Last minute ticket from Calcutta to NJP?

I arrive in Calcutta on the 29th and would like to get 2 tickets (2a or 3a) to NJP. I don't know why I didn't book the tickets back in August, the trains were already booked then but at least I could've been put on the WL.

Is there any possibility of getting a ticket via the Tourist quota or Tatkal (what is Tatkal BTW?)

All the other travelers I have met are astonished that I bought my other train tickets online, they just always go to the train station and get tickets with a day or two notice. Is this like

If I can't get a train ticket is there a tourist bus company that offers a relatively good way to get to NJP or Darjeeling?

thanks

In Tatkal scheme you pay extra and the booking opening day is 5 days before journey date. So you can very well try that.

For tourist quota, online booking is not allowed. you need to go to the counter as you need to show passport, etc.

There is VOLVO bus service available upto Siliguri. Its an overnight 12 hr journey. The best service offered amongst the ones I travelled is by Royal Cruiser.

You can visit http://www.royalcruiser.com for more details.

Dear ggsmoothie,

##If you have a System and also a valid credit with you, you may book the Tatkal Tickets by 2343 Darjeeling Mail on 24th September,2008, sharp at 8.00 hrs. Please look at the availability under Tatkal Quota:-
..........
You Queried For
Train Number Train Name Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Source Station Destination Station Quota Code
2343 DARJEELING MAIL 28-09-2008 SEALDAH NEW JALPAIGURI TATKAL
S.No. Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Class - 3A Class -SL
1 28- 9-2008 AVAILABLE- 0062 AVAILABLE- 0141
2 29- 9-2008 AVAILABLE- 0062 AVAILABLE- 0141
3 30- 9-2008 AVAILABLE- 0062 AVAILABLE- 0141
4 1-10-2008 AVAILABLE- 0062 AVAILABLE- 0141
5 2-10-2008 AVAILABLE- 0062 AVAILABLE- 0141
6 3-10-2008 AVAILABLE- 0062 AVAILABLE- 0141
--------------
You Queried For
Train Number Train Name Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Source Station Destination Station Quota Code
2343 DARJEELING MAIL 28-09-2008 SEALDAH NEW JALPAIGURI TATKAL
S.No. Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Class - 1A Class -2A
1 28- 9-2008 REGRET/WL 1 AVAILABLE- 0010
2 29- 9-2008 REGRET/WL 1 AVAILABLE- 0010
3 30- 9-2008 REGRET/WL 1 AVAILABLE- 0010
4 1-10-2008 REGRET/WL 1 AVAILABLE- 0010
5 2-10-2008 REGRET/WL 1 AVAILABLE- 0010
6 3-10-2008 REGRET/WL 1 AVAILABLE- 0010
============
You Queried For
Train Number Train Name Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Source Station Destination Station Quota Code
2343 DARJEELING MAIL 29-09-2008 SEALDAH NEW JALPAIGURI GENERAL
S.No. Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Class - 1A Class -2A
1 29- 9-2008 WL 7/WL 4 WL 22/WL 4
2 30- 9-2008 WL 7/WL 5 WL 15/WL 1
3 1-10-2008 WL 14/WL 12 WL 46/WL 35
4 2-10-2008 WL 8/WL 6 WL 50/WL 23
5 3-10-2008 WL 14/WL 12 WL 72/WL 52
6 4-10-2008 WL 24/WL 8 WL 81/WL 55
===========
##There is NO Tatkal Quota for IAC!!!

Thanks everyone for responding. I went ahead and booked tickets on Royal Cruiser Buslines, looks pretty decent, it's the roads I'm more worried about.

Think I will try Tatkal for the journey back from NJP to Calcutta.