Getting to Darjeeling from NJP?

tidbitz · Dec 17th, 2008, 02:14

(I don't know how I would have planned my vacation without this site

)

I looked around but didn't see any posts related to this.

I'm spending two days in Darjeeling as part of my vacation in India later this month. We arrive in NJP on a train from Mughal Sarai at 0820 and want to get to Darjeeling as quickly as possible. From what I've read, we can easily get a bus from Siliguri train station (which is very close to NJP train station) to Darjeeling many times a day, so we don't have to worry about arranging transportation in advance.

Does that match up with your experience? Is it easy to get a seat on these buses from Siliguri to Darjeeling, and do they leave often?

Thanks!

mitzijanell · Dec 17th, 2008, 02:18

All the folks I know take a shared jeep from NJP to Darjeeling. They leave pretty much all the time. There is a shared jeep stand just outside the NJP train station. We went last year and paid 130Rs. per person.

tidbitz · Dec 17th, 2008, 02:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitzijanell

All the folks I know take a shared jeep from NJP to Darjeeling. They leave pretty much all the time. There is a shared jeep stand just outside the NJP train station. We went last year and paid 130Rs. per person.

Are these sight-seeing jeeps, or just travel jeeps? We're taking the DHR toy train back to NJP, so we don't need to do sight-seeing on the way there.

mitzijanell · Dec 17th, 2008, 02:31

They are tour jeeps. And I recommend against taking the toy train from Darj to NJP. It is VERY slow - maybe 8-10 hours at times. If you want the experience of the toy train, take the two hour round-trip from Darj to Ghoom and back.

tidbitz · Dec 17th, 2008, 02:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitzijanell

They are tour jeeps. And I recommend against taking the toy train from Darj to NJP. It is VERY slow - maybe 8-10 hours at times. If you want the experience of the toy train, take the two hour round-trip from Darj to Ghoom and back.

We decided the slow trip was worth it. We're taking it on the second-to-last day of an 18 day vacation that starts in Delhi. At that point, slow and steady will be nice :-)

So, I think the buses might still be my better option, unless we can find a jeep who will take us the straight route instead of the tour route.

sweaty yeti · Dec 17th, 2008, 03:17

Hi all! Long-time lurker, first post. Remarkable community this.

I'll be in Sikkim in April '09 for the Goeche La trek. I queried my tour organizer re transportation in/out of Darjeeling and here's what he had to say:

I would not really advised you to go to Darjeeling no doubt it is a nice town to visit specially british left some impression on it but at the moment strike can announce anytime and sometime you get stuck inside until it opens.

Darjeeling, which is used to be part of Sikkim took over by the british as Indian territory on 1835. Since then Darjeeling falls under west Bengal state but now they are demanding separate state which seem no interest for the India and West Bengal government.

Anyone else hearing murmurs of unrest from Darjeeling? Even if it were true, April seems a long way off to worry about a transport strike..

Edit: I see a post below with info. about Darjeeling strikes. It seems my question was answered before I posted it!--as is the case more often than not on IM, I find.

mitzijanell · Dec 17th, 2008, 10:09

i meant to say travel jeep instead of tour jeep in my initial reply. The shared jeeps will take you straight. The ride is about 3 hours.

somnath · Dec 17th, 2008, 12:38

Hi tibdiz,
Good info / suggestion from mitzijanell

. There is regular jeep service from NJP (Rly Station) as well as Shiliguri town (near Shiliguri Rly. Station) to Darjeeling, Gangtok, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Pelling and other towns. This service (pre paid booth is also there at NJP jeep stand) doesn’t include sight seeing - local people of the hill use this service. Well, you can expect a tea / lunch break for a few minutes but this is the fastest route.
I’ve seen that Buses are there but didn’t try – jeep is preferable to keep my luggage safe.

Happy traveling.

sannna · Dec 17th, 2008, 12:48

When we got to Darjeeling in March after a long train journey we took a shared jeep. It was easily arranged at the pre-paid booth outside the Railway Station. Just ignore the touts and proceed to the booth. You can opt for a shared jeep or a private jeep. Both will get you straight to the destination.

We had to wait for some twenty minutes before the jeep filled up and could depart. It was a quick journey of about 3 hours. We had a lunch (well, snack) break of some 10-15 minutes somewhere halfway.

The jeep was packed and the toddlers that were joining us with their parents in the seats at the back had too many snacks. They threw up over our feet. We felt bad for the parents and the parents bad for us.. After 5 minutes of cleaning up the journey continued.

The jeep was crammed with luggage and people and it wasn't the most comfortable ride I had. We decided to take a private jeep for the way back to NJP a few days later. Best trip I had and well worth the money (about 4 times as much). We arranged it through the hotel.

