Have you ever wondered about taking a road trip to the Himalayas? Travelling from Delhi to Shimla and Manali presents an interesting blend of busy towns, beautiful hill resorts and huge mountain ranges. This Delhi to Shimla and Manali Road trip guide explains how to use the popular passage in detail by giving you a distance guide, an estimate of the time needed to travel through it as well as the suggested way, which will help you to explore in a way that promises to be both enjoyable and time-saving. So be prepared for zigzagging paths, spectacular views, and unforgettable experiences.
Best Time for a Road Trip to Shimla
The Himalayas are a very charming place for people like you, who like road trips. Shimla, the “Queens of Hills”, is a great location. The Best time to visit Shimla Manali is summer months from March to June for a summer vacation. The weather is nice and warm during the day and cool at night. In this spring season, it would be ideal for you in case you are a fan of nature and love to drive. The whole valley gets filled up with beautiful flowers and greenery which appears full of life. Additionally, during this period there are fewest visitors making this place very calm and peaceful. So, get ready, roll down the car windows or book the bus ticket and breathe the fresh mountain air. A Shimla trip in spring will be an amazing journey you will always remember because it has many fun things to do.
Best Route Options to Reach Shimla from Delhi by Road
If you are the one, who wants to go to Shimla from Delhi, you have the option of selecting among different picturesque tracks with impressive scenery and unforgettable memories. Shimla Manali tour by bus or car guarantees to be an adventure full of beauty and excitement. If you are looking for a road trip, here is a summary of all road trip options available for you from Delhi to Shimla.
Reach Shimla by Bus
When it comes to comfortable and stress-free travel, buses from Delhi to Shimla are convenient options for you. Buses would be the preferred option in terms of cost with prices starting as low as Rs. 600 per passenger. This bus trip generally lasts for about 8-10 hours covering around 342 km. Because of the professional bus drivers, you do not need to navigate the ways yourself. You can just enjoy the beauty of the natural scenery while sitting or sleeping comfortably in your seat
All types of buses are available including AC and Non-AC Volvo, AC and Non-AC Deluxe as well as ordinary buses are available. In the list of buses, Government controlled buses are also available including Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) and Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC). It would be better for you to take government buses because they are more reliable and do not cancel the ride suddenly
Reach Shimla by Car
If you value freedom and flexibility on your journey, a car is the best option. This allows you to stop and start whenever you want throughout the trip, whether you use your own vehicle or a rental. Delhi to Shimla distance by car is the same as by bus around 340 km, which you can cover in an average of 9-10 hours. Throughout the road trip, you can explore various places from Panipat and Chandigarh to Kasauli along with some most famous restaurants and dhabas such as Amrik Sukhdev, Pooran Singh Dhaba and others as well.
Route Option 1: Via NH 44 and NH 5
- The best and most effective car route from Delhi to Shimla is via NH 44 and NH 5.
- It takes about 7 hours and 20 minutes to complete the average 343 km route.
- This route offers a combination of urban and rural scenery as it passes through the villages of Punjab and Haryana such as Kalka, Chandigarh and Solan.
- You will find the roads to be in decent condition and the traffic to be under control almost all the time.
Route Option 2: Via Yamunanagar Route
- If you are considering travelling to Shimla via the Yamunanagar road, it will take you a bit longer time to reach the destination but it will not compensate for the picturesque drive.
- This journey can be completed in 10 to 11 hours, covering about 350 km.
- If you are choosing this path you can take in the scenic view of Yamuna River and its flourishing surroundings.
- You can also enjoy a jungle safari in Kalesar National Park located near Yamuna Nagar and in Chail Sanctuary
You can choose among these routes as per your preference, stopovers and convenience. Each route has its own unique experience, where you can enjoy the journey as much as the destination itself.
Destinations You should not miss out while driving from Shimla to Manali
Planning a Road Trip from Shimla to Manali? If you have time and want to explore further after reaching Shimla, Manali would be the best option for you. After staying for 3 days in Shimla you can start your trips to Manali. This is also a must-do road trip for enthusiasts like you! Starting from Shimla, take a first stop at Bhararighat and have light snacks. The next stop will be in Bilaspur where you can explore Govind Sagar Lake. The Shimla To Manali road trip will further pass through Sundar Nagar, Mandi, Bhuntar and Kullu. Kullu to Manali distance is 40 km approx and takes 1 hour to reach. If you are looking for a peaceful stay away from costly hotels in Manali, Kullu is the best destination with luxury resorts and hotels.
How Far is it From Shimla to Manali?
If you take an average, the Shimla to Manali distance is around 230 to 250 km. Mainly there are two routes that you can take to reach the destination and each route offers a different experience, distance and travelling time.
- Via NH3: This is the fastest route and preferred by most other travellers, this route is around 232 km journey with an approximately 6 to 7 hours travel time
- Via Narkanda: If you add 70 more kilometres to the journey via NH3 this will be your total distance from Shimla to Manali via Narkanda which is around 302 km. But it will not appear that far because of the beautiful nature all along the way.
How Much Time Does it Take to Reach From Shimla to Manali Via Best Route?
The time it takes to reach from Shimla to Manali depends on a few factors:
- Traffic: In case you are travelling during the peak season, chances are that you will get caught in traffic because mountain highways get busy, particularly around popular tourist spots.
- Driving Speed: It is to be suggested that you should not drive faster in these hilly areas, you should always stick to the speed limit and enjoy the winding roads and natural scenery.
- Comfort Breaks: Taking some regular breaks to stretch your legs or to have some refreshment and to click some candid pictures can also increase your time to reach Manali.
So if I assume a smooth ride with moderate traffic and necessary breaks, the best route (NH3) can be covered in 6 to 8 hours.
FAQs:
How to Get to Manali and Shimla from Delhi?
You can travel through any means of transportation, by bus, cab, private vehicles, trains, and flights. There are regular bus services from Delhi to both Manali and Shimla. The bus journey takes around 10-12 hours to Manali and 6-7 hours to Shimla.
If you are hiring a private car for the journey, it will cost you around ₹8,000-₹9,000 from Delhi to Manali and to Shimla for around ₹7,000-₹8,000 per day. Book The Shimla Manali Volvo tour package from Delhi.
But if you are driving your own car, from Delhi to Manali your journey will be of 537 km and to Shimla is around 343 km which will take 10-12 hours and 6-7 hours respectively.
Is it easy to drive to Shimla from Delhi?
Yes, going from Delhi to Shimla by car is generally seen as easy and simple. On good roads, it takes about 6-7 hours to cover this distance. However, you should take care while driving because this area is mountainous and you will face traffic and landslides during bad weather.
How much does it cost for Delhi to Shimla by car?
As mentioned in the previous answer it will cost you around ₹3,000-₹4,000 if you are hiring a private car. But if you go by your own car then calculate the cost as per mileage and fuel rate at that time.
How far is Shimla from Manali by car?
By road, the distance from Manali to Shimla is 248 km which can be covered in 6 to 8 hours.
What is the best time to visit Shimla Manali?
As per personal experience, the summer months from March to June is the best time to visit Shimla Manali because the Weather is mostly pleasant during these months. But if you want to see snowfall then you should go during the winter months from December to February.