ShimlaManaliSpitiDharamshala
Self-drive car for Himachal from Chandigarh
Chandigarh is the last flat ground before the hills, which is why most Himachal trips start with a rental car here. Every car in our fleet is allowed outstation, billed per kilometre, with no daily cap to run into.
How outstation rental works
Different from a local booking in one important way: the kilometres.
Local rentals include 250 km a day. Outstation does not work that way, because a hill trip blows past that on day one. Instead you pay a per-km rate from the start: ₹12–18 for sedans, ₹16–24 for SUVs. It is simpler and it usually works out cheaper than a package.
No car in the fleet is restricted to the Tricity. Take any of them into Himachal.
Himachal charges a small entry tax on private cars. Yours to pay, and it is a minor amount.
If something goes wrong in the hills, ring us first. We arrange roadside assistance rather than leaving you to it.
Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie are all tarmac. A Creta or even a Glanza does them comfortably, and you will spend less on fuel. The exception is Spiti past Gramphu, where the Scorpio N or the Hilux 4×4 genuinely earns the difference.
Where people actually go
Distances one-way from Chandigarh.
The shortest hill run, and the most booked. Read the route.
A full driving day up the Kullu valley. Read the route.
Close enough for a day trip. Read the route.
June to September, SUV only. Read the route.
McLeodganj and the Kangra valley, on good road most of the way.
Quieter than Shimla, and Khajjiar is an easy morning from there.
Questions about Himachal trips
Can I take a self-drive car from Chandigarh to Himachal?
Yes, every car in our fleet is allowed outstation into Himachal, Uttarakhand and beyond. There is no car we hold back for local use only.
How is outstation charged?
Per kilometre from the start of the trip: 12 to 18 rupees per km for sedans and 16 to 24 for SUVs, depending on the car. The 250 km daily allowance applies to local rentals, not outstation.
Do I need a permit for Himachal?
No permit for a private car. Himachal levies a small green tax at the border which you pay as you enter.
Which car is best for a Himachal trip?
For Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie, a Creta at 4,000 rupees a day is plenty. For Spiti, take the Scorpio N or the Hilux 4×4.
What happens if the car breaks down in the hills?
Call us first. Roadside assistance is arranged through us rather than left for you to sort out with a local garage.
Is fuel included on outstation trips?
No. Fuel, tolls, parking and the green tax are yours. The per-km charge covers the car, not what goes in it.
The hills start here.
So does the car.
Send us the route and the dates. We will tell you which car suits it and what the whole trip costs, per km included.