Kalka shimla toy train booking

Kalka Shimla toy train booking

Kalka Shimla Vistadome Coach

Nestled amidst the majestic Himalayas, the train journey from Kalka to Shimla on the iconic toy train offers panoramic views that captivate the heart and soul of every traveler. Rightly named ‘Queen of Hills’, Shimla’s splendor is best witnessed through this slow-paced, serene train journey.

A World Heritage Journey

The Kalka-Shimla toy train, now recognized under UNESCO’s World Heritage list, stands tall with its global recognition, ranking fourth on the list. Throughout its journey, one is treated to a mesmerizing tapestry of pine-covered hilltops, diverse flora and fauna, and glimpses of the hill station’s rich legacy.

The Journey and its Significance

Spanning approximately 96 km, the journey from Kalka to Shimla takes about 5-6 hours. This narrow-gauge track is punctuated by 103 tunnels, with each tunnel weaving its own tale. The longest among these, the Barog tunnel, offers a thrilling 3-minute ride to its other end. Alongside tunnels, the artful humped bridges and key passenger points like Dharampur, Solan, Kandaghat, Taradevi, Summer Hill, and finally Shimla, add to the charm of this unforgettable journey.

Booking Your Ride on the Kalka Shimla Toy Train

Unlike standard train bookings that open two months in advance, reservations for the Kalka Shimla toy train are available only one month prior. An exception to this is the Shivalik Deluxe train, which accepts bookings three months in advance.

Given the high influx of tourists, especially during festive seasons like Dussehra, Christmas, and New Year, it’s advisable to secure your bookings early. Fortunately, with the digital era, booking has been made seamless through online platforms like IRCTC and its affiliate websites.

Pro Tip: Ensure you select Kalka (KLK) as the source station and Simla (SML) as the destination during your booking process.

For those seeking a travel package in Himachal Pradesh, Sunrise Holidays Shimla provides assistance in booking tickets for the Kalka Shimla Toy Train, alongside offering stay options in their hotels in Shimla and Manali.

Why Opt for the Toy Train?

While the journey is longer compared to other modes of transport, the Kalka Shimla toy train offers a unique experience. The serene ride amidst lush green landscapes, dense pine and deodar forests, is an unparalleled sightseeing adventure.

Train Timetable

For the convenience of travelers, the train timetable for various trains plying between Shimla and Kalka is provided below. Choose a time slot that best suits your itinerary and enjoy a hassle-free booking experience.

Note:

The transparent roof Vistadome coach is attached to Kalka Shimla Express train ( 52453/52454)
Kalka Shimla Special is the newest and most expensive train on this toy train Route

Kalka to Shimla train timings / timetable

Train Number	Name	From	Departure	To	Arrival
52455	Himalayan Queen	Kalka	12:10	Shimla	17:20
52457	KLK SML Pass	Kalka	03:30	Shimla	08:55
52459	KLK SML Special	Kalka	05:10	Shimla	09:50
52451	Shivalik Deluxe	Kalka	05:45	Shimla	10:35
52453	KLK SML express	Kalka	06:20	Shimla	11:35
52459	Him Darshan Express	Kalka	07:00	Shimla	12:55

Kalka Shimla holiday special trains run in the peak tourist season only

Train Number	Name	From	Departure	To	Arrival
02451	Kalka Shimla Special	Kalka	07:00	Shimla	12:10
02453	Kalka Holiday Special	Kalka	12:45	Shimla	06:10

Shimla to Kalka train timings / timetable

Train Number	Name	From	Departure	To	Arrival
52456	Himalayan Queen	Shimla	10:40	Kalka	16:10
52458	SML KLK Pass	Shimla	14:20	Kalka	20:10
52460	SML KLK Special	Shimla	17:25	Kalka	22:05
52452	Shivalik Deluxe	Shimla	17:50	Kalka	22:45
52454	SML KLK express	Shimla	18:30	Kalka	23:30
52460	Him Darshan Express	Shimla	03:50	Kalka	09:15

Shimla Kalka Holiday Special trains: these run in the peak tourist season only

Train Number	Name	From	Departure	To	Arrival
02452	Kalka Shimla Spl	Shimla	15:50	Kalka	21:10
02454	Kalka Holiday Spl	Shimla	09:25	Kalka	15:20

Kalka to Shimla Taxi fare

There is taxi union at Kalka Railway station. From here taxis are available for all Himachal and Shimla in particular. Kalka railway station being the nearest broad gauge station for Shimla, a number of tourists takes taxi for onward journey for Shimla. The Kalka Shimla taxi charges are fixed by the taxi union from time to time and all taxi operators adhere to this. All types of Vehicles including Tata Indica, Tata Indigo, Tata Sumo, Tavera, Innova, Force Traveller are available from the Kalka Taxi union. The taxi service is available 24 hours and the driver will be friendly.

