rail · Kurseong, Darjeeling
Ride the toy train through Kurseong bazaar
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was built between 1879 and 1881 along the old Hill Cart Road, and in Kurseong it still shares that road. As the train enters town, shopkeepers pull in their goods and jeeps squeeze against the wall. Kurseong station is roughly the half-way point of the 88 km line from NJP.
From Kurseong, the line climbs about 30 km to Darjeeling, through Tung and Sonada to Ghum at 2,258 m, India's highest station. It then loops round Batasia, where the Gorkha War Memorial stands and Kangchenjunga appears on clear days. The upper section avoids the long, slow lower climb and the frequent landslide closures below Kurseong.
Services change often. The daily NJP–Darjeeling train passes through Kurseong, and the railway has run special Kurseong-side joyrides at times, including festive services for October 2026 to January 2027. Book on IRCTC, check current status before you travel, and if no seats are left, simply watch the train pass through the bazaar from the station.
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Questions people ask
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Can I board the toy train at Kurseong
Yes. The daily NJP–Darjeeling train stops at Kurseong, and you can book Kurseong to Darjeeling on IRCTC, subject to quota. The upper section takes about 2.5–3 hours. Timetables change and services are suspended after slips, so check current status before you travel.
Where is the best place to watch the toy train in Kurseong
Stand on Hill Cart Road near Kurseong station and the bazaar, where the train runs through the middle of the road between shops. Ask at the station for the expected arrival time, as trains often run late.
Is the Kurseong to Darjeeling section the best part of the toy train
For most people, yes. It is short enough to enjoy, climbs through Sonada and Ghum, and ends with Batasia Loop. The lower section from NJP has the famous loops and reverses near Tindharia but takes much longer and is more often closed by landslides.
