Kolkata to Darjeeling Tour Package – Train/Bus/Flight

When to Choose Bus

• Train tickets sold out (Durga Puja, Christmas, long weekends)

• Ultra-budget travelers (₹600 government buses save ₹400-600 vs. AC trains)

• Last-minute travel decisions (buses available 1-2 days before)

• Groups too large to confirm train berths together​

Flight Options: Kolkata to Bagdogra Airport

Flights save significant time but add substantial cost, shifting package profiles from budget to mid-range/premium.​

Flight Details

Route: Kolkata (CCU) to Bagdogra (IXB)
Airlines: IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Go First
Duration: 1 hour direct flight
Frequency: 4-6 flights daily
Cost range:

• Off-peak/advance booking: ₹3,000-5,000

• Peak season: ₹5,000-8,000

• Last-minute: ₹7,000-12,000​

Flight Schedule Examples

Morning departures (popular for starting packages same day):

• 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM arrival, full day available for Darjeeling transfer + sightseeing

• 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM arrival, still connects with afternoon Darjeeling reach​

Afternoon departures:

• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM arrival, transfer to Darjeeling, reach by evening

• Less day-1 utilization but suits those who can’t take morning flights​

Return flights (from Bagdogra to Kolkata):

• Evening flights (5-7 PM) allow full last-day utilization

• Morning returns waste half a vacation day​

Bagdogra Airport to Darjeeling

• Distance: 95 km

• Duration: 3-3.5 hours by private car/taxi

• Cost: ₹2,500-3,500 for sedan (4 passengers), ₹3,500-4,500 for SUV (6 passengers)

• Included in most tour packages from Bagdogra​

Flight Booking Strategy

When to book:

• 45-60 days advance for best fares (₹3,000-4,000 range possible)

• Monitor airline sales (Tuesday/Wednesday often have promotions)

• Avoid weekend departures/returns (₹1,000-2,000 premium)​

Platforms:

• Direct airline websites (sometimes cheaper, better refund policies)

• Google Flights for comparison

• MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip for convenience (₹200-500 markup)​

When to Choose Flights

• Limited vacation days (3-4 days total, can’t spare overnight train time)

• Senior travelers or families with small kids (comfort priority)

• Business travelers extending work trips to Siliguri/Kolkata

• Those who can afford ₹6,000-12,000 RT flight costs​

Private Car/Taxi Option: Kolkata to Darjeeling

Private vehicles offer maximum flexibility but cost more than trains and take similar time as overnight buses.​

Route Details

Distance: 650 km via NH27 and NH10
Duration: 12-14 hours with breaks
Route: Kolkata → Burdwan → Panagarh → Siliguri → Darjeeling
Cost: ₹12,000-18,000 for sedan (one-way), ₹16,000-24,000 for SUV​

When Private Car Makes Sense

• Groups of 6-7 people splitting costs (₹2,000-2,500 per person becomes competitive)

• Want to stop at Malda, Siliguri en route for business/family visits

• Carrying significant luggage or elderly members needing door-to-door service

• Starting from non-central Kolkata areas not well-connected to Sealdah/Howrah​

Booking Private Cars

• Rent through operators like Zoomcar, Savaari, Kolkata taxi services

• Ensure hill-trained driver included (mandatory for safe mountain driving)

• Clarify fuel, tolls, driver allowance inclusions​

Package Cost Comparison by Transport Mode

Understanding how transport choice affects total Kolkata-Darjeeling package pricing helps budget planning.​

3N/4D Package Breakdown

Budget (Train Sleeper Class):

• Train tickets RT: ₹600-1,000

• Land package (NJP-Darjeeling-NJP): ₹7,000-8,500

• Total: ₹7,600-9,500 per person​

Mid-Range (Train AC 3-Tier):

• Train tickets RT: ₹1,600-2,400

• Land package: ₹8,500-11,000

• Total: ₹10,100-13,400 per person​

Premium (Flight):

• Flight tickets RT: ₹6,000-12,000

• Land package: ₹8,000-12,000

• Total: ₹14,000-24,000 per person​

Group Private Car (6 people):

• Car cost RT: ₹32,000 ÷ 6 = ₹5,333 per person

• Land package: ₹7,000-9,000

• Total: ₹12,333-14,333 per person​

Sample Itineraries by Transport Mode

Train-Based 3N/4D Package (₹9,500 per person)

Day 0 (Thursday night):

• 10:05 PM: Board Darjeeling Mail from Sealdah

• Overnight journey in AC 3-tier (₹1,100)

Day 1 (Friday):

• 7:30 AM: Arrive NJP, meet driver

• 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Transfer to Darjeeling (breakfast en route)

• 12:00 PM: Hotel check-in near Mall Road

• 1:00 PM: Lunch (self-arranged)

• 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Mall Road exploration, Chowrasta, shopping

• 7:30 PM: Hotel dinner (included)

Day 2 (Saturday):

• 3:30 AM: Tiger Hill departure

• 4:30 AM – 6:00 AM: Sunrise over Kanchenjunga

• 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM: Return via Batasia Loop, Ghoom Monastery

• 8:30 AM: Hotel breakfast

• 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Full-day Darjeeling 7-point sightseeing (zoo, HMI, tea gardens, Peace Pagoda, Tibetan Centre)

• 7:30 PM: Hotel dinner

Day 3 (Sunday):

