Darjeeling, popularly known as the queen of hills, is a must-visit place in the eastern part of India for a soothing experience away from the city hustles, especially during the summers for its pleasant weather conditions. It’s famous for its tea cultivation and considered to produce one of the best tea around the world. The capital of West Bengal, Kolkata lies at a distance of 615 km south of Darjeeling which is the most famous hill station of the state. There are quite a few ways to reach this beautiful hill station from the city of joy. Some of them are listed below.
Kolkata to Darjeeling by air
Sadly, no proper airport belongs to Darjeeling as of now. The nearest possible airport is at Bagdogra which is around 67 km from Darjeeling. It usually takes approximately 3 hours to reach by car from the airport. Having received the status of a major airport, there are several flights that fly from Kolkata to this place including Indigo, GoAir, GoAsia, etc.
The average flight fare ranges between INR 2600 to INR 3500 per person. It usually takes 1 hour 25 minutes from a direct flight to reach Bagdogra airport.
Kolkata to Darjeeling by train
There are no major railway stations located in Darjeeling. Hence, you need to book a train to New Jalpaiguri, which is on the major stations. And from there, you can avail yourself of a car to reach Darjeeling. This will be taking approx. 4 – 5 hours. It will be no doubt a beautiful experience as the road leading to Darjeeling is mesmerizing with some amazing views of mountains. Also, if you have enough time in your hands, you can go for the Darjeeling – Himalayan railway option. This is entitle as the UNESCO world heritage site starting from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling. It starts daily from New Jalpaiguri station at 8.30 in the morning and reaches Darjeeling at 3.15 in the afternoon. Major trains leaving Kolkata to Jalpaiguri are Kanchenjunga express, KOAA HDB SF express, TeestaTorsha Express, Shatabdi Express, etc.
Also Read: “Top 6 tips to travel safely with your pet“
Kolkata to Darjeeling by cab
The driving distance between Kolkata and Darjeeling is around 616 km and takes around 14 hrs 30 mins to reach Darjeeling by cab. It is better to book a Kolkata to Darjeeling cab from reliable online websites instead of local private cars as in case of the latter, you might be charged some hefty prices which might eventually prove to be heavy on your pockets. You can search for Kolkata to Darjeeling cab on websites like GozoCabs, MakeMyTrip, Savaari, etc. You might consider opting for GozoCabs that provides Kolkata to Darjeeling cab at affordable prices starting at INR 10017 and provides top-notch service.
Places to visit in Darjeeling
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
This is one of the visited popular places in Darjeeling.The area comprises a 2 feet narrow train track that covers the entire distance between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. Best known for its toy train, this 88 km long rail track offers stunning views of the valley while gushing through the misty hillside.
Timing: 8AM to 12PM
Entry Fee: INR 600 (diesel engine ride)
INR 1000 (steam engine ride)
Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill is most popular for its trekking routes and is the most famous peak in Darjeeling. A drive through the tea plantation will make one reach this peak. Tourists gather here to capture the first rays of sun on the massive Mount Everest. The best time to visit here is during the months of Oct, Nov, and Dec in winter and from February to April during autumn.
Timing: Sunrise to sunset
Entry Fee: Free
Batasia Loop
This pathway was basically built to decrease the elevation of the Darjeeling Himalayan railway. It offers scenic pleasure to the tourists with its lush green mountainside. It is recommended to visit this dreamy place after the sunrise at Tiger Hill as one can witness the best-ever view of the pathway of gorgeous flowers that lead to Batasia Loop.
Timing: 5 AM to 8 PM Entry Fee: INR 15 per person
