Darjeeling to Gangtok
Your options
Ways to make the journey
4.5–5 h
Jeeps leave from the Chowk Bazaar motor stand, mainly 7–11 am, and drop at Gangtok's main jeep stands. Sikkim restricts plains and some outside vehicles inside Gangtok, so drivers may hand you over at the edge of town. Foreigners must stop at Rangpo or Melli for the Restricted Area Permit, so tell the driver before you set off.
4–4.5 h
A reserved Bolero or small car costs ₹5,000–6,500. You can stop at Lamahatta, the Teesta–Rangeet viewpoint and Teesta Bazaar for lunch. West Bengal-registered taxis may not be allowed to drive within Gangtok's central zones; your driver or agent will arrange a handover if needed. Check current status before you travel.
Worth a stop
- Lamahatta
- Teesta–Rangeet confluence viewpoint
- Teesta Bazaar
- Rangpo checkpost
Questions people ask
Good to know
How much is a shared jeep from Darjeeling to Gangtok
About ₹400–550 a seat, indicative 2026, from the Chowk Bazaar motor stand in Darjeeling. Jeeps run mainly in the morning, from about 7 to 11 am, and take 4.5–5 hours. Buy your ticket the day before in peak season, and ask for a front or window seat if you get carsick.
Do I need a permit to go from Darjeeling to Gangtok
Indian nationals need only photo ID. Foreign nationals need a Sikkim Restricted Area Permit, usually issued free at the Rangpo or Melli checkposts on the way, or online beforehand, with passport and Indian visa. Rules change, so check current status before you travel.
Which route is better from Darjeeling to Gangtok
Most cars go down via Peshok to Teesta Bazaar, then along the Teesta to Rangpo and up to Gangtok, about 95–100 km. When the Teesta road is closed by slips, drivers may use other routes through Kalimpong or Pedong, adding time. Your driver will choose the open road on the day.
Can I visit Kalimpong between Darjeeling and Gangtok
Yes. Kalimpong is about 50 km from Darjeeling and about 70 km from Gangtok, on the same Teesta valley route. Spending a night there splits a long drive into two easy halves and adds monasteries, nurseries and the Kalimpong market. Our 6-night trip does exactly this.