Dharamshala to Shimla by road
| Distance | Driving time | Route |
|---|---|---|
| About 235 km | 7 hours | via Kangra, Hamirpur and Bilaspur |
Going the other way, we leave the Kangra valley through Kangra town, cross the low hills of Hamirpur and come down to the Sutlej at Bilaspur before the long climb up to Shimla. An early start lets you visit Chamunda or Brajeshwari Devi on your way out. We aim to reach Shimla by late afternoon, before the town traffic builds.
Hamirpur is the natural lunch halt on this run, and Ghumarwin has quick tea stops. If you have half a day spare, a detour to the Baba Balak Nath cave temple at Deotsidh fits between Hamirpur and Bilaspur. Shimla hotels on the Mall need a short walk from the drop point, so keep a small day bag handy.
Pickup in Dharamshala
We pick up from Gaggal (Kangra) airport, Dharamshala bus stand, McLeodganj or your hotel; pickups in Kangra town add about 30 minutes.
Arriving in Shimla
Vehicles are not allowed on the Mall Road, so we drop you at your hotel or the Cart Road lift up to the Ridge. Worth your time in Shimla: the Ridge and Mall Road, Jakhu temple, Kufri and the Viceregal Lodge (IIAS). See our Shimla page for more.
What a Dharamshala to Shimla trip costs
A return trip covers about 470 km. Both ends are in Himachal, so our daily rental applies: ₹9,500 a day with up to 250 km. That fits in 2 days, about ₹19,000 with the driver, plus tolls.