Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, lies 615 km south to Darjeeling, the most famous hill station of the state. From the city of joy, there are several ways to reach the beautiful place, which are as follows:
Kolkata to Darjeeling: Through Air:
There is no airport in proper Darjeeling. The nearest airport is in Bagdogra (Airport code: IXB), which is 67.5 km from Darjeeling, and it takes around 3 hours to reach by car from the airport. There are a number of flights that connect Bagdogra to Kolkata, as it received the status of a major airport recently.
The average fare ranges between INR 2,665 to INR 3,515 per person, and a direct flight takes around 1 hour 25 minutes to reach the airport. For an approximate idea of the fare and timing, the important flight details are given below, after 3 months from the date of booking.
Kolkata to Darjeeling: Through Train:
There is no major rail-station in Darjeeling with direct rail connectivity with Kolkata.
However, you can take a train to New Jalpaiguri, which is a major station, and then take a car to reach Darjeeling in 4-5 hours. The road is beautiful, with an amazing mountain experience.
If you want a very unique experience and have time, opt for the Darjeeling-Himalayan railway that is the UNESCO-World heritage site from New Jalpaiguri Jn. to Darjeeling (Starts at 08:30 from NJP station and reached Darjeeling at 15:35 every day.)
Major Train leaving from Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri:
| Train No. | Train Name | Days of departure | Station of Departure | Arr. | Dep. | Travel Time |
| 13173,
13175 |
Kanchenjunga Express | Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun;
Mon, Wed, Sat |
Sealdaha | 06:35 | 18:20 | 11:45 |
| 12363 | KOAA HDB SF Express | Tue, Thu, Sat | Kolkata | 09:05 | 18:55 | 09:50 |
| 12509,
12513 |
SBC-GHY Express | Fri, Sat, Sun;
Mon |
Santragachi Jn. | 10:05 | 21:25 | 11:20 |
| 13141 | Teesta Torsha Express | Daily | Sealdah | 13:40 | 02:40 | 13:00 |
| 12041 | HWH-NJP Shatabdi Express | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat | Howrah | 14:15 | 22:30 | 08:15 |
| 12345 | Saraighat Express | Daily | Howrah Jn. | 15:50 | 01:40 | 09:50 |
| 15959 | Kamrup Express | Daily | Howrah Jn. | 17:35 | 06:20 | 12:45 |
| 13147 | Uttar Banga Express | Daily | Sealdah | 19:35 | 06:50 | 11:15 |
| 13149 | Kanchan Kanya Express | Daily | Sealdah | 20:30 | 07:30 | 11:00 |
| 12343 | Darjeeling Mail | Daily | Sealdah | 22:05 | 08:00 | 09:55 |
| 12377 | Padatik Express | Daily | Sealdah | 23:20 | 09:15 | 09:55 |
Kolkata to Darjeeling: Through Road:
You can easily board a bus from Esplanade bus depot in Kolkata to reach Siliguri. From there you can book a car or share a taxi to reach Darjeeling. Per head charge to reach Darjeeling is Rs. 150 INR by Pankhabari, Rs. 200 INR by Rohini and Rs. 250 by Mirik. Small cars are also available on rent, with Rs. 2,500 INR for a prepaid car.
If you want to drive from Kolkata in your own car and want to enjoy the amazing road journey, you may go by three major routes, by NH-12 or NH-19.
The 1st Route covers 618 km and takes around 15 hours 30 minutes depending on traffic, and passes by Behrampore, Malda etc. on the way to New Jalpaiguri.
The 2nd route is 615 km, which takes more than 16 hours. It passes by Burdwan and joins Route-1 before entering Murshidabad. For these two routes, you can stay for the night in Behrampore or Malda.
The 3rd route was once a major route, with 728 km which takes around 17 hours to reach Darjeeling. It goes by Durgapur, then enters Jharkhand and Bihar before entering West Bengal again after Kishanganj. For this route, the night stay option is in Dumka or Kishanganj.
So, hopefully, you got everything that wanted to know about how to go to Darjeeling from Kolkata.
Here are a few great options to stay at Darjeeling. You will not find them everywhere.
4 Pointers on Us: Nomadic Weekends
- We are retired, corporate people. So, we have taken a lot of stress and we understand what a holiday means to you
- We have a team that is travelling on the streets of Darjeeling to find out great stay options
- We have ourselves experienced these places and we can guarantee a great stay for you
- Unlike others, we are never about dhobi list of options. We are the shortlist by the travellers just like you.
Why go Offbeat?
Away from super congested Darjeeling city
Close to nature
Mindblowing locations
All modern amenities
Perfect Chillout. Guaranteed.
Darjeeling Offbeat Stay Options:
Click on the Image or Link below to explore More.
If you are finding these interesting, here 25 such awesome unknown and offbeat Destinations Near Darjeeling. Do check out. You won’t waste your time.
Check out Nomadic Weekends site here.
Here are a few other articles on Darjeeling that you may like reading
Darjeeling Weather And Temperature: All Your Questions Answered
8 Awesome Things to Do in Darjeeling Which You Just Cannot Miss!
15 Tourist Places Near Darjeeling that You Must Include in Your Darjeeling Tour
Darjeeling Toy Train: History, Experience and All Useful Information
Awesome things to Do in Darjeeling
Bagdogra To Darjeeling: Different Routes & Fun Stopovers In Between