Fri, Jul 31 2009 | 54 Comments

Kalka Shimla Toy Train

By: Anu

Kalka to Shimla train journey is the one of the most sought after journey in the country. This track is now on the UNESCO’s world heritage rail site. This is one of the oldest hill railway track built by the British in India.

tt While traveling from Delhi, one has to change train at Kalka which is the last broad gauge station on the track leading to Shimla. First train to leave New Delhi station is the Himalayan Queen (Train no. 4095) at 5.50 am. Next is the Shatabadi Express (Train no. 2011 at 7.40 am. The Himalayan Queen reaches Kalka at 11.10 am and the Shatabadi Express at 11.45 am. Both these trains connects to the Kalka Shimla, Himalayan Queen narrow gauge train departing at 12.10 pm.

The Howarh – Kalka Mail (Train no. 2311) departs at 2140 hours from Old Delhi station and reaches Kalka the next morning at 0440 hours. It connects to two morning toy trains and a rail car from Kalka at convenient intervals. Starting point of the trains to Shimla is the same where trains from Delhi arrive at Kalka.

Trains on the Kalka – Shimla route runs slower since it is a hilly track. This is an idyllic journey to be enjoyed and not recommended if one is rushing into the hills. By road one can reach faster to Shimla. Cabs are available at the Kalka railway station and charge Rs. 1200 – 1500 for a drop.

Train reservations for this route can be made at any of computerised PRS counter of the railways or on the internet in advance. For booking online one has to first register on the IRCTC website. Shimla is listed as SIMLA on the IRCTC site. A query for Shimla will lead no result.

Following is a chart of trains on Kalka – Shimla route. FC, CC, 2S means First Class, Chair Car and Second class.

Trains between Kalka to Shimla:

TRAIN NUMBER TRAIN NAME CLASS DEP. KALKA ARR. SHIMLA FARE DAYS OF RUNNING
72451 RAIL MOTOR FC 05.10 AM 09.50 AM 269/- All Days
52457 KLK SML PASS FC 04.00 AM 09.20 AM 211/- All Days
52451 SHIWALIK DLX CC 05.30 AM 10.15 AM 302/- All Days
52453 KLK SML EXP FC 06.00 AM 11.10 AM 250/- All Days
52453 KLK SML EXP 2S 06.00 AM 11.00 AM 70/- All Days
52455 HIMALAYAN QUEEN CC 12.10 PM 05.20 PM 189/- All Days

Trains between Shimla to Kalka:

TRAIN NUMBER TRAIN NAME CLASS DEP. KALKA ARR. SHIMLA FARE DAYS OF RUNNING
52456 HIMALAYAN QUEEN CC 10.30 AM 04.05 PM 189/- All Days
52458 SML KLK PASS FC 02.25 PM 08.10 PM 211/- All Days
72452 RAIL MOTOR CAR FC 04.25 PM 09.40 PM 269/- All Days
52452 SHIWALIK DLX CC 05.40 PM 10.20 PM 302/- All Days
52454 SML KLK EXP FC 06.15 PM 11.15 PM 250/- All Days
52454 SML KLK EXP 2S 06.15 PM 11.15 PM 70/- All Days

 

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and timings directly with the railways before planning your trip. Updated on May 01, 2012

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About Anu

Based in Shimla, this is Anu's first foray as a full time travel writer. A keen traveler, she has been hitting the road along with her footloose other half. In between raising two toddlers she writes stories on this site. Anu also runs a travel company - Travelwayz and car rental Himachal Taxi Service - and can be reached at info@himachaltaxi.com
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  • radha

    please tell me the fare of delhi to shimla……..and i want one room for staying please do something 4 better option n get back to me soon before thursday please

    • Ambika

      Hi Radha
      Thanks for your comments. Train fare from Delhi – Kalka in Shatabdi Express is Rs. 465/ in Chair Car and Kalka – Shimla in the connecting Himalayan Queen will be 167/ for single person. You can book these tickets online too on Indian railways website. http://www.irctc.co.in

      Regarding hotels, do let me know your budget and I can suggest a few hotels.

      • ameya

        hey,
        i am travelling from kalka to shimla, but i havent booked my railway tickets..what are the chances of getting the toy train tickets on the spot..? if not toy train what is the other option..
        please help!

