Kolkata-Darjeeling-Delhi

emarian · Oct 23rd, 2009, 09:25

We have limited time and we would like to travel to the Darjeelings from Kolkota, stay four days and then leave to go to Delhi. What is the most reliable, time saving, way to do this itinerary? We are considering flying during the day or travelling by train during the night. We are afraid that flights might not be reliable in the smaller airports of the Darjeeling area.

vko · Oct 24th, 2009, 13:29

Hi, Welcome to IndiaMike!

The nearest airport is Bagdogra, near Siliguri, 96 km from Darjeeling. Flights are available to/fro Delhi and Kolkata. Please search the online airline schedules to see availability around the dates of your travel.

There is good rail connectivity between New Jalpaiguri (NJP, the nearest railway station) and Sealdah/Howrah stations in Kolkata, there are some overnight trains. Most trains from NJP to Delhi will take more than 24 hrs, so you may consider the flight instead.

Run a query on this link to see which trains are more suitable for your journey:
http://www.indianrail.gov.in/inet_srcdest.html
Choose Source Station as Howrah-HWH (it will still search all trains from both Howrah and Sealdah) and destination station as New Jalpaiguri-NJP. Once the query runs and gives you the results for trains on the next page, you have the option to select a train and then check it's schedule, seat availability, etc.

Railway tickets can be booked online upto 90 days in advance at http://www.irctc.co.in/

Once you reach either New Jalpaiguri station or Bagdogra, you can get hired taxis or shared jeeps to Darjeeling. There is also a toy-train which runs between NJP-Darjeeling, but it needs to be booked in advance (like all trains in India). This site can help you get more information about it: http://www.dhr.in/

Do check the other links at the bottom of this page on the same topic, you may find something useful. Hope you have a great journey!

emarian · Oct 25th, 2009, 10:08

Thank you so much. This helps a lot. The trip is now taking shape. I am really excited.

emarian · Oct 25th, 2009, 10:30

The Darjeeling Mail seems to be the only night train that leaves Kolkata every single night so I am looking at booking tickets on that one. This train leaves from Sealdah station. It looks like Sealdah is very centrally located so it will work out for us. Any comments on the Darjeeling mail? I hear good things. I have been looking forward to travel by train in India.

vko · Oct 25th, 2009, 19:11

I've never personally travelled in that train, so have no review, but I guess it shouldn't be any different from other trains in India. Take a shot of patience, be flexible, keep an open mind, hop on the train leaving all your worries behind, and you'll enjoy it!

(There are some nice articles and sticky threads on train travel in India. Those can help a lot, if this is your first time.)

emarian · Oct 26th, 2009, 10:44

Thank you again. I am researching and becoming familiar with the Indian rail website. At first, I thought that the Darjeeling Mail had no passengers, only parcels but I was wrong. It looks like it is just like the other trains.

emmaindarj · Oct 27th, 2009, 20:56

The Darjeeling mail is the most reliable of the trains from Calcutta to NJP. It generally runs pretty much on time (hardly ever more than 1 hour delay, in my experience). I travel up and down from NJP to Cal regularly. The train is definitely the best option.

As for flights, any of the flights from Bagdogra to Delhi are fine. If there's not too much difference in price, try and get one which doesn't go via Guwahati. Different airlines fly via Guwahati every second day. If there's an option to go direct (check that the flight takes 2 hours instead of 4) it will save you a needless two hours journey. Usually the cheaper seats on direct flights fill up faster thought.

Try yatra.com or makemytrip.com for flights

Hope you enjoy your visit to Darj

sagarneel · Oct 27th, 2009, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by emarian

I am researching and becoming familiar with the Indian rail website. At first, I thought that the Darjeeling Mail had no passengers, only parcels but I was wrong. It looks like it is just like the other trains.

