The best hill stations near Delhi for a short break are Mussoorie, Nainital, Shimla, Chail and Auli. Mussoorie and Nainital are about 290 to 320 km away and work well for a weekend, Shimla and Chail make an easy Himachal pairing, and Auli, close to 500 km away, is best kept for a longer winter trip.
All five are in Uttarakhand or Himachal Pradesh, and most can be reached by an overnight train or bus followed by a short road journey. Below are the details on distance, what to see and how to get there, updated for 2026. For more trip ideas, browse our travel section.
Hill stations near Delhi: quick comparison
| Hill station | State | Approx. road distance from Delhi | Nearest railhead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mussoorie | Uttarakhand | 290 km | Dehradun |
| Nainital | Uttarakhand | 315 km | Kathgodam |
| Shimla | Himachal Pradesh | 350 km | Shimla (via Kalka) |
| Chail | Himachal Pradesh | About 44 km beyond Shimla | Kandaghat |
| Auli | Uttarakhand | Close to 500 km | Rishikesh or Haridwar |
Road distances vary with the route you take, so treat these as rough figures for planning.
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1. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Mussoorie sits at about 2,000 metres in the Garhwal hills, roughly 26 km above Dehradun. Often called the Queen of the Hills, it is the most popular weekend escape from Delhi because the drive or train journey is manageable in a day.
- What to see: Mall Road, the cable car to Gun Hill, Kempty Falls (about 15 km away), Company Garden and the quieter lanes of Landour, including Lal Tibba, the highest point in the area.
- Best time: March to June for pleasant days, and October to February for clear views. The famous winterline sunset effect is seen in the colder months.
- How to reach: Take a train such as the Shatabdi or Vande Bharat to Dehradun, then a taxi or bus up the hill, which takes about an hour or a little more.
2. Nainital, Uttarakhand
Nainital, in the Kumaon hills, is built around the pear-shaped Naini Lake. It is known as the Jewel of Kumaon and suits families who want boating, short walks and easy sightseeing.
- What to see: Naini Lake and its boat rides, Naina Devi Temple at the head of the lake, the G. B. Pant High Altitude Zoo, Snow View point and Mall Road. Bhimtal and Sattal are nearby lakes for a quieter day.
- Best time: March to June and September to November. Weekends in May and June are very crowded.
- How to reach: Trains run from Delhi to Kathgodam, about 35 km away, and taxis and buses cover the rest. Uttarakhand Roadways buses also run from Delhi’s Anand Vihar ISBT.
3. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh and the old British summer capital, sits at over 2,000 metres. It has more hotels, food options and connections than any other hill town in this list.
- What to see: The Ridge and Christ Church, Mall Road, Jakhoo Temple on the highest hill, the Viceregal Lodge, and Kufri, about 19 km away, for snow in winter.
- Best time: March to June for mild weather, and December to February if you want a chance of snow.
- How to reach: Take a train to Kalka and switch to the narrow-gauge Kalka-Shimla toy train, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can also drive or take a bus via Chandigarh.
4. Chail, Himachal Pradesh
Chail is a small, quiet town at about 2,250 metres, around 44 km from Shimla. It was developed as a summer retreat by the Maharaja of Patiala, and his palace is now run as a heritage hotel by the state tourism corporation.
- What to see: Chail Palace, the Chail Cricket Ground at about 2,444 metres (often described as one of the highest cricket grounds in the world), the Chail Wildlife Sanctuary and forest walks among deodar and pine.
- Best time: March to June and October to November. Roads are narrow and winding, so avoid driving at night.
- How to reach: Go to Chandigarh or Kalka by train, then take a taxi or bus via Solan and Kandaghat. Chail pairs well with a day or two in Shimla.
5. Auli, Uttarakhand
Auli sits at around 2,800 metres above Joshimath in Chamoli district and is India’s best-known skiing slope. It has hosted the South Asian Winter Games and winter national events, and offers views of Nanda Devi and other high peaks.
- What to see: The ski slopes, the man-made lake, Gurso Bugyal meadow and the chairlift on the slopes.
- Best time: January to March for snow and skiing, and April to June for green meadows.
- How to reach: Travel to Rishikesh or Haridwar by train, then by road to Joshimath and on to Auli. The Joshimath-Auli ropeway was suspended in January 2023 after land subsidence in Joshimath, so check its status with Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam before you go.
A closer option: Lansdowne
If you only have a day and a half, Lansdowne in Pauri Garhwal is worth a look. It is a small, clean cantonment town at about 1,700 metres and home to the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre. The nearest railhead, Kotdwar, is about 44 km away, and the town is far less crowded than Mussoorie or Nainital.
Tips before you go
- Book hotels early for long weekends and the May to June school holidays, when traffic jams on hill roads are common.
- During the monsoon (July to September), landslides can block roads in both states. Check state disaster updates and weather alerts before driving.
- Carry warm layers even in summer, as evenings above 2,000 metres turn cold.
Planning on a budget? Our lifestyle section has more ideas for short breaks.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the nearest hill station to Delhi?
Among popular options, Lansdowne and Mussoorie are among the closest, at roughly 250 to 290 km by road. Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh is another close option, reached via Chandigarh and Kalka.
Which hill station near Delhi is best for a weekend?
Mussoorie and Nainital are the easiest weekend picks. Both can be reached by overnight bus or a morning train plus a short taxi ride.
Where can I see snow near Delhi?
Auli, Shimla’s Kufri and, in good years, Mussoorie and Chail get snow between late December and February. Auli has the most reliable snow for skiing.
Is the Kalka-Shimla toy train worth it?
Yes, if you have time. The narrow-gauge line is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and takes you through more than 100 tunnels, though it is slower than the road.
Sources: Uttarakhand Tourism, Himachal Pradesh Tourism, UNESCO: Mountain Railways of India.
