How to Travel from Kolkata to Darjeeling?
Such eye-catching views of the ranges of the mountainous areas, such as good tea gardens and a very vibrant cultural heritage, are found in such a place with the perfect blend of adventure and serenity.
It is one of the best destinations for the nature lover and the one who wishes to feel the colonial charm. The distance is approximately 550 km from Kolkata to Darjeeling, which makes traveling enjoyable with several options.
Why Travel From Kolkata to Darjeeling?
There are numerous reasons why the journey from Kolkata to Darjeeling has been a must on the wish list.
- Breathtaking natural beauty: Panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga Mountain range, misty hills, tea gardens, and lush green forests make Darjeeling a destination for nature lovers. Just a bonus is that the cozier climate can be especially enjoyed when summer descends upon Kolkata like an elephant upon a poodle.
- Cultural Experience: The melting pot of cultures that Darjeeling is, the colonial-era architecture, with a mix of Buddhist monasteries and Tibetan influence, makes it an excellent amalgamation of Indian, British, and Tibetan cultures for its visitors.
- Adventure Activities: Adventure lovers have plenty of scope in Darjeeling; trek to Sandakphu or take the Toy Train ride from Darjeeling to Ghoom.
It is approximately 550 km from Kolkata, an excellent weekend or weekend trip destination. Not so far from a hustle-bustling metropolis like Kolkata, Darjeeling still gives one an entrance into serenity and the beauty of nature.
Kolkata to Darjeeling: Going on a Road Trip
The best way to enjoy the journey is by taking a road trip from Kolkata to Darjeeling. Scenic beauty, changing landscapes, and opportunities to visit unknown places make this road trip unforgettable.
Important Highway Information About Kolkata to Darjeeling
- Route 1: Kolkata to Darjeeling via NH12 (Main Route)
- Distance: About 550 km
- Approximate Time for Travel: 12 to 14 hours
- Highways Covered: NH12 is the main highway that connects Kolkata and Darjeeling. Although the highway is well-maintained, it is challenging at its tail end because it has to pass through a mountainous region.
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- Route 2: Kolkata to Darjeeling by NH19, NH12, and NH27
- Distance: 600 Kms
- Approximate Travel Duration: 13 to 15 hours
- Highways Covered: It is a little longer but has more scenic beauty and a chance to visit offbeat places around.
| Highway Name | National Highway 12 |
| Alternate Name | Kolkata – Siliguri Highway |
| Highway Number | NH 12 |
| Distance | 634 km |
| Starting Point | Kolkata |
| Ending Point | Darjeeling |
| Highway Quality | Good |
Best Time to Visit Darjeeling
Weather is one crucial element in framing your experience in Darjeeling; therefore, it makes all the difference when selecting the right time for your visit.
The weather is warm but pleasant, with clear views, so this is the best time to visit Darjeeling. This is also the best time to visit, enjoy the sites, and go out in nature. But this is also the most hectic time of the year.
‣ Optimal Season (October to March)
The post-monsoon season is lush green in the landscape; the snowfall in Darjeeling takes place during the months of winter, and a view of hills covered with snow forms a major attraction.
‣ Avoid Monsoon (July to September)
The whole region is surrounded by heavy rainfall and landslides during the monsoon time travelers get stranded. The road conditions become slippery, and I can’t view anything, so it would be better to avoid going there at this time.
- Peak: April to June
- Optimal: October to March
- Avoid: July to September
Kolkata to Darjeeling: Popular Routes to Take
Let me share different routes that you can follow from Kolkata to Darjeeling to have a better experience while traveling. These routes will also offer you the advantage of visiting offbeat places, thus, enjoying beautiful locales and nature.
1. Route 1: Kolkata to Darjeeling via NH12
- Distance: About 550km
- Drive Time: 12 to 14 hours
‣ Offbeat Places Along This Route
- Malda Museum (Malda): Good place to reflect the area’s history through artifacts from colonial times. Good stop for those who love history.
