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Thousands of visitors are arriving in Shimla every day, with a large number choosing to travel via the Kalka-Shimla World Heritage Railway Line
The demand for tickets is evident, as all trains to Shimla are fully booked until November 20. (Local18)
The tourist season has begun to pick up pace in Himachal, with Shimla attracting most of the tourists for now. Thousands of visitors are arriving in Shimla every day, with a large number choosing to travel via the Kalka-Shimla World Heritage Railway Line.
The demand for tickets is evident, as all trains to Shimla are fully booked until November 20. There are seven trains operating daily on the Kalka-Shimla railway line, though two are currently out of service. Since the end of the monsoon, Shimla’s tourism industry has started to grow rapidly, with most visitors opting for the train journey.
Travelling in the transparent coaches on the Kalka-Shimla railway route has become the preferred choice for tourists. These coaches offer a clear view of the picturesque valleys, unlike bus or car journeys, which take just two to two-and-a-half hours. The train journey, however, lasts around six hours, but tourists still favour it.
The fare on the Kalka-Shimla train ranges from Rs 65 to Rs 630, with first-class tickets priced at Rs 300, chair car tickets at Rs 265, and general class tickets at Rs 65.
Hotel Occupancy Increases
With the rise in tourist arrivals, hotel occupancy in Shimla has also started to improve. Hotel owners report that weekday occupancy has reached 50%, with weekends seeing a rise to 70-80%. During the monsoon, hotel occupancy had plummeted to just 10-15%. It is expected that the tourism business will gain further momentum by December.