        • http://www.himachaltravelblog.com Anu

          In the summer rush getting tickets on thespot will be very tough. Otherwise you can travel by road to Shimla. Taxis are available from Kalka railway station and a drop to Shimla can cost 1200-1400/ depending on the car. Also the Kalka – Shimla taxi union service offers shared taxis to shimla and charge on per seat basis.

  • ajay

    nice blog….. and nice work of wordpress (great)

  • http://www.himachaltravelblog.com Anu

    Himachal Tourism has started a new VOLVO bus service from Chandigarh and Kalka railway stations to Shimla which connects the morning Himalayan Queen and Shatabdi Express from New Delhi.

    Similarly from Shimla, this VOLVO connects the Mumbai bound Paschim Express from Kalka railway station.

    More details are available here http://www.himachallive.com/hptdc-launches-volvo-…

  • Amit

    i m planning to go from delhi by Kalka Shatabdi, in march.

    You have written that ” the Shatabadi Express at 11.45 am. Both these trains connects to the Kalka Shimla, Himalayan Queen narrow gauge ”

    So if the Kalka Shatabdi is late do the Himalayan Queen waits for its passengers beyond its scheduled time of 12:10

    Thanks

    • Anu

      Normally the Shatabdi is on time. Delay happens at times only in winters because of fog. Chances of fog are rare in March. Normally the Himalayan Queen is delayed till 12.30 in case the Shatabdi is running late. You can plan your journey without any worries!

  • Vijay

    I am planning to visit simla in May 2011. I am not able to do on line advance reservation for train no.52453. I am getting message "Date given outside ARP". From when we can do advance reservation for this train.

    • Anu

      Hi Vijay

      All trains on this track except the Shiwalik Express can only be booked one month in advance. If your date of travel is 30 days from today only then you will be able to book online.

      Shiwalik Express train can be booked 60 days in advance from today

      Thanks

  • Mayank

    Hi Anu,

    We are visiting India in April 2011. We are having trouble as the only website we can book trains on with an international card is cleartrip. However we cannot book the train from Kalka to Shimla (we get the message Could not get current availability. Please try again).

    Do you have any ideas why ?

    Thanks

    • Anu

      Hi Mayank

      Indian trains can be booked 60 days in advance from today. But on Kalka Shimla route except for Shiwalik Express (Train no. 52451) all trains are booked 30 days in advance. You need to wait as bookings for May will start in April.

      Hope this helps!

  • Priyesh

    Hi Anu,

    Please tell me some good hotels in Simala and Manali. Cost around 1200-1600 per day.

  • charles luke

    i have booked tickets for the kalka simla tr no 52453 which startsin the morning at
    6.00
    but i do not have any confirmation of the same and am on waiting list

    if i dont get confirmation – is there a general compartment in which i can board or then again as my train from delhi reaches early in the morning at 4.40 – can i then board the other 2 trains -which start from kalka to simla – on the same ticket

    • Anu

      Hi Charles

      This train has a general compartment and you will have to get your ticket okeyed by the TT to sit in the general compartment. It is the peak tourist time here and getting a seat in the unreserved compartment can be a problem.

      You cannot travel on other two trains with the ticket of train no 52453.

  • Muneer Khaja

    Hi,

    I am planning to have a tour package of Shimla, Manali and Rohtang pass by road in second week of July. Is it risky to visit these places from Delhi by road in the month of July, because of rains and landslides? Please let me know.

    I don't know much about Himachal pradesh weather conditions in July. I surfed and found some information about landslides in Shmila and Manali.

    Thanks

    Muneer Khaja

    • Anu

      Hi Muneer

      July is definitely a rainy season in Himachal. Shimla and Manali are major tourist destinations and there is not much of a landslide problem on highways. It is only when you move above Manali towards Rohtang that landslides happen frequently. More than the landslides, I guess it will be the rains which will be a major factor in your travels. It rains heavily in July here.

