Shimla Toy Train
The toy train to Shimla.
A narrow-gauge railway climbs from the plains at Kalka to the old summer capital, Shimla, through 102 tunnels and across 988 bridges and viaducts. This guide explains what the ride is like, which train to choose, how to book a seat from outside India, and what to do when the weather closes the line.
- 96 km (60 miles) of narrow-gauge track
- 4½–6 hours Kalka to Shimla, depending on the train
- UNESCO World Heritage since 2008
- Checked 6 Nov 2026
What is the Shimla toy train, and how do you ride it?
The Shimla “toy train” is the Kalka–Shimla Railway, a 96 km (60 mile) narrow-gauge line, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. It climbs from Kalka (656 m) to Shimla (2,075 m) through 102 tunnels in about 4½ to 6 hours. Book seats on IRCTC; landslides can suspend it in the monsoon. We arrange a private car to meet you in Shimla.
Talk to a real person: our team in Himachal answers 9 am–9 pm IST (UTC+5:30), usually within 2 hours. Message us on WhatsApp +91 70874 88961 or email info@suzutravels.com.
The Kalka–Shimla Railway in numbers
Every figure here comes from UNESCO and its advisory body ICOMOS (2008), not from guidebooks — you will see other numbers online, such as 103 tunnels or 864 bridges.
| What | Figure | Why it matters to you |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 96.6 km (60 miles), single track | A slow, full-day ride rather than a transfer |
| Gauge | 0.762 m (2 ft 6 in) narrow gauge | Small coaches — the reason for the name “toy train” |
| Climb | Kalka 656 m (2,152 ft) → Shimla 2,075 m (6,808 ft) | Expect it to be noticeably cooler in Shimla |
| Tunnels | 102 today (107 originally; some lost to landslides) | The longest, no. 33 at Barog, is just over 1 km (0.6 mi) |
| Bridges and curves | 988 bridges and viaducts; 917 curves, about 70% of the line | Sit by a window — the views change at every bend |
| History | Built 1899–1903; opened to the public on 9 November 1903 | UNESCO added it in 2008 to the “Mountain Railways of India”, with the Darjeeling and Nilgiri lines |
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre list 944 and 2008 inscription news; ICOMOS evaluation of the Kalka Shimla Railway (2008); District Shimla, Government of Himachal Pradesh.
Which toy train should you take?
District Shimla lists several trains a day in each direction. Their names, numbers and timings change from season to season, so check the current list on IRCTC — but these are the types you will see:
Vistadome
Coaches with a glass roof and large windows for an all-round view. The pick for most first-time visitors who come for the scenery.
Rail Motor
A small heritage railcar. District Shimla gives the journey as about 4 hours 20 minutes, among the quicker options.
Himalayan Queen
A regular named train; District Shimla gives about 5½ hours from Kalka to Shimla.
Mail and Shivalik Express
Other daily services. The Shivalik Express is listed with one halt, at Barog.
Steam?
UNESCO noted in 2008 that a restored steam locomotive could be chartered. We cannot confirm current steam runs, so please don’t plan a trip around one.
Which way?
You can ride uphill, Kalka to Shimla, and continue by car into the hills — or ride down at the end of a Himachal trip. Either way our car carries your bags by road.
How to book the toy train from outside India
You book Indian train seats yourself on IRCTC, the Indian Railways booking site. Foreign passport holders have their own quota:
- Look for Foreign Tourist (FT) quotaIRCTC’s Foreign Tourist quota lets foreign passport holders book online up to 365 days ahead, paying 1.5 times the normal fare with an international debit or credit card. It is not confirmed that FT seats are offered on these narrow-gauge trains — check your train.
- If there is no FT quota, use the general quotaGeneral bookings open 60 days before the journey (Indian Railways rule since 1 November 2024).
- Carry your original passportFT tickets are checked against the original passport on board.
- Keep a plan BWe cannot book Foreign Tourist quota seats for you — IRCTC allows only the traveller to book them. We help you choose the train and plan the car on either side.
Getting to Kalka — and on from Shimla
Kalka sits at the foot of the hills, close to Chandigarh. By road, Shimla is about 370 km (230 miles) from Delhi and 119 km (74 miles) from Chandigarh; by rail you change to the narrow gauge at Kalka. You can reach Kalka by train from Delhi, or by private car.
Many toy trains leave early, so it is easier to spend the night before near Kalka or in Chandigarh than to travel from Delhi the same morning. Our usual plan: your private car takes you to Kalka, carries your big bags up to Shimla by road while you ride the train, and meets you at the station. From Shimla the same car continues to Manali, Dharamshala or wherever your trip goes next — see the best time to visit Himachal.
Not sure about a whole day on a slow train? Ride one way and drive the other, or take the toy train only for a short stretch — we will suggest the best fit for your dates. Our trains vs flights guide covers the rest of India’s rail network.
