Bagdogra to Darjeeling?

Clare Turland

Anyone recommend the best way/s to get from Bagdogra airport to Darjeeling? I am going on my own, so cheapest and quickest ways would be great!

machadinha

Hm well. In 1993 there used to be shared taxis from the airport to Darjeeling, took 3.5 hrs, they required 5 passengers on board and were 100 Rs. per person back then, which translates roughly as not incredibly cheap at whatever today's prices may be. Other than that it's a mere 12 kms from Siliguri (40 Rs. for the whole cab if I understand it right at the time to give you an idea) from where there's a choice of buses or private cabs or the historical toy train, not to be missed many say (wasn't running back then, to my eternal regret -- well, to my regret until I ever return shall we say).

edit: I read now it used to be there was a direct bus Siliguri - Darjeeling connecting with flights so that might be convenient. The LP at the time says ask with the West Bengal tourist office at the airport as the taxi drivers will try to convince you it doesn't exist. The cheapest buses were said to be 3.5 - 4.5 hours, the toy train up to 10 hrs. Even the bus ride up there is exhilerating I can tell you. My experience with Siliguri cab drivers is if they know you have no other option they'll fleece you for whatever they think you're worth btw, may just have been my rotten day however. The town itself is fairly spread out and consists of essentially two parts (New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri), hence the experience.

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