The best hill stations near Delhi are Mussoorie, Nainital, Shimla, Chail, Kasauli, Lansdowne and Auli. Most sit 250 to 350 km from the capital, which means a six to eight hour drive or a train plus a short cab ride. Auli is farther, at roughly 500 km, but is the pick for snow.
When the Delhi heat or the winter smog gets too much, the hills of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are the easiest escape. Here is a quick guide to each place, with distance, what to do, when to go and how to get there. Distances below are approximate road distances from central Delhi.
Quick facts: hill stations near Delhi
| Hill station | State | Distance from Delhi | Nearest railhead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lansdowne | Uttarakhand | About 250 km | Kotdwar |
| Mussoorie | Uttarakhand | About 290 km | Dehradun |
| Kasauli | Himachal Pradesh | About 290 km | Kalka |
| Nainital | Uttarakhand | About 310 km | Kathgodam |
| Chail | Himachal Pradesh | About 340 km | Kalka |
| Shimla | Himachal Pradesh | About 350 km | Shimla (via Kalka) |
| Auli | Uttarakhand | About 500 km | Rishikesh or Haridwar |
1. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Called the “Queen of the Hills”, Mussoorie sits above Dehradun. Walk along Mall Road, take the cable car to Gun Hill for views of the Doon Valley, and visit Kempty Falls. Landour, just above the town, is quieter and has old cafes and bakeries.
Best time: October to June. How to reach: Take a train to Dehradun, including the Vande Bharat Express from Delhi, then a one-hour drive up. Weekend traffic on the Mussoorie road can be heavy, so start early.
2. Nainital, Uttarakhand
Nainital is built around the pear-shaped Naini Lake in the Kumaon hills. Go boating, ride the cable car to Snow View, and visit the Naina Devi temple and the Nainital Zoo. For shopping, head to Mall Road, Bara Bazaar and the Tibetan Market.
Best time: March to June and October to December. How to reach: Take a train to Kathgodam, then a cab or bus for about an hour and a half. Buses also run from Anand Vihar ISBT.
3. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
The capital of Himachal Pradesh and the old summer capital of British India. Walk the Ridge and Mall Road, see Christ Church, visit Jakhu temple and take a heritage walk through colonial buildings. Kufri and Chadwick Falls are short trips away.
Best time: March to June for cool weather, December to February for a chance of snow. How to reach: Take a train to Kalka and then the Kalka-Shimla toy train, a UNESCO World Heritage line, or drive via Chandigarh.
4. Chail, Himachal Pradesh
Chail is a quiet town surrounded by deodar and pine forest, once the summer retreat of the Maharaja of Patiala. Its cricket ground, at about 2,444 metres, is often called the highest in the world. Visit Chail Palace, the wildlife sanctuary and the local bazaar.
Best time: March to June and September to November. How to reach: Take a train to Kalka or Chandigarh, then a taxi. Chail is about 45 km from Shimla, so you can combine the two.
5. Auli, Uttarakhand
Auli is the farthest on this list but the best for snow. It is known for skiing slopes, apple orchards, oak and conifer forests, and views of Nanda Devi. It is one of the coldest hill stations you can reach by road from Delhi.
Best time: January to March for snow and skiing, April to June for green meadows. How to reach: Take a train to Haridwar or Rishikesh, then a long drive to Joshimath and up to Auli. The Joshimath-Auli ropeway has faced long closures since the 2023 land subsidence in Joshimath, so check its status before you go.
6. Lansdowne, Uttarakhand
A new addition and the closest pick. Lansdowne is a calm cantonment town of the Garhwal Rifles, with little traffic and few crowds. Walk to Tip-in-Top for Himalayan views, go boating at Bhulla Tal and see the old St Mary’s Church.
Best time: Through the year, except heavy monsoon weeks. How to reach: Take a train to Kotdwar, then a drive of about 40 km.
7. Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh
Also new on the list. Kasauli is a small colonial town just above Kalka, good for a short weekend. Visit Christ Church, Gilbert Trail and the Mall, and watch the sunset at Sunset Point. The Monkey Point temple is inside an Air Force area, so carry ID.
Best time: March to June and October to December. How to reach: Take a train to Kalka, then a drive of about an hour.
Tips for planning a trip from Delhi
- Leave Delhi before 6 am on weekends to beat traffic on the highways.
- Book Kalka-Shimla toy train and Kathgodam trains early in May, June and December.
- In the monsoon, check road updates, as landslides can block hill roads.
- Carry warm layers even in summer, as evenings get cold.
Many of these towns have also been shooting spots for films. Read more in our Bollywood stories and our listicles.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the nearest hill station to Delhi?
On this list, Lansdowne is the nearest at about 250 km. Mussoorie and Kasauli are close behind at around 290 km each.
Which hill station near Delhi is best for snowfall?
Auli is the most reliable for snow. Shimla, Mussoorie and Nainital can get snow in December to February, but not every year.
Which hill station near Delhi is best for a weekend trip?
Lansdowne, Mussoorie, Kasauli and Nainital are the easiest to do in two days.
How to reach Mussoorie from Delhi?
Take a train or bus to Dehradun, then a cab for about an hour up the hill. You can also drive the whole way.
Sources: Uttarakhand Tourism, Himachal Pradesh Tourism, UNESCO, Mountain Railways of India.