Kalka to Shimla travel time by taxi

The kaka to Shimla distance is 85 Kilometers and travel time by taxi is 2.5 to 3 hours. The terrain is hill but the road being national highway is good. There are a number of food joints along the highway. Enjoy food along with panoramic views of mountains and valley

Kalka to Shimla Taxi fare

The prevailing Kalka to Shimla taxi fare is as follows

S. No.	Taxi type	Chandigarh Shimla taxi fare / charges
1	Tata Indica	1900
2	Dzire/Etios	2500
3	Innova/Tevera	3500
4	Tempo Traveler	5500

Kalka to Shimla Taxi booking

If you want to make advance bookings and make sure the vehicle is there to pick up when you arrive at Kalka railway station you can call Deepak Sharma at 09728308933 or 09992500909. He is based in Kalka itself.

Kalka to Shimla distance

Kalka is the last broad gauge station on Delhi Chandigarh Kalka Section of the Indian Railways. Being the nearest broad gauge rail head for Shimla Kalka serves as an important transit station for tourists heading towards Shimla.

Kalka is the last city in Haryana bordering Himachal Pradesh. Next to Kalka is the entry point of Himachal Pradesh. Hill area starts as soon as one enters Himachal Pradesh.

Kalka to Shimla Distance.

The Kalka to Shimla distance is 90 kilometers by road and 96 kilometers by the Kalka Shimla toy train. The Kalka Shimla distance can be covered in three hours by road and about five and a half hours by the Kalka Shimla toy train. The Kalka Shimla road is a two lane national highway; the whole terrain is hilly having beautiful views of the mountains and the valley. There are a number of eating and refreshment joints all along the highway. The Kalka Shimla distance is less as compared to the time taken to travel, this mainly due to hill terrain.

Kalka Shimla Travel tips

As all buses come from Chandigarh there are fewer chances to get proper seat from Kalka. It is advised to get down from train at Chandigarh railway station itself and take bus to Shimla from Chandigarh ISBT itself.

The other option is to take taxi from the Kalka Taxi union which is located on the Kalka railway station.Most tourists prefer to travel by taxi and all type of vehicles like Maruti Dzire, Etios, Tata Indica, Tavera, and Toyota Innova vehicles are easily available.

If you are coming by own car, make sure that you have checked for proper paring place at your hotel in Shimla as there are parking problems in Shimla which aggravates during the tourist season.

Kalka to Shimla by bus

Kalka is the last broad gauge station on Delhi Chandigarh Kalka Section. Being the nearest broad gauge rail head for Shimla Kalka serves as an important transit station for tourists heading towards Shimla. Shimla is 90 kilometers from Kalka railway station.

There are three options to go to Shimla from Kalka station. Narrow Gauge Kalka to Shimla train, buses and by taxis. There is no air connectivity between Kalka and Shimla.

Kalka railway station to Kalka bus stand

The Kalka bus stand is about half a kilometer from the Kalka railway station. Auto Rickshaws are easily available from either side and the travel time is just five minutes.

Kalka Shimla by Bus

Kalka lies on the national highway between Chandigarh and Shimla. All buses that go to Shimla from Kalka come from Chandigarh 30 kilometers before Kalka. Chandigarh bus stand is the major originating / change over bus stand for tourist travelling towards Shimla. There is 24 hours bus service from Chandigarh to Shimla, but frequency is less in the odd hours. All types of buses including deluxe and Volvo buses are available from Chandigarh. As this is an interstate route there is Kalka to Shimla government bus service only. Government buses are available every half an hour. Himachal Roadways HRTC, Punjab Roadways, CTU, Haryana roadways buses ply on this route

As buses start from Chandigarh most of the seats get filled from Chandigarh itself so there is less chances of getting proper seats in buses from Kalka.

Kalka to Shimla bus fare

The Kalka to Shimla bus fare by ordinary bus is Rs 170 and by deluxe bus it is Rs 350

Kalka to Shimla bus timing

Buses from Kalka to Shimla ordinary / deluxe / Volvo buses are available every half an hour

Kalka to Shimla Distance by bus

The Kalka to Shimla distance by road is ninety kilometers and Kalka Shimla travel time is more than three hours by bus. As the terrain is hilly the travel time is more. From Kalka to Shimla there are so many buses by HRTC or Punjab roadways, Haryana roadways.

Kalka Shimla travel tip

The other option is to take taxi from the Kalka Taxi union which is located on the Kalka railway station.

Tag: Kalka to Shimla