- Raiganj Municipal Children and Amusement Park (Raiganj): This amusement park suits families, especially when carrying children around. It’s a fun place to keep children entertained while taking a break from driving.
- Shree Kiriteswari Shaktipeeth Temple (Berhampore): One of the oldest pilgrim centers. Ideal for travelers on the pilgrimage to divinity.
‣ Popular Places to Eat Along This Route
- Sarai Khana Dhaba, Kalyani: It is a well-known stop for highway travelers as it serves quite a few local items.
- Haveli Raasta Cafe: Restaurant in Krishnagar is known for its mouth-watering cuisine besides for resting and eating on this travel.
- Kalyani’s Kitchen (Raiganj): Known for its delicious Bengali cuisine, this restaurant provides a nice break to refuel your car and yourself.
2. Route 2: Kolkata to Darjeeling via NH19. NH12 and NH27
- Distance: Approximately 600 km
- Drive Time: 13 to 15 hours
‣ Offbeat Places Along This Route
- Dharmasthan Temple (Dumka): The most famous temple in Dumka, known for its spiritual value.
- Sonajhuri Forest (Birbhum): This offbeat destination is yet a stunning place for nature walks and photography.
- Savin Kingdom (Siliguri): The theme park is an entertainment hub for all age groups. It is apt for the family to pit stop here.
‣ Popular Places to Eat Along This Route
- Shakuntala Restaurant (Kabi Mohanpur): Ideal place for local Bengali delicacies, like fish and rice.
- Mother’s Kitchen (Bhagalpur): It is renowned for its tasty home-cooked food and gives travelers a comfortable dining experience.
- Balaji Restaurant (Kishanganj): This good restaurant serves both veg and non-veg food and has good service.
Other Means of Travelling from Kolkata to Darjeeling
Are you wondering how to travel from Kolkata to Darjeeling but still not sure about the means of transport? In this article, let us explore the different options that you can utilize effectively to plan your trip.
How to Reach by Train?
The train can be a cheaper and more comfortable means of conveyance. You could take a straight train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) or Siliguri Junction, from where it is not very difficult to drive to Darjeeling either in a taxi, shared jeep, or through the famous Toy Train.
- Train Journey: The train journey takes about 12–14 hours and depends on which train one chooses. Some of the most popular trains connecting the city of Kolkata to NJP are Kolkata to NJP Express and Darjeeling Mail.
- Toy Train Ride: From NJP, you can board the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the Toy Train. The beautiful ride provides great views while it ascends towards Darjeeling, taking about 7 hours for the full journey.
| Train Number | Train Name | Departure Days | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration |
| 22301 | Vande Bharat Express | All days of the week except Wednesdays | 5.55 am | 1.25 pm | Around 7.5 hours |
| 12041 | Shatabdi Express | All days of the week except Sundays | 2.25 pm | 10.55 pm | Around 8.5 hours |
| 12345 | Saraighat Express | All days of the week | 3.55 pm | 1.20 am (next day) | Around 9 hours and 25 minutes |
| 13181 | Kaziranga Express | Only on Mondays | 9.05 am | 6.55 pm | Around 9 hours and 50 minutes |
| 12377 | Padatik Express | All days of the week | 11.20 pm | 9.15 am (next day) | Around 10 hours |
| 12343 | Darjeeling Mail | All days of the week | 10.05 pm | 8.15 am (next day) | Around 10 hours and 10 minutes |
How to Reach by Flight?
The nearest airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra Airport, which is 70 km away. Regular flights from Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport to Bagdogra are available. The flight takes about 1.5 hours. You can hire a taxi from Bagdogra or take a shared jeep to reach Darjeeling, which takes about 3 hours.
