best way from Darjeeling to Kathmandu

mitzijanell · Mar 5th, 2009, 00:37

Can someone suggest the best/easiest way to get from Darjeeling to Kathmandu?

steven_ber · Mar 7th, 2009, 03:17

Below is a thread with excelent info.

India to Nepal by Road : Experiences from crossing at Kakarbhitta

However, there's been political problems in the area for the last couple of years, and I dont know if those problems will make this route a bit more difficult.

ToddSoc · Mar 11th, 2009, 15:57

According to travel agents in Darjeeling, there is an ongoing strike in the Tarai, the plains of Nepal, which is making it impossible for travelers to cross the land borders between India and Nepal. Additionally, a major road bridge along the route from the border crossing near Siliguri to Kathmandu has collapsed, and a rickety bamboo walking bridge has been constructed as its replacement. (Do a google search for +"Bamboo Bridge of Death" +Nepal for more info.) Travelers going by land between Kathmandu and the Siliguri border must walk several kilometers and switch buses at this bridge. According to the manager of my hotel in Darjeeling, it recently took one of her guests 5 days to get from Kathmandu to Darjeeling due to these problems. Likewise, it does not appear to be possible, presently, for tourists to fly out of the airport on the Nepal side of the border near Siliguri, due to the aforementioned strike. I am in Darjeeling now and want to get to Kathmandu, and I'll be taking a train to Kolkata and flying from there, unfortunately.

Best,
Todd

steven_ber · Mar 11th, 2009, 16:02

Thanks for the info Todd, very useful up-to-date info.

Hope your arm gets better soon.

mitzijanell · Mar 11th, 2009, 18:50

Thanks, Todd! This confirms a friend's suggestion that I come back to Kolkata and then fly from here.

ToddSoc · Mar 11th, 2009, 22:38

Glad I could be the one answering as opposed to the one asking, for once. I think we should start a charity to raise funds to buy a duck bus for this route. Here is a link for info about the aforementioned bridge:
http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/blog-368292.html
Todd

SteveK · Mar 12th, 2009, 04:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitzijanell

Thanks, Todd! This confirms a friend's suggestion that I come back to Kolkata and then fly from here.

I'm going to be coming the other way - flying from Kathmandu to Varanasi on 19th March and then sleeper train to NJP and on up to Darjeeling.

I think there are more flights between Kolkata and KTM but I wanted to stop in Varanasi; perhaps this could be an alternative route for you going to Kathmandu?

kausiks · Mar 13th, 2009, 16:40

You can go to Kakarbhitta and then fly to Kathmandu.
The closest airport is at Bhadrapur, about 25km southwest of Kakarbhitta and it takes about 50 mins to land in Kathmandu domestic airport by flight. You fly in 14/16 seater propeller driven planes having two rows of seats. All seats are window seats

Mar 5th, 2009, 00:37	#1
mitzijanell Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Calcutta Posts: 107	best way from Darjeeling to Kathmandu Can someone suggest the best/easiest way to get from Darjeeling to Kathmandu?

Mar 7th, 2009, 03:17	#2
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,573	Below is a thread with excelent info. India to Nepal by Road : Experiences from crossing at Kakarbhitta However, there's been political problems in the area for the last couple of years, and I dont know if those problems will make this route a bit more difficult. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information. RAC & Waitlists explained.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
From Kathmandu to Darjeeling... ?	irtzilk2	India Travel Itinerary Advice	4	Nov 7th, 2008 16:10
Darjeeling to Kathmandu	tomnixon	Crossing the Border	0	Jan 14th, 2008 22:53
Kathmandu to Darjeeling	bluebutton32	Crossing the Border	3	Oct 15th, 2007 05:29
From Darjeeling to Kathmandu	neilor	India Travel Partners	3	Apr 14th, 2004 20:33
Darjeeling to Kathmandu	The Aijo	Crossing the Border	13	Sep 20th, 2003 16:50

Mar 11th, 2009, 15:57	#3
ToddSoc Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA Posts: 27	According to travel agents in Darjeeling, there is an ongoing strike in the Tarai, the plains of Nepal, which is making it impossible for travelers to cross the land borders between India and Nepal. Additionally, a major road bridge along the route from the border crossing near Siliguri to Kathmandu has collapsed, and a rickety bamboo walking bridge has been constructed as its replacement. (Do a google search for +"Bamboo Bridge of Death" +Nepal for more info.) Travelers going by land between Kathmandu and the Siliguri border must walk several kilometers and switch buses at this bridge. According to the manager of my hotel in Darjeeling, it recently took one of her guests 5 days to get from Kathmandu to Darjeeling due to these problems. Likewise, it does not appear to be possible, presently, for tourists to fly out of the airport on the Nepal side of the border near Siliguri, due to the aforementioned strike. I am in Darjeeling now and want to get to Kathmandu, and I'll be taking a train to Kolkata and flying from there, unfortunately. Best, Todd

Mar 11th, 2009, 16:02	#4
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,573	Thanks for the info Todd, very useful up-to-date info. Hope your arm gets better soon.

Mar 11th, 2009, 18:50	#5
mitzijanell Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Calcutta Posts: 107	Thanks, Todd! This confirms a friend's suggestion that I come back to Kolkata and then fly from here.

Mar 11th, 2009, 22:38	#6
ToddSoc Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA Posts: 27	Glad I could be the one answering as opposed to the one asking, for once. I think we should start a charity to raise funds to buy a duck bus for this route. Here is a link for info about the aforementioned bridge: http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/blog-368292.html Todd

Mar 13th, 2009, 16:40	#8
kausiks Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kolkata, India Posts: 308	You can go to Kakarbhitta and then fly to Kathmandu. The closest airport is at Bhadrapur, about 25km southwest of Kakarbhitta and it takes about 50 mins to land in Kathmandu domestic airport by flight. You fly in 14/16 seater propeller driven planes having two rows of seats. All seats are window seats