You can try the following link too: www.erail.in, to search for trains, this is a very user friendly website.
Darjeeling mail is one of the best trains between Kolkata (Sealdah) and NJP...and one more tip, instead of spending 4 days in Darj, you can try a couple of days in Lepchajagat..same views as Darj minus the clutter!

emarian · Oct 28th, 2009, 09:13

Thank you so much. I saw your beautiful photos. I continue searching Lepchajagat because the views are breathtaking. We will consider it since we are just starting to plan this trip.
I am also wondering about flights from Darjeeling into Delhi. Since is so far away we will fly for that trip. Let me know if you have some tips. The railway seems to be the easy part because the rail system is so great in India. I am not sure about flying.

sagarneel · Oct 28th, 2009, 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by emarian

Thank you so much. I saw your beautiful photos. I continue searching Lepchajagat because the views are breathtaking. We will consider it since we are just starting to plan this trip.
I am also wondering about flights from Darjeeling into Delhi. Since is so far away we will fly for that trip. Let me know if you have some tips. The railway seems to be the easy part because the rail system is so great in India. I am not sure about flying.

There's no airport in Darjeeling, hence, you wont find direct flights from Darj to Delhi. The nearest airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra, from where Delhi bound flights are available. A flight will definitely save a lot of time (days actually!), and hence you will have more time enjoying your destination rather than the journey! I would reccomend that you opt for the 'aerial route' :-), rather than planning a train journey (specially if you are coming from Delhi)!
Do let me know the kind of travel you are looking for (I mean if you are looking for a desolate place where you can enjoy solitude, or a populated place where you can enjoy your travel as well as the crowd!!)...I can help you out with a plan. There are a lot of little known places from where you get equally good (and sometimes better) views as you get from Darjeeling.
Regards,
Sagarneel.
PS- Thanks for liking the pics....my pleasure!

emarian · Oct 29th, 2009, 09:27

We are not looking for long treks. That's all I know for now. And since we are only going there for four days, my guess is that we probably cannot stray off the beaten path. Other than that, I am just barely getting acquainted with the area. I am thrilled though. This is the part of the trip that I am most looking forward to.

sagarneel · Oct 29th, 2009, 15:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by emarian

We are not looking for long treks. That's all I know for now. And since we are only going there for four days, my guess is that we probably cannot stray off the beaten path. Other than that, I am just barely getting acquainted with the area. I am thrilled though. This is the part of the trip that I am most looking forward to.

I feel the best option for you would be to divide your stay between Lepchajagat and Darjeeling! Start with Lepchajagat, move to Darj from there, and head for Delhi from Darj...that should ideally be your tour plan!

emarian · Oct 30th, 2009, 09:02

Ok. I'll pass this on to my friends. Thank you!

Oct 23rd, 2009, 09:25	#1
emarian Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Walnut Creek Posts: 7	Kolkata-Darjeeling-Delhi We have limited time and we would like to travel to the Darjeelings from Kolkota, stay four days and then leave to go to Delhi. What is the most reliable, time saving, way to do this itinerary? We are considering flying during the day or travelling by train during the night. We are afraid that flights might not be reliable in the smaller airports of the Darjeeling area.

Oct 24th, 2009, 13:29	#2
vko Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hyderabad-Secunderabad Posts: 474	Hi, Welcome to IndiaMike! The nearest airport is Bagdogra, near Siliguri, 96 km from Darjeeling. Flights are available to/fro Delhi and Kolkata. Please search the online airline schedules to see availability around the dates of your travel. There is good rail connectivity between New Jalpaiguri (NJP, the nearest railway station) and Sealdah/Howrah stations in Kolkata, there are some overnight trains. Most trains from NJP to Delhi will take more than 24 hrs, so you may consider the flight instead. Run a query on this link to see which trains are more suitable for your journey: http://www.indianrail.gov.in/inet_srcdest.html Choose Source Station as Howrah-HWH (it will still search all trains from both Howrah and Sealdah) and destination station as New Jalpaiguri-NJP. Once the query runs and gives you the results for trains on the next page, you have the option to select a train and then check it's schedule, seat availability, etc. Railway tickets can be booked online upto 90 days in advance at http://www.irctc.co.in/ Once you reach either New Jalpaiguri station or Bagdogra, you can get hired taxis or shared jeeps to Darjeeling. There is also a toy-train which runs between NJP-Darjeeling, but it needs to be booked in advance (like all trains in India). This site can help you get more information about it: http://www.dhr.in/ Do check the other links at the bottom of this page on the same topic, you may find something useful. Hope you have a great journey! __________________ -Vikas Last edited by vko : Oct 24th, 2009 at 13:32. Reason: irctc link