‣ Flight Timeline
Let us go through the timeline of all the flights that are functional from Kolkata to Darjeeling! You can plan your trip accordingly.
| Flight Name | Departure | Time Taken | Arrival | Airport |
| Air India Express CCU Kolkata, India | 07:45 | 1h 10m | 08:55 | IXB Bagdogra, India |
| IndiGo CCU Kolkata, India | 17:05 | 1h 05m | 18:10 | IXB Bagdogra, India |
| Air India Express CCU Kolkata, India | 09:50 | 1h 20m | 11:10 | IXB Bagdogra, India |
| IndiGo CCU Kolkata, India | 12:55 | 1h 10m | 14:05 | IXB Bagdogra, India |
| IndiGo CCU Kolkata, India | 07:40 | 1h 05m | 08:45 | IXB Bagdogra, India |
| Air India CCU Kolkata Layover @ New Delhi 17h 10m Free Meals | 20:00 | 21h 40m | 17:40 | IXB Bagdogra, India |
| Air India CCU Kolkata Layover @ New Delhi 16h 45m Free Meals | 20:30 | 21h 10m | 17:40 | IXB Bagdogra, India |
| Air India CCU Kolkata Layover @ New Delhi 2h 15m Free Meals | 04:50 | 6h 40m | 11:30 | IXB Bagdogra, India |
| Air India CCU Kolkata Layover @ Chennai 17h 05m Free Meals | 17:00 | 22h 25m | 15:25 | IXB Bagdogra, India |
| Air India CCU Kolkata Layover @ New Delhi 18h 25m Free Meals | 18:45 | 22h 55m | 17:40 | IXB Bagdogra, India |
How to Reach by Road?
Traveling by car is great if you’re an adventurous kind of fellow. Two significant roads pass through NH12 or NH19, which carry excellent views, and one can stop at innumerable places throughout the journey. Using your automobile or hiring a car ensures that one has an alternative during a trip.
Price Comparison for Choosing Different Travel Means
- By Road: A road trip is traveling with your car or hiring one for freedom. It costs, as in general, fuel prices and some amount of tolls for traveling and food. Accommodation and food would cost additional. For a road trip, fuel alone could run around ₹5,000 to ₹8,000, based on your vehicle and road.
- By Train: The ticket fare ranges between ₹500-₹1,500 per person, depending upon the class and type of train available (sleeper class, 3AC, or 2AC). It is one of the most affordable options for single people and families.
- By Flight: Flights from Kolkata to Bagdogra range between ₹ 3,000 to ₹ 7,000 depending on seasons and booking in advance. However, the extra expense of bringing Bagdogra to Darjeeling is to be borne also.
| Means of Transportation | Travel time via each of these means | Price |
| Kolkata to Darjeeling by train Kolkata to Siliguri Junction by train & Siliguri Junction to Darjeeling by cab | Train: Around 7.5 – 10 hours Cab: Around 2.5 hours | Train: Rs. 1,450 to Rs. 1,600 (AC Chair Car) Cab: Rs. 3,200 |
| Kolkata to Darjeeling by bus Kolkata to Siliguri by bus & Siliguri to Darjeeling by bus | Bus 1: Around 12.5 – 15 hours Plus, Bus 2: 2 – 3 hours | Bus 1: Rs. 540 to Rs. 1,500 Bus 2: Rs. 102 |
| Kolkata to Darjeeling by flight Kolkata to Bagdogra by flight & Bagdogra to Darjeeling by cab | Flight: Around one hour Cab: Around 2.5 hours | Flight: Rs. 2,700 to Rs. 2,800 Cab: Rs. 3,700 |
| Kolkata to Darjeeling by Cab | 15 – 18 hours | Rs. 12,200 |
Things To Do in Darjeeling
If you have ever visited Darjeeling, then you know that there are a lot of places you can visit and have a great. I personally have been to Darjeeling more than 10 times till now but still discovering new places to visit and new things to do since Darjeeling tourism has improved a lot.
You can visit a lot of places when visiting Darjeeling with a lot of things to do. Let me share with you some of the coolest places you can visit and the things you can do there!
