Eagerly called the “queen of hills,” Darjeeling is famous for its green tea plantations, beautiful landscapes, scenic valleys, and rich culture. Tea gardens cover the town andare the residence of the world’s best tea.
Your pass to the kingdom of mist, mountains, fog, and monasteries of Darjeeling is merely the right route away from Bagdogra.
Darjeeling is about 2 hours and 33 minutes from Bagdogra by road. A local cab, either booked on spot or pre-book-ed, is the only option available to you fromthat point on. But if you can get into a cab and drive down to Bagdogra market, then youhave many options of getting around.
There are a couple of transport options that you can opt for and are three simple routes to opt for while traveling from Bagdogra to Darjeeling.
In this article, we will discuss the transport options and all the three routes in detail and also add the endless fun elements in between.
Bagdogra to Darjeeling Distance
| Mode of Transport | Distance | Duration |
| By road | 78.0km | 4 to 5 hours |
| By train { first NJP station then take taxi to Darjeeling} | 88.0km reach | 7 to 8 hours |
| By flight {fromairport IXB then take taxi } | 68.0km Bagdogra | 3 to 4 hours |
Bagdogra to Darjeeling: Through Different Transport
At the beginning, I want to let you know that it will be an awesome ride. Roads are excellent and each turn is a visual treat. There are several ways you can spend this 2-3hours time.
They have different costs and different degrees of freedom for you. Naturally, as thebudget increases, freedom and comfort increase as well.
Pre-Paid Taxi Facility:
The arrival terminal of the Bagdogra Airport has a pre-paid taxi counter. Pre-paidtaxi booking to reach Darjeeling is the most convenient. Although pre-paid taxi is at fixed
rate, some of the tourists don’t wish to pay the fare. But to take pre-paid taxi, passengers don’t need to negotiate with driver.
The pre-paid counter at airport collects the fare against a printed voucher. Another advantage to book pre-paid taxi is that this service allows to choose two types of vehicles for example small and big.
If tour group is of three people then they can rent Wagon R, Santro, Indica, Maruti Van, Alto etc. Alternatively, Tavera, Scorpio, Innova, Sumo etc can be reserved for large group. The rate depends on the category of car chosen by the passengers.
Private Car Hiring:
There are enough private vehicles available outside the Bagdogra Airport regardless of small and large vehicles. Since the private vehicle industry has become firmin this sector based on Doors Tourism, the Bagdogra to Darjeeling taxi price fluctuates withseasons and routes by which the travelers prefer to move. In the majority of the periodthe tourists negotiate with driver and agree on a price.
| Name of the | Bagdogra to Darjeeling Highway |
| Alternative Name | Hill Cart Road |
| Highway Number | NH-110 |
| The distance | 65 km |
| Point of Start | Bagdogra |
| Final Destination | Darjeeling |
| Highway | Good Quality |
Bus from Bus Terminal:
Tourist can cut down transportation expense by taking bus from Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus located on Hill Cart Road. Tourist can cover the terminus within half an hour by taking auto or any shuttles. Bus takes Bagdogra to Darjeelingdistance 94km in 5 to 6 hours.
Toy Train
Although toy train ride is quite pleasurable to reach Darjeeling, but it is not productive. First of all, it has time schedule of 9am and reaches after nearly 8hours. Even in monsoon this service gets suspended because of rock fall and landslide.
Best road route
● Through NH 110 (Hill Cart Road) via Rohini and Kurseong This is the shortest and most frequently used route:
a) Route: Bagdogra → Matigara → Rohini (Subash Ghising Marg) →Kurseong→Ghum → Darjeeling
b) Distance: About 68 km
c) Travel Time: About 2.5 to 3 hours
Highlights: Panoramic views of tea gardens, valleys, and Himalayan scenery. ● Through Pankhabari Road
Another route which is steeper and narrower:
a) Route: Bagdogra → Matigara → Pankhabari → Kurseong →Darjeeling. b) Distance: Around 64.9 km
c) Travel Time: Approximately 2 hours and 37 minutes
Note: This route is less traveled because it has tough terrain.
● Through Mirik
A longer but picturesque route:
a) Route: Bagdogra → Mirik → Ghum → Darjeeling. b) Distance: Around 94 km
c) Travel Time: Roughly 3.5 hours
Highlights:
Scenic views of Mirik Lake and the surrounding tea gardens.
Best time to visit
The most suitable season to visit Bagdogra is during the winter months, which runfrom October to March. This time of year has relaxing, cool weather, making it perfect for local travel.
Additionally, there is good vision to take in the beautiful surroundings because the sky are clear. The monsoon season, which lasts from July to September, may be interrupted by severe rains and transport issues.
April through June can be a humid and hot summer. Therefore, attempting to visit Bagdogra in the winter ensures a pleasant and delightful adventure.
Travel Tips
i. Travel early morning or late in the evening to escape city traffic.
ii. Take warm clothing along, it gets quite cold there, especially during the morningand evening.
iii. When traveling by road, please make sure that your fuel tank is full as there are not many filling stations on hills.
iv. Pre-book your hotel or resort, especially in peak season.
v. Check Weather Before You Go, particularly during monsoon season. vi. Parks generally close at 5 PM, so begin early.
vii. If photography is your thing, the route is full of scenic views, bridges, and green. viii. Have your camera handy.
ix. Do not miss to download offline maps for off-roads.
x. Try not to drive at night since the roads are dangerous and it is not so easy to drive.
xi. Off-roads do not support digital payment, keep some cash handy.
Frequently asked questions(FAQs)
What is the best time to visit Darjeeling?
The best time to visit Darjeeling is during the winter months nearly October tomarch, when the weather is perfect for tourism.
Is Darjeeling safe for tourist?
Yes, Darjeeling is safe from tourist. Every year approximately 400,000 people visit Darjeeling.
What I pack for Darjeeling trip?
You have to pack essential things like medicines recommended by doctors, first aid box, clothes , offline map and power supply.
How far is Darjeeling from Bagdogra?
The distance is nearly 68-70km. It depends on the route you choose.
Is it possible to get a taxi straight from Bagdogra Airport?
Yes, there are plenty of shared and private taxis at Bagdogra Airport that go straight to Darjeeling.
Conclusion
Darjeeling is easy to reach, whether you travel by air into Bagdogra Airport, by trainto New Jalpaiguri, or drive up from Siliguri. With different routes and means of transport, including the historic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, your trip to this stunning hill station will be as wonderful as the place itself. Use this travel guideto organize your visit and make the most of Darjeeling.
