Transport in Darjeeling | Secret Hacks for Budget Travel in Darjeeling: Affordable Transport Revealed

In today’s blog, we will discuss the various transport in Darjeeling.

Transport in Darjeeling plays an important role in good tourism in any place. Darjeeling city has many types of vehicles to travel to different places. Earlier only Jeeps were available, now instead of them, cars of various sizes, buses etc and Various vehicles including Tata Sumo, Bolero etc are available.
The two main factors in Darjeeling’s economic growth are the tea industry and the tourism industry.

The tourism system of Darjeeling was developed during the British period. A proper transport system helps tourists to reach Darjeeling as well as tea and other goods produced here to the plains.

Roads that connect Darjeeling to other places:

First, let’s talk about the main roads of Darjeeling. The road that is in the heart of Darjeeling is Hill Cart Road or National Highway 55.
Either get off at New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri station and take Hill Cart Road towards Darjeeling. And even if going from Bagdogra to Darjeeling, Hill Cart Road is the main option. In all cases, one has to cross Siliguri city towards Darjeeling.

Some of the major roads in Darjeeling are:

1. Hill Cart Road
2. Rohini Road
3. Pankha Bari Road
4. Peshok Road

1. NH-55 is also known as Hill Cart Road. It starts in Siliguri and ends in Darjeeling city. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway runs along its side. It is a popular Transport in Darjeeling It is a relatively less steep road, so it takes more time, and many people prefer this road. On the way from Siliguri to Darjeeling there are several famous towns, one of which is Kurseong

2. Rohini Road Passing through the Rohini tea Estate, this road ends at Kurseong. The length of the road is very short. It also has a relatively low slope.
3. Pangkha Bari Road starts from Pangkha Bari and ends at Karshiang. Darjeeling can be reached from Karshiang via Hilkart Road. This road is quite steep so those who have difficulty with height can avoid this road while going to the hill.
4. Peshok Road is connected to Teesta Bazar. If you want to go to Gangtok or Sikkim from New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri station, you have to take this road.

Apart from these roads, there are many smaller roads inside Darjeeling city

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway or DHR

The popularity of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has declined over time. The main reason is time. People can reach Darjeeling, Sikkim by road in a short time than DHR. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was once an important means of public Transport in Darjeeling and transportation of goods.

This railway runs from Siliguri to Darjeeling along Hill Cart Road. There are several important stations and places to visit on the way. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway which was once used to transport goods has now become a mere recreational vehicle “Toy Train”.

People prefer to travel for a couple of stations, not the whole journey or take pictures on the train. UNESCO has designated the DHR as a World Heritage Site.

Airways in Darjeeling

Darjeeling does not have an airport. The nearest airport is Bagdogra. The distance from Bagdogra to Darjeeling city is about 90 km. It takes three and a half hours by car.

So there is no way to come directly to Darjeeling by air. Bagdogra can be reached by air from any major airport in the country. Then the rest of the road has to be travelled by car.

Ropeway in Darjeeling

It is an attractive form of entertainment in any mountain area. Darjeeling Ropeway or Rangeet Valley Passenger Cable Car is very popular Transport in Darjeeling. The number of tourists who come to Darjeeling and do not travel in the ropeway is negligible.

Tourists queue up to ride the Darjeeling Ropeway. From the ropeway, one can see the spectacular views of the Himalayan mountains.

It has various modes of Transport in Darjeeling like private or shared taxis, public buses etc. There are also toy trains for short-distance travel

How to book Darjeeling Ropeway? ➥Click Here

Taxi in Darjeeling

Several taxis are available from the bus stand in Darjeeling for travel to all surrounding areas. Darjeeling Chawkbazar Taxi Stand is nearby. You can rent a car as needed to travel to Darjeeling’s sightseeing spots.
There are two types of taxi services in Darjeeling 1. Private Taxi 2. Shared Taxi

1. Private or reserved taxi

You can book a car for a private trip from the taxi stand. These vehicles can be booked from taxi stands adjacent to New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri stations and bus stands.

Also, those arriving from Bagdogra Airport can book cars from the taxi stand around the airport.

Different categories of private cars can be booked for Darjeeling travel such as Maruti van, alto, wagon R, and Santro among small cars etc. and big cars include Swift Dzire, Tata Sumo, Bolero, Ertiga, Xylo, Scorpio etc.

The bigger and more luxurious the car, the higher the rent. Each taxi stand has a fixed rate chart for the convenience of tourists, there are no metered taxis in Transport in darjeeling.