‣ Tiger Hill
| Location | Tiger Hill, Darjeeling, West Bengal, 734123 |
| Best Time to Visit | October – December and March – April |
| Timings | Open all hours but it is recommended to visit early in the morning before sunrise. |
‣ Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
One of the iconic landmarks of Darjeeling is the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, from where you can board the iconic toy train. The ride starts from Ghoom and ends at Kurseong, it has a mesmerizing panoramic view of the mountains and the beautiful landscape of the valley.
| Location | Hill Cart Road, Limbugaon, Darjeeling, West Bengal. |
| Best Time to Visit | October to December is the peak time, when the mists have cleared up, and the weather becomes pleasant. |
| Timings | 7:40 am to last train leaves at 4:30 pm. |
‣ Batasia Loop
This is yet another iconic landmark of Darjeeling that receives a lot of tourist footfall all year round. It is a Gorkha War Memorial established in honor of the soldiers who lost their lives during WWI and WWII.
| Location | Batasia Viewpoint, West Point, Ghoom, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734102 |
| Best Time to Visit | Although you can visit any time of the year, but best time would be during spring. |
| Timings | 5 am to 4:30 pm |
‣ Japanese Peace Pagoda
Established by the Japanese Buddhist monk Nichidatsu Fujii as a symbol of World Peace and harmony. The stupa is a place where people of different races, colors, religions, and communities come together, in search of peace and unity.
| Location | West Point, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734102 |
| Best Time to Visit | Visit on a sunny day during late afternoon or early morning during spring and autumn. |
| Timings | 4 am to 7 pm |
‣ Observatory Hill
Located on one of the best vantage points for the scenic beauty of the city and the snow-clad mountains of the Himalayan range, including Mt. Kanchenjunga. It is a hill near Chowrasta in Darjeeling. The hill has been featured in many films by the famous director Satyajit Ray.
| Location | Naya Basti, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101 |
| Best Time to Visit | March to September |
| Timings | 7 am to 7 pm |
‣ Mall Road or Chowrasta
Chowrasta, popularly known as The Mall Road, is the most happening place and popular tourist attraction in Darjeeling.
This is known as the Town Square, where you will get a lot of little shops and stalls where you can stroll around and do a little bit of shopping.
| Location | Darjeeling West Bengal, India |
| Best Time to Visit | April to May and October to December |
| Timings | Morning and Afternoon, Daylight hours. |
Popular Restaurants and Cafes in Darjeeling
No trip to Darjeeling is complete unless you sample its culinary delights. Here are some of the top restaurants that you mustn’t miss while visiting Darjeeling.
‣ Sonam’s Kitchen
A tiny local eatery on Dr. Zakir Hussain Road, this cafe is a very popular eatery for its breakfast menu. Here, you are gonna find delicious local dishes with a western twist. Here you are gonna find one of the best coffees and tea in the whole of Darjeeling.
| Location | Dr. Zakir Hussain Road near the TV Tower |
| What to Eat | Hash brown and cheese omlette, pancake with banana, nuts and honey. Porridge. |
| Timings | 8 am to 2:30 pm for breakfast and brunch, 6 pm to 8:30 pm for dinner. |
‣ Keventers
One of the best places to have breakfast in Darjeeling is Keventers, with a stunning view of the Himalayan range.
On a clear day you can even stop Mt. Kanchenjunga from the rooftop seating area of Keventers. Founded in 1911, Keventers have an old charm colonial Indian feel to it.
| Location | Nehru Rd. Clubside, Shop No. 1, Darjeeling 734101 |
| What to Eat | English Breakfast, Darjeeling tea, Pork Sausages & Salami, Hot chocolate |
| Timings | 8 am – 6:30 pm |
‣ Dekevas Restaurant
This restaurant is a part of the Dekeling Hotel, but has an identity of its own, serving delicious food with a home-cooked feel to it. The restaurant serves traditional Tibetan food, owned by a Tibetan family.
