How to Reach Darjeeling: Flights, Trains and Road Routes (2026)
Last Updated: October, 2026
Darjeeling sits at approximately 2,045 metres in the northern tip of West Bengal, with no airport or main-line railway station of its own. You reach Darjeeling via one of three ways. Fly to Bagdogra (IXB) at the Siliguri foothills, then take a 3 to 3.5 hour drive uphill, roughly 70 km. Train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP), the nearest broad-gauge railway station, then transfer onward by car, bus, or the heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train. Drive from Kolkata (approximately 613 km) or Siliguri (approximately 70 km) via NH-10. Peak season windows are October to early December (clearest Kanchenjunga views, autumn weather) and March to May (first-flush tea season, spring warmth). Avoid July to September road travel because of recurring landslides on NH-10.
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Quick Info. on How to Reach Darjeeling
| Access point | Distance to Darjeeling | Approx road time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bagdogra Airport | ~70 km | 3 to 3.5 hours | Nearest airport. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru routes |
| New Jalpaiguri Junction | ~88 km | 3.5 to 4 hours | Nearest broad-gauge railway. Sealdah, Howrah overnight trains |
| Siliguri Junction | ~70 km | 3 hours | Local railway hub, close to NJP |
| Siliguri town | ~70 km | 3 hours | Shared taxi hub for Darjeeling, Gangtok, Kalimpong |
| Kolkata | ~613 km | 12 to 14 hours by road, 10 to 12 hours by train to NJP | Main eastern India hub |
| Delhi | ~1,500 km | Direct flight ~2.5 hours to IXB | Fly, do not drive |
| Gangtok | ~95 km | 3.5 to 4 hours | Shared taxi via Jorethang route |
| Ghum station | ~7 km | 20 to 30 min by toy train | Highest station on Darjeeling Himalayan Railway at ~2,225 m |
How To Reach Darjeeling By Flight
Darjeeling does not have an airport of its own. The nearest commercial airport is Bagdogra Airport (IXB) near Siliguri, approximately 70 km from Darjeeling town and reached by a scenic 3 to 3.5 hour drive uphill.
Airlines operating to Bagdogra (IXB). IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air and SpiceJet operate direct and connecting flights to IXB from most major Indian metros.
Direct flight routes. Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Guwahati and Ahmedabad all have one-stop or direct connections to IXB. International travellers typically route via Delhi or Kolkata.
From Bagdogra to Darjeeling. Pre-paid taxis and app-based cabs are available at the airport. Shared taxis to Darjeeling leave from the Siliguri taxi stand, about 15 km from Bagdogra. The road climbs through tea estates and the Mahanadi forest reserve.
Flight tips for Darjeeling bound travellers. Bagdogra is a civil enclave at an Indian Air Force base, so civilian flight operations are limited to daytime hours. Last flights out tend to be mid-afternoon. Winter morning fog in December and January can delay flights into IXB. Build in buffer time if you have a tight onward connection.
How To Reach Darjeeling By Train
Darjeeling town itself has no broad-gauge railway station. The nearest main-line station is New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP), about 88 km from Darjeeling.
Main overnight trains from Kolkata to NJP. Three regular long-distance trains run the Sealdah to NJP corridor:
- Darjeeling Mail (12343 / 12344). Daily overnight train between Sealdah and NJP, the classic Darjeeling bound service with over a century of operating history.
- Padatik Express (12377 / 12378). Daily overnight train between Sealdah and New Alipurduar via NJP.
- Kanchankanya Express (13149 / 13150). Daily train between Sealdah and Alipurduar Junction, longer journey than the Mail or Padatik.
From Delhi and other metros. No direct Delhi to NJP broad-gauge trains cover the full distance quickly. Travellers from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai typically fly to IXB or take a train to Kolkata and switch to one of the Sealdah NJP services.
From NJP to Darjeeling. Three onward options:
- Shared or private taxi. The fastest route, 3.5 to 4 hours uphill via Kurseong.
- Public bus. North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) runs morning buses from NJP to Darjeeling. Buses are the most budget friendly option.
- The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train. NJP to Darjeeling takes roughly 7 to 8 hours through tea estates and misty forests. See Change 8 for the full toy train section.
Confirm current departure times and seat availability on IRCTC or NTES before you book, since timetables shift seasonally.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train)
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, locally called the toy train, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (listed 1999) and one of the oldest operating mountain railways in the world. It runs on a 2-foot narrow gauge track between NJP and Darjeeling, climbing over 2,000 metres across 88 km through tea estates, forests, and Himalayan villages.
