Key hubs
Gangtok airport and railway station
- Nearest airport
- Bagdogra Airport (IXB) near Siliguri, about 120–150 km away; roughly 4–5 hours by road to Gangtok, traffic and season dependent
- Railway station
- No railway into Gangtok; nearest is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in Siliguri, about 3–4 hours by car
- Getting around
- A private car and driver is most comfortable for monasteries and day trips; shared taxis and autos work within the city for short hops, but driving is steep
How to reach Gangtok by air
Bagdogra Airport (IXB) near Siliguri is the main gateway, roughly 4–5 hours by road to Gangtok; the closer Pakyong Airport operates a more limited schedule.
How to reach Gangtok by train
New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in Siliguri is the nearest railhead, about 3–4 hours by car; there is no direct rail line into Sikkim.
How to reach Gangtok by road
Mountain roads connect Gangtok to Siliguri and onward through Sikkim; permits are required for parts of the state.
Getting around Gangtok
A car and driver is most comfortable for monasteries and day trips; shared taxis and autos handle short hops within the steep town.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Gangtok
- Gangtok is hilly: accept that you will be climbing or descending most of the day. Choose a hotel in central Gangtok (MG Marg area) so you can make short walks rather than long taxi rides between sights.
- Rumtek Monastery involves a steep drive and then walking up from the car park. You can rest at the top before exploring. Enchey and Kanyeshwara are less demanding and still rewarding.
- MG Marg is steep but walkable in short bursts. Walk down in the evening when it is cooler, and take taxis going uphill.
- Hire a car and driver for at least one full day to visit monasteries and get around without constant uphill walking.
- Hospitals are located on the city's edges, not the central areas. Note your hotel's proximity to medical care and keep emergency numbers handy.
- 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.