15,000 to INR 20,000 per seat.
Also read: How to go to Shimla on a low budget?
By Train
It is the most affordable and environmentally conscious approach for traveling from Kolkata to Shimla. Unfortunately, it is usually a choice that demands a lot of your energy and time. Although there are no scheduled trains from Kolkata to Shimla available, it would help if you initially made your way to Kalka, the railway terminal closest to Shimla.
A 1460 km railway route connects Kolkata to Kalka and continues for approximately 30 hours. You can utilize the widely recognized toy train to Shimla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A single ticket for a toy train is approximately INR 500.
By Bus
It is a more affordable and enjoyable approach for traveling from Kolkata to Shimla. Unfortunately, it demands a lot of patience and is stressful. Although no buses go directly from Kolkata to Shimla, you must catch a bus to Delhi, which requires 24 hours to travel 1500 km.
Yet another bus route travels 350 km and requires approximately 10 hours to be taken from Delhi to Shimla. A bus ticket usually runs between INR 1,500 and INR 2,000 per head. A single ticket from Delhi to Shimla ranges near INR 500.
By Car
If you like to drive and observe new things, this is a practical and enjoyable strategy for traveling to Shimla from Kolkata. Nevertheless, it is both extremely costly and laborious. The approximate cost of the tour is INR 18,000 to INR 27,000.
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It would help to choose a flight from Kolkata to Chandigarh and then book a cab or bus to Shimla. Whether you do not have enough money and can spend a considerable amount of time traveling, you can opt for a train from Kolkata to Kalka, and from there, using a toy train to reach Shimla, you could enjoy the beauty of fascinating mountains.
On the other hand, if you want an adventurous trip, you can take the bus from Kolkata to Delhi and the bus to Shimla. You may choose this way because you have a private car and are comfortable with long driving.
Where to stay in Shimla?
Shimla is a famous tourist spot if anybody needs to relax and enjoy the alluring and enchanting scenery of the Himalayan ranges. You have different accommodation options in Shimla, like resorts, hotels, camps, and homestays. Here are a few details about these choices:
Hotels
A hotel is a fundamental and easy choice for a stay in Shimla. They provide a variety of facilities and services, for example, Wi-Fi, room service, a restaurant, laundry, a spa, a bar, and many more.
In Shimla, a few well-named hotels are Clarkes Hotel, The Oberoi Cecil, and Hotel Kapil, and some other hotels at various locations like the airport, railway terminal, around Mall Road, and the Ridge.
Also read: ITC Royal Bengal, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Kolkata
Resorts
Resorts are the ideal choice if you want to enjoy a luxurious vacation in Shimla. They provide amenities like a jacuzzi, sauna, gym, swimming pool, and rooms from which you can admire the scenery of the Himalayan Ranges. A few ideal resorts are Mahasu House, Wildflower Hall, and The Zion Shimla, situated away from the city in serene areas.
Homestays
If you want to enjoy native people, their culture, foods, lifestyle, and customs, then homestays are the ideal choice. Additionally, you could meet your host family. A few ideal and famous homestays are Vatsalyam Home Stay, The White Haven Homestay, and Aapo Aap Homestay, situated in the rural regions of Shimla away from the city.
Camps
If you want an adventurous trip, choose the camp option. They provide camps with general facilities like pillows, blankets, beds, bonfires, games, music, and barbecues. Generally, camps are present in the fascinating forests and hill areas; a few ideal camps in Shimla are Camp Redwood, Camp Potter’s Hill, and Camp Mashobra Greens.
Also read: 17 Best Places to Visit Near Kolkata
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It would help to opt for the method according to your requirements and desires. Go for a hotel around The Ridge and Mall Road, as you want to experience Shimla’s rush and city life. Opt for a resort with alluring views to experience a comfortable and relaxing vacation.
You may visit a homestay with a native family to observe the native culture, customs, and home-cooked meals. If you want to experience an adventurous vacation, select a camp with basic facilities, a barbecue, and a bonfire.
What to see and do in Shimla?
Shimla has a diversity of tourist attractions and places with adventurous activities for tourists. Here are the following main objectives for visiting Shimla:
Mall Road
In Shimla, Mall Road is the famous main road where you can observe restaurants, cafes, stores, and hotels. You may walk around the street and explore the city’s scenery and hills.
You could explore the famous points of Mall Road, like Town Hall, Scandal Point, Gaiety Theatre, etc. At Mall Road, a few stores might be shut around 10:00 p.m., whereas another store is open 24/7.
Also read: Friendship Peak Trek Itinerary 2024
Ridge
An open area at Mall Road, from where you might see the beauty and well-known architecture and relax with fascinating views.
Also read: Beas Kund Trek.
Kufri
A small, elevated region around Shimla, famous for its elevation, is covered with snow. You could explore Himalayan National Park, Kufri Fun World, and Mahashu Peak.
Naldehra
An area full of natural scenery is situated around Shimla. The most famous tourist points are Naldehra Golf Course, Tatapani Thermal Spring, and Shaily Hill.
Final Analysis
Being a beautiful mountain area, Shimla will mesmerize you with its alluring and enchanting scenery. It is an ideal tourist spot in Kolkata because it has diverse beauty and several activities. You might observe surrounding locations like Kufri, Naldehra, etc., and you may learn about modern and old native cultures and traditions in Shimla.
Stay tuned for more adventure guides from Salam Travellers.
