Darjeeling Tour from Kolkata 2026: Routes, Cost & Weekend Itinerary
8 min read
Updated 1 April 2026
Kolkata to Darjeeling: Your Options
Distance: ~600 km. Three ways to get there: train (most popular), flight + taxi (fastest), or direct road (most flexible). All options end with a 3-hour mountain drive from NJP/Bagdogra to Darjeeling.
By Train (Most Popular)
Kolkata (Sealdah/Howrah) to NJP (New Jalpaiguri): 8-10 hours overnight. Top trains: Darjeeling Mail (12343, departs 10:05 PM), Kanchankanya Express (13149, departs 8:30 PM), Padatik Express (12377, departs 11 PM). Sleeper: ₹350-450. 3AC: ₹900-1,100. 2AC: ₹1,500-1,800. Book 1-2 months ahead on IRCTC for confirmed berths. From NJP: shared taxi to Darjeeling ₹300-400/person (3 hours).
By Flight (Fastest)
Kolkata (CCU) to Bagdogra (IXB): 1 hour. Fares: ₹2,500-6,000 depending on season and advance booking. Airlines: IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India. From Bagdogra: pre-booked taxi to Darjeeling ₹2,500-3,500 (3 hours). Total travel time: 4-5 hours door to door.
By Road (Most Flexible)
Kolkata to Siliguri: NH12 via Durgapur (560 km, 10-12 hours). Siliguri to Darjeeling: Hill Cart Road (80 km, 3 hours). Total: 13-15 hours. Only recommended if you want to stop at Durgapur, Malda, or Siliguri en route. Volvo bus Kolkata-Siliguri: ₹800-1,200 (overnight).
3-Day Weekend Itinerary from Kolkata
Perfect for a long weekend (Thursday night departure, Monday morning return).
Thursday night
Board Darjeeling Mail at Sealdah (10:05 PM). Sleep on train.
Friday (Day 1)
Arrive NJP 7-8 AM. Taxi to Darjeeling (10-11 AM). Check in, freshen up. Afternoon: Mall Road walk, Chowrasta, Glenary's for lunch. Evening: explore local market, Keventers for hot chocolate. Dinner at a Tibetan restaurant.
Saturday (Day 2)
4 AM: Tiger Hill sunrise (book jeep previous evening). Return by 7 AM via Batasia Loop. Breakfast at hotel. 10 AM: Toy Train joyride to Ghoom. Afternoon: HMI Museum, Peace Pagoda, Happy Valley tea garden tour. Evening: free time.
Sunday (Day 3)
Morning: Padmaja Naidu Zoo (Red Pandas!), Tenzing & Gombu Rocks. Lunch. 2 PM: Depart for NJP. 5 PM: Board return train. OR take evening flight from Bagdogra.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Kolkata to NJP is 8-10 hours overnight. NJP to Darjeeling is 3 hours by taxi. Total: about 12 hours including the taxi wait.
Sleeper class train to NJP (₹350-450) + shared taxi to Darjeeling (₹300-400) = ₹650-850 one way. Cheapest total.
Yes — take Thursday night train, arrive Friday morning, return Sunday evening. You get 2 full days in Darjeeling. Add Friday off for a more relaxed trip.