How to Reach Darjeeling in 2026: Train, Flight, Road from All Major Cities
7 min read
Updated 1 April 2026
Gateway Points
All roads to Darjeeling pass through two gateways: Bagdogra Airport (IXB) — 90 km, 3 hours drive. New Jalpaiguri Station (NJP) — 88 km, 3 hours drive. Both are in Siliguri area, 4 km apart from each other.
From Delhi
Flight: Delhi (DEL) to Bagdogra (IXB) — 2 hours, ₹3,500-8,000. Daily flights on IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India, Vistara. Train: Rajdhani Express to NJP — 20 hours, ₹1,500-3,500. Overnight and arrives morning. Road: Not practical (1,500 km, 24+ hours).
From Kolkata
Flight: 1 hour, ₹2,500-6,000. Train: 8-10 hours overnight (Darjeeling Mail, Kanchankanya Express), ₹350-1,800. Road: 600 km, 12-14 hours via NH12. Volvo bus: ₹800-1,200.
From Mumbai
Flight: Mumbai to Bagdogra — 2.5-3 hours (direct or via Kolkata), ₹4,000-10,000. Train: Not direct — change at Howrah (Kolkata) or take Gitanjali Express to NJP (30+ hours). Recommended: Fly.
From Bangalore
Flight: Bangalore to Bagdogra — 3-3.5 hours (may need connection via Kolkata/Delhi), ₹5,000-12,000. Train: Not practical (40+ hours with changes). Recommended: Fly to Bagdogra or Kolkata then connect.
Bagdogra/NJP to Darjeeling
Shared taxi/jeep: ₹300-400/person (3 hours). Depart from prepaid booth outside airport/station. Private taxi: ₹2,500-3,500 (sedan), ₹3,500-5,000 (SUV). Helicopter: ₹3,000-5,000, seasonal, weather-dependent (10 min!). Toy Train from NJP: Heritage experience, 7-8 hours, ₹300-1,500. Runs daily but slow — romantic, not practical.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Bagdogra Airport (IXB), 90 km / 3 hours from Darjeeling. It's a full-service airport with flights from all major Indian cities.
No direct train to Darjeeling town. Trains go to NJP (New Jalpaiguri), then you take a taxi (3 hours) or the heritage Toy Train (7-8 hours) up the mountain.
90 km, 3 hours via Hill Cart Road (NH55). The road climbs from plains (150m) to Darjeeling (2,134m) with 76+ hairpin bends. Expect motion sickness if prone — carry medicine.