Beijing to Shimla flights
Shimla lies 3,652 km (2,269 mi) west of Beijing, -2.5 h on the clock. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 5 h 26 min gate to gate, based on the distance and typical cruise speed with taxi and climb allowed for; connecting itineraries add the layover on top.
| Beijing | Shimla | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | China | India |
| Population | 19 million | 173,503 |
| Elevation | 49 m (161 ft) | 2,073 m (6,801 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+8 (Asia/Shanghai) | UTC+5:30 (Asia/Kolkata) |
| Nearest large airport | PEK, 25 km out | IXC, 60 km out |
Clocks in Shimla are 2 h 30 min behind Beijing right now, so a 5 h 26 min journey lands only 2 h 56 min later by the destination clock.
What changes when you arrive in Shimla
Crossing from China into India: money changes from the Yuan Renminbi to the Rupee (INR); traffic switches to the left; sockets are AC power s and sockets: British and related types, BS 546, Euro; the dialling code becomes +91; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1061257 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648793.
Airports at each end
Leaving Beijing
Beijing is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), 25 km (16 mi) from the centre, whose 12,467-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft. The alternatives are Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX, 45 km).
Arriving in Shimla
Shimla is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport (IXC), 60 km (37 mi) from the centre, whose 12,467-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft. The alternatives are Kullu Manali Airport (KUU, 86 km).
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport | IXC | 60 km (37 mi) | 12,467 ft | 1,012 ft |
| Kullu Manali Airport (regional) | KUU | 86 km (53 mi) | 3,690 ft | 3,573 ft |
Book a flight to Shimla
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Staying in Shimla
Live rooms and prices for Shimla are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Shimla
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Common questions
How far is Shimla from Beijing?
3,652 km (2,269 mi) in a straight line, west of Beijing.
How long does it take to get from Beijing to Shimla by air?
About 5 h 26 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Beijing and Shimla?
Shimla is 2 h 30 min behind at the moment (Asia/Kolkata against Asia/Shanghai).
Which airports are used for Beijing to Shimla flights?
Typically Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport (IXC); Shimla also has KUU.
What currency do I need in Shimla?
The Rupee (INR).
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.