Shimla or Mussoorie: Essential Guide for Remote Work

Introduction

Ever stared out your window during a work call, wishing it opened up to misty mountains instead of parked cars? That dream is driving more remote workers toward hill stations like Shimla and Mussoorie. But here’s the tricky part: which is better for remote work—Shimla or Mussoorie?

As someone who’s clocked hours from hillside Airbnbs and café corners with patchy Wi-Fi and unforgettable views, I know first-hand that not all hill towns are created equal for remote work. After spending multiple work-months across the Himalayas last year, I’ve got some practical insights to share.

This guide breaks down all the key factors—from crowd levels and accommodation to cost, internet reliability, and seasonality—so you’ll know exactly where to set up your laptop next.

Quick Takeaways

Table of Contents

• Which Hill Station is Less Crowded for Working?
• Accommodation Options for Long Stays: Shimla vs. Mussoorie
• Cost Comparison for Living and Working: A Breakdown
• Weather and Seasonal Work Considerations
• Internet Reliability and Backup Options
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Which Hill Station is Less Crowded for Working?

Shimla: Crowd Dynamics and Quiet Zones

Shimla has always been a favorite, but with popularity comes peak-season chaos. From April to June, the traffic near Mall Road can turn a five-minute walk into a 30-minute shuffle through tourist crowds. But the trick is to stay a bit outside the main area.

Two great options I’ve personally tested:
– Sanjauli: More local, less touristy, and with surprisingly good cafes tucked away in corners. Ideal for renting long-term flats with stable internet.
– Summer Hill: Green, peaceful, and home to several local cafes where I’ve knocked out full workdays without constant tourist interruptions.

I worked out of an Airbnb near Summer Hill last May. It wasn’t fancy—just a simple one-bedroom with a balcony—but my host ran a small café downstairs with solid fiber internet. That setup alone made it worth it. I could head downstairs for coffee and a change of scene without losing connectivity.

Mussoorie: Finding Serenity Amidst the Hustle

Mussoorie’s heart—especially Mall Road—gets just as crowded as Shimla, with weekend tourists from Delhi flooding in. But just a few kilometers up lies Landour, and that’s where everything changes.

Landour feels like a hidden digital nomad paradise—slower, more artistic, with workspace views that beat any corporate office I’ve ever seen. Picture stone paths lined with cozy cafes, where every table becomes a potential remote office with mountain views that make Zoom calls feel like mini-vacations.

I once finished an entire client content strategy deck from Café Ivy in Landour, sipping ginger tea as the fog rolled in across the valley. No Slack notifications could disrupt that flow state.

Looking to avoid the rush entirely? Skip June and pick mid-September or March when you’ll have these spaces mostly to yourself.

Accommodation Options for Long Stays: Shimla vs. Mussoorie

Shimla: Long-Term Stays with a View

If you’re planning a solid month or two of “work from Shimla,” your options have improved dramatically in the last year. Hotels like Woodsmoke and Aamod have caught on to the remote work trend, offering high-speed internet and even dedicated workspaces.

Airbnb options have multiplied too. When booking, I always look for listings that specifically mention:
– Dedicated workstations (not just a tiny side table)
– Backup power (essential during mountain power cuts)
– Actual internet speeds (not just “good WiFi”)

Many hosts now include “workstation” in their listing, but I always message to confirm the actual Mbps and whether they have backup power. Last October, I stayed at a place that claimed “high-speed WiFi” but couldn’t handle basic video calls—a complete workday killer.

Extended apartments near Chotta Shimla or Lakkar Bazaar work exceptionally well for teams or digital nomad couples who need separate workspaces.

Mussoorie: Comfortable and Community-Oriented Rentals

For Mussoorie remote work, Airbnb is winning the game. Properties in Barlowganj or Happy Valley offer the quiet you need for focused work, and places like Seclude and Rokeby Manor offer monthly rates specifically designed for digital nomads.

What sets Mussoorie apart is the homestay culture. Several guesthouses around Landour throw in home-cooked meals—a huge time saver when you’re deep in work. During my three-week stay last year, having breakfast and dinner handled meant I could focus entirely on work without cooking interruptions.

Backpackers’ Heaven and Hotel Nomad often run discounts for stays over two weeks and provide surprisingly strong Wi-Fi setups (though always confirm pre-booking). These spots also tend to attract other remote workers, creating natural networking opportunities without forced “co-living” vibes.

Cost Comparison for Living and Working: A Breakdown

After tracking expenses across multiple hill station stays, here’s an honest cost comparison between the two destinations:

The real cost difference shows up in the little things. In Mussoorie, especially Landour, many cafés will let you sit for hours with just a few orders. In Shimla, the turnover pressure is higher during peak seasons, making all-day work sessions costlier.

From my expense tracking, a month in Shimla (with occasional splurges) runs about ₹35,000–₹45,000 all-in, while Mussoorie can be done for ₹30,000–₹40,000 with the same lifestyle. The bigger savings in Mussoorie come from more affordable food options and lower transportation costs since the workable areas are more compact.

Weather and Seasonal Work Considerations

Shimla: Climate Challenges and Opportunities

In Shimla, summer (March–June) offers the most comfortable working conditions with pleasant temperatures and clear skies. Winters (December–February) are visually stunning but come with real challenges—heavy snow, slippery roads, and heating issues unless you’re in a premium accommodation.

