Darjeeling: Getting There and Back

Dcunning · Jun 1st, 2009, 04:51

Hey Folks,

I'm trying to make the best of the short time I have and rather than taking the Toy Train back to New Jalpaiguri from Darjeeling I was going to take a share cab. However, I am on my own and traveling in a slow season so I'm not sure about how this can be done.

Anyway, the real question is...what is the fastest and reasonably inexpensive way to get one person from Darjeeling to New Jalpaiguri and even Kolkata (any restrictions based on time of day, season).

Also, I may already have it in my itinerary but if you know of any must see things in Darjeeling please fill me in.

sou.iit · Jun 1st, 2009, 22:06

You got it right friend...share cab is the easiest and an inexpensive way from Darjeeling to Siliguri...It takes about Rs 100 max per head. From Siliguri I would suggest you take a train (preferably Darjeeling Mail, the best). It starts at 8:30 pm from NJP and reaches Kolkata at 6:00 am the next day. You can take an auto from Slg to NJP. Fare roughly Rs. 10 per head (max)

machadinha · Jun 1st, 2009, 22:36

Yep; or there'll be buses from Darjeeling to Siliguri. I reckon the cars will be a little faster. (Lonely Planet '07 claims 3 hours by bus, 2.5 by shared car, whether taxi or jeep. 60 Or 80 Rs. respectively, and at that time, so 100 today doesn't strike me as strange.)*

ps Oh, a relevant note perhaps: They claim there are direct jeeps or taxis to New Jalpaiguri and Bagdogra as well, vastly more expensive though at Rs. 1000 (need to be privately chartered apparently; and perhaps less chance of getting a shared one, see below). So better make a connection in Siliguri yes, it and NJP really form one conglomerate, it isn't far.

* To address another of OP's questions, the way it works with a shared taxi is you pay for the whole vehicle, divided by the number of passengers. So in the unlikely event there aren't enough passengers to fill it up, you'll be paying the difference yourself (if you're not willing to wait until whenever it does fill up), up to renting the entire vehicle on your own, which can then work out costly of course. Note this will be unlikely to be calculated based on a mere four passengers, more likely six or eight or however many they think they can cram in. So you'd then be looking at paying say 8 X Rs. 80 or 100 or whatever it may be. If they were to round that off to a convenient thousand (or based on ten passengers perhaps, not at all inconceivable in a jeep), I'm not at all surprised how they might arrive at that otherwise stunning-looking 1000 Rs. to really adjacent NJP.

I reckon there'll normally be plenty of locals and perhaps Indian tourists moving around to fill them up at non-extraordinary hours though. If not and as noted, simply catch a bus; these should be plentiful at again non-insane hours. For that matter, between a jam-packed cab as described or a bus I'm not sure if I'd find the former all that much more comfy, certainly not for a few-hours' ride.

Continue on to Kolkata from NJP by train by all means yes. I assume there'll be buses; unlikely to be faster let alone more comfortable though. That night train would be excellent, after seeing the nightly landscape roll by for a bit, you tuck in and wake up at your destination; splendid.

Dcunning · Jun 2nd, 2009, 00:30

Thanks for the help guys. I'm pretty stoked for the trip.

Dylan

sou.iit · Jun 2nd, 2009, 15:08

I guess sharing a cab wont be a prob....there are many local passengers who travels from Darjeeling to Kurseong and other local places.

Dcunning · Jun 2nd, 2009, 15:11

Quick question. What is it with Budget Hotels and reservations? Whats the best way to guarantee a room without booking into an expensive hotel? Is there a way? Winging it may be exciting but it doesn't seem like a good idea.

Jorebungley · Jun 3rd, 2009, 04:55

No worries DCunning... Darjeeling has plethora of hotels and you will find people ready and willing to help you if you ask them for help... Depending on your budget you can choose a place to stay in Andy's Guest house [Toongsong] is reasonably priced and located in a very nice area...

