If you can bear to take three-hour rides, shared jeeps depart from Chowkbazaar area or Clubside Taxi Stand (across Gandhi Road Police Point). These government taxis offer standardised rates in 10-seater vehicles.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, listed on UNESCO, is also an effective means of reaching Darjeeling; unfortunately due to track damage it is no longer operational.
New Jalpaiguri
If you’re planning a visit to Darjeeling, one of the best ways is by train. New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP), situated close to Darjeeling Hill Station is your closest railway station and from here bus or taxi services run directly into town or state buses run from Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus on Hill Cart Road – plus there’s also the famous Toy Train that travels through scenic hills featured in numerous romantic novels and films!
There are a variety of trains departing Kolkata daily. One popular option is the Darjeeling Mail, which departs Sealdah at night and arrives at NJP the following morning at 8:15 AM. Offering spectacular views of the Himalayas and one of India’s most scenic rail routes, this train should not be missed if booking tickets early is important as tickets often sell out fast.
Once at NJP, take either a taxi or shared jeep to Darjeeling; the drive typically lasts three hours. Shared jeeps tend to be cheaper than taxis but may be less comfortable; alternatively you could book a pre-paid taxi service through the booking counter in NJP; this service provides quick and hassle-free payment in cash!
Alternative transport from Chowkbazaar area is by bus; however, due to road closures on Hill Cart Road and Mongpu, buses must go via Mongpu and travel more slowly than previously. They leave regularly during the day and tend to be cheaper than shared jeeps.
As part of your journey to Darjeeling, make sure that you visit Tiger Hills and watch the sunrise over Kanchenjunga from its stunning peak – an experience not to be missed! Additionally, enjoy a cup of tea from the Tea Estate Museum or explore historical relics at the Himalayan Library; also make time for a trip to Darjeeling Zoo and Botanical Garden for even more amazing sights.
Siliguri
Bagdogra airport, approximately 94 km away, serves major Indian cities regularly with flights that connect directly with Darjeeling. From there it’s about three hours’ drive. Taxis from Bagdogra provide direct transport; fixed rates mean no haggling necessary! Private taxis also are available at Bagdogra; these will take you directly there; they provide fixed-rate rides. During monsoon and winter months when roads may be blocked due to heavy rainfall, an all-weather roof car should be considered more strongly as this ensures your belongings will stay dry!
New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) serves the area and boasts wide gauge connections with numerous cities across India. Situated 88 km away from Darjeeling, NJP provides access to multiple modes of transportation to reach this popular tourist destination including private or shared taxis, buses and even the Toy Train of Darjeeling Himalayan Railways.
If traveling from Kolkata, taking the Darjeeling Mail train (Train 12343), which travels overnight between Sealdah and New Jharkash Puri and arrives at New Jharkash Puri around 8:15 am is your best bet. Alternatively, Vande Bharat Express takes about 7 hrs 45 minutes to arrive in NJP from Kolkata.
From Siliguri, buses or shared jeeps are also an option to reach Darjeeling. Services may take longer due to steep, winding roads in the hills – however the journey itself is incredibly enjoyable! Buses depart from Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus on Hill Cart Road of Siliguri.
As another cost-cutting and time-saving measure, renting a private taxi is an economical and hassle-free option to reach Darjeeling. Taxis can easily be found outside both NJP and Bagdogra train stations with fixed rates that do not necessitate bargaining with drivers; pre-paid taxis can also be booked from booking counters within each station – most tourists opting to buy extra seats so as to comfortably navigate their three hour journey up to Darjeeling.
Bagdogra
Darjeeling does not have its own railway station or airport, so visitors from mainland India will first need to reach New Jalpaiguri before moving onto Siliguri or Bagdogra and then taking private taxi or shared jeep rides from there to reach Darjeeling. There used to be a narrow gauge toy train between NJP and Darjeeling but due to track repairs and landslides this service no longer runs – instead many tourists opt for bus or taxi routes from Siliguri directly into NJP before moving onto Darjeeling themselves before proceeding further into Darjeeling by themselves.
Hill Cart Road connects Darjeeling from its lower plains via multiple routes uphill, where shared and private taxis are plentiful in Bagdogra to take visitors uphill. Shared vehicles may be cheaper than conventional car rentals while still providing comfortable transport – typically around Rs 300 one way for shared taxi rides.
To save time, consider taking a bus ride from Bagdogra’s bus stand. Buses leave frequently throughout the day from both Chowkbazaar area as well as Clubside Taxi Stand (across Gandhi Road Police Point). They travel to Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus located on Hill Cart Road but now instead go via Mongpu. Thus it is wise to make an advance inquiry at the bus terminal to confirm its timings before setting out.
As soon as you land at Bagdogra Airport, a short journey takes you to Siliguri and then Darjeeling (less than 400 km away) depending on traffic and weather conditions. For maximum efficiency and saving even more time, pre-book a car rental from there and start driving directly from Bagdogra.
Darjeeling
For maximum efficiency and time efficiency, taking a flight from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport to Bagdogra and then hiring a private taxi is the fastest and most reliable method of reaching Darjeeling. Another alternative would be taking the train from Delhi to New Jalpaiguri (NJP), Darjeeling’s nearest railway station – however this journey will take much longer and may even involve overnight travel time but is relatively cheaper overall.
From NJP, take either a shared or private taxi ride to Darjeeling via train. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway offers beautiful mountain, forest and hillside village views as it passes along its narrow gauge toy train track with numerous zigzags and loops, adding extra scenic value. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you prefer traveling by bus, state-transport buses can be found along Hill Cart Road in Siliguri. NJP or Bagdogra airport offer pre-paid taxi service; shared jeeps and private taxis also operate regularly from Chowkbazaar area of Siliguri.
Buses provide transport between Kalimpong and Gangtok, though you may require changing buses at the Nepal border. From Gangtok’s stand below MG Marg you can also take a shared taxi directly to Namchi; for visits to Samdruptse Monastery however a private taxi will be required.
Car travel from Kolkata to Siliguri is more costly and time consuming, yet often more comfortable. Shared jeeps can often be found near Chowkbazaar or Clubside Taxi Stand while private taxis may need to be booked days in advance.
Darjeeling is best visited during spring and summer when the temperatures are warm and dry. If traveling during the winter season, make sure you bring warm clothing layered up; temperatures in Darjeeling’s hills may dip below zero so prepare yourself for colder temperatures and snowy conditions.