Lucknow to Shimla by tempo traveller or bus

Shimla is a hill station destination in Himachal Pradesh, ≈ 731 km from Lucknow. Tell us your dates and group size and verified operators send you itemised quotes to compare.

Lucknow to Shimla is ≈ 731 km by road, 17–21 hours in a tempo traveller or bus. A 5-day round trip in a 17-seater tempo traveller costs ₹44,400–54,500, and ₹96,700–1,30,500 in a 49-seater coach (as of Oct 2026).

Distance
≈ 731 km
estimated
Drive time
17–21 h
group vehicle
Plan for
5 to 6 days
most groups
Round trip
~1608 km
crosses a state border
Get quotes for Lucknow → Shimla

Lucknow to Shimla fare by vehicle

Round trip with driver over 5 days, about 1608 km in all. Pick a vehicle to get exact quotes.

Lucknow to Shimla: indicative fares by vehicle
VehicleSeatsRound trip, 5 daysQuotes
SUV / Innova6–7₹30,900–41,000Get quotes
Tempo Traveller 12-seater9–12₹37,700–47,800Get quotes
Tempo Traveller 17-seater13–17₹44,400–54,500Get quotes
Tempo Traveller 20–26 seater18–26₹51,200–64,700Get quotes
Force Urbania (luxury van)10–17₹57,900–74,800Get quotes
Mini Bus 28–35 seater27–35₹71,400–96,700Get quotes
AC Coach 40–49 seater36–49₹96,700–1,30,500Get quotes
AC Coach 50–56 seater50–56₹1,13,600–1,47,400Get quotes

Indicative range, updated Oct 2026; actual quotes from verified operators may differ. For a round trip with driver: vehicle hire at the class's ₹/km band (minimum 250 km a day), driver allowance ₹500 a day, night halt ₹300, 5% GST. Tolls and parking are extra, at actual cost. State entry tax for crossing the border is not included yet; operators add it on the quote. Post your trip for exact itemised quotes.

Change the days or stops in the fare calculatorRates per km for every vehicle

What to see in Shimla

Colonial hill station with the Kalka toy train

  1. Day 1

    Mall Road and the Ridge

    • The Ridge and Christ Church
    • Mall Road
    • Jakhoo Temple

  2. Day 2

    Kufri and Chail

    • Kufri (snow in winter)
    • Chail Palace and cricket ground

Best time to go

March to June, or December and January for snow.

  • Mall Road is closed to vehicles; expect some walking.
  • Monsoon landslides can close roads.

Where groups stay

  • Near Mall Road: Walkable; vehicles stop below

On the way

Places close to the route, good for a break or a darshan stop.

  • Haridwar
  • Rishikesh
  • Dehradun
  • Mussoorie

Add to the trip: around Shimla

Distances in the hills are straight-line; the road is longer.

  • Kufri · ≈ 9 km from Shimla (straight-line)
  • Chail · ≈ 16 km from Shimla (straight-line)
  • Solan · ≈ 23 km from Shimla (straight-line)
  • Kasauli · ≈ 30 km from Shimla (straight-line)
  • Chandigarh · ≈ 56 km from Shimla (straight-line)
  • Kullu · ≈ 95 km from Shimla (straight-line)

Good to know

  • Hill roads are slow and winding: plan for the lower end of daily distance and choose a vehicle with pushback seats and good ground clearance.
  • Crossing a state border adds a permit or entry tax for commercial vehicles. Operators with an all-India permit include it; ask for it on the quote.
  • On long days, drivers need rest. Operators usually plan one driver per 300–350 km a day; ask for two drivers for longer stretches.
  • Quotes usually include fuel, driver, and his food and stay. Tolls, parking and state taxes are listed separately. Yippigo shows each quote line by line.
  • Hill driving needs experienced drivers; Yippigo operators confirm hill experience in their quote.

Questions groups ask

How far is Shimla from Lucknow by road?

≈ 731 km one way (estimated from the map), so about 1608 km for the round trip with local running. The drive takes 17–21 hours with tea and meal stops; the hill roads near the end are slower.

What is the tempo traveller fare from Lucknow to Shimla?

For a 5-day round trip with driver: ₹37,700–47,800 (Tempo Traveller 12-seater), ₹44,400–54,500 (Tempo Traveller 17-seater), ₹51,200–64,700 (Tempo Traveller 20–26 seater), indicative, October 2026. That covers vehicle hire, the driver allowance, night halts and 5% GST; tolls and parking are extra. State entry tax for Himachal Pradesh is not in these figures; operators add it on the quote.

How much does a bus from Lucknow to Shimla cost?

For a 5-day round trip with driver: ₹71,400–96,700 (Mini Bus 28–35 seater), ₹96,700–1,30,500 (AC Coach 40–49 seater), ₹1,13,600–1,47,400 (AC Coach 50–56 seater), as of Oct 2026. Hotels, food and entry tickets are extra. State entry tax for Himachal Pradesh is not in these figures; operators add it on the quote.

How many days should a group plan for Shimla?

Most groups make it 5 to 6 days. With an extra day you can add Kufri and Chail. Best time to go: March to June, or December and January for snow.

Which vehicle suits my group?

Up to 7 people fit an SUV or Innova; 9–26 a tempo traveller; 27–35 a mini bus; 36–56 a full-size coach. Leave a seat or two spare for luggage on long trips.

How do I get exact prices?

Post your dates and group size on Yippigo. Up to 6 verified operators near Lucknow are invited to quote, aiming for 3 quotes: vehicle, driver, tolls and permits line by line. You compare and pay the operator you choose an advance (20–30%) directly.