How to go to NJP without train

mousom

Hello

Can some one provide me some information to reach NJP and that too not by train. Train tickets seems to be exhausted. Please let me know for any contacts, of bus or if the buses are safe to travel. I am very new to Kolkata and hence do not have much information about the places around.

Regards

karthik_mitta

Is your option only buses? you could fly too..

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mousom

ya .. some how the options are less due to monetary issues.. by the way what can be the amount for the air tick.... I have not checked that yet..

karthik_mitta

A week from now Air Deccan is offering INR 274 (high chances of cancellation and rescheduling) and Jet at 2275.. both excluding approx 1250 taxes.

Go to www.makemytrip.com for more details based on your choices.

Also, you could take the overnight bus from KOL too. I dont have exact details but have heard from friends it isnt oo much a hassle.

mousom

Thanks for the informations.

shashank.aggarwal

If Air-Deccan is offering the ticket for Rs.274 + Taxes got for it...

I have used their services for more than a dozen times in last year or so, without any cancellation or delay..

When you look online, you have to look for Bagdogra airport..it would be around 16 km from NJP...

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Bhaswaran

Mousom,

where did you actually want to go? Is it NJP or Siliguri? If Siliguri, then there are plenty of buses from Esplande (Shahid Minar) from CSTC, NBSTC, SBSTC, WBSTC (all govt.) and plenty other private operators. There are air-conditioned and as well as non-AC, Sleeper buses, comfortable Volvo (WBSTC Sleeper), Rocket, Super, and Express services. CSTC Rocket leaves every hour from late afternoon and is the best value for money (ticket Kolkata-Siliguri is probably Rs. 205).

But I will tell you, try Tatkal facility on the trains. There are a plenty of trains also. Siliguri is the best connected city from Kolkata and there should not be any problem.

Try this trains, you will probably get a ticket.

2503 Sealdah-NJP Superfast Express SEALDAH 09:05 NEW JALPAIGURI 19:00 (Tue, Thu, and Sundays)

5657 KANCHANJANGA EXP SEALDAH 06:45 NEW JALPAIGURI 18:20

These are day-running trains and although I have not checked, they normally have less rush than others. But obviously, Darjeeling Mail is the best bet on this line. Try it on Tatkal.

You can easily come from Siliguri to NJP by auto or rickshaw.

double-dolphin

I'd avoid buses if I were you. There is a fear of armed robbery. On traines never travel sleeper class. Use AC 3 teir at least.

chief61

There are very nice Volvo coaches which
runs between Calcutta and Siliguri,
but fare is at par with AC train fare.
Train will be a cheaper option and there
is a special foreign national quota on
"Darjelling Mail", try on www.irctc.co.in
for more train information.

Cheers

machadinha

I guess there are issues with banditry and insurgents in parts of rural West Bengal yes. Having said that, in the earlier 1990's (when for instance the Gorkhaland issue was just about petering out I think, with a strong military presence still in place in some parts) I got around just fine there in sleeper class trains and buses. So unless there's been a marked increase of such activity (Naxalites?) over the past decade, I wouldn't say "never." Maybe stay abreast of latest local developments (OP may be Indian anyway? In that case, this is more of a general outsider's comment); try e.g. http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/india.htm , and remember news of train holdups etc. is more likely to hit the headlines than it might actually happen to you. Reading the local papers was one of my pleasures in India, and going by them you'd better not step out of your front door anywhere. Like with newspapers anywhere I suppose.

Other than that, just move within your own comfort zone I guess.

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somnath

I am surprised!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I used to travel twice / thrice in a month between Kolkata and NJP for my official purpose. I did it through the period 1999 – 2004. And since Darjeeling / Sikkim is my favorite destination I use to visit quite frequently – at least twice in a year . This is new information to me. I’ve never traveled by AC 3 tire and traveled a lot by bus (NBSTC / SBSTC / CSTC / Surface Transport … and so on) but NEVER faced any robbery!!!!!
I agree with machadinha regarding time of such incidents …… Mr. double_dolphin are you providing current info?

Mousom, are you planning for puja vacation? Then better you try to appoint a good travel agent. Tatkal service is there but there are so many people like you who will look for this opportunity.

Apart from all the bus services rightly mentioned by other members there is White Liner service too. I didn’t avail that service but busses are comfortable. The road condition is also great. So you can plan for a bus journey without any hesitation.

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