| Location | 51, Gandhi Rd, Chauk Bazaar, Darjeeling, 734101 |
| What to Eat | Cheesecake, Dragon chicken bao, pork bibimbap |
| Timings | 9 am to 9:30 pm |
‣ Glenary’s
This is yet another iconic restaurant in Darjeeling, serving continental cuisines, here you are also gonna get delicious baked goods. Glenary’s might be a cliche here in Darjeeling but a must-visit place to visit in Darjeeling.
| Location | Nehru Road Darjeeling 734101 |
| What to Eat | Pastries, pies, pizzas, sandwiches and burgers. |
| Timings | 6:30 am to 9 pm |
‣ Tom & Jerry’s
This is another smaller cafe in Darjeeling for a great breakfast that includes eggs, sausages and baked beans. This Tom and Jerry themed cafe is a great place to hang out with your friends and have a great time together.
| Location | Dr. Zakir Hussain Road Near SP Bangalow, Darjeeling 734101 |
| What to Eat | Hot chocolate, Chicken Ramen, Pancakes with banana and honey, chicken sandwich. |
| Timings | 8 am to 8 pm |
‣ Kunga Restaurant
This small eatery serving one of the best Tibetan and Chinese dishes in the whole of Darjeeling. From steamed momos to hot delicious soup this is the place to be for a legendary experience down the food trail.
| Location | 51 Gandhi Road, Darjeeling, 734101, just below Dekeling Hotel |
| What to Eat | Tibetan Momo, Chicken Thukpa, Chicken fried rice, Chilly Chicken |
| Timings | 8 am to 9 pm |
Hotels and Resorts in Darjeeling
There are enough hotels and resorts available within the budgetary range in Darjeeling.
- The Elgin: The heritage hotel with a pinch of colonial charm, luxury and marvelous views of Kanchenjunga.
- Windemere Hotel: Class old, colonial-style hotel for fabulous service and awe-inspiring views.
- Hotel Seven Seventeen: A mid-range budget hotel with good rooms and decent amenities.
| Hotel Name | Address & Phone Number |
| Sinclairs Darjeeling | Address: 18/1, Gandhi Rd, Limbugaon, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101. Phone: +91 97359 41719, +91 354 2256432 |
| Udaan Dekeling Resort, Darjeeling | Address: 2, Hawk’s Nest, A.J.C Bose Road, Near Alpine School, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101 Phone: +91 95550 33033 |
| Hotel Zambala Retreat and Spa | Address: NH 110, Limbugaon, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101 Phone: +91 70115 83520 |
| Cedar Inn | Address: Dr. Zakir Hussain Road (below St. Paul’s School) Darjeeling – 734101 Phone: +91 354 2254446, +91 354 2256764 |
| The Elgin, Darjeeling – Heritage Resort & Spa | Address: 18 H.D Lama Road, Darjeeling, West Bengal, 734101 Phone: +91 84201 990177, +91 354 2257226/7 |
Road Trips from Darjeeling
Post-exploring Darjeeling, visit the neighboring hill stations and pretty towns.
- Mirik: This is a silent town 50 km from Darjeeling, suitable for nature walks and boating in the lake.
- Kalimpong: Hill station 50 km away from here; famous for monasteries, landscapes, and good climate.
- Pellings: Silent town 100 km away from Darjeeling. It offers good views of Kanchenjunga and a good scope for trekking.
| Route | Distance | Best Time to Visit |
| Darjeeling to Kalimpong | 51 km | March to June and September to December |
| Darjeeling to Gangtok | 97 km | March to June and September to October |
| Darjeeling to Lataguri | 116 km | October to February |
| Darjeeling to Mirik | 40 km | March to May and September to December |
Wrapping Up!
Whether you prefer to travel by road, take the train, or fly in, a journey from Kolkata to Darjeeling is always so sweet in charm and full of picturesque beauty.
October to March is the best time to visit. With landscapes, culture, and adventure in Darjeeling-landscapes, culture, adventure-Darjeeling holds much to make any tourist discover new aspects of the beauty this Himalayan gem will enchant. So, start packing and get ready for some magic!
