Best Darjeeling to Gangtok Route Options: Taxi, Shared Cab, Bus, Train

Introduction

Darjeeling to Gangtok is also one of the most scenic routes to be found in the Eastern Himalayas. These two tourist hill stations receive thousands of visitors annually who are interested in enjoying the mountains, culture and nature of Sikkim and West Bengal. You can be a single-backpacker or travelling with family members but it is critical to understand your means of transportation in order to have an easy time with it.

Darjeeling is about 98 kilometers (around 61 miles) away, however, the mountain roads cause the journey to take more time than you would have expected. Depending on the mode of transportation, the journey will take between 3.5 to 5 hours. This guide will intelligize all the route choices available such as taxi, shared taxi, bus, and train to make the most suitable choice.

Transfers between Darjeeling to Gangtok

The most convenient option will be Private Taxi.

A private taxi booked in Darjeeling to Gangtok is the most flexible and comfortable. This is most suitable to families, groups of people, or travelers who enjoy their privacy and do not need to follow the set schedules.

Private Taxi Overview

Advantages of private taxis:

• Hotel to airport service.
  
• Liberation to pause to take pictures at the scenic points.
  
• Air-conditioned cars are on offer.
  
• Has a possibility of carrying an additional luggage.
  

Travel expert Rajesh Kumar recommends the taxi ride between Darjeeling to Gangtok as being the most comfortable as well as during monsoon season when the roads can be tricky.

Shared Cab: Alternative at a Low price.

Shared cabs or shared taxis are used on predetermined routes and timetables and hence are an option of middle-ground. Such vehicles are usually 8-10 seater and go out when full.

Shared Cab Overview

Darjeeling common cab starting points:

• Chowk Bazaar taxi stand
  
• Gandhi Road near Mall
  
• Hill Cart Road junction
  

Shared cab routes operate using the same scenic routes as privately owned taxis but it stops less often. This is a cost-effective option since passengers share expenses among the solo flyers.

Bus Service: The Cost-Effective One.

Regular buses; both government and privately operated, operate between Darjeeling to Gangtok which is the cheapest means of transport. Although buses are slower and less comfortable, they are consistent and rather inexpensive.

Bus Service Overview

Bus types available:

• Government buses: The cheapest but bare essentials.
  
• Privat tourist buses: A little more costly, but better seat.
  
• Sikkim Nationalized Transport (SNT): Government service.
  

Buses take off at the main bus stand of Darjeeling (Chowk Bazaar). Pre-purchase book tickets during tourist high seasons (April-May and October-November).

Train Connections: Indirect Route.

Darjeeling has no direct train to Gangtok as Gangtok does not have a rail station. But it is possible that the trainers take this indirect way:

Darjeeling- New Jalpaiguri (NJP)- Gangtok.

• Use the well known Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train) or a taxi to NJP.
  
• With NJP, it is possible to take a joint cab or taxi to Gangtok (about 4-5 hours).
  

The given option is more time-consuming and coordinated and is likely to please the travelers who would like to ride the UNESCO World Heritage Toy Train.

The Best Route Explained

The Darjeeling to Gangtok route which is most common passes through the following important points:

Darjeeling Ghoom Teesta Bazaar Rangpo Gangtok.

This mountainous roadway gives stunning scenery of valleys, rivers and snow-capped mountains. The highway cuts across rolling mountainous valleys comprising of a number of scenic spots such as:

• Teesta River viewpoints
  
• West Bengal-Sikkim border (Rangpo border checkpoint).
  
• Hillsides tea fields and villages.
  

According to travel blogger Priya Sharma, the ride on the way to Darjeeling to Gangtok is as scenic as the places. Each bend announces the Himalayan scenic sights that bring a price to the travelling time.

Tips for Your Journey

Planning considerations:

• Book taxi a day directly in your hotel.
  
• Bring ID documents (needed at the border of Sikkim)
  
• Start after an early morning in order to arrive in Gangtok in afternoon.
  
• Eat light and drink water on the trip.
  
• Wear many clothes because temperature varies with the height.
  

Seasonal tips:

Shared cabs are also in high demand during the high season. Get to taxi stand before 7-8 AM to get best availability. Purchasing of bus tickets is to be done a day before to secure seats.

Conclusion

The selection of the mode of transport that you use in your Darjeeling to Gangtok journey will involve the choice of budget, the comfort level and the mode of travel. Maximum convenience and flexibility with a higher cost are provided by private taxis, balance at a reasonable cost is provided by shared cabs, and the most affordable choice is provided by buses. There is no direct train route but an adventurous traveler can have a combination of the most famous Toy Train with taxi links.

All of the route options are beautiful and each one is accompanied with breathtaking views of the Himalayas making this journey unforgettable. You can afford or you can be comfortable, any way, you are assured of a smooth ride after making advance plans between these beautiful hill stations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the time that will be spent to reach Gangtok to Darjeeling?

The Darjeeling to Gangtok ride will be between 3.5 and 6 hours depending on the mode of transportation that you will use. The speed of the private taxis is the quickest (3.5-4.5 hours), the shared taxi is 4-5 hours, and the bus is 5-6 hours since they have many stops to make and the cabs will travel with a low speed on mountain coutermeasures.

How do you get the cheapest travel time between Darjeeling to Gangtok?

Government buses are cheapest as they cost 150-250 per person (about 2-3 USD). A shared taxi will cost 350-500 each way, and a private taxi will cost between 2,500 and 3,500 per vehicle. Low end passengers normally use buses or shared cabs.

Do I require any special permits to the Darjeeling to Gangtok route.

Indian nationals just require authentic photo identification documents (Aadhar card, passport and voter ID) to pass across West Bengal to Sikkim at Rangpo checkpoint. A Protected Area Permit (PAP) is needed by foreign tourists in Sikkim and can be purchased at the border or it could be booked through tour operators.

What time of day is the most appropriate to take the trip between Darjeeling and Gangtok?

March to May and September to November are the most suitable months to do Darjeeling to Gangtok trip as it is dry. There is more visibility of the mountain views on the roads. Monsoon (June-August) is the time of landslides, and in winter (December-February) ice might be on the road.

Is there any scenic stop on the way between Darjeeling to Gangtok?

Yes! There are such popular sites as Teesta River viewpoints where the turquoise river cuts across steep gorges, Rangpo border town with mountain views and different tea garden overviews. The passengers of the taxis that are privately operated are able to stop at these locations and the shared cabs and buses will take fewer stops but will still provide excellent views to the users through windows.