Kolkata - Darjeeling in 5 days

salazar · Mar 21st, 2009, 12:42

Hi guys. I'll be in India for 5 days, arriving in Kolkata on 1 April at 8.30am and departing on the 5th at night. Given the amount of time I have, do you think it's feasible for me to make a very quick trip to darjeeling and say spend 2 nights there? My whole objective is really to take the toy train.

Can I do the Kolkata - > NJP -> toy train route to Darjeeling and eventually make it back in time for my flight? My main concern is my time constraint. Would appreciate any advice, thanks alot!

steven_ber · Mar 21st, 2009, 12:48

You could do it, but you'd need to depart Kolkatta at 22:00 on the 1st, and arrive back early on the 4th or 5th.

Availability on the trains should be your biggest hurdle, what class will you travel?

Use www.erail.in to find out availability.

salazar · Mar 21st, 2009, 13:09

hi steven, many thanks for your quick reply. I'm likely to take first class all the way if I do make the trip. But as of right now I can't quite see how it'd pan out. I understand a Kolkata -> NJP trip takes 12 hours overnight, following which I will transfer to the toy train from NJP direct to Darjeeling. Is that correct? And I would assume the fastest way back to Kolkata would be to take a flight from Bagdogra (if there's any)

Finally, is the situation in darjeeling stable these days, or are there still ongoing strikes and all? Thanks again!

mitzijanell · Mar 22nd, 2009, 21:23

Just wondering if you know that the toy train from NJP to Darjeeling can take 8-9 hours as opposed to a 3 hour shared jeep ride. You could then do the 2 hour RT toy train from Darj to Ghoom.

kausiks · Mar 23rd, 2009, 16:34

Here is a suggestion:

1st April - take an afternoon flight for Baghdogra from Kolkata. From Baghdogra, travel by road to Darjeeling.
2nd April - relax in Darjeeling
3rd April - take the morning toy train from Darjeeling to NJP. Take an overnight train to Kolkata.
4th Arpil & 5th April - In Kolkata. Depending on how much time you would like to spend in Kolkata, you can split these two days between Kolkata and Darjeeling.

salazar · Mar 23rd, 2009, 19:15

thanks alot guys! that does look somewhat feasible. i'll see how the situation goes, if i can't make it this time round i'll come back later in the year.

salazar · Mar 25th, 2009, 23:32

Hi guys.

I've changed my flight times again and will arrive in Kolkata on 29 March at 730pm. My return flight will be on 4 April at 830pm. The thing is, what's the best way of doing a Kolkata - Darjeeling trip by train and back? I intend to take the same journey back to Kolkata.

My main concern is when can I actually get tickets at Howrah, as I arrive in Kolkata in the evening. Should I get it the next morning, or can I go straight to Howrah, book the tickets and stay somewhere close by? All in all, I'm hoping to spend 2 nights in darjeeling, and make it back in time for me to spend 2
days in Kolkata. And through everything I would like to take the full toy train ride and not the very short touristy one. Perhaps if flights are cheap from Bagdogra I might fly back, but I have no clue as to how much they would cost.

As such, I'm hoping you guys can help me out here,
particularly with regards to ticketing timings and how I can go about getting a ticket to darjeeling from kolkata. I do realize I'm really being spoonfed here, but I'm seriously hoping that everything works out very smoothly.

Once again, thanks so much!

Indizen · Mar 26th, 2009, 00:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by salazar

Hi guys.

I've changed my flight times again and will arrive in Kolkata on 29 March at 730pm. My return flight will be on 4 April at 830pm. The thing is, what's the best way of doing a Kolkata - Darjeeling trip by train and back? I intend to take the same journey back to Kolkata.

My main concern is when can I actually get tickets at Howrah, as I arrive in Kolkata in the evening. Should I get it the next morning, or can I go straight to Howrah, book the tickets and stay somewhere close by? All in all, I'm hoping to spend 2 nights in darjeeling, and make it back in time for me to spend 2
days in Kolkata. And through everything I would like to take the full toy train ride and not the very short touristy one. Perhaps if flights are cheap from Bagdogra I might fly back, but I have no clue as to how much they would cost.