Winter snow and monsoon landslides
The line runs all year, but weather matters more here than on most Indian railways:
| Season | What to expect | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Dec – Feb (winter) | Shimla gets snow: IMD normals are about 40 cm (16 in) in each of January and February, with about 4 snow days a month; nights near 0 °C (32 °F) | A beautiful ride, but snow and weather can delay trains. Pack warm layers and keep a buffer day. |
| Mar – Jun and Oct – Nov | Outside the snow months and the monsoon | The easiest time to combine the toy train with Shimla and Manali |
| Jul – Sep (monsoon) | In the monsoon (roughly July–September) landslides have suspended the line for days at a time (for example 31 Aug–6 Sep 2025). We keep a road plan ready. | Book flexibly; your car can always take the road instead |
Status at 6 Nov 2026: after monsoon damage near Bridge No. 57 (Taksal–Gumma), the railway has cancelled or cut short 10 trains until 31 December 2026 — the Kalka end is shut and only a Dharampur–Shimla service runs (The Tribune, 19 Oct 2026). Your car can take you to Dharampur for it, or all the way to Shimla. Train timings, coaches and fares change, and services are sometimes suspended after landslides — check the current timetable on IRCTC / Indian Railways before you travel.
How we fit the toy train into your trip
We are a small company based in Himachal Pradesh, the state the railway climbs into. We plan the toy train as one day of a private trip: the car to Kalka, your luggage by road, the car waiting in Shimla, and a road plan if the line is closed. Your driver’s name, photo and car number are shared with you before the trip.
Toy-train seat booking help is on request. The full Golden Triangle + Himalayas trip has a published price, below.
HP Tourism registered travel agent · Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022 — see our certificates.
Price
The toy train is part of our 12-day Golden Triangle + Himalayas trip. Shorter Shimla trips and toy-train-only days are quoted on request.
| Option | From | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Triangle + Himalayas — 12 days / 11 nights (Delhi · Agra · Jaipur · Shimla · Manali) | from US$1,099 | Per person, two sharing, comfortable 3-star hotels with breakfast, private car and driver; UNESCO toy train to Shimla (seasonal, where running). International flights, monument tickets, most meals and tips not included. |
Prices are per person in US dollars, indicative for the season shown, and confirmed on your quote. Taxes included; international flights excluded.
Booking terms (20% deposit, 48-hour refund window) are stated once, under Plan it with a local.
Questions travellers ask
Is the Shimla toy train worth it?
For most visitors, yes — if you enjoy a slow scenic day. The 96 km line takes about 4½ to 6 hours through 102 tunnels and pine-covered hills. If a long train ride sounds tiring, ride one way and go the other way by car: Shimla is 119 km (74 miles) from Chandigarh by road.
How long does the Kalka to Shimla toy train take?
About 4½ to 6 hours, depending on the train. District Shimla gives around 4 hours 20 minutes for the Rail Motor, about 5½ hours for the Himalayan Queen and up to about 6 hours for other trains. Check current timings on IRCTC.
How do I book the toy train from outside India?
On IRCTC. Foreign passport holders can book Foreign Tourist (FT) quota seats up to 365 days ahead with an international card, at 1.5 times the normal fare, where the train offers FT seats. If yours does not, book the general quota, which opens 60 days ahead. Only you can book FT seats — travel agents cannot.
Which toy train is best for views?
The Vistadome, with its glass roof and large windows, is the usual choice for scenery. The Rail Motor heritage railcar is among the quicker options. Train names and timings change, so check the current list on IRCTC.
Does the toy train run in winter and in snow?
It runs through the winter, and a snowy ride can be beautiful — Shimla averages about 40 cm (16 in) of snow in each of January and February. Snow and weather can delay or stop trains, so keep a buffer day and warm clothes.
Does the toy train run in the monsoon?
Usually, but in the monsoon (roughly July–September) landslides have suspended the line for days at a time — for example from 31 August to 6 September 2025. We keep a road plan ready so your trip continues by car.
How do I get from Delhi to Kalka?
By train from Delhi to Kalka, or by private car. Many toy trains leave early, so we suggest a night near Kalka or in Chandigarh first. Our car can drive you there, carry your bags up to Shimla by road and meet you at Shimla station.
How many tunnels are there on the Kalka–Shimla line?
102. The line was built with 107 tunnels, and landslides have reduced the number since. The longest, tunnel no. 33 at Barog, is just over 1 km long. There are also 988 bridges and viaducts and 917 curves (UNESCO/ICOMOS, 2008).
Want the toy train in your India trip? We'll plan the day around it
Tell us your dates, how many of you and where else you want to go. You get a day-by-day plan — the car to Kalka, which train to book, your bags by road and the car waiting in Shimla — with a US-dollar quote from our office in Himachal.
We usually reply within 2 hours, 9 am–9 pm IST (UTC+5:30). Email info@suzutravels.com if you don’t use WhatsApp.
Booking: A 20% deposit locks your dates and price. Full refund if you cancel within 48 hours of paying. Pay by card (Razorpay, international cards accepted) or PayPal; the balance is due before the trip.
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Keep exploring
Sources
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Mountain Railways of India
- UNESCO — 2008 inscription of the Kalka Shimla Railway
- ICOMOS evaluation — Kalka Shimla Railway (2008)
- District Shimla, Government of Himachal Pradesh — How to reach
- IRCTC — Foreign Tourist quota booking
- The Tribune — Kalka–Shimla train services resume after 5-day disruption (7 Sep 2025)
- The Tribune — Railways extend Kalka–Shimla train cancellations till 31 December (19 Oct 2026)
Written by the Suzu Travels team in Himachal Pradesh, India. Facts checked 6 Nov 2026. Prices, visa rules and road conditions change — we re-check this page regularly; ask us before you book.
