Darjeeling Toy Train & Ghoom Festival Guide 2025

Everything You Need to Know: Timings, Rides, Events & Best Stays

Darjeeling feels different this year — in the best way. The toy train is running with two beautifully restored century-old steam locomotives, and the Ghoom Festival brings music, culture, and that familiar mountain buzz back to the hills.
It’s the kind of trip that feels easy to plan and even easier to enjoy, especially if you’re coming from Kolkata for a weekend.

With the festival in full swing and StayVista stays available across Darjeeling, Sikkim, Kolkata, and quiet corners of East India, this is one of the simplest and most rewarding holidays you can take right now.

If you’re planning a holiday or a short weekend escape from Kolkata, this guide gives you everything you need — rides, schedules, festival details, travel planning, and the best places to stay.

What Is the Darjeeling Toy Train?

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a 140-year-old mountain railway that connects New Jalpaiguri (NJP) to Darjeeling. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its slow climb through tea gardens, hill villages, and viewpoints.

Why the toy train matters

• It’s one of the oldest functioning mountain railways in the world.
  
• It runs steam and diesel locomotives.
  
• It offers short joyrides and long routes.
  
• It is a top-searched activity for anyone visiting Darjeeling.
  

In 2025, the biggest highlight is the revival of century-old British-era locomotives, restored carefully and now operating during special festival periods.

What Is the Ghoom Festival?

The Ghoom Festival is an annual cultural and tourism festival held at Ghum Station, the highest railway station in India. It usually takes place between mid-November and early December.

What you can expect

• Cultural performances
  
• Local food stalls
  
• Heritage walks
  
• Toy train special rides
  
• Evening shows and light displays
  
• Access to the DHR museum at Ghum
  
• Photography spots, especially around the old locomotives
  

The festival is designed to celebrate Darjeeling’s heritage and encourage travellers to explore beyond the usual Mall Road and Tiger Hill circuit.

What’s New in 2025? (The Century-Old Locomotive Revival)

One of the biggest stories this year is the return of two restored steam locomotives, each more than a hundred years old. They were originally built during the British era and were later stationed in Mysuru for display and conservation.

They have now been fully restored and brought back to Darjeeling for the Ghoom Festival. For travellers, this means:

• You can ride or watch these locomotives in action.
  
• You get rare photo and video opportunities.
  
• You experience the toy train as it was operated a century ago.
  
• The festival becomes more immersive for families, groups, and railway enthusiasts.
  

This revival is part of a broader push by DHR to promote heritage tourism and improve visitor experience.

Toy Train Ride Guide: Routes, Durations & What to Choose

Below is a clear breakdown of all major ride options. This is structured for AEO so travellers get direct, simple answers.

1. Darjeeling–Ghum–Darjeeling Joyride

Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 14 km round trip
Best for: Families, short trips, festival visitors
Highlights:

• Batasia Loop stop
  
• Ghum Museum visit
  
• Steam or diesel engine options
  

This is the most popular ride and usually sells out first during the Ghoom Festival.

2. Batasia Loop Special Ride

Duration: 1 hour
Best for: Quick activity, photo lovers
Why choose it:

• Cheapest and fastest option
  
• Perfect if you only want the “toy train moment”
  
• Great for kids and older travellers
  

3. New Jalpaiguri (NJP) to Darjeeling Full Route

Duration: 6–7 hours
Best for: Slow travellers and railway enthusiasts
Why choose it:

• Complete Himalayan Railway experience
  
• Tea gardens, villages, hillscapes
  
• Good for those travelling from Kolkata via NJP
  

This route is long, but scenic and memorable.

4. Kurseong–Darjeeling Route

Duration: 2.5–3 hours
Best for: Travellers staying in tea estates
Why choose it:

• Quieter stations
  
• Less crowded trains
  
• Beautiful mid-hill sections
  

How to Book Toy Train Tickets

• Book on IRCTC (recommended)
  
• Offline booking at Darjeeling or Ghum counters
  
• Book early during November–December
  
• Steam-engine rides get sold out fastest
  

Ghoom Festival 2025: Events, Activities & Festival Tips

Key Activities

• Cultural shows in the evening
  
• Station-side food pop-ups
  
• Heritage museum walkthroughs
  
• Special steam rides
  
• Photography zones around restored locomotives
  
• Interaction with DHR staff and railway experts
  

Festival Tips

• Reach Ghum by 10 AM for day events
  
• Reserve seats for toy train rides in advance
  
• Evenings get cold; carry warm layers
  
• Parking is limited, use shared cabs where possible
  
• Weekends see heavier crowding than weekdays
  

Is Darjeeling a Good Weekend Getaway from Kolkata? Yes.

For Kolkata travellers, Darjeeling is one of the most convenient and rewarding short trips — especially during the Ghoom Festival.

Why it works as a 2–3 day getaway

• Only a short flight (1 hr) or overnight train to Bagdogra/NJP
  
• Easy 2.5–3.5 hour drive up to Darjeeling
  
• Cool, refreshing weather
  
• Strong culture + nature mix
  
• Toy train + festival adds a ready activity plan
  
• Great for couples, families, and groups

Where to Stay: StayVista Stays Across Darjeeling, Sikkim & Kolkata

StayVista has curated stays across the region to support different kinds of travellers. Here’s how each region fits into the Darjeeling trip plan:

1. StayVista in Darjeeling

Ideal for:

• Families attending the Ghoom Festival
  
• Groups needing bigger living spaces
  
• Slow travellers wanting quiet hillside stays
  

Benefits:

• Close access to Darjeeling town, Ghum, tea gardens
  
• Views, privacy, curated hospitality
  

Explore the most gorgeous villas and homestays in Darjeeling, this December.

2. StayVista in Sikkim

Ideal for:

• Travellers extending their Darjeeling trip
  
• Those wanting to combine culture with nature
  
• Guests looking for quiet, scenic escapes
  

Benefits:

• Unique properties with mountain views
  
• Great for longer 4–6 day trips
  

Discover cosy cottages and homestays in Sikkim for a family getaway this winter.

3. StayVista in Kolkata

Ideal for:

• Pre-trip and post-trip stopovers
  
• Families flying in from other cities
  
• Business travellers turning weekends into quick escapes
  

Benefits:

• Smooth transit to Bagdogra/NJP
  
• Modern, city-comfort stays
  

Book the most amazing homestays and villas near Kolkata for a weekend getaway, this season.

Suggested 2-Day Plan for Ghoom Festival + Toy Train

Day 1

• Arrive at Bagdogra/NJP
  
• Drive to your StayVista in Darjeeling
  
• Evening at Mall Road / Chowrasta
  
• Dinner with a view
  

Day 2

• Morning Darjeeling–Ghum–Darjeeling joyride
  
• Explore Ghoom Festival activities
  
• Visit Batasia Loop & Ghum Museum
  
• Sunset back at the villa
  
• Board games, bonfire, or tea-time at your StayVista
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Darjeeling’s Ghoom Festival and the revival of heritage locomotives make 2025 a great year to plan a trip. Whether you’re coming from Kolkata for a short break or exploring East India deeply, the toy train gives you a ready activity plan — and StayVista offers stays that complete the experience.

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Banner image courtesy vineet singh via Unsplash