Siliguri (NJP and Bagdogra) to Darjeeling
Your options
Ways to make the journey
3–3.5 h
Jeeps (Sumo, Bolero, Max) leave from the NJP forecourt and the stand near the Tenzing Norgay terminus on Hill Cart Road when full, about 10 passengers. Most run between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Book the two front seats for comfort, or the back row if you are a group. Bags go on the roof.
3–3.5 h
Prepaid counters at Bagdogra and NJP, and drivers at the jeep stands, offer reserved cars. Routes go via Rohini road and Kurseong, via Hill Cart Road through Kurseong, or via Mirik on the longer western road. Reserved cars can stop at Kurseong or the Batasia Loop.
7–8 h
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway's through train leaves NJP in the morning and climbs 88 km through loops and zig-zags. It is an experience rather than transport. Book on IRCTC early; seats are few. Check current timetables before you travel.
3.5–4 h
NBSTC and private buses run from the Tenzing Norgay terminus in the morning. They are the cheapest option but slower and more crowded, with limited luggage space.
Worth a stop
- Sukna (Mahananda forest)
- Rohini or Tindharia
- Kurseong
- Ghum
- Batasia Loop
Questions people ask
Good to know
How much is a shared jeep from NJP to Darjeeling
About ₹300–400 a seat, indicative 2026, for a three to three and a half hour ride. Jeeps leave from the NJP forecourt and the stand near the Tenzing Norgay bus terminus when full, mostly between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Fares rise in peak season.
Which is the best road from Siliguri to Darjeeling
Most cars take the Rohini road to Kurseong and then Hill Cart Road to Ghum and Darjeeling, which is the quickest. Pankhabari road is steeper. The Mirik route is longer but scenic. Landslides can close any route in the monsoon, so drivers choose on the day.
What time do shared jeeps leave for Darjeeling
From about 7 a.m., leaving as soon as each jeep fills. After 2 p.m. there are fewer, and after 3 p.m. you may not find one. Arrive early, especially in peak season when demand is high.
Can I take the toy train from NJP to Darjeeling
Yes. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway runs through trains from NJP to Darjeeling, taking about seven to eight hours. Seats are booked on IRCTC and sell out in peak seasons. Many travellers go up by road and ride a shorter section instead.