Sikkim is located in the northeast part of India, which is also known as the land of rice, and has been renowned for its multilingual and multiethnic state. Sikkim attracts a wide number of tourists from different parts of India with the Himalayan terrains surrounded by lush green scenery and the majestic Teesta river following Sikkim. Sikkim is a great escape for people seeking peace or adventure. Travelers can opt for different modes of transport to reach Sikkim. Travelers can choose between the rail, road, or flight transport that will help them reach their desired destination.
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How to Reach Sikkim By Road
Visiting Sikkim via road offers scenic pleasure by capturing beautiful scenarios and landscapes across the journey. Siliguri, the gateway to Sikkim, offers road passage to visitors via NH31A, which can be traveled using private cabs, public buses, and bikes. The travel time between NJP to Sikkim may take up to 5 hours to cover the distance of 135 km. The stretch of NH31A has been well maintained except for certain patches.
After reaching Siliguri by rail or flight, one can opt to continue their journey by road. A number of iconic places along the path towards Sikkim can be witnessed, such as Bengal Safari, Sevokeshwari Kali temple, Teesta Hydel Project, and others. There is also an option for bike rental services in Siliguri, which will add thrill to your journey, which starts around Rs 1500 per day. Similarly, the government bike services to Sikkim offer a range of buses at different timings to assist travelers in traveling to different parts of Sikkim. The bus fare may vary from Rs 110 to Rs 280, based on the locations and the choice of bus.
Also Read: Best Things To Do in Sikkim
Bus Service from Siliguri to Gangtok
| Total Distance | Bus Timing | Bus Fare | Bus Style | Travel Time |
| 114 | 6:30 AM | 150 | Ordinary | 4:30 Hours |
| 114 | 7:15 AM | 150 | Ordinary | 4:30 Hours |
| 114 | 8:00 AM | 280 | AC Super Deluxe | 4:30 Hours |
| 114 | 9:00 AM | 150 | Ordinary | 4:30 Hours |
| 114 | 10:00 AM | 150 | Ordinary | 4:30 Hours |
| 114 | 10:30 AM | 250 | AC Deluxe | 4:30 Hours |
| 114 | 11:00 AM | 150 | Ordinary | 4:30 Hours |
| 114 | 11:30 AM | 150 | Ordinary | 4:30 Hours |
| 114 | 12:30 PM | 150 | Ordinary | 4:30 Hours |
| 114 | 1:00 PM | 150 | Ordinary | 4:30 Hours |
| 114 | 1:30 PM | 280 | AC Super Deluxe | 4:30 Hours |
| 114 | 2:00 PM | 150 | Ordinary | 4:30 Hours |
| 114 | 2:30 PM | 150 | Ordinary | 4:30 Hours |
| 114 | 3:00 PM | 150 | Ordinary | 4:30 Hours |
| 114 | 3:30 PM | 150 | Ordinary | 4:30 Hours |
Bus Service from Siliguri to Namchi
- Travel Distance: 101 KM
- Bus Timing: 08:00 AM, 2:30 PM
- Travel Time: 4 Hours
- Bus Style: AC Deluxe
- Bus Fare: Rs. 220
Bus Service from Siliguri to Pelling
- Travel Distance: 135 KM
- Bus Timing: 10:30 AM
- Travel Time: 6 Hours
- Bus Style: Ordinary
- Bus Fare: Rs. 180
Bus Service from Siliguri to Mangan
- Travel Distance: 133 KM
- Bus Timing: 11:00 AM
- Travel Time: 5 Hours
- Bus Style: Ordinary
- Bus Fare: Rs. 180
Bus Service from Siliguri to Singtam
- Travel Distance: 85 KM
- Bus Timing: 12:45 PM
- Travel Time: 3:30 Hours
- Bus Style: Ordinary
- Bus Fare: Rs. 115
Bus Service from Siliguri to Ravangla
- Travel Distance: 127 KM
- Bus Timing: 1:00 PM
- Travel Time: 5 Hours
- Bus Style: Ordinary
- Bus Fare: Rs. 180
Bus Service from Siliguri to Jorethang
- Travel Distance: 83 KM
- Bus Timing: 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM
- Travel Time: 3:30 Hours, 4 Hours
- Bus Style: Ordinary
- Bus Fare: Rs. 110
Bus Service from Siliguri to Rongli
- Travel Distance: 111 KM
- Bus Timing: 2:00 PM
- Travel Time: 4:30 Hours
- Bus Style: Ordinary
- Bus Fare: Rs. 145
Bus Service from Siliguri to Pakyong
- Travel Distance: 105 KM
- Bus Timing: 2:15 PM
- Travel Time: 4 Hours
- Bus Style: Ordinary
- Bus Fare: Rs. 144
How To Reach Sikkim By Train
