Kolkata - Darjeeling (transport help)

guerik

I'm sure I've seen some of this info on other threads before but can't seem to find it, if anyone has a couple of minutes to help me out that would be excellent!
I'm hoping to nip up to Darjeeling on my upcoming trip but only have a few days to do it (it's a bit of a rushed trip but it's either a quick trip now or a slightly longer trip in NOVEMBER, so I'm not waiting!). My plan is to take the toy train up and then take whatever's fastest to get to Varanasi.

So a couple of questions - does the Darjeeling train (scheduled to leave at 9am) wait for the Darjeeling Mail to arrive in NJP (scheduled for 8.40) or will it leave "on time" regardless? I remember the train up to Shimla having a similar amount of time for connections, and everyone on the first train seemed to also be on the second.. just wondering if it's the same.
Secondly, what's the fastest way from Darjeeling to Varanasi? There's a train from NJP to Varanasi but it unfortunately doesn't run on the days I'd need (I'm hoping to do it on Friday, or Saturday if need be).

Thanks guys, any help would be great!

SHIMLA

1. Do not know whether the toy train waits for the Darjeeling Mail, hence cannot help you here.

2. Try options from New Jalpaiguri to Mughal Sarai. You'll find at least three trains which run daily; and also a couple of others which run on Friday/Saturday. A convenient train will be the 2505 North East Express, leaving NJP at 17=00 and reaching Mughal Sarai at 07=00 next morning.

Varanasi is 35-40 kms. from Mughal Sarai, if I'm not mistaken.

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steven_ber

I would guess that the toy train waits for the Darjeeling Mail, but that would only be a guess.

If the Darjeeling Mail is very late you can get a bus to Darjeeling, lose no time, and get the train back to NJP.

The Train suggested by SHIMLA is perfect and has 2A, 3A, and Sleeper class, Mughal Sarai is less than 20 Kms from Varanasi.

Remember that you can now book trains over the internet and print the ticket at home. (so long as the train number has 4 numbers and begins with a 2)

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guerik

Does anyone know the timings for buses between Darjeeling and New Jalpaiguri? Apparently it only takes three hours but my guidebook doesn't offer any times - would like to book the NJP - MS train in advance if I can but want to be sure I could catch it

babuchand

for quick delivery to darjeeling go for bus or jeep....
available from TENZING NORGE BUS TERMINUS and its adjacent JEEP stand in Siliguri town. U can take ricksaw or car to reach Tenzing Norge bus terminus.

swaraj mazda busses leave in every hour from 8am to 2 pm

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somnath

NJP station to Bus Stand (as mentioned by Babu) by rickshaw will cost you not less than 25 Rs.

Shared jeep (the fastest way to reach Darjeeling) from NJP – 100 Rs.
Shared jeep (the fastest way to reach Darjeeling) from Shiliguri (Bus termn) – 80 Rs.
(fares till April 2005).

So I prefer to avoid half an hour rickshaw ride from rly. St. to Bus stop through the congested roads of Shiliguri. Cost remains same then why to delay? Jeep is available just outside the station. Just keep one thing in mind, DO NOT SPEAK TO ANY TOUT. Go to the jeep driver and ask him how much he will take for Darjeeling (mention SHARE clearly). And just one more tip, ask him to provide the ticket with the seat no and cross check the seat no before paying.
Generally they will tell you that the jeep is full and only one / two seat is available and you have no other choice except the back seat. But after some time you may find that you are the only passenger and waiting for 1 long hour for other passengers.

mobilerug

The toy train waits for the darjeeling mail to arrive. But it takes double time than by jeep. Now shared as well as reserved jeeps starts right from the NJP station so no need to go to siliguri bus stand. There are very frequent bus and jeep service between Darjeeling and NJP so no fixed time table as such.

Regarding Varanasi, best way is to travel is to go to Mughalsarai from NJP and then by autos/taxis to varanasi. Distance from Mughalsarai to Varanasi is around 17 kms (not 35-40 as shimla had said).

indiamike

All the above advise is spot on.

From NJP taked the shared jeep. It's usually 100 rupees per seat. They are right outside the train station at NJP. It's around three hours to Darjeeling.

You can do toy train runs from Darjeeling, a popular run is a short ride to Ghoom and then a walk balk up the hill. That would be a half day excursion.

Book your train tickets to Varanasi early since they tend to fill up. Another route is via Patna where you can just catch another train to Varanasi.

Darjeeling is similar to Dharamsala except around ten times the size. There are plenty of things to do and see and is worth the trip.

tomprice20

I might add a few thoughts...

The Toy Train all the way up/down is indeed slow, and to my knowledge you're not ensured it'll be one of the cute steam ones... diesel just ain't the same. Taking a trip from Darjeeling to one of the villages down the track and walking back is a fine option.

Jeep from Siliguri or NJP is a good plan (the main road pretty much follows the train anyway - as I recall, left hand seats for the best views going up) though I was moved to pay for two tickets (it was only Rs. 70 back then) on the way back to stop them cramming the seat with people - Guerik, you'll be aware I take up my fair share of space - a moment of comfort was required...!

Tom

babuchand

havn't u gone thru' pankhabari shrtcut????
it is the popular jeep route....much shorter and bit exciting too

somnath

Well, it is my personal choice to avail Pankhabari (steep road as compared to the old one) on return journey from Darjeeling. Because:
1. I love Makaibari tea and the Sales counter of Makaibari Tea garden is just beside this road. So you can purchase good tea (don’t worry, the company will provide you best quality tea at reasonable rate. No cheating at all).
2. As Babu says, it is a shortcut. So faster.
3. The scenic beauty is better on the road, which goes parallel to the railway track.

- Somnath

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mobilerug

Route via Pankhabari has now been made one way to avoid accidents as its very steep. Traffic flows from Kurseong to Siliguri (i.e. downhill, so one can only make the return journey. But shared jeeps do not follow that route usually and so if anyone wants to avail that route will have to book his own transport.

Judi

We took a jeep up, and the train (albeit deisel pulled) down. Wouldn't have missed either trip - they were both stunning, but the Toy train was an experience I will never forget. Sure, it's "slow" - the journey took 8 hours, but who goes to India to get everywhere (anywhere! as fast as they can?

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babuchand

last time went there in feb2004....for singalila pass trek....went to manebhanjang via ghum....
has the oneway restriction imposed later on????

mobilerug

I made a trip to Kurseong, Darjeeling & Mirik in last week of Oct 2005. It is then when I came to know about the one way.