4★Flight
≈ 1 h + road
CCU → IXB, non-stop; check current schedules
By land or sea
Train
Overnight trains from Sealdah or Howrah to New Jalpaiguri (NJP)
Best time
March to May and October to November for mountain views
check the season before booking
Stay
3–4 nights
+2 for Kalimpong
Country
India
no passport needed for Indians
Fly from Kolkata to Bagdogra, roughly an hour, then take the hill road for about three to four hours to Darjeeling. Overnight trains from Sealdah or Howrah to New Jalpaiguri take roughly 8 to 11 hours, with about three hours by road after that. Stay near the Mall and Chowrasta for the walks and views, or quieter Ghoom and Lebong. Three nights suits most trips; March to May and October to November give the clearest mountain views.
Getting from Kolkata to Darjeeling
By air
Bagdogra Airport (IXB) is the gateway for Darjeeling. Non-stop flights from Kolkata (CCU) take about an hour, and the airport sits in the plains near Siliguri, so the mountain section is entirely by road. Allow time on arrival for taxis and shared jeeps, which fill through the morning. A morning flight from Kolkata reaches Darjeeling before dark.
Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) is about 17 km north-east of the centre, 45 to 75 minutes by road to Park Street depending on traffic. Jai Hind Bimanbandar metro station on the Yellow Line serves the airport; services are expanding, so check Metro Railway Kolkata. Allow time for security at busy periods.
By train, road or sea
Overnight trains from Sealdah or Howrah to New Jalpaiguri take roughly 8 to 11 hours, with about three hours by road from NJP up to Darjeeling. Booking opens well in advance on Indian Railways; check IRCTC for current timetables. The road from Bagdogra or NJP to Darjeeling takes roughly three to four hours, climbing through tea gardens and forest. Driving the whole way from Kolkata is possible but long.
Where to stay in Darjeeling
The Mall & Chowrasta
Central and walkable, with the promenade, cafés and viewpoints on the doorstep. Best for a first visit and for anyone who wants the views without a long climb.
Ghoom
Higher and quieter, near the railway station and monastery. Suits travellers with their own transport and those who prefer cold mornings to crowds.
Lebong
Lower down, towards the race course and the mountaineering institute side of town. Less central, good for walkers who do not mind the climb back.
Top things to do in Darjeeling
- Tiger Hill sunrise: Leave before dawn for the drive to Tiger Hill, where first light catches Kanchenjunga. Clear mornings are not guaranteed, so keep a spare morning.
- Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: The narrow-gauge toy train to Ghoom and back is the easiest way to ride the UNESCO-listed line. Check Indian Railways for current steam and diesel services.
- Mall and Chowrasta: The ridge-top promenade is the centre of town, with benches, pony rides and long views down to the plains. Busiest in the late afternoon.
- Padmaja Naidu zoo: Red pandas, snow leopards and a breeding centre for Himalayan species sit on the hill above town. Mornings are quieter than afternoons.
- Mountaineering institute: The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, founded after the first Everest ascent, has a museum on Himalayan climbing and a memorial to Tenzing Norgay. Check opening days.
- Happy Valley tea garden: A working tea estate on the edge of town where plucking and processing can be seen. Check current visiting arrangements at the estate office.
- Batasia Loop: A spiral railway loop with a garden and a memorial to Gorkha soldiers, on the road between town and Ghoom. An easy stop on the sunrise run.
- Observatory Hill: A wooded hill above the Mall with the Mahakal temple and views over the ridge. A short, steep climb from Chowrasta.
- Bhutia Busty monastery: A monastery below the Mall with painted murals and a quiet courtyard. Walk down from Chowrasta and climb back slowly.
- Tea and Tibetan food: Momos, thukpa and Tibetan bread are everyday food here, alongside tea from the surrounding gardens. Loose Darjeeling tea is sold in the bazaars.
Three days in Darjeeling
- Day 1: Arrive and the Mall: Arrive by road from Bagdogra or NJP, check in and take an easy walk along the Mall and Chowrasta. Keep the evening early while you adjust to the height, and book the Tiger Hill car for the morning.
- Day 2: Sunrise and museums: Drive to Tiger Hill before dawn, then return via Batasia Loop and Ghoom. Spend the afternoon at the zoological park and the mountaineering institute, which sit close together above town.
- Day 3: Tea gardens and walks: Visit a tea garden in the morning, then walk down to Bhutia Busty or up to Observatory Hill. Leave the afternoon for the bazaar and an early dinner before the drive down.
Add a day for a longer ridge walk, or two for Kalimpong and Lava. Sandakphu treks need a guide and permits arranged in advance.
Best time to visit Darjeeling
March to May and October to November give the clearest mountain views. Spring brings rhododendrons and magnolias into flower; autumn follows the monsoon, when the air clears and Kanchenjunga appears most reliably. December and January are cold and bright, with frost at night and occasional snow. The monsoon, roughly June to September, brings cloud and landslides on the road up. Check the India Meteorological Department for conditions before travelling.
Getting around Darjeeling
- Walking: The Mall and Chowrasta are best on foot; lanes below drop steeply, so allow time for the climb back.
- Shared jeeps: Shared jeeps and Land Rovers run from the motor stand to Ghoom and nearby villages, leaving when full.