Once again, thanks so much!

A Kingfisher flight from Bagdogra to Calcutta is currently available for INR 3221.
http://www.flykingfisher.com/

mitzijanell · Mar 26th, 2009, 01:20

The Darjeeling Mail train (from Calcutta to NJP) leaves from Sealdah station. I have heard there is another train that goes to NJP, but I am not sure if that one leaves from Sealdah or Howrah. Hopefully others will know that answer.

city of joy · Mar 26th, 2009, 01:40

there are some other trains like Kanchankonya,Uttor bango express which starts almost everyday night from sealdah for NJP...

salazar · Mar 26th, 2009, 08:43

Ah I see! I didn't know that the train leaves from Sealdah.

Indizen> Thanks alot! that does look pretty alright.

But yeah, I'd like to do the Darjeeling Mail thing.

Indizen · Mar 26th, 2009, 09:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by city of joy

there are some other trains like Kanchankonya,Uttor bango express which starts almost everyday night from sealdah for NJP...

Another train is No 2517 GHY GARIB RATH which starts from Kolkata CP station at 21.40 to reach NJP at 07.40 in 10.00 hours, just in time for the toy train. But it runs on Wed and Sun only. It has only 3AC class.

rajiveanand · Mar 26th, 2009, 09:40

Dear Salazar,

Here's a video I made of the trip from Calcutta - Darjeeling.

R.

kausiks · Mar 26th, 2009, 12:09

This might be feasible for you:

29th night - In Kolkata
30th night - Darjeeling mail
31st - Arrive NJP early morning. Proceed to Darjeeling by Toy Train
1st, 2nd - in Darjeeling
3rd morning - Leave Darjeeling. Depending on whether you want to arrive in Kolkata on 3rd evening or 4th morning, you can go for flight or train accordingly.

Regarding train tickets, I advise you book all your tickets (including that of toy train) in advance from http://irctc.co.in. It is difficult to get instant tickets for Darjeeling Mail, unless it is already sold out and you might have to buy in Tatkal.

salazar · Mar 26th, 2009, 12:57

ahhh thanks alot. I am really, really glad for everyone's help.

kausiks> pardon my ignorance, but how can I book a kolkata - darjeeling train through the website? I've tried looking for a train from kol - > darj on the 29 on various classes but I can't seem to locate anything. I might be doing something wrong though.

are there other sites where I can book all my tickets? I'm not able to use the first site that steven_ber gave me either. gosh. Also would the trains from kolkata start at the Howrah station or the other one?

Mar 21st, 2009, 12:42	#1
salazar Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 13	Kolkata - Darjeeling in 5 days Hi guys. I'll be in India for 5 days, arriving in Kolkata on 1 April at 8.30am and departing on the 5th at night. Given the amount of time I have, do you think it's feasible for me to make a very quick trip to darjeeling and say spend 2 nights there? My whole objective is really to take the toy train. Can I do the Kolkata - > NJP -> toy train route to Darjeeling and eventually make it back in time for my flight? My main concern is my time constraint. Would appreciate any advice, thanks alot!

Mar 21st, 2009, 12:48	#2
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,573	You could do it, but you'd need to depart Kolkatta at 22:00 on the 1st, and arrive back early on the 4th or 5th. Availability on the trains should be your biggest hurdle, what class will you travel? Use www.erail.in to find out availability. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information. RAC & Waitlists explained.

Mar 26th, 2009, 09:40	#13
rajiveanand RAJIVE SADA ANAND, MFA Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bronx, NY, USA Posts: 281	Calcutta - Darjeeling Video Dear Salazar, Here's a video I made of the trip from Calcutta - Darjeeling. R. __________________ www.rajiveanand.com

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Mar 21st, 2009, 13:09	#3
salazar Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 13	hi steven, many thanks for your quick reply. I'm likely to take first class all the way if I do make the trip. But as of right now I can't quite see how it'd pan out. I understand a Kolkata -> NJP trip takes 12 hours overnight, following which I will transfer to the toy train from NJP direct to Darjeeling. Is that correct? And I would assume the fastest way back to Kolkata would be to take a flight from Bagdogra (if there's any) Finally, is the situation in darjeeling stable these days, or are there still ongoing strikes and all? Thanks again!