Three ways to experience the toy train:
- The full NJP to Darjeeling journey. Approximately 7 to 8 hours one way. Not the fastest way up, but the slowest and most scenic. Book well in advance for peak season.
- Kurseong to Darjeeling. A shorter 3-hour segment that captures the final climb including the famous Batasia Loop. Easier to book than the full-line ticket.
- Darjeeling to Ghum joy rides. Short round-trip heritage joy rides (approximately 2 hours total) departing from Darjeeling station, running to Ghum station (the highest on the line at approximately 2,225 metres), with a photo halt at the Batasia Loop war memorial. Both steam-hauled and diesel-hauled rides are available.
Peak season extended service. Northeast Frontier Railway typically runs additional joy rides during the autumn Puja season (October to early January) with extra services. The 2026 Puja season has reportedly extended services through early January 2027. Confirm the current schedule on IRCTC and NFR announcements closer to your travel date.
Where to book. IRCTC. Search from “Darjeeling (DJ)” to “Darjeeling Joyride (DJRZ)” for joy rides, or NJP to DJ for the full line.
How To Reach Darjeeling By Road
Primary highway. NH-10 (formerly NH-55) is the main road from Siliguri to Darjeeling, approximately 70 km. The route climbs through Kurseong, past the Batasia Loop, and into Darjeeling town. Expect 3 to 3.5 hours in dry season, longer in winter fog or monsoon.
From Kolkata. Approximately 613 km, 12 to 14 hours. Most travellers skip the full drive and either fly to IXB or train to NJP.
From Siliguri or NJP.
- Shared taxis depart from the Siliguri (SF Road) taxi stand throughout the morning. Shared sumos and Boleros are standard.
- Private cabs can be pre-booked from the airport or station.
- NBSTC buses run morning services from NJP and Siliguri to Darjeeling.
From Gangtok. Approximately 95 km, 3.5 to 4 hours via the Jorethang route. Shared taxis from Gangtok’s Deorali taxi stand run daily.
IMPORTANT: Monsoon warning. NH-10 and the alternate Darjeeling route via Rohini are prone to landslides during the monsoon (July to September), with occasional road closures that can strand travellers for hours or even overnight. If travelling in monsoon, start early, build in buffer days on your itinerary, and track Darjeeling Police and NH-10 road status updates before you depart. In extreme cases, the drive from Siliguri can take 6 hours or more instead of the usual 3.
Homestays In Darjeeling
Forktail House by StayVista
Treetops & Tea Trails
FAQs about Reaching Darjeeling
Bagdogra Airport (IATA code IXB) near Siliguri is the nearest airport, approximately 70 km from Darjeeling. The drive uphill takes 3 to 3.5 hours.
New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP) is the nearest broad-gauge railway station, approximately 88 km from Darjeeling. Siliguri Junction is also close but handles fewer long-distance trains.
Darjeeling does not have an airport. It has its own narrow-gauge heritage railway station, Darjeeling (DJ), which is the terminus of the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train, but no broad-gauge main-line trains run to it.
It is the most scenic way, but not the fastest. The NJP to Darjeeling toy train takes 7 to 8 hours versus 3.5 to 4 hours by road. If you have time, do the toy train one way and road the other.
October to early December gives the clearest Kanchenjunga views after the monsoon ends. March to May is the first-flush tea season with warm pleasant weather. Avoid July to September for the monsoon landslide risk on NH-10.
Travel in July to September carries real landslide risk on NH-10. If you must travel in monsoon, start the uphill drive early in the day, build buffer days into your itinerary, and track NH-10 road status before departure.
Fly directly to Bagdogra (IXB). Flight time is approximately 2.5 hours from Delhi and 3 to 3.5 hours from Mumbai (one-stop). Then take a prepaid taxi or shared cab to Darjeeling. Train from Delhi is impractical for most travellers because of the distance and the need to change at Kolkata.
Yes. From Darjeeling, Gangtok is a 3.5 to 4 hour drive, and the Phuentsholing (Bhutan border town) is approximately 150 km. Both are logical add-ons to a Darjeeling trip.
Also Read:
1. Best Time To Visit Darjeeling
2. Places To Visit In Darjeeling
3. A Guide to Darjeeling Tea Plantations & Homestays
