Quick answer: Solan is about 218 km from Dehradun and takes 5.5 to 6.5 hours via Paonta Sahib and Nahan, joining the Kalka-Shimla highway at Kumarhatti. It is the district town at 1,600 m that most people pass through on the way to Shimla, and a good number of them should stop: the Mohan Meakin brewery, the Shoolini and Jatoli temples, and Kasauli, Chail and Kufri all within an hour. Fares depend on vehicle and whether you need a one-way drop or a round trip — the table below is live from our rate desk. Call 7830211223 to confirm.
Solan is where the Paonta road from Dehradun meets the main highway from Kalka to Shimla, and it is 45 km short of Shimla. That makes it two things. A sensible place to break the drive if you are heading further, and a base that is cheaper and quieter than Shimla with three hill stations in reach: Kasauli 25 km, Chail 45 km, Kufri 60 km. It calls itself the mushroom city, after the research institute, and the brewery has been making beer since 1855.
The Jatoli Shiva temple, 7 km out, claims the tallest shikhara in Asia. The Shoolini Mata temple gives the town its name. Neither takes long, and both are worth the hour.
All year. March to June and September to November are the easy months. December to February is cold with occasional snow on the road above; Solan itself rarely holds snow. Monsoon is wet on the Nahan section and slides are possible; we allow an extra hour and use the Kalka road if needed.
No gate, no restriction. An afternoon start from Dehradun still reaches Solan for dinner.
Private cab fares for the Dehradun to Solan route. Every rate below is for the whole vehicle, not per seat.
Included: vehicle, fuel and driver allowance. Extra: tolls, state permits, parking, and on hill routes any night halt charge. Fares are confirmed on call before pickup — nothing is added afterwards.
About 218 km and 5.5 to 6.5 hours via Paonta Sahib and Nahan, joining the Shimla highway at Kumarhatti.
Both. As a halt it breaks the Shimla drive. As a base it puts Kasauli, Chail and Kufri within an hour, at Solan prices. The temples and the brewery fill an afternoon.
About 45 km, an hour to an hour and a half on the highway. Many people halt at Solan and do Shimla as a day trip from here.
Yes, 65 km south down the highway, about two hours. A one-way drop to Solan and on to Chandigarh airport is a common shape.
Paonta Sahib and Nahan unless it is closed. It is shorter than going down to Saharanpur and up through Kalka, and prettier.