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ArticleVerified 2026-10-24
How to reach Sikkim and Darjeeling from Delhi — New Jalpaiguri, Bagdogra and the hill road to Gangtok
Delhi to Gangtok and Darjeeling: the railhead at New Jalpaiguri, Bagdogra airport, hill road times in km, the toy train, Pakyong airport and the permit rules.
Sikkim and Darjeeling are reached through the plains of West Bengal around Siliguri, and from there a single hill road climbs to each. Delhi is far away: about 1,473 km to Gangtok and about 1,399 km to Darjeeling, so most visitors fly or take a train to the Siliguri area. This guide sorts the routes. Every road figure here is OpenStreetMap routing from our hub guides, free-flow, and the rain and landslides add much more. We have no verified train, flight or bus timetable, so check current services.
By road from Delhi
- Gangtok: about 1,473 km, 18 hours free-flow.
- Darjeeling: about 1,399 km, 17 hours.
- Ravangla: about 1,473 km, 17.5 hours, and Pelling about 1,479 km, 18 hours.
- Namchi: about 1,447 km.
Few people drive the whole way. See how to reach Gangtok and how to reach Darjeeling.
By train
New Jalpaiguri Junction in Siliguri is the main railhead for both. From it:
- Darjeeling is about 69 km and 134 minutes by road. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway runs from there on a route of about 88 km at 20 to 25 km an hour; see the toy train.
- Gangtok is about 118 km and 194 minutes on our routing, and 124 km by the national highway in Wikipedia's figure. Wikipedia says the railway from Sevoke to Rangpo is under way but not finished, and the Sikkim Tourism site lists a Majhitar railway station as upcoming.
- Ravangla and Namchi are reached by road from the same junction, about 96 km to Namchi by Wikipedia's figure.
By air
Bagdogra airport, near Siliguri, is the nearest working airport. It is about 126 km and 198 minutes by road from Gangtok, about 70 km and 127 minutes from Darjeeling on our routing (Wikipedia says 90 km), and about 102 km from Namchi by Wikipedia's figure.
Pakyong, Sikkim's own greenfield airport, is about 29 km and 61 minutes from Gangtok and opened in 2018. The Sikkim Tourism site calls it the state's only airport, but Wikipedia says its passenger flights were suspended and that none operate at present. Treat it as closed until you have confirmed otherwise.
From Gangtok onward
National Highway 10 links Gangtok to Siliguri, Darjeeling and Kalimpong. On our routing Kalimpong is about 138 minutes from Gangtok, Darjeeling about 174 minutes, Ravangla about 127 minutes and Pelling about 211 minutes. Wikipedia says that regular jeep, van and bus services run along the highway, and that share-jeeps are the usual way to go further.
The rains
Wikipedia says heavy rain from June to September brings landslides that often cut the road into Gangtok, and that landslides disrupt road and rail around Darjeeling in the monsoon. Keep a spare day in your plan, and ask your hotel about the road on the morning you travel.
Permits
Gangtok and the open towns need no permit. The protected areas do: Tsomgo Lake, Nathu La, Zuluk, Gurudongmar and the Lachen and Lachung valleys. Foreigners need a free Restricted Area Permit to enter the protected or restricted areas. These rules are set by Sikkim Tourism. Read our Sikkim permit guide, which quotes the official site, before you go.
Plan the trip
Read the best time to visit Sikkim and Darjeeling, month by month, the festivals by month and what to eat.
Places to visit
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Nohsngithiang Falls, Cherrapunji — the Seven Sisters waterfall
Khecheopalri Lake — the wish-fulfilling lake north of Pelling
Barshangarh Waterfall
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden — Asia's largest tulip garden
Gauri Shankar Temple, Naggar
St Mary's Church, Gulmarg — the 1902 church in the valley of shepherds
Chhoie Waterfall
Choj
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Questions people ask
What is the nearest railway station and airport for Sikkim?
New Jalpaiguri Junction in Siliguri is the main railhead, about 118 km and 194 minutes by road from Gangtok on our routing. Bagdogra airport, near Siliguri, is the nearest working airport, about 126 km and 198 minutes from Gangtok. Wikipedia says passenger flights at Pakyong, closer to Gangtok, were suspended, so confirm before you rely on it.
How far is Gangtok from Delhi by road?
About 1,473 km, and free-flow routing over OpenStreetMap says about 18 hours. Real driving takes longer, because the hill road above Siliguri is slow and landslides can close it from June to September. Most visitors fly or take a train to the Siliguri area and go up by shared jeep or taxi.
Do I need a permit for Sikkim?
Not for Gangtok and the open towns. The protected areas, such as Tsomgo Lake, Nathu La and North Sikkim, need a permit, and foreigners need a free Restricted Area Permit for the protected and restricted areas. Both are set by Sikkim Tourism, so read our permit guide, which quotes the official site, before you plan.