Bagdogra Airport Virtually all travelers visiting Darjeeling come via BAGDOGRA airport or SILIGURI train station. Although daily bus services to and from Darjeeling are available, a private taxi is much more convenient, as you may wish to stop occasionally to take pictures or have a short break along the way. Before you confirm your onward journey, a quick visual check of the actual vehicle you are going to travel in is also highly recommended. The trip, with a short break in Kurseong, takes about 3 to 4 hours.
[Darjeeling Page]Towns and Villages along the way
Just 7 km from Siliguri, Bagdogra is serviced by Indian Airlines. Daily flights connect Bagdogra to CALCUTTA, DELHI and GUWAHATI. An airport bus operates a shuttle service from Siliguri to Kalimpong.
Shared or private taxis are also available outside the airport terminal.
For flight details contact your local Travel Agent.
A major railway junction connecting Darjeeling and Assam to the rest of India. Unless you travel by First Class or the sleeper coach, traveling by train in India is quite a challenge. It is the cheapest mode of travel for the vast majority of Indians. This causes over crowding in almost all Express Trains arriving or departing Siliguri Station.
Shared or private taxis are available outside the Railway Station. Cycle Rickshaws are available to drop you off at the Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminal. It is wise to arrange your fare before hopping onto any un-metered vehicle in India.
A small building houses an office where you can reserve a seat on a bus or taxi. Depending on the capacity of each vehicle, departures are quite frequent. Considering there is no urgency to get to one's destination up in the Hills things may seem rather slow. You must exercise patience graciously.
Once your ticket has been purchased and your seat on the bus verified, you may want to watch your luggage loaded onto the vehicle before taking a short stroll to stretch your legs. Do not wander off too far though, as you may not be able to find your way back in time to board your bus.
Bus or taxi services are available to Kurseong, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Gangtok (Sikkim), Thimpu (Bhutan) and many other surrounding areas.
Sevoke / Tindharia / Kurseong / Sepoy Dhura / Tung / Sonada /
Jorebungala / Ghoom / Batasia /
Daily bus and taxi service is available to and from Kalimpong, which is about 32 miles to the North-East.
Local travel agencies can arrange excursions to SIKKIM, BHUTAN or Kalimpong. Before you purchase any of these packages make sure that you have the necessary documents. Because of the close proximity of Pakistan and China, these areas could become sensitive and 'out of bounds' for foreigners in a matter of days.
Keep a look out for all sorts of wild animals, birds and flowers. The giant red poinsettias which brighten up the landscape and the beautiful orchids which cling to mossy branches high above, away from the reach of human hands.