IXB to DJ: train times and jeep??

tazswing · Jan 15th, 2007, 05:28

[Hi all. I posted this just now and can't find it so sorry if it is posted again.]

I am a bit confused. Myself and two friends are flying into IXB getting in around 12:15hrs March 25th (Sunday) and then heading to Darjeeling. Via reading this forum looks like train, jeep or shared jeep is the way to get to Darjeeling, but from the train schedules I have been able to pull up we will miss all the trains that day.

1D NJP DJ NG TRAIN NEW JALPAIGURI 09:00 DARJEELING 15:55
And toy train:
Train No 1D SILIGURI JN 09:27 DARJEELING 15:30
(information on Toy Train - Darjeeling)

My questions:
-If we want to get to Darjeeling on Sunday, jeep is the only way to go b/c of our arrival time?
-Also, trains all seem to leave from NJP or Siliguri, NOT Bagdogra so does this mean a taxi from the airport to the train if we take a train to Dargeeling?

Thanks and sorry the post is so long but I wanted to give myself SOME credit for looking around .

Cheers.

mountaingirl · Jan 16th, 2007, 22:06

hi!

I would advise you to consider taking the 'train' as these are all toy trains - steam engine and take a LONG time to get to Darjeeling.

However, it is an experience to ride them.

The best way is to go for shared jeeps or buses. If you can not find anything from the Bagdogra airport, then take a taxi till Darjeeling 'mod' (mod - turn - this is where the road from NJP meets and heads towards Darjeeling). Try to look at a map, maybe you are a bit confused about the location of these two places.

You can still enjoy your toy train ride - you can opt for a 'tour' with them Or, simply hop on the journey between Darjeeling and Kurseong town.

Good Luck!

tazswing · Jan 16th, 2007, 22:29

Thanks, Mountaingirl. Ok, so they are all "toy trains" that run up to Dargeeling. That I was confused about. I would really like to take the train ride, but I think on the way back is going to work better logistically. I need to find a better map since I feel ungrounded geographically speaking with the proximity of these cites, namely Bagdogra and NJP. Your screen name makes me wish I was climbing on this trip but alas the folks I am going with and the timing is not going to allow for it.

Cheers.

Lugubert · Jan 16th, 2007, 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by tazswing

I would really like to take the train ride, but I think on the way back is going to work better logistically.

A shared jeep would be more efficient. In Darjiling, there's the option to take the tourist train run to Ghum (some 7 km IIRC)and back. Ask around for when to queue up for tickets. (Probably at least one hour in advance.)

cyberhippie · Jan 16th, 2007, 23:34

The toy train is magnificent no doubt but the road takes almost the same route to Darjeeling in a 5th of the time!!

whatiyam · Jan 16th, 2007, 23:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by tazswing

Thanks, Mountaingirl. Ok, so they are all "toy trains" that run up to Dargeeling. That I was confused about. I would really like to take the train ride, but I think on the way back is going to work better logistically. I need to find a better map since I feel ungrounded geographically speaking with the proximity of these cites, namely Bagdogra and NJP. Your screen name makes me wish I was climbing on this trip but alas the folks I am going with and the timing is not going to allow for it.

Cheers.

actually google earth has fine resolution of bagdogra airport, and that whole area, you can do hybrid map and satellite views.

what i did when i got into bagdogra airport was to go to siliguri town, really a 50 rupee shared ride in a van, but they will probably ask for more. i stayed at the Mount View (hotel) right across from the tenzin norgay bus terminal. i think it was 125 rupees a night, decent place, bbc news in lobby, or you can stay at Mainak the tourist bureau hotel, more expensive but have some air conditioned rooms. i think they have tourist bus service to darjeeling from mainak, and they can arrange an unshared jeep as well. mainak is the place to eat though, when i was there last its chef was great, that was 2000. hope nothing there changed.

the jeep stand where you catch a shared jeep ride to darjeeling is on the same road as the bus terminal and is a couple hundred yards from the tn bus terminal, as is the sikkim office. you can arrange a private jeep there too. you can see the jeep stand on google earth. i am sure the bus terminal is tagged in google earth community layer.

tazswing · Jan 17th, 2007, 05:02

Thanks for all that, especially lodging and transit ‘put in points’ beta.

Google earth = the great new dissertation distraction. Very cool and I feel my bearing coming about.

I read that you can take a short ride on the toy train just for the experience. I guess time will be the greatest factor in determining a ride on it or not.

I guess the rest is up to me to decide if we want to expedite up to Darjeeling or not. For sure some detailed posts when we get back.

Cheers.

robotvoice · Jan 17th, 2007, 05:26

I would recomend taking the toy train on the way back down the hill from darjeeling. It is the best timing because you wont want to leave Darjeeling and so you can savor the views on your way out.
There is also a short round trip ride on the toy train from darjeeling to ghoom that is nice if you don't have much time.