- Hired car: A car and driver for the day covers Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop and the tea gardens; agree the route before setting out.
Darjeeling vs Kolkata: what feels different
Darjeeling feels far removed from Kolkata: the air is thin and cool, the streets climb and fall, and the food shifts from rice and fish to momos, thukpa and Tibetan bread. Nepali is the everyday language alongside Bengali and English, and the British hill-station layer shows in the churches, boarding schools and stone buildings. Mornings are slow and evenings cold. The monsoon is wetter and cooler than in Kolkata, and the light changes fast on the ridge.
Before you go
- Documents: Indian citizens need no visa or passport for Darjeeling; carry a government photo ID for flights and trains. Foreign visitors need an Indian e-Visa from the official Indian Visa Online portal before travel.
- Money: Cards and UPI are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and larger shops in town. Carry cash for jeeps, tea stalls and small purchases, and change money before leaving the plains.
- Altitude: The town sits high on a ridge and the climb from the plains is quick, so take the first evening slowly and drink water. Symptoms that persist need medical advice.
- Language: Nepali and Bengali are the everyday languages of the hills. Hindi and English are widely understood in hotels, restaurants and taxis.
Hotels in Darjeeling
Hotels from the IMPT hotel database in Darjeeling’s main areas, listed by star rating (5-star first, then 4-star) and guest score. No prices are shown here: each button opens live availability for your dates in the IMPT app, and every booking removes one tonne of CO₂.
4★
4★Mount Lungta Boutique Hotel & Spa
Ghoom, Darjeeling · 4-starGuest score 4.5/5 · 632 reviewsSee live price
4★
4★Yashshree Sanderling
The Mall & Chowrasta, Darjeeling · 4-starGuest score 4.4/5 · 279 reviewsSee live price
4★Yashshree Sanderling Mall Road
The Mall & Chowrasta, Darjeeling · 4-starGuest score 4.4/5 · 278 reviewsSee live price
4★The Elgin Darjeeling
The Mall & Chowrasta, Darjeeling · 4-starGuest score 4.3/5 · 992 reviewsSee live price
4★
3★
3★Golden Mahseer Riverside Resort
≈ 7 km from Lebong, Darjeeling · 3-starGuest score 3.8/5 · 73 reviewsSee live priceFAQ
How do you get from Kolkata to Darjeeling?
Fly from Kolkata (CCU) to Bagdogra (IXB), about an hour, then take the road for roughly three to four hours. Alternatively, overnight trains from Sealdah or Howrah reach New Jalpaiguri in roughly 8 to 11 hours, with about three hours by road after that. Check IRCTC for current train times.
How long does the journey from Kolkata to Darjeeling take?
Flying takes about an hour, and the road from Bagdogra or NJP adds roughly three to four hours, so a flight plus a car fits into a single day. Overnight trains take roughly 8 to 11 hours, plus about three hours by road. Add waiting time at the airport or station.
Where should you stay in Darjeeling?
Near the Mall and Chowrasta for a first visit, since the promenade, cafés and viewpoints are on the doorstep. Ghoom is higher and quieter, and suits travellers with their own transport. Lebong is lower and less central, better for walkers. Book ahead for April, May and October.
When is the best time to visit Darjeeling from Kolkata?
March to May and October to November give the clearest views of Kanchenjunga. Spring flowers appear in April and May; October and November follow the monsoon, with clearer air. December and January are cold and bright. The monsoon, roughly June to September, brings cloud and landslides. Check the India Meteorological Department before travelling.
Do you need a visa or permit for Darjeeling?
No. Darjeeling is in West Bengal, India, and Indian citizens need only a government photo ID for flights and trains. Foreign visitors need an Indian e-Visa obtained before travel through the official Indian Visa Online portal. Some trekking routes beyond the town, including Sandakphu, need permits arranged in advance.
Is the toy train worth riding in Darjeeling?
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a UNESCO World Heritage narrow-gauge line, and the short run to Ghoom and back is the easiest way to sample it. Steam and diesel services vary by season, so check Indian Railways for current schedules and book ahead in the busy months.
How many days do you need in Darjeeling?
Three nights covers the Mall, Tiger Hill, the zoological park, the mountaineering institute and a tea garden without rushing. Add a day for a longer walk, or two for Kalimpong. Travellers heading on to Sandakphu or Sikkim usually allow a week or more from Kolkata.
Can you combine Darjeeling with other places after Kolkata?
Yes. Kalimpong is a short road journey away, Gangtok in Sikkim needs a check on current permit rules for foreign visitors, and Pelling and Lava lie further along the ridge. Bagdogra and New Jalpaiguri are the transport hubs for the region. The Sundarbans and Shantiniketan work as separate trips from Kolkata itself.
What should you pack for Darjeeling?
Layers. Days can be mild while mornings and evenings are cold, and the monsoon adds rain on the trails. Bring sturdy shoes for the steep lanes, a torch and a light rain jacket at any time of year. Sun protection matters at this height even when the town is misty.
More from Kolkata
Sources: airline schedules, Indian Railways (IRCTC), official tourism and immigration authorities. Times are approximate; check before you travel. Editorial review: 3 November 2026.