Gangtok is well-connected with the country’s major towns and cities with various modes of transport, including air, train, and road. Opting for a flight, the fastest and most convenient mode, ensures a swift journey. However, the choice of the best mode of transport is subjective, depending on factors like distance and personal preferences.
The detailed information below lets you make decisions about how to reach Gangtok. When you book your Gangtok tour package with Indian Holiday, you will not need to worry about transportation as we can arrange it as part of our package for a hassle-free vacation.
How to Reach Gangtok by Air
The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal, which is situated 124 km away from Gangtok. It is well-connected with all the major cities in India and has an international connection to Nepal and Bhutan. Cabs and buses are available from the airport to reach Gangtok. Helicopter services operated by the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation offer daily services from Bagdogra to Gangtok, which only takes about 20 minutes to reach.
Travel by Flight | Travel Time | Distance | Airport |
Delhi to Bagdogra |
2 hours 15 minutes |
1121 km |
Indira Gandhi International Airport |
Mumbai to Bagdogra |
2 hours 50 minutes |
1793 km |
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport |
Bengaluru to Bagdogra |
2 hours 50 minutes |
1892 km |
Kempegowda International Airport |
Pune to Bagdogra |
5 hours 30 minutes |
1735 km |
Sri Guru Ram Das Ji Pune International Airport |
Kolkata to Bagdogra |
1 hours 15 minutes |
456 km |
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport |
Ahmedabad to Bagdogra |
4 hours 30 minutes |
1642 km |
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport |
Guwahati to Bagdogra |
4 hours 50 minutes |
337 km |
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport |
Chennai to Bagdogra |
2 hours 45 minutes |
1730 km |
Chennai International Airport |
How to reach Gangtok by Train
The nearest railway station to Gangtok is New Jalpaiguri, which is located 117 km away. This railhead is connected to major parts of the country by superfast trains, express trains, and local trains. The New Jalpaiguri to Gangtok train is easily accessible by Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Patna, Ahmedabad, and other cities and states of India. From the railway station, you can hire a private car or board a bus to the capital city of Sikkim.
You can read our Gangtok travel guide, which helps you to know the best season to visit, tourist places, and how to get there.
Travel by Train | Destination Station | Travel Time | Distance | Train Name |
Delhi to New Jalpaiguri |
New Jalpaiguri Junction |
20 hours 25 minutes |
1409 km |
Dibrugarh Rajdhani |
Mumbai to New Jalpaiguri |
New Jalpaiguri Junction |
39 hours 25 min |
2317 km |
LTT Guwahati Express |
Bengaluru to New Jalpaiguri |
New Jalpaiguri Junction |
44 hours 40 minutes |
2543 km |
Guwahati Express |
Kanpur to New Jalpaiguri |
New Jalpaiguri Junction |
18 hours 20 min |
1033 km |
North East Express |
Jaipur to New Jalpaiguri |
New Jalpaiguri Junction |
28 hours 45 min |
1511 km |
BKN GHY Express |
Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri |
New Jalpaiguri Junction |
8 hours 20 minutes |
593 km |
Shatabdi Express |
Ranchi to New Jalpaiguri |
New Jalpaiguri Junction |
16 hours 20 minutes |
650 km |
RNC KYQ Express |
Agra to New Jalpaiguri |
New Jalpaiguri Junction |
25 hours 05 minutes |
1273 km |
Brahmaputra Express |
Ahmedabad to Gangtok |
New Jalpaiguri Junction |
34 hours 05 minutes |
2195 km |
Guwahati Express |
How to reach Gangtok by Road
The National Highway NH31A connects Sikkim to other cities. Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Siliguri, and Kalimpong are well connected via road. Government-run and private buses ply regularly for Gangtok by nearby cities, making travel hassle-free for tourists. Buses and private cabs regularly commute to the hill station. The hilly terrain and lush greenery en route to Gangtok make the road trip memorable and exciting.
Location | Distance | Time | Route |
Darjeeling to Gangtok |
103 km |
4 hours 37 minutes |
Rishi Rd, NH 717A & NH10 |
NJP to Gangtok |
118 km |
4 hours 10 min |
NH 10 |
Siliguri to Gangtok |
113 km |
4 hours 10 min |
NH 10 |
Bagdogra to Gangtok |
124 km |
4 hours 30 min |
NH 10 |
Guwahati to Gangtok |
539 km |
12 hours 15 min |
NH 27 & NH 10 |
Kolkata to Gangtok |
694 km |
18 hours 20 min |
NH 12, NH 27, & NH 10 |
Patna to Gangtok |
571 km |
14 hours 20 min |
NH 31, NH 27, & NH 10 |
Lachung to Gangtok |
115 km |
4 hours 10 min |
Singtam – Chungthang Rd |
Kalimpong to Gangtok |
74 km |
2 hours 30 min |
NH10 |
Ranchi to Gangtok |
729 km |
18 hours 40 min |
NH 320, NH 27, & NH 10 |
Lucknow to Gangtok |
1019 km |
21 hours 10 min |
NH 27 & NH 10 |
Kohima to Gangtok |
884 km |
19 hours 40 minutes |
NH 27 & NH 10 |
Ahmedabad to Gangtok |
2328 km |
42 hours 10 minutes |
NH 27 |
Pune to Gangtok |
2323 km |
42 hours 00 minutes |
Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg |
Pelling to Gangtok |
123 km |
4 hours |
NH710 |
Getting Around in Gangtok
Gangtok has a good network of private and shared taxis that make travel within the city comfortable. Buses are also made traveling in Gangtok hassle-free. Here are several options for getting around in Gangtok:
If you plan to have fun, enjoy and make memories, we have prepared a list of the top places to visit in Gangtok that can add on to your tour.
Sikkim Nationalized Transport (SNT) Bus
The best way to explore Gangtok is to travel by SNT buses. The city’s famous attractions are easily accessible by bus. SNT owns a bus fleet comprising ordinary to luxury buses that make travel comfortable. You can check the route and schedule of the buses on the official website of SNT. In addition, private buses are also available in Gangtok, which ply regularly for Kalimpong, Siliguri, and New Jalpaiguri.
Taxi and Autorickshaw
Private and shared taxis are among the most convenient and fast modes to travel in and around Gangtok. You can easily book them and travel to the city. This is the only major transport available in Gangtok for exploring the city as no city bus service is available in the township.
You can visit the taxi stand and book a taxi with fixed fares. Also, you can hire them directly, but fares are different and higher compared to the taxi stand standard rates.