  • Pingback: Shimla to Manali distance & how to reach Manali | Himachal Taxi

  • http://www.himachaltaxi.com Anu

    Please check my another post on reaching Manali and distances http://www.himachaltaxi.com/reach-manali-by-train…

  • Pingback: Travel Views! |

  • raj

    hi everybody on the blog! I have a waiting list ticket for all my family members i.e. 04 for train no. 52453, kalka to shimla i.e. kalka-shimla exp. and i do not expect the same to be confirmed by the date of journey i.e. 15-06-2011. I just wanted to know that whether i can travel the same train on a waiting list ticket in the general compartment, or i should get it cancelled( if the same is not confirmed) to get back the refund, and what are the rules of the refund of the same. Can I get it done after I come back to Delhi, or should I do the same in Shimla. itself, also please mention the time duration within which I have to get the same cancelled. Also I want to know that if there is any pantry car in the said train. Also please mention that if there is pantry car maintained in other trains such as shivalik exp., himalayan queen exp., or the rail motor car, on the same route. Thanks, if somebody can give the same enquiry. Thanks a lot.

    • Anu

      Trains on these tracks do not have pantry cars and all food is sourced at Barog Railway station. Regarding refund rules, they remain the same as for other Indian Railway trains which can be accessed here on the Indian Railways site.

  • Pingback: How to travel from Delhi to Shimla by train | Himachal Taxi

  • simon

    please give me an idea about the weather conditions in july and will we enjoy the beauty in this season

    • Anu

      Hi

      Thanks for your comment here. July is monsoon season in Himachal. If you enjoy traveling in the rains, you are welcome :)

  • Pingback: Shimla to Manali distance & how to reach Manali

  • jayanta

    i want to visit simla in Octobor, can you tell me the whether condition in octobor? also want to know the simla to manali transportation.

    • Anu

      Weather will be pleasant in October in Shimla as monsoon is over by then. It will be a little crowdy if you are traveling during the Puja holidays.

      From Shimla to Manali you can take HRTC or HPTDC buses. HPTDC runs a daily deluxe bus from Shimla which leaves at 8.30 am to Manali and can be booked online on HPTDC website. HRTC (state transport) also runs daily service to Manali and you can check the time table online.

      In case you wish to hire a cab, get in touch with Himachal Taxi with your requirement. They can offer cabs for Manali drop or for your entire trip.

  • Dev

    I am planning to go shimla on september. I will go by Howrah kalka mail upto kalka. After that which troy trains are available that time?

  • abhik mandal

    we have a waiting list on 3rd oct 2011 in shivalik express.we have total 17 people in the group.
    what should we do???/

    • Anu

      October 1st week is on to be hectic as Pooja holiday makers will be traveling.. Chances of getting confirmed tickets will be remote

  • shoaib

    hi anu.
    i have got a waitlist ticket for my entire family of 11…on october 30th on HIMALAYAN QUEEN 52455…and that i am on the top of the wait list from wl 5 to wl 15…can you please tell me if there is any chance of getting it confirmed by the time of travel
    and i am reaching kalka by the HIMALAYAN QUEEN 14095 which arrives at 11:10 am..if by chance in any case if that train gets late ,what is the maximum time i can get on the train from kalka to shimla which leaves on 12:10 pm

    • Anu

      Hi Shoaib

      If you have booked the First class, keep your fingers crossed as this being season time there could be some surprises. Normally. the wait list should get cleared.

      The Shimla bound Himalayan Queen only leaves when trains from Delhi arrive. This train connects 2 trains from Delhi, the 14095 Himalayan Queen and the Shatabdi Express which arrives at 11.45 am. This being a tourist ‘toy’ train, local do not travel on the train as it takes longer time to reach Shimla than by road.

  • Shiv

    Can anybody tell about the 2S seating arrangement in KLK-SML xpress toy train which departs at 5:30 am. Is it too much chaotic and journey is not comfortable in 2S class??

    • Anu

      The 2S class has wooden benches. Off course the journey is a little bumpy when compared to the first class.

  • Aniravindran

    We have booked  out tickets to Shimla from Kalka during last week of Dec 11. The train is the 4am train. How are the 1st class in the said Train which is a Shimla Mail. How are the seats in the train. From the hotel to the railway station can we get some auto at 4 am. Lastly what will be the climate there. Can we see the scenery since 4am will be dark. Any chance of getting Motor Rail tickets from conter since only 8 tickets were made available online

    • http://www.himachaltravelblog.com Anu

      First class is in a form of chair car. I have not traveled myself on this particular train but on Shiwalik Express and Himalayan Queen. All these trains have chair cars as first class.

      You can always ask the hotel to arrange an auto/taxi for you to leave for station in the evening itself. Else Kalka sleeps at 4 in the morning. This train reaches Shimla by 09.20 am. So you can see plenty of scenery as you approach Shimla.