Darjeeling is prone to strikes, but no reason not to plan any visit. Just check the news before you leave. You don't want to end up there, and not able to leave, but most days all is well.

Dec 17th, 2008, 02:14	#1
tidbitz Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 14	Getting to Darjeeling from NJP? (I don't know how I would have planned my vacation without this site ) I looked around but didn't see any posts related to this. I'm spending two days in Darjeeling as part of my vacation in India later this month. We arrive in NJP on a train from Mughal Sarai at 0820 and want to get to Darjeeling as quickly as possible. From what I've read, we can easily get a bus from Siliguri train station (which is very close to NJP train station) to Darjeeling many times a day, so we don't have to worry about arranging transportation in advance. Does that match up with your experience? Is it easy to get a seat on these buses from Siliguri to Darjeeling, and do they leave often? Thanks!

Dec 17th, 2008, 03:17	#6
sweaty yeti Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: U.S. Pacific Northwest Posts: 12	Darjeeling strike? Hi all! Long-time lurker, first post. Remarkable community this. I'll be in Sikkim in April '09 for the Goeche La trek. I queried my tour organizer re transportation in/out of Darjeeling and here's what he had to say: I would not really advised you to go to Darjeeling no doubt it is a nice town to visit specially british left some impression on it but at the moment strike can announce anytime and sometime you get stuck inside until it opens. Darjeeling, which is used to be part of Sikkim took over by the british as Indian territory on 1835. Since then Darjeeling falls under west Bengal state but now they are demanding separate state which seem no interest for the India and West Bengal government. Anyone else hearing murmurs of unrest from Darjeeling? Even if it were true, April seems a long way off to worry about a transport strike.. Edit: I see a post below with info. about Darjeeling strikes. It seems my question was answered before I posted it!--as is the case more often than not on IM, I find. Last edited by sweaty yeti : Dec 17th, 2008 at 03:31. Reason: Edit for new info

Dec 17th, 2008, 12:38	#8
somnath Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Calcutta Posts: 2,545	Hi tibdiz, Good info / suggestion from mitzijanell . There is regular jeep service from NJP (Rly Station) as well as Shiliguri town (near Shiliguri Rly. Station) to Darjeeling, Gangtok, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Pelling and other towns. This service (pre paid booth is also there at NJP jeep stand) doesn’t include sight seeing - local people of the hill use this service. Well, you can expect a tea / lunch break for a few minutes but this is the fastest route. I’ve seen that Buses are there but didn’t try – jeep is preferable to keep my luggage safe. Happy traveling. __________________ Learn as if you were going to live forever. Live as if you were going to die tomorrow. My Travel Pix...1 My Travel Pix...2 My Travel Pix...3

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Dec 17th, 2008, 02:18	#2
mitzijanell Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Calcutta Posts: 107	All the folks I know take a shared jeep from NJP to Darjeeling. They leave pretty much all the time. There is a shared jeep stand just outside the NJP train station. We went last year and paid 130Rs. per person.

Dec 17th, 2008, 02:31	#4
mitzijanell Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Calcutta Posts: 107	They are tour jeeps. And I recommend against taking the toy train from Darj to NJP. It is VERY slow - maybe 8-10 hours at times. If you want the experience of the toy train, take the two hour round-trip from Darj to Ghoom and back.

Dec 17th, 2008, 10:09	#7
mitzijanell Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Calcutta Posts: 107	i meant to say travel jeep instead of tour jeep in my initial reply. The shared jeeps will take you straight. The ride is about 3 hours.

Dec 17th, 2008, 12:48	#9
sannna Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 493	When we got to Darjeeling in March after a long train journey we took a shared jeep. It was easily arranged at the pre-paid booth outside the Railway Station. Just ignore the touts and proceed to the booth. You can opt for a shared jeep or a private jeep. Both will get you straight to the destination. We had to wait for some twenty minutes before the jeep filled up and could depart. It was a quick journey of about 3 hours. We had a lunch (well, snack) break of some 10-15 minutes somewhere halfway. The jeep was packed and the toddlers that were joining us with their parents in the seats at the back had too many snacks. They threw up over our feet. We felt bad for the parents and the parents bad for us.. After 5 minutes of cleaning up the journey continued. The jeep was crammed with luggage and people and it wasn't the most comfortable ride I had. We decided to take a private jeep for the way back to NJP a few days later. Best trip I had and well worth the money (about 4 times as much). We arranged it through the hotel. Darjeeling is prone to strikes, but no reason not to plan any visit. Just check the news before you leave. You don't want to end up there, and not able to leave, but most days all is well.