Travel
Darjeeling Overview
Darjeeling is a town in India's West Bengal state, in the Himalayan foothills, and is easily accessible from all corners of the globe. Once a summer resort for the British Raj elite, it remains the terminus of the narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (UNESCO World Heritage site), or “Toy Train,” completed in 1881. It's famed for the distinctive black tea grown on plantations that dot its surrounding slopes. Its backdrop is Mt. Kanchenjunga, among the world’s highest peaks. The nearest International Airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra International Airport which is 69 klms from Darjeeling.
Affordable and easily available taxis will transport you to and from Bagdogra.The ride to Darjeeling itself is an experience. There are three routes from Bagdogra to Darjeeling, and one can choose either to come to Darjeeling via Mirik, via the Rohini Road or via the Main Road (Highway 55).
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Apply at:
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
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Air Suvidha form is also mandatory for travel to India:
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Travel Information - Air
The most economical way to get to Darjeeling from outside India is with Air India from Singapore. Most countries of the APF have easy access to Singapore or Dubai , which are major hubs for people arriving from Southeast Asia, Australasia, Europe, and the USA.
The majority of flights to Bagdogra are via Delhi or Kolkata. Flights can be booked from Singapore to Bagdogra with one layover in one of the Indian cities of Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai or Bangaluru. There are no direct non-stop flights to Bagdogra, however this is the most economical way.
The nearest International Airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra International Airport which is at a distance of 69 kilometers from Darjeeling. There are 9 flights from Delhi to Bagdogra and 8 flights from Kolkata to Bagdogra every day. Land Travel from Bagdogra to Darjeeling can be completed in 2 hours 30 minutes using a local taxi which is easily available from the airport. One can also ask for a vehicle to pick them up from the hotel they have booked which will cost more than the prices given below.
Land Transfers
Bagdogra Airport to Darjeeling 69 kms 2:30 hours $45 (Full Vehicle)
Pasupati (Nepal) to Darjeeling 29 kms 1:10 hours $30 (Full Vehicle)
Kakarivitta (Nepal) to Darjeeling 85 kms 4:30 hours $55 (Full Vehicle)
Jaigaon (Bhutan) to Darjeeling 178 kms 5:00 hours $75 (Full Vehicle)
Shared taxies to Darjeeling can also be caught from the town of Siliguri which is 11 klms away from Bagdogra at a cost of $4 per person. One can reach Siliguri in one of the local taxis/cabs or buses.
People coming from other parts of India will need to dissembark at the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station.
From there you can either hire a taxi to Darjeeling at the cost of $45 for a full vehicle, or come in one of the shared taxis at $4 per person which is easily available outside the station.
Those coming via buses will have to get dissembark at the Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus in Siliguri.
From there you can either hire a taxi to Darjeeling at the cost of $45 for a full vehicle of come in one of the shared taxis at $4 per person.