You can also book a cab online from Ola, and Uber. Rents are higher in season regardless of the rate chart. There are many tour operators around Darjeeling, New Jalpaiguri, and Siliguri stations who also arrange cars.

Before booking the car, check the condition of the car. The fares are usually higher if you book a car from tour operators but the cars they provide are in fairly good condition.

The hotels located around ➥Darjeeling Mall are not accessible by vehicles. The hired taxi will drop you far away from the Hotel From there, you have to walk to the hotel with the luggage. So, if you take a hotel near the taxi stand, you will get rid of this

2. Shared Taxi In Darjeeling

• A shared taxi is available for those travelling alone to Darjeeling. Here you can go anywhere in Darjeeling by renting a car per person. It is much cheaper.

• Share taxis service available within Darjeeling and connect with many places like Gangtok, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Mirik, New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri, etc. Shared taxis are usually larger vehicles like Tata Sumo, Mahindra Max etc. These cars are usually not in good condition. Local people use shared Jeeps more than these cars, transport in Darjeeling

• Share taxis from Siliguri, New Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling and Gangtok depart from the stand from 7 am to 4 pm.

• After 4 pm the number of cars decreases drastically so shared taxis may not be available. In shared taxis, luggage is kept on the roof. Shared taxis are also available after an evening on all routes in the main town to a part of Transport in Darjeeling

Taxi stand in Darjeeling

There are taxi stands at some famous places in Darjeeling Town

1. Just below Planters Club on Gandhi Road

2. Lower Club Side Taxi Stand at Laden La Road

3. Chawkbazar Lebong Card Road Taxi Stand

Darjeeling Bus Service: Transport in Darjeeling

Darjeeling bus stand is located near Chowkbazar and Lebong Cart Road. There are bus services from here to various destinations. There are bus services from Darjeeling to New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri.

Siliguri Bus Stand is located on Hill Cart Road and is known as Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminal. The Siliguri to Darjeeling bus route will include Shukna Forest, Kurseong, Ghum etc famous places. You can plan to go anywhere on this route by bus. There are bus services between Darjeeling and Siliguri

Taxi and Bus Fares from Darjeeling

Tourists worry about how much taxi and bus fares cost between Darjeeling and other destinations. So here is an idea of how much the rent of places like Gangtok, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Manebhanjan, New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri, etc. can be at current rates.

Darjeeling to Kalimpong Fares

• The distance from Darjeeling to Kalimpong is about 70 km and takes more than two and a half hours.
• Shared Jeep is available from the Chawkbazar taxi stand from morning to 2 pm. Darjeeling to Kalimpong shared car fare is Rs 300 per person. Large share cars can carry up to 10 passengers.
• Kalimpong can also be reached by booking a car from Chowkbazar taxi stand, for which the fare will be Rs. 3000 in a small car.
• If going from Darjeeling to Kalimpong and coming back, the round-trip fare will be Rs.4,800.

Darjeeling to Gangtok Fares

• It takes 4 hours to reach Gangtok from Darjeeling
• Shared cars are available from Chawkbazar till noon. Darjeeling to Gangtok can be reached for Rs 400 per person, up to 10 passengers can go in a shared car.
• If you want to rent a car from Darjeeling to Gangtok, the fare is Rs. 4000. There is no direct bus service from Darjeeling to Gangtok

Darjeeling to Pelling Fares

• It takes four hours to reach Pelling from Darjeeling via Zorthang and the distance is about 75 km
• The rent for a small car is four thousand rupees. There is no bus service on this road. The number of shared cars on this route is less in the Transport in Darjeeling

Darjeeling to Lepchajagat Fares

The fare from Darjeeling to Lepcha in a small car is Rs 2000
From Darjeeling to Lepcha Jagat by shared car costs Rs.120 per person

Darjeeling to Mirik Fares

• The distance from Darjeeling to Mirik is 50 km. It takes two and a half hours to reach Mirik via Sukhiapokhri
• Shared Jeep is available from the Chawkbazar taxi stand between 8 am and 2 pm. Many returned to Darjeeling from Darjeeling via Mirik. The fare to reach Mirik from Darjeeling is 250 rupees, low cost Transport in Darjeeling
• There is also a minibus service between Darjeeling and Mirik. The mini-bus leaves Chowkbazar at 8 am and leaves for Darjeeling at 2 pm. Bus fare Rs 80 per person.
• If you want to go from Darjeeling to Mirik by car, the fare will be Rs 3500

