Travel Facilities at Shimla
¤Tourist Information offices
Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation
The Mall.
Open 1000-1800
Victory Tunnel
Cart Road.
Open 1000-1700
¤ Transport
Inter-City
Air :- The nearest airport is at Jubbarhatti, 23km south of
Shimla. Indian Airlines runs flights to Shimla thrice a week.
Bus :- Shimla is located on National Highway No. 22. Though
the big bus station on Cart Road looks disorganized, there is one
private computer-booking booth where the personnel speak English.
There are several buses to places around Shimla. Buses to Narkanda,
and Paonta Sahib are very frequent.
There are buses to more distant places like Manali, Dharamsala,
Bilaspur/Mandi, Dalhousie, Kullu and Chamba. Buses run regularly to
Delhi, Chandigarh and Dehra Dun.
HPTDC offers all travel informations regarding the travel during the
tourist season. Transport facilities to Manali, Dharamsala, and Delhi
via Chandigarh are easily available from Shimla. It also promises
deluxe buses for the two-day trip to Kaza, the capital of Lahaul and
Spiti, but these buses only leave when there are enough passengers.
Tickets for HPTDC buses are available at the tourist office at Scandal
Corner.
Taxi :- Taxis are available for trips to places nearby but it
can be expensive. You can easily get to Naldehra, Fagu, Chandigarh,
Kalka, Rampur, Manali, Kullu, Dharamsala, Rekong Peo/Kalpa, Dehra Dun
and Delhi by cab.
Train :- The railway reservation office at the station can get
you passage on the Shimla to Kalka railway and for other trips in
northern India. Tel: 3201, open 1000-1700 (Mon-Sat) and 1000-1400
(Sun).
¤ The Rail Car
The most luxurious way to travel to Shimla is by the Rail Car which is
like a limo on rails. A single coach train with about 14-18 seats, it
has a glass roof through which you can look at the birds and skies.
The Rail Car was introduced in 1924 and was meant exclusively for
British officers and their families. The car breaks journey only once
– at Barog. There used to be about eight such cars but only four
remain now.
You can book the whole car for parties and picnics and can have it
stopped at places of your choice. Only this could make your journey
much longer than the usual four hours. Don’t miss the hot tea and
samosas (fried dumplings with spicy potato filling) at the little
stations on the way.
¤ Trains between Delhi and Kalka
Himalayan Queen
Kalka Mail (old Delhi Railway Station)
Shatabdi Express
¤ Intra-City
Taxi prices in Shimla are impossible to bargain down. There are three
taxi agencies – the Kalka-Shimla Taxi Union on Cart Road, the
Pre-Paid Taxi Service, which can be booked at the HPTDC office at
Scandal Corner, and the Vishal Himachal Taxi Operators’ Union at
the base of the lift on Cart Road
¤ Accommodation
 Accommodation
in Shimla can be expensive, particularly during peak season. But
prices drop substantially in the off season.
¤ Budget Hotels
Near the railway station
Hotel Prakash
Hotel Classic
Hotel Dalziel
¤ Around Lakkar Bazaar
Hotel Chanakya
Hotel Diplomat
Hotel White
Hotel Dreamland
Hotel Auckland
¤ Around Lower End of The Eastern Mall
Hotel Bridge View
Doegar Hotel
Hotel Samrat
Hotel Crystal Palace
¤ Near Bottom End of The Eastern Mall
Hotel Shingar
Hotel Sangeet
¤ Luxury Hotels
Oberoi Cecil Chaura Maidan.
Oberoi Clarkes
Near Lift.
Woodville Palace Resort (Heritage)
Raj Bhawan Road.
Springfields (Quality Inn)
Chhota Shimla
Chapslee House (Heritage)
Lakkar Bazaar.
(6 suites only, so reserve in advance)
Holiday Home (Himachal Tourism)
Near Lift.
212890
Asia The Dawn
Tara Devi.
Eastbourne
Khillini (5km from bus stand)
Harsha
The Mall
Mehman
Above Christ Church.
¤ Banks & Money Exchange
The rates of exchange and charges vary, so check out a few place
before you do business.
Indian Overseas Bank
ANZ Grindlays Bank
¤ Hospital & Medical Facilities
Many STD phone booths also stock a range of medical supplies. The
hospitals are:
Kamala Nehru Hospital
Snowden Hospital
¤ Post & Telecommunications
The head GPO is near Scandal Point will take care of all your postal
needs. (Open 1000-1600hrs except on Sunday).
Shimla is chockful of STD and ISD booths.
|
