Key hubs
Darjeeling airport and railway station
- Nearest airport
- Bagdogra Airport (IXB) is about 90–100 km south, roughly 2.5–3.5 hours by road depending on traffic and weather
- Railway station
- New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) is the main broad-gauge hub; the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (toy train) station is in the town itself
- Getting around
- The town is best explored on foot with stretches by taxi or shared jeep for viewpoints and tea estates. A car and driver for a half or full day is worth the cost. Local share-taxis (jeeps) connect the main neighbourhoods.
How to reach Darjeeling by air
Bagdogra Airport (IXB) is the nearest, about 90-100 km south, roughly 2.5-3.5 hours by road depending on traffic and hill conditions.
How to reach Darjeeling by train
New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is the main broad-gauge railhead near Siliguri; the narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the historic 'toy train', has its own station in the town itself.
How to reach Darjeeling by road
The drive up from Bagdogra or NJP takes 2.5-3.5 hours on winding hill roads that can slow considerably in poor weather or during the monsoon.
Getting around Darjeeling
The town centre is compact but very hilly, so a hired jeep is the easiest way to reach tea estates and viewpoints like Tiger Hill; walking suits only short, level stretches near the Chowrasta.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Darjeeling
- Take the jeep to Tiger Hill rather than walking; it is a steep, breathless climb at high altitude, and the drive takes only 15–20 minutes from town.
- Hire a jeep and driver for a half-day to visit tea estates and viewpoints; it is much easier than walking between them, and the driver can often wait and bring you back.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.