Gangtok has no railway station, and its own airport at Pakyong has had irregular flights, so almost everyone travels to Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station near Siliguri and then drives up to Gangtok. The road follows the Teesta river through forests and gorges and enters Sikkim at Rangpo.
| From | Distance to Gangtok | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Bagdogra Airport (IXB) | About 120–125 km | 4–5 hours (longer in the monsoon) |
| New Jalpaiguri (NJP) station | About 115–120 km | About 4 hours |
| Siliguri town | About 115 km | About 4 hours |
| Pakyong Airport | About 30 km | About 1–1.5 hours |
| Darjeeling | About 95–100 km | About 4 hours |
| Pelling | About 110–130 km | 4–6 hours |
Drive times are approximate and depend on traffic, weather and road works on NH10.
By air: Bagdogra
Bagdogra (IXB), near Siliguri, is the main airport for Sikkim and Darjeeling, with direct flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and other cities. From the airport you can take a pre-booked car or a prepaid taxi to Gangtok.
Pakyong Airport, about 30 km from Gangtok, opened in 2018, but scheduled flights have been irregular and often cancelled because of weather. Treat any Pakyong flight as a bonus and plan around Bagdogra.
By train: New Jalpaiguri (NJP)
NJP is one of the largest stations in North-East India, with direct trains from Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati and many other cities. Siliguri Junction is nearby for some trains. From NJP it is about four hours by road to Gangtok. A new railway line to Rangpo in Sikkim is under construction but not yet open to passengers.
By road
The main road is NH10 from Siliguri via Sevoke, along the Teesta river to Rangpo and Singtam, then up to Gangtok. In the monsoon, landslides between Sevoke and Rangpo can cause delays or diversions via Kalimpong. Every vehicle stops at the Rangpo check post, where foreign nationals must show or obtain their Restricted Area Permit.
Shared or private taxi?
- Private car: the most comfortable option for families and groups, with stops for photos and meals. We can arrange pick-up from Bagdogra or NJP as part of your package.
- Shared jeep (sumo): cheaper, from Siliguri and NJP, but crowded, slow and with fixed stops.
- There is no Uber or Ola within Sikkim.
Tips
- Book flights that land before early afternoon so you reach Gangtok before dark.
- On the return, leave Gangtok early – allow at least 5 hours to Bagdogra in case of traffic or landslides.
- Carry photo ID for the check post.
Frequently asked questions
What is the nearest airport to Gangtok?
Bagdogra (IXB), about 4–5 hours by road. Pakyong is closer but has had irregular flights.
What is the nearest railway station to Gangtok?
New Jalpaiguri (NJP), about 4 hours by road.
Can you arrange pick-up from Bagdogra or NJP?
Yes. We arrange cars from Bagdogra or NJP as part of your tour.
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Updated October 2026 by the Tip Top Group team.