Siliguri (NJP and Bagdogra) to Darjeeling
Your options
Ways to make the journey
3–3.5 h
Sumos and Boleros leave from stands near the Tenzing Norgay bus terminus in Siliguri and outside NJP station, from about 7 am to 3 pm, once they have 10 passengers. Luggage rides on the roof, covered with a tarpaulin. Front seats beside the driver go first; ask for them as you buy the ticket. Avoid arriving after 3 pm, when departures thin out.
3 h
Prepaid and private counters at Bagdogra airport and NJP station book Boleros, Sumos and small cars straight to your hotel. A small car costs a little less but carries less luggage. Agree whether the fare includes stops at Kurseong or Mirik, and whether tolls and parking are extra. Two families sharing a Bolero pay roughly the same per head as shared jeeps.
7–8 h
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway's daily train 52541 leaves NJP around 10 am and is timed to reach Darjeeling around 5.30 pm, via Sukna, Tindharia, Kurseong and Ghum. It has First Class and AC chair car seats only, booked on IRCTC. Delays and landslide cancellations are common, so keep a buffer day and check current status before you travel.
Worth a stop
- Rohini road tea gardens
- Kurseong for tea and momos
- Sonada
- Ghum and Batasia Loop
Questions people ask
Good to know
How much is a shared jeep from NJP to Darjeeling
About ₹250–400 a seat, indicative 2026, depending on season and whether you take a front seat. Jeeps leave from outside NJP station and near the Tenzing Norgay bus terminus in Siliguri once 10 passengers have boarded, mostly between 7 am and 3 pm. Fares rise around Puja and New Year, so check current rates at the counter.
How long does it take from Bagdogra airport to Darjeeling
About 3–3.5 hours by car for roughly 70 km, longer in Siliguri traffic or fog. Most cars take Rohini road up to Kurseong and then Hill Cart Road. A reserved car costs ₹3,500–4,500, indicative 2026. If your flight lands after 2 pm, consider a first night in Kurseong instead of driving in the dark.
Is the toy train from NJP to Darjeeling worth it
It is worth it for rail lovers with a spare day. The full run takes about 7.5 hours and often longer, through loops, reverses and Kurseong bazaar. If you are short of time, take a car up and do the 2-hour Darjeeling–Ghum joyride instead, which covers Batasia Loop and the highest station.
Which road is better from Siliguri to Darjeeling
Most drivers use Rohini road to Kurseong, which is wider and quicker, then Hill Cart Road through Sonada and Ghum. Pankhabari road is steep and narrow. Hill Cart Road from Sukna shares the toy-train line and is slower but more scenic. Landslides sometimes close one route in monsoon, so check current status before you travel.