Oct 25th, 2009, 10:30	#4
emarian Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Walnut Creek Posts: 7	The Darjeeling Mail The Darjeeling Mail seems to be the only night train that leaves Kolkata every single night so I am looking at booking tickets on that one. This train leaves from Sealdah station. It looks like Sealdah is very centrally located so it will work out for us. Any comments on the Darjeeling mail? I hear good things. I have been looking forward to travel by train in India.

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
Delhi-Darjeeling-kolkata-Varanasi for 18 days	noirdez	India Travel Itinerary Advice	6	Aug 3rd, 2009 20:35
Kolkata Varanasi Darjeeling Kolkata in April 2009	Kerrypie	India Travel Itinerary Advice	0	Sep 21st, 2008 18:39
Mumbai-Kolkata-Darjeeling-Varanasi-Delhi? Somewhere in the South?	Megsf	India Travel Itinerary Advice	5	Feb 20th, 2008 14:54
Kolkata-Darjeeling-Varanasi-Delhi: 17 days January/February	Shingle	India Travel Itinerary Advice	1	Dec 23rd, 2007 07:03
Delhi-Shimla-Delhi-Kolkata-Sikkim-Kolkata-Dhaka.. Late August to early October	sedm2019	India Travel Itinerary Advice	12	Mar 18th, 2006 00:37

Oct 25th, 2009, 10:08	#3
emarian Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Walnut Creek Posts: 7	Thank you so much. This helps a lot. The trip is now taking shape. I am really excited.

Oct 25th, 2009, 19:11	#5
vko Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hyderabad-Secunderabad Posts: 474	I've never personally travelled in that train, so have no review, but I guess it shouldn't be any different from other trains in India. Take a shot of patience, be flexible, keep an open mind, hop on the train leaving all your worries behind, and you'll enjoy it! (There are some nice articles and sticky threads on train travel in India. Those can help a lot, if this is your first time.)

Oct 26th, 2009, 10:44	#6
emarian Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Walnut Creek Posts: 7	Thank you again. I am researching and becoming familiar with the Indian rail website. At first, I thought that the Darjeeling Mail had no passengers, only parcels but I was wrong. It looks like it is just like the other trains.

Oct 27th, 2009, 20:56	#7
emmaindarj Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Darjeeling Posts: 30	The Darjeeling mail is the most reliable of the trains from Calcutta to NJP. It generally runs pretty much on time (hardly ever more than 1 hour delay, in my experience). I travel up and down from NJP to Cal regularly. The train is definitely the best option. As for flights, any of the flights from Bagdogra to Delhi are fine. If there's not too much difference in price, try and get one which doesn't go via Guwahati. Different airlines fly via Guwahati every second day. If there's an option to go direct (check that the flight takes 2 hours instead of 4) it will save you a needless two hours journey. Usually the cheaper seats on direct flights fill up faster thought. Try yatra.com or makemytrip.com for flights Hope you enjoy your visit to Darj

Oct 28th, 2009, 09:13	#9
emarian Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Walnut Creek Posts: 7	Thank you so much. I saw your beautiful photos. I continue searching Lepchajagat because the views are breathtaking. We will consider it since we are just starting to plan this trip. I am also wondering about flights from Darjeeling into Delhi. Since is so far away we will fly for that trip. Let me know if you have some tips. The railway seems to be the easy part because the rail system is so great in India. I am not sure about flying.

Oct 29th, 2009, 09:27	#11
emarian Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Walnut Creek Posts: 7	We are not looking for long treks. That's all I know for now. And since we are only going there for four days, my guess is that we probably cannot stray off the beaten path. Other than that, I am just barely getting acquainted with the area. I am thrilled though. This is the part of the trip that I am most looking forward to.

Oct 30th, 2009, 09:02	#13
emarian Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Walnut Creek Posts: 7	Ok. I'll pass this on to my friends. Thank you!