Darjeeling to Kurseong Fares

• The distance from Darjeeling to Kurseong is 30 km. It takes an hour and a half by car.
• Share Jeeps are available from Chowkbazar till noon with a fare of Rs.200 per person
• If you want to book a car from Darjeeling to Kurseong, the fare will be Rs. 2500
• Also, anyone who wants to travel by toy train from Darjeeling to Kurseong has to book an advance ticket.
• Kurshiang falls on the way from Darjeeling to New Jalpaiguri, so if anyone wants to come from Darjeeling to Kurseong, the bus fare will be Rs 60 per person, which is cost-effective transport in Darjeeling

Darjeeling to Siliguri, New Jalpaiguri or Bagdogra Fares

• It will take time to reach Siliguri, New Jalpaiguri or Bagdogra from Darjeeling. The distance in three hours is about 88 km.
• Share vehicles are available from Chawkbazar and Gandhi Road taxi stands. Darjeeling to Siliguri share car fare is Rs 250 per person. The fare from Darjeeling to New Jalpaiguri station is Rs 300 per person.
• A car can be hired to go to Siliguri or Bagdogra which will cost Rs 3000 to 3500. Nowadays various online cab services are launched, with relatively low fares

• If reaching New Jalpaiguri from Darjeeling via Mirik then the fare will be Rs 4000 in reserve vehicle. If you rent a small car, the rent is between three thousand rupees.
• If you want to reach from Darjeeling to Siliguri bus stand by Bus, the fare will be Rs 100 per person, this is the lowest cost to transport in Darjeeling

Darjeeling to Teesta Bazar

• It takes about one and a half hours to go from Darjeeling to Teesta Bazar
• If you take the road from Darjeeling to Kalimpong, you can reach Teesta Bazar. Fare from Darjeeling to Teesta Bazar is Rs 200 per person
• Darjeeling to Teesta Bazar car rental costs 2500 rupees for a small private car, vary in seasons this transport in Darjeeling cost

Darjeeling to Lamahatta Fares

• It takes about an hour to go to Lamahatta from Darjeeling and the fare is Rs. 2000 for a small car

Darjeeling to Lava, Lolegaon Fares

• Distance from Darjeeling to Lava is 104 km and Lolegaon is 126 km. It takes about four hours to go to Lava and five hours to go to Lolegaon passing through Kalimpong.
• From Darjeeling to Kalimpong by share car, from there, share jeeps are available for Lava, Lolegaon. The fare from Darjeeling to Kalimpong is Rs 200 per person and the fare from Kalimpong to Lava is Rs 125 per person. If you want to go to Lolegaon, the fare will be Rs 200.

• A small car fare from Darjeeling to Lava is 3500 rupees

• The private car fare from Kalimpong to Lava is Rs 2000

Darjeeling to Bijanbari Fares

• There is no shared car available from Darjeeling to Bijanbari, hiring a private car will cost Rs 3500 to go to Bijanbari. From Darjeeling Chowkbazar bus stand, buses go to Bijan Bari

Darjeeling to Takdah Tinchuley Fares

• It takes an hour and thirty minutes to reach Takdah or Tinchuley from Darjeeling. Takdah small car rental from Darjeeling will cost Rs 2500, vary in seasons transport in Darjeeling cost

Darjeeling to Manebhanjan and Sandakphu

• Manebhanjan is a small hill town located 26 km from Darjeeling. And Sandakaphu, another 32 kilometres away.

• It takes an hour and a half to reach Manebhanjan by car from Darjeeling and more than three hours to reach Sandakphu. The road is very bad and terrible.
• From Darjeeling to Mane Bhanjan by shared car, the shared car fare will be Rs 100 per person, and if you hire a car, it will be 2 thousand rupees per car. To get to Sandakphu one has to go to Mane Bhanjan and rent a car separately from the Land Rover Association. You can see how to go.

Darjeeling to Namchi Fares

It takes two hours to get down from Darjeeling. After visiting Namchi and returning to Darjeeling, the car will cost Rs 4,000 and if you take a big car, it will cost around Rs 5,000.

Conclusion

There are various modes of Transport in Darjeeling within the city. But everywhere that cannot be reached by taxi or any other vehicle, there is no alternative mode of transportation except walking. The area around Darjeeling city crossroads is only accessible on foot as no vehicles are allowed.

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