Key hubs
Chandigarh airport and railway station
- Airport
- Chandigarh International Airport (IXC), roughly 20–30 minutes by road from the city centre, traffic dependent.
- Railway station
- Chandigarh Junction (CD) is the main station. The Kalka-Shimla Railway departs from Kalka, roughly 50 minutes by car.
- Getting around
- A private car and driver is easiest for day trips and spread-out sights. Auto-rickshaws and app cabs work well within sectors. City buses are frequent but crowded during rush hours.
How to reach Chandigarh by air
Chandigarh International Airport (IXC) is about 12-15 km from the city centre, roughly 25-30 minutes by road, with domestic and a few international flights.
How to reach Chandigarh by train
Chandigarh Junction is the main station; the scenic Kalka-Shimla narrow-gauge railway departs from Kalka, about 50 minutes away by car.
How to reach Chandigarh by road
Chandigarh is well linked by national highway to Delhi, about 4-5 hours away, and to Shimla, around 3 hours through the foothills.
Getting around Chandigarh
A private car and driver suits the spread-out sectors and day trips; auto-rickshaws and app cabs work well within the city, and buses are frequent but crowded at peak times.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Chandigarh
- Stay hydrated: even in winter, the sun is strong. Carry water, sunscreen and a hat. Sector parks have shaded seating every few hundred metres.
- Hire a car and driver for day trips to Pinjore or Morni Hills; it keeps you cool and gives you flexibility to rest whenever needed.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.