SteamBuff · Jan 17th, 2007, 05:30

If you wanted to spend the day in Darjeeling (and still have a train ride) you could take the afternoon 'School Train' from Darjeeling to Kurseong and then a taxi/Jeep to NJP/Airport either the same day or the next day.

Tha advantage of this train is that it is still Steam hauled. (Well I think it is a advantage)

whatiyam · Jan 19th, 2007, 22:39

i will be taking traveling from siliguri to kalimpong.

anyone know the prices of shared jeep and unshared from siliguri?

i know the jeep stand in siliguri, but is there another on the way toward darjeeling if one wants to go straight on?

Jan 15th, 2007, 05:28	#1
tazswing Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York area Posts: 16	IXB to DJ: train times and jeep?? [Hi all. I posted this just now and can't find it so sorry if it is posted again.] I am a bit confused. Myself and two friends are flying into IXB getting in around 12:15hrs March 25th (Sunday) and then heading to Darjeeling. Via reading this forum looks like train, jeep or shared jeep is the way to get to Darjeeling, but from the train schedules I have been able to pull up we will miss all the trains that day. 1D NJP DJ NG TRAIN NEW JALPAIGURI 09:00 DARJEELING 15:55 And toy train: Train No 1D SILIGURI JN 09:27 DARJEELING 15:30 (information on Toy Train - Darjeeling) My questions: -If we want to get to Darjeeling on Sunday, jeep is the only way to go b/c of our arrival time? -Also, trains all seem to leave from NJP or Siliguri, NOT Bagdogra so does this mean a taxi from the airport to the train if we take a train to Dargeeling? Thanks and sorry the post is so long but I wanted to give myself SOME credit for looking around . Cheers.

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Jan 16th, 2007, 22:06	#2
mountaingirl Mother Goose Join Date: May 2003 Location: underground Posts: 426	hi! I would advise you to consider taking the 'train' as these are all toy trains - steam engine and take a LONG time to get to Darjeeling. However, it is an experience to ride them. The best way is to go for shared jeeps or buses. If you can not find anything from the Bagdogra airport, then take a taxi till Darjeeling 'mod' (mod - turn - this is where the road from NJP meets and heads towards Darjeeling). Try to look at a map, maybe you are a bit confused about the location of these two places. You can still enjoy your toy train ride - you can opt for a 'tour' with them Or, simply hop on the journey between Darjeeling and Kurseong town. Good Luck!

Jan 16th, 2007, 22:29	#3
tazswing Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York area Posts: 16	Thanks, Mountaingirl. Ok, so they are all "toy trains" that run up to Dargeeling. That I was confused about. I would really like to take the train ride, but I think on the way back is going to work better logistically. I need to find a better map since I feel ungrounded geographically speaking with the proximity of these cites, namely Bagdogra and NJP. Your screen name makes me wish I was climbing on this trip but alas the folks I am going with and the timing is not going to allow for it. Cheers.

Jan 16th, 2007, 23:34	#5
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	The toy train is magnificent no doubt but the road takes almost the same route to Darjeeling in a 5th of the time!!

Jan 17th, 2007, 05:02	#7
tazswing Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York area Posts: 16	Thanks for all that, especially lodging and transit ‘put in points’ beta. Google earth = the great new dissertation distraction. Very cool and I feel my bearing coming about. I read that you can take a short ride on the toy train just for the experience. I guess time will be the greatest factor in determining a ride on it or not. I guess the rest is up to me to decide if we want to expedite up to Darjeeling or not. For sure some detailed posts when we get back. Cheers.

Jan 17th, 2007, 05:26	#8
robotvoice mikeaholic Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: california Posts: 1,163	I would recomend taking the toy train on the way back down the hill from darjeeling. It is the best timing because you wont want to leave Darjeeling and so you can savor the views on your way out. There is also a short round trip ride on the toy train from darjeeling to ghoom that is nice if you don't have much time.

Jan 17th, 2007, 05:30	#9
SteamBuff Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Essex, Endland Posts: 370	If you wanted to spend the day in Darjeeling (and still have a train ride) you could take the afternoon 'School Train' from Darjeeling to Kurseong and then a taxi/Jeep to NJP/Airport either the same day or the next day. Tha advantage of this train is that it is still Steam hauled. (Well I think it is a advantage)

Jan 19th, 2007, 22:39	#10
whatiyam Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: new york city Posts: 60	i will be taking traveling from siliguri to kalimpong. anyone know the prices of shared jeep and unshared from siliguri? i know the jeep stand in siliguri, but is there another on the way toward darjeeling if one wants to go straight on?

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