On this page
The rental is the easy part to work out. What catches people is the kilometre limit and the deposit, so here is the whole thing laid out — including the two charges most rental companies only mention at handover.
The distance decides most of it
Shimla is roughly 113 km from Chandigarh, so a straight return trip is about 226 km. That sits inside the 250 km a day that comes with every car we rent — which means for a one-day dash, you pay the daily rate and nothing more.
Almost nobody does it in one day, though. Two days is the honest minimum if you actually want to see the place, and two days gives you a 500 km allowance for a 226 km trip. That is a lot of room to wander up to Kufri or Mashobra without watching the odometer.
What you actually pay
Three things, and only three: the daily rate, the fuel, and a refundable deposit.
| What | How it works |
|---|---|
| Daily rate | From ₹1,500 a day for a hatchback. Sedans and SUVs cost more. |
| Kilometres | 250 km a day included. Beyond that, ₹12–18 per km for sedans and ₹16–24 for SUVs. |
| Fuel | Yours. You collect the car with a set level and bring it back the same. |
| Deposit | ₹5,000, refundable, back within 24 hours of return. |
We do not quote a fuel figure because we would be guessing at two things we do not control: the pump price on the day and how you drive a hill road. A hatchback will use noticeably less than a seven-seater on the same climb.
The two charges that surprise people
Ask any rental company for the per-kilometre rate and the deposit terms in writing before you pay anything. If they will not put it in a message, that is your answer.
Going over the kilometre limit. It is not a penalty, it is a per-km rate, and it is on your quote before you book. On a Shimla trip you would have to drive a long way past Shimla to reach it.
The deposit. This is the one that damages people in this market — deposits held for weeks with no explanation. Ours comes back within 24 hours of you returning the car, and we photograph the car with you at pickup and at return so there is nothing to argue about afterwards.
Is it cheaper than a taxi?
For two days, almost always yes — a taxi to Shimla and back with waiting time is a different order of cost, because you are paying for a driver’s two days as well as the car. Where a taxi wins is if nobody in your group wants to drive a hill road. That is a fair reason, and we will say so.
How many kilometres is Chandigarh to Shimla?
About 113 km each way, so roughly 226 km for a return trip. That is inside the 250 km a day included with every rental.
What happens if I drive more than the included kilometres?
You pay the per-km rate that is on your quote — ₹12–18 per km for sedans, ₹16–24 for SUVs. It is not a fine, and you will know the rate before you book.
When do I get my deposit back?
Within 24 hours of returning the car. We photograph the car with you at both ends so there is no argument about condition.
Do I need an SUV for Shimla?
No. The road is fully surfaced and a hatchback or sedan handles it fine. Take an SUV for the extra boot space or if you are four adults with luggage.
Is a self-drive car cheaper than a taxi to Shimla?
For a two-day trip, usually yes, because a taxi means paying for the driver’s time as well. For a single long day it is closer.
Rates for every car are on the fleet page, and the Shimla route page covers the drive itself — where to stop and what the road is like in each season. If you would rather just ask, message us with your dates and you will get the full cost in writing.