      Getting motor car tickets will be a problem as it has only 15 seats. All reservation is done online and there is no extra quota.

      Happy journey..!!

    • Nitin

      Aniravindran … early morning 4am. It is kalka shimla passenger train it is very 3rd class train. I will advise you either to book go 4 Rail motor or Shiwalik Exp. Otherwise go by bus in morning rather than going midnight through that train. 

  • Kingslydurai

    Hi… Am planning for a trip with my family to Shimla in February…. I ve two questions.
    1) Whether to take Kalka mail from Delhi and go for a 6 o clock train from Kalka to Shimla?
    2) Whether to take Himalayan Queen from Delhi and take 12.10 train to Shimla?

    Kalka Mail is not running on time most of the days. And 6 o clock Kalka Shimla Exp leaves before Kalka Mail reaching Kalka….. is Kalka mail reliable?

    Also, which train would be better??? (For Scenic views)
    1) Early morning KALKA SIMLA EXP or
    2) Noon 12 o clock Himalayan Queen??? 

    Please give me your suggestions

    • http://www.himachaltravelblog.com Anu

      Due to fog, Kalka mail is getting delayed. I guess Himalayan Queen will be a good option as the connecting toy train from Kalka reaches Shimla at 5.20 pm. You have entire day to see the hills all along. However the best train on the track is the Shiwalik Express which leaves at 530 am from Kalka. 

      First class in Himalayan Queen is good. You can go for this train

  • Kingslydurai

    Hi…. Needed one more suggestion… I want to book tickets in Kalka-Shimla train which gives the best view…. An open window train…. I dont want to sit inside a closed AC chair car…. Which train and which class tickets should i book?

    • http://www.himachaltravelblog.com Anu

      You dont get open car on this track. You will be traveling in winters and you may freeze with cold if you were to travel in open car :)

      The cabins have big windows and they are not tinted so you get good view. Just google for toy train pics and you will have an idea of the interiors of the toy train.

  • hillstationaddict

    hi anu ……we r planning 2 go to shimla in june…..which train is better shiwalik exp. or himalyan queen …..please rply….!!

    • http://www.himachaltravelblog.com Anu

      Both are good.. See which timings suit you better. If traveling by Himalayan Queen then travel by chair car only. Else Shiwalik Express too is good and they serve breakfast midway, charges to which are included in the fare

  • Kuldeep525

    Please tell me timings of toy train from kalka to shimla

    • http://www.himachaltravelblog.com Anu

      All timings are mentioned in the article :)

  • farhanakhtar

    is there train after 5 pm from kalka to shimla  n what time does it takes to reach shimla n can i book the tickets from mumbai 

    • http://www.himachaltravelblog.com Anu

      No, There is no train at 5 pm.

  • Binu

    hi
      i would like to have a trip to shimla and manali by jan 2013, could u please tell me the best way to return from Manali to Delhi

    • Abc

      You will get the DX or VOLVO buses from Manali (Mall Road) To Delhi. This will take 11 hrs to reach Delhi from Manali.

  • Ksksh100

    hi anu,
            i just want to know whether this Himalyan queen toy train’s CC class (AC chair car) windows are fix or they are openable

  • Dkumarfsi

    I am planning to visit Amritsar from Shimla, how I can go from Shimla

  • Manishmehta

    hello friends…….i will go to shimla tour from 14.5.2012, plz send give me details of good hotels,restourants name which i like to stay and enjoy the trip…….thanks

  • Tushar

    thank you.. the article was very useful

  • hiren

    Hello sir in himalyen qween their is no FC ?
    CC is good in Himalyan qween ?
    in CC did they provide Lunch or sanax ?
     

  • Teenasharma2007

    which train is the best train if one want to enjoy journey between kalka ndshimla

  • Rolisinghchauhan

    i want to go from shimla to kalka this is going to b my first trip to the place i think Himalayan queen suits my requirement as i have kids along r the chairs comfortable and secondly do they have a pantry is it AC compartment.what will b the taxi rates from kalka to shimla railway station

    • http://www.himachaltravelblog.com Anu

      There is no pantry car in the train nor are these AC compartments. Train stops at Barog station for refreshments. Kalka to Shimla by taxi will be around 1600 in Indica and 2500 in Innova.

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