• 8:00 AM: Breakfast, checkout

• 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM: Mirik Lake excursion (boating, Pashupati Market)

• 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Transfer to NJP

• 8:30 PM: Board return train to Kolkata

• Overnight journey

Day 4 (Monday morning):

• 6:00 AM: Arrive Kolkata Sealdah

​

Flight-Based 4N/5D Package (₹18,000 per person)

Day 1 (Friday morning):

• 6:00 AM: Kolkata-Bagdogra flight (₹4,500)

• 7:00 AM: Land Bagdogra

• 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Transfer to Darjeeling

• 12:00 PM: Hotel check-in

• Afternoon: Rest, light Mall Road walk

• Evening: Hotel dinner

Day 2 (Saturday):

• Same as train Day 2: Tiger Hill + full sightseeing

Day 3 (Sunday):

• Mirik excursion, return Darjeeling for night

Day 4 (Monday):

• Morning: Toy train joy ride or local temple visits

• Afternoon: Checkout, transfer to Gangtok (if combo package) or leisure in Darjeeling

Day 5 (Tuesday):

• Morning: Final sightseeing or shopping

• 12:00 PM: Checkout, Bagdogra transfer

• 5:00 PM: Bagdogra-Kolkata flight (₹4,500)

• 6:00 PM: Arrive Kolkata

​

Booking Workflow for Kolkata Travelers

Step 1: Choose transport mode (30-60 days before travel)

• Budget/time available: Train

• Premium/limited days: Flight

• Large group: Consider private car​

Step 2: Book transport

• Trains: IRCTC 60-90 days ahead

• Flights: Airline websites/aggregators 45-60 days ahead

• Buses: 7-15 days ahead (limited advance booking)

• Cars: 15-30 days ahead​

Step 3: Request land package quote
Contact Northeast Destinations at +91-XXXXXXX via WhatsApp with:

• Transport details (train name/number/arrival time OR flight number/landing time)

• Group size and composition (adults/kids/seniors)

• Desired hotel standard (budget/mid-range/premium)

• Must-have inclusions (Tiger Hill, Mirik, toy train)​

Step 4: Verify pickup coordination

• Confirm exact NJP platform or Bagdogra terminal pickup

• Get driver contact number for day-of coordination

• Share any delays immediately (monsoon train delays common)​

Step 5: Pay and receive voucher

• 30-40% advance payment to lock hotels and vehicle

• Receive booking voucher with hotel names, driver details, itinerary

• Balance payment 5-7 days before departure​

Special Considerations for Kolkata Travelers

Monsoon (June-August)

• Train delays common (2-4 hours) due to waterlogging

• Coordinate flexible pickup timing with operators

• Consider afternoon trains (less delay-prone than morning arrivals)

• Landslide risks on Siliguri-Darjeeling road​

Peak Season (March-May, October-November)

• Train tickets sell out 60+ days ahead

• Book Tatkal as backup if advance booking misses

• Flight prices spike 40-60% in peak

• Darjeeling hotels fill fast; operators may suggest alternatives​

Festival Periods (Durga Puja, Christmas, Diwali)

• All transport 1.5-2x normal pricing

• Book 90+ days mandatory

• Expect crowds at all tourist spots

• Package costs rise 25-30%​

Group Travel (4+ from Kolkata)

• Book entire train coach quota (easier berth confirmation together)

• Group train bookings get small discounts from agents

• Land package per-head rates drop ₹800-1,500 for 6+ travelers

• Private car becomes cost-competitive for 6-7 people​

Why Northeast Destinations for Kolkata-Darjeeling Packages

Northeast Destinations has coordinated 5,000+ Kolkata-origin Darjeeling packages, mastering city-specific logistics and preferences.​

Kolkata expertise:

• Synchronized NJP pickups with all major train arrival timings

• Bengali-speaking support staff understanding Kolkata traveler expectations

• Sealdah/Howrah area office visits possible for in-person coordination

• 10+ years serving Kolkata weekend and holiday travelers​

Transport flexibility:

• Coordinate packages with any train, flight, or bus option

• Adjust pickup timing same-day if transport delays occur

• Driver mobile numbers shared for real-time coordination​

Value optimization:

• Transparent land package pricing separate from transport costs

• Group discounts automatic for 4+ travelers from Kolkata

• Early booking incentives (10% off for 60+ day bookings)

• Seasonal offers during off-peak months​

Proven reliability:

• 4.8-star Google rating from 1,200+ reviews

• Specific Kolkata traveler testimonials on timely NJP pickups

• 24/7 WhatsApp support for train delay or flight change emergencies

• Physical Siliguri office backup if any ground issues

Ready to Book Your Kolkata-Darjeeling Escape?

Kolkata to Darjeeling tour packages offer unmatched flexibility through train, flight, bus, and private car options—each suiting different budgets, timeframes, and comfort needs. Trains dominate for affordability and overnight convenience (₹7,600-13,400 total packages), flights serve premium travelers prioritizing time (₹14,000-24,000 packages), and buses/cars fill niche requirements for budget extremes or group logistics.​

Understanding transport choices, booking timelines, and coordination workflows ensures smooth Kolkata-Darjeeling journeys whether you’re a student on ₹8,000 budget, a family seeking ₹12,000 mid-range comfort, or a couple choosing ₹20,000 flight-based premium experiences. Northeast Destinations simplifies this complexity with city-specific expertise, transparent pricing, and decade-proven reliability.