Contents
Leaving the humid streets of the City of Joy for the crisp air and emerald tea gardens of the Himalayas is a rite of passage in West Bengal. You move from colonial architecture and street food stalls to misty ridges and Tibetan monasteries, and the road ends in a winding climb into the clouds. Darjeeling stands at 2,042 m,[1] and you can reach it by overnight train, by a short flight or by a long drive.
Kolkata to Darjeeling by Train and Road
The main-line stations for Darjeeling are Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri (NJP), so you take an overnight train and finish by road. The Darjeeling Mail 12343 leaves Sealdah at 22:05 and reaches New Jalpaiguri at 08:00, a journey of 9 hours 55 minutes. The AC Express 22309 leaves Howrah at 23:05 and arrives at 09:00.[2]
From the station you continue to Darjeeling by road via Siliguri, 77 km on NH 55. Buses leave from the Tenzing Norgay Bus Stand in Siliguri, and shared or hired vehicles wait at the station and the airport.[1]
Kolkata to Darjeeling by Flight
IndiGo flies direct from Kolkata to Bagdogra.[3] Bagdogra is the nearest airport, about 90 km from Darjeeling via NH 110.[1] Public buses do not run from the airport, so take a taxi or shared vehicle, or go to Siliguri for a bus.[4]
Kolkata to Darjeeling by Private Transfer
A private car takes you from Kolkata to your hotel in Darjeeling without changes. The drive takes from about 9 hours, and often much longer. On booking platforms, private transfers start at about $163 (October 2026).[5]
Choose a sedan for two, an SUV for a family or a van for a group. Leave around 04:00 or 05:00 to beat the city traffic and reach the hills before dark. The drive crosses rural West Bengal and the plains of the north before the final climb from Siliguri.
Tips for Traveling from Kolkata to Darjeeling
- Plan for the Climb: The road up from Siliguri has many hairpin turns. If you are prone to motion sickness, take medication and sit in the front.
- Pack Layers: Kolkata is hot and humid and Darjeeling is cool, so keep a jacket or sweater within reach as the altitude rises.
- Check Road Conditions: During the monsoon, landslides can close roads in the hills. Check the weather and road reports before you set out.
- Carry Water and Snacks: Roadside eateries are plentiful, but a bottle of water and a few snacks help on the long stretches.
Timetable
| Taxi Kolkata - Darjeeling $ 163.25–1,271.62 9h 18m – 15h | |
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Kolkata to Darjeeling, including current prices and schedules.
Take an overnight train to New Jalpaiguri and continue by road, fly to Bagdogra and continue by road, or book a private transfer for the whole way.
The overnight train to New Jalpaiguri takes 9 hours 55 minutes, followed by the road to Darjeeling, which is 77 km from Siliguri. A private transfer takes from about 9 hours.
There is no airport in Darjeeling. IndiGo flies direct from Kolkata to Bagdogra, which is about 90 km from Darjeeling by road.
Daylight is better. The climb from Siliguri to Darjeeling is steep with narrow bends, and by day you see the tea gardens.
New Jalpaiguri (NJP) near Siliguri is the main-line station. From there you continue by road.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Darjeeling District, Government of West Bengal: How to Reach. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
- [2] Indian Railways: Mail/Express/Superfast Train List. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
- [3] IndiGo: Kolkata to Bagdogra Flights. Retrieved October 30, 2026.
- [4] IndiGo: Ahmedabad to Bagdogra Flights. Retrieved October 17, 2026.
- [5] 12Go: 12Go timetable: Kolkata to Darjeeling. Retrieved October 30, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.