From personal experience, avoid July–August entirely. Monsoons in Shimla mean not just rain but landslides, road closures, and frequent internet and power outages. I once lost three full workdays during a July storm when both my primary and backup internet options failed.

Mussoorie: Planning Your Work Trip Around the Climate

Mussoorie runs a few degrees cooler throughout the year. Summer is refreshing but still gets crowded with tourists escaping the plains. Winters here are cold but relatively dry compared to Shimla, which can actually work better for consistent internet and power supply.

The best tip from my last Uttarakhand workation: September to early October (post-monsoon, pre-winter) is absolute gold. You get crisp weather, clear mountain views, and significantly fewer tourists competing for café tables and internet bandwidth.

Another workable window is March to early April, just before the summer tourist rush begins. The weather is warming up, but crowds haven’t yet reached their peak, giving you that perfect balance of pleasant conditions and relative calm.

Internet Reliability and Backup Options

Let’s talk about what matters most to remote workers—stable internet. This is where preparation makes all the difference.

Shimla: Connectivity Options

Central Shimla generally offers reliable fiber connections, with many cafés and accommodations now advertising their Mbps speeds upfront. The Mall Road area and newer developments near Sanjauli have the strongest infrastructure.

My tested backup solutions in Shimla:
– Jio 4G: Works surprisingly well in most central areas
– Airtel 4G: Better in some outlying areas where Jio struggles
– Portable hotspots: Several cafés now rent these by the hour

During my last stay, I maintained a 100% meeting attendance record by always having my phone hotspot ready as backup, even when the main WiFi was strong. The investment in a good data plan paid off multiple times.

Mussoorie: Getting Connected and Staying Connected

Mussoorie’s internet landscape is more varied. Landour has seen significant improvements, with several guesthouses and cafés installing dedicated fiber lines specifically for remote workers.

Landour’s Café Ivy and Rokeby Manor have become unofficial co-working spots with reliable connections. In central Mussoorie, Clocktower Café offers decent speeds even during busy periods.

My internet toolkit for Mussoorie includes:
– Airtel 4G: Generally stronger than Jio in the hills
– USB tethering instead of WiFi hotspot (saves battery and gives slightly better speeds)
– Scheduled downloads/uploads during off-peak hours (early morning is best)

The key difference I’ve noticed: Mussoorie businesses seem more understanding of remote workers’ needs. Many will share their router passwords without requiring constant orders, and some guesthouses now advertise “work from mountain” packages with guaranteed minimum speeds.

FAQ

Is the internet reliable in Shimla and Mussoorie for video calls?

It varies by neighborhood and provider. Central Shimla and most of Landour have fiber internet capable of handling video calls. In my experience, Airtel 4G works as a reliable backup in both locations. Always check recent Airbnb reviews specifically mentioning video call performance, and confirm actual Mbps speeds with hosts before booking.

Are there dedicated coworking spaces in Shimla or Mussoorie?

Traditional coworking spaces are still emerging in both locations. Currently, your best options are café-based workspaces. In Shimla, Café Sol and Hideout Café offer designated “work corners” with power outlets. In Mussoorie, Landour’s Café Ivy and Little Llama Café have become unofficial coworking hubs with faster WiFi and work-friendly seating.

Is it safe for solo female travelers to work remotely in Shimla/Mussoorie?

Yes, both towns are generally safe, especially the main areas and established neighborhoods. As a solo traveler myself, I’ve found Landour particularly comfortable with its small-community feel where everyone knows each other. Standard precautions still apply—avoid isolated trails after dark, use registered taxis, and maintain local emergency contacts.

What cultural experiences can I enjoy while working in these hill stations?

Both locations offer rich cultural breaks from work. Shimla features colonial architecture tours, Christ Church visits, and the Jakhu Temple hike. Mussoorie offers Landour’s literary heritage (Ruskin Bond’s bookstore), traditional Garhwali cooking classes, and spectacular nature walks perfect for mental refreshment between work sessions. These cultural experiences have been crucial for my work-life balance during longer mountain stays.

How do I handle power outages while working in hill stations?

Power fluctuations happen in both locations. My essential prep includes:
– A laptop with 8+ hour battery life
– A power bank for phone/hotspot backup
– Staying in accommodations with inverters or generators
– Downloading critical work documents for offline access
– Identifying cafés with backup power systems for emergency workdays

During my three-week stay in Landour, we had two major outages, but my preparation meant zero impact on deliverables.

Conclusion

Whether you choose the colonial charm of Shimla or the peaceful slopes of Mussoorie, both offer refreshing alternatives to city-based remote work. Shimla provides better infrastructure and accessibility, while Mussoorie—especially Landour—delivers a more tranquil, inspiring environment that can dramatically boost creative thinking.

For me, Landour left the stronger impression—quiet mornings with mountain views, a slower pace that improved my focus, and an atmosphere that naturally encouraged disconnecting after work hours. That work-life boundary alone made my productivity soar.

Each location offers something unique for different work styles. Consider a trial run of 1-2 weeks before committing to a longer stay.

Ready to pack your laptop and escape to the hills? The mountains are calling—and this time, you can answer without using vacation days.

Sources: HP Tour Travel, Travelling Camera