The closest railway station to Sikkim from different parts of India is the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP). Located at a distance of 9.5 km from the heart of Siliguri, this railway station helps connect the national railway routes across the country such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bhubaneshwar, Bangalore Chennai, and others. The absence of railway stations obstructs the direct pathway towards reaching parts of Sikkim. However, tourists travel via train to NJP Railway Station and then opt for road services to reach Sikkim mostly by cabs. The only train service from Siliguri to Hill Station is only to Darjeeling.
A new railway project is being developed that will help connect the railway route between Sevoke and Rangpo. This 44.96 km long railway track will help in reducing the travel time between the two destinations.
Also Read: 7 Most Beautiful Sikkim ViewPoints
How To Reach Sikkim By Flight
The nearest airport to Sikkim is Bagdogra Airport (IXB), which is situated at a distance of 11.8 km. Major airlines such as Drukair, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara, and Air India connect major cities with Bagdogra. It is also considered as the second busiest airport in West Bengal. After reaching Bagdogra airport, one can take cabs to reach Sikkim with a 4 to 5-hour drive.
The only airport present in Sikkim is Pakyong Airport, which helps in connecting the flight services. Traveling by flight despite being costly, also offers a reliable and hassle-free service. However, based on the uncertain and harsh weather conditions, the airport at times remains closed for a certain period of time. The flights from Air India and SpiceJet are seen to be mostly landing in the airport. Moreover, there is also a helicopter service present near Siliguri offered by Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) that costs around Rs 3500 and offers service between Gangtok and Bagdogra airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we go to Gangtok by train?
No, you cannot travel to Gangtok by train, as there are no railway tracks. Again, the nearest railway station under construction is the Sivok-Rangpo railway line, which is located at a distance of 37.5 km from Gangtok.
Is there any direct train to Sikkim?
At present there is no direct train to Sikkim, however, a construction of a railway tunnel between Sivok and Rangpo is under construction, which will offer direct trains. This direct train link is 44.98 km long and will have only five railway stations including Sivok and Rangpo.
Which is the nearest airport to Sikkim?
Pakyong Airport is the nearest airport to reach Sikkim, as it is present in Sikkim. However, earlier Bagdogra International Airport was the nearest airport to Sikkim, which was situated at a distance of 142 km from Sikkim.
What are the ways to reach Sikkim?
You can travel to Sikkim by either rail or road or by flight. However, flight, despite being costly as compared to the two modes of travel, will offer you a hassle-free journey. You can fly down to Pakyong airport from either Kolkata or Delhi. You can also reach NJP via train, as it connects the major Indian cities. You can also opt for the option of traveling via road using NH31A.
How can I go to Sikkim by flight?
You can travel to Sikkim by flight by flying from Kolkata or Delhi to Pakyong airport which is situated at a distance of 2.3 km from the main town of Pakyong and will take around 8 minutes to reach. If the flights are unavailable, you can also fly to Bagdogra International Airport (IXB), as it connects both national and international flights.
How can I go to Sikkim by train?
You can travel to Sikkim by train by reaching the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) from any major city around India. NJP is located at a distance of 9.5 km from Siliguri, which is the gateway to Sikkim. The railway station has a well-connected rail network to major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and others.