Mar 22nd, 2009, 21:23	#4
mitzijanell Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Calcutta Posts: 107	Just wondering if you know that the toy train from NJP to Darjeeling can take 8-9 hours as opposed to a 3 hour shared jeep ride. You could then do the 2 hour RT toy train from Darj to Ghoom.

Mar 23rd, 2009, 16:34	#5
kausiks Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kolkata, India Posts: 308	Here is a suggestion: 1st April - take an afternoon flight for Baghdogra from Kolkata. From Baghdogra, travel by road to Darjeeling. 2nd April - relax in Darjeeling 3rd April - take the morning toy train from Darjeeling to NJP. Take an overnight train to Kolkata. 4th Arpil & 5th April - In Kolkata. Depending on how much time you would like to spend in Kolkata, you can split these two days between Kolkata and Darjeeling.

Mar 23rd, 2009, 19:15	#6
salazar Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 13	thanks alot guys! that does look somewhat feasible. i'll see how the situation goes, if i can't make it this time round i'll come back later in the year.

Mar 25th, 2009, 23:32	#7
salazar Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 13	Hi guys. I've changed my flight times again and will arrive in Kolkata on 29 March at 730pm. My return flight will be on 4 April at 830pm. The thing is, what's the best way of doing a Kolkata - Darjeeling trip by train and back? I intend to take the same journey back to Kolkata. My main concern is when can I actually get tickets at Howrah, as I arrive in Kolkata in the evening. Should I get it the next morning, or can I go straight to Howrah, book the tickets and stay somewhere close by? All in all, I'm hoping to spend 2 nights in darjeeling, and make it back in time for me to spend 2 days in Kolkata. And through everything I would like to take the full toy train ride and not the very short touristy one. Perhaps if flights are cheap from Bagdogra I might fly back, but I have no clue as to how much they would cost. As such, I'm hoping you guys can help me out here, particularly with regards to ticketing timings and how I can go about getting a ticket to darjeeling from kolkata. I do realize I'm really being spoonfed here, but I'm seriously hoping that everything works out very smoothly. Once again, thanks so much!

Mar 26th, 2009, 01:20	#9
mitzijanell Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Calcutta Posts: 107	The Darjeeling Mail train (from Calcutta to NJP) leaves from Sealdah station. I have heard there is another train that goes to NJP, but I am not sure if that one leaves from Sealdah or Howrah. Hopefully others will know that answer.

Mar 26th, 2009, 01:40	#10
city of joy Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: india Posts: 52	there are some other trains like Kanchankonya,Uttor bango express which starts almost everyday night from sealdah for NJP...

Mar 26th, 2009, 08:43	#11
salazar Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 13	Ah I see! I didn't know that the train leaves from Sealdah. Indizen> Thanks alot! that does look pretty alright. But yeah, I'd like to do the Darjeeling Mail thing.

Mar 26th, 2009, 12:09	#14
kausiks Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kolkata, India Posts: 308	This might be feasible for you: 29th night - In Kolkata 30th night - Darjeeling mail 31st - Arrive NJP early morning. Proceed to Darjeeling by Toy Train 1st, 2nd - in Darjeeling 3rd morning - Leave Darjeeling. Depending on whether you want to arrive in Kolkata on 3rd evening or 4th morning, you can go for flight or train accordingly. Regarding train tickets, I advise you book all your tickets (including that of toy train) in advance from http://irctc.co.in. It is difficult to get instant tickets for Darjeeling Mail, unless it is already sold out and you might have to buy in Tatkal.

Mar 26th, 2009, 12:57	#15
salazar Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 13	ahhh thanks alot. I am really, really glad for everyone's help. kausiks> pardon my ignorance, but how can I book a kolkata - darjeeling train through the website? I've tried looking for a train from kol - > darj on the 29 on various classes but I can't seem to locate anything. I might be doing something wrong though. are there other sites where I can book all my tickets? I'm not able to use the first site that steven_ber gave me either. gosh. Also would the trains from kolkata start at the Howrah station or the other one?