Chennai to Shimla
Distance, road route, travel options and tentative fare estimates by car, bus and train from Chennai, Tamil Nadu to Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
Approx Distance: 2638 km
Approx Duration: 58.6 hrs
Route overview
Chennai to Shimla is about 2638 km by road, roughly 58.6 hours of travel time.
By car: Chennai to Shimla
About 53h of driving split over 6 days, plus stops.
- Start from Chennai. Leave early (5–6 AM) and avoid driving on highways after dark.
- 150 km (about 3h of driving) — Rest stop around km 150. Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
- 150 km (about 3h of driving) — Rest stop around km 300. Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
- 140 km (about 2h 48m of driving) — Overnight halt around km 440. Stop for the night in a town along the highway with hotels.
- 150 km (about 3h of driving) — Rest stop around km 590. Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
- 150 km (about 3h of driving) — Rest stop around km 740. Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
- 140 km (about 2h 48m of driving) — Overnight halt around km 879. Stop for the night in a town along the highway with hotels.
- 150 km (about 3h of driving) — Rest stop around km 1029. Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
- 150 km (about 3h of driving) — Rest stop around km 1179. Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
- 140 km (about 2h 48m of driving) — Overnight halt around km 1319. Stop for the night in a town along the highway with hotels.
- 150 km (about 3h of driving) — Rest stop around km 1469. Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
- 150 km (about 3h of driving) — Rest stop around km 1619. Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
- 140 km (about 2h 48m of driving) — Overnight halt around km 1759. Stop for the night in a town along the highway with hotels.
- 150 km (about 3h of driving) — Rest stop around km 1909. Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
- 150 km (about 3h of driving) — Rest stop around km 2059. Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
- 140 km (about 2h 48m of driving) — Overnight halt around km 2198. Stop for the night in a town along the highway with hotels.
- 150 km (about 3h of driving) — Rest stop around km 2348. Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
- 150 km (about 3h of driving) — Rest stop around km 2498. Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
- 140 km (about 2h 48m of driving) — Arrive in Shimla
By bus: Chennai to Shimla
3 bus rides with 2 changes. Operators and departure times vary — check live availability before you travel.
- Board at Chennai. Go to the main bus stand / ISBT in Chennai. Overnight buses usually leave in the evening; book a seat in advance for sleeper and Volvo services.
- Chennai → change point 1. AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~879 km Takes about 19h 32m. Tentative fare ₹970–₹2,510.
- Change buses at a major city (around km 879). Get down at the bus stand of a large city on the highway and take the next bus towards Shimla. If your connection is not until the next day, stay the night there.
- change point 1 → change point 2. AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~879 km Takes about 19h 32m. Tentative fare ₹970–₹2,510.
- Change buses at a major city (around km 1759). Get down at the bus stand of a large city on the highway and take the next bus towards Shimla. If your connection is not until the next day, stay the night there.
- change point 2 → Shimla. AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~879 km Takes about 19h 32m. Tentative fare ₹970–₹2,510.
- Arrive in Shimla
By train: Chennai to Shimla
The nearest railway stations are Chennai Central for Chennai and Shimla for Shimla. There is no direct train between them in our timetable data; most travellers change trains at a major junction. Options with a change:
- With two changes, 60h 15m in total: Tamil Nadu Express (12621) 10:00 PM Chennai Central to 07:00 AM New Delhi, then New Delhi-Kalka Shatabdi (12005) 05:15 PM New Delhi to 09:20 PM Kalka, then Shivalik Deluxe Express (52451) 05:30 AM Kalka to 10:15 AM Shimla — change at New Delhi (about 10h 15m wait) and Kalka (about 8h 10m wait)
- With two changes, 60h 15m in total: Tamil Nadu Express (12621) 10:00 PM Chennai Central to 07:00 AM New Delhi, then Kalka Shatabdi Express (12011) 07:40 AM New Delhi to 11:45 AM Kalka, then Shivalik Deluxe Express (52451) 05:30 AM Kalka to 10:15 AM Shimla — change at New Delhi (about 40m wait) and Kalka (about 17h 45m wait)
Train details come from a 2015 railway timetable snapshot — newer trains, changed timings and running days are not included, so confirm on IRCTC before you plan around a train.
Tentative fare estimate
Approximate fares for about 2638 km, estimated from typical Indian per-km tariffs — not a live quote from any operator.
- Car / Taxi: Hatchback ₹29,120 · Sedan ₹34,390 · SUV ₹45,000 · Innova / MUV ₹50,320 · Tempo Traveller ₹58,340
- Bus: Non-AC Seater ₹2,900 · AC Seater ₹4,750 · Non-AC Sleeper ₹4,220 · AC Sleeper ₹6,070 · Volvo / Multi-Axle ₹7,440
- Train: Sleeper ₹1,610 · Economy ₹2,670 · Third AC ₹3,720 · Second AC ₹5,310 · First AC ₹7,420
Tentative estimates only — actual fares vary by operator, season, class and how early you book.
Other routes
More routes from Chennai
- Chennai to Mahabalipuram
- Chennai to Kanchipuram
- Chennai to Tirupati
- Chennai to Vellore
- Chennai to Auroville
- Chennai to Puducherry
- Chennai to Tiruvannamalai
- Chennai to Yelagiri
- Chennai to Chidambaram
- Chennai to Kumbakonam
More routes to Shimla
- Solan to Shimla
- Bilaspur to Shimla
- Panchkula to Shimla
- Chandigarh to Shimla
- Mohali to Shimla
- Rupnagar to Shimla
- Mandi to Shimla
- Ambala to Shimla
- Una to Shimla
- Kullu to Shimla
Routes from Shimla
- Shimla to Chennai
- Shimla to Kasauli
- Shimla to Chandigarh
- Shimla to Tirthan Valley
- Shimla to Anandpur Sahib
- Shimla to Auli
- Shimla to Kullu
- Shimla to Kasol
- Shimla to Sangla
- Shimla to Mussoorie