How To Reach Darjeeling
Planning A Trip To Darjeeling? Here are some guidelines on how to reach Darjeeling
Situated in the extreme Northern part of West Bengal, Darjeeling is a quiet and peaceful town which offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Tea production is one of the most prominent professions in this hill station and Darjeeling tea is popular globally. So don't forget to sip a cuppa with that misty morning view of the mountains while in Darjeeling.
For those of you who have made up their minds to visit this pretty hill town, here's a detailed guide on how to get to Darjeeling.
By Road
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Almost all major cities have interstate bus services that connect to Siliguri. Besides state run services, you will find many private transportation companies that provide fairly comfortable rides. From Siliguri, you can board another bus that winds up 70 km to Darjeeling or better still, hop on to a shared jeep. There are plenty of private taxis plying from Siliguri to Darjeeling as well.
By Train
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There are two railway stations near Darjeeling. Both these stations have wide gauge connections with various cities around India. Of the two, NJP or New Jalpaiguri is the primary railway station which is 88-km from Darjeeling. Various long distance trains have stops at NJP. Siliguri Junction, the other station, is 80 km from Darjeeling but sees fewer trains. NJP and Siliguri are twin urban cities, with a distance of 8 km between them. From these two locations, you could take a taxi or the narrow gauge toy train run by the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways to reach your destination.
By Air
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The nearest Airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra; about 94 km away. Flights from all major cities connect to Bagdogra on a daily basis. You will have to hire a private taxi once you land at the airport since shared taxis and buses are not available at the airport. It takes approximately 3 hours to reach Darjeeling from Bagdogra airport. You can also take a taxi to Siliguri, just 12 km from Bagdogra Airport, and then board a bus or shared jeep to Darjeeling but the journey will much longer. A minimum of 3.5 hours on the bus alone.
Getting Around in Darjeeling
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Taxi Service: Taking a cab from one destination to the other is the easiest and the most comfortable way to commute in Darjeeling. There are many taxi services available in Darjeeling at fixed rates, so you don’t have to worry about negotiation.
Toy Train: You can enjoy the toy train ride all across the city while soaking in the views. It's as exciting as it sounds! So hop on that Toy Train and experience Darjeeling in a fun and unique way.