Don't worry Darjeeling knows how to take care of its tourists... you will be fine

Jun 1st, 2009, 04:51	#1
Dcunning Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 3	Darjeeling: Getting There and Back Hey Folks, I'm trying to make the best of the short time I have and rather than taking the Toy Train back to New Jalpaiguri from Darjeeling I was going to take a share cab. However, I am on my own and traveling in a slow season so I'm not sure about how this can be done. Anyway, the real question is...what is the fastest and reasonably inexpensive way to get one person from Darjeeling to New Jalpaiguri and even Kolkata (any restrictions based on time of day, season). Also, I may already have it in my itinerary but if you know of any must see things in Darjeeling please fill me in.

Jun 1st, 2009, 22:36	#3
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,391	Yep; or there'll be buses from Darjeeling to Siliguri. I reckon the cars will be a little faster. (Lonely Planet '07 claims 3 hours by bus, 2.5 by shared car, whether taxi or jeep. 60 Or 80 Rs. respectively, and at that time, so 100 today doesn't strike me as strange.)* ps Oh, a relevant note perhaps: They claim there are direct jeeps or taxis to New Jalpaiguri and Bagdogra as well, vastly more expensive though at Rs. 1000 (need to be privately chartered apparently; and perhaps less chance of getting a shared one, see below). So better make a connection in Siliguri yes, it and NJP really form one conglomerate, it isn't far. * To address another of OP's questions, the way it works with a shared taxi is you pay for the whole vehicle, divided by the number of passengers. So in the unlikely event there aren't enough passengers to fill it up, you'll be paying the difference yourself (if you're not willing to wait until whenever it does fill up), up to renting the entire vehicle on your own, which can then work out costly of course. Note this will be unlikely to be calculated based on a mere four passengers, more likely six or eight or however many they think they can cram in. So you'd then be looking at paying say 8 X Rs. 80 or 100 or whatever it may be. If they were to round that off to a convenient thousand (or based on ten passengers perhaps, not at all inconceivable in a jeep), I'm not at all surprised how they might arrive at that otherwise stunning-looking 1000 Rs. to really adjacent NJP. I reckon there'll normally be plenty of locals and perhaps Indian tourists moving around to fill them up at non-extraordinary hours though. If not and as noted, simply catch a bus; these should be plentiful at again non-insane hours. For that matter, between a jam-packed cab as described or a bus I'm not sure if I'd find the former all that much more comfy, certainly not for a few-hours' ride. Continue on to Kolkata from NJP by train by all means yes. I assume there'll be buses; unlikely to be faster let alone more comfortable though. That night train would be excellent, after seeing the nightly landscape roll by for a bit, you tuck in and wake up at your destination; splendid. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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Jun 1st, 2009, 22:06	#2
sou.iit Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: kolkata Posts: 7	You got it right friend...share cab is the easiest and an inexpensive way from Darjeeling to Siliguri...It takes about Rs 100 max per head. From Siliguri I would suggest you take a train (preferably Darjeeling Mail, the best). It starts at 8:30 pm from NJP and reaches Kolkata at 6:00 am the next day. You can take an auto from Slg to NJP. Fare roughly Rs. 10 per head (max)

Jun 2nd, 2009, 00:30	#4
Dcunning Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 3	Thanks for the help guys. I'm pretty stoked for the trip. Dylan

Jun 2nd, 2009, 15:08	#5
sou.iit Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: kolkata Posts: 7	I guess sharing a cab wont be a prob....there are many local passengers who travels from Darjeeling to Kurseong and other local places.

Jun 2nd, 2009, 15:11	#6
Dcunning Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 3	Quick question. What is it with Budget Hotels and reservations? Whats the best way to guarantee a room without booking into an expensive hotel? Is there a way? Winging it may be exciting but it doesn't seem like a good idea.

Jun 3rd, 2009, 04:55	#7
Jorebungley Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 3	No worries DCunning... Darjeeling has plethora of hotels and you will find people ready and willing to help you if you ask them for help... Depending on your budget you can choose a place to stay in Andy's Guest house [Toongsong] is reasonably priced and located in a very nice area... Don't worry Darjeeling knows how to take care of its tourists... you will be fine