This may vary based on the transport medium one chooses to reach Darjeeling in the first place. However, if you ask me in number then the Darjeeling trip cost from Kolkata is around 4000rs a person for a 3 days trip.

How to reach Darjeeling from Kolkata?

There are mainly four ways to reach Darjeeling from Kolkata.

• Trains: Trains are the cheapest ways to reach Darjeeling from Kolkata via NJP(New Jalpaiguri).
• Bus: Buses can be great if you wish to reach Darjeeling from Kolkata overnight.
• Flight: As usual, flights take less than any other mode of transport till date.
• Booking a cab: Booking a cab can be good if you are a group of 4 or more. However, sitting in the car can be a little tiring.
• Personal Car: It can reduce your overall budget by great amount as you only need to pay for the fuel and nothing else.

How much does it cost to reach Darjeeling from Kolkata?

By train:

• Sleeper: 300-350rs
• 3^rd AC: 800-1000rs
• Time taken: 8hrs to 12 hrs
• Availability: More than 20 trains run between Kolkata and New Jalpaiguri.

Here are some of them.

Or you can just go through this video which amazingly describes how you can complete your 3 Days trip to Darjeeling for just Rs 4000.

Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri trains:

Train Number	Journey Time	Departure(Kolkata)	Arrival(NJP)	Sleeper	3rd AC	CC	Runs on
13173	11hr 30min	06:35	18:05	300rs	895rs		Sun, Tue, Thu, Fri
13175	11hr 30min	06:35	18:05	300rs	810rs		Mon, Wed, Sat
15643	11hr 25min	07:30	18:55	330rs	895rs		Sun
12363	9hr 50min	09:05	18:55			770rs	Tue, Thu, Sat
13181	9hr 50min	09:05	18:55	330rs	895rs		Mon
12041	8hr 20min	14:15	22:35			1535rs	Daily except Sun

By Bus:

• Sleeper: 2500rs
• Time taken: 12 hrs. to 13hrs.
• First bus: 06:00pm
• Last bus: 08:00pm

Amenities in buses in general:

Emergency contact number	Movie	Water Bottle	Blankets	Charging Point	Reading light	CCTV	Pillow
✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔

By Flight

• Economy: 4000rs to 6000rs (may vary)

• Time taken: 1hr to 1hr 30mins

Booking a Cab: (One-way)

• 3-seater, 1bag: 16000rs
• 4-seater, 2 bags: 17000rs
• 6-seater, 3bags: 31000rs
• Time taken: 15hrs to 16hrs

Personal Car:

• Distance: 642kms
• Time taken: 15hrs 55mins
• Fuel cost(one-way): 2830rs approx. (may vary)

Once you are at New Jalpaiguri station or at Bag Dogra airport options remain almost the same. You can take a bus, book a cab, or look for a shared taxi.

How much does it cost to reach Darjeeling from Kolkata via New Jalpaiguri?

There are 4 ways to reach Darjeeling from New Jalpaiguri.

Ways to reach Darjeeling from NJP	By Bus	Book a Cab	Share taxi	Via Siliguri
Cost	130-150rs	2000-2500rs	500rs	Check below chart
Time duration	More than 3 hours	2hrs to 3hrs	2hrs to 3hrs	Check below chart

Although one has these options to go to Darjeeling directly from New Jalpaiguri, I suggest not to do so. The reason behind this is that one must pay more if one goes this way.

How to reach Darjeeling via Siliguri?

There are again three ways to reach Darjeeling from Siliguri.

One can take a local bus or shared taxi to reach Siliguri Bus stand and from there one can either book a cab, take a bus, or a shared taxi which is cheaper than that from New Jalpaiguri.

Siliguri to Darjeeling	By Bus	Book a cab	Share Taxi
Cost	105rs	2000-2500rs	300rs
Time taken	2hrs to 3hrs	2hrs and 30mins	2hrs and 30mins

If in case you wish to go Darjeeling via bus from Siliguri, here is the time table for it that I found at the Siliguri Bus Stand. Although, I generally do not recommend to take a bus from Siliguri to Darjeeling yet and you may check out my article answering it, that I have linked below in this article.

Now as we have reached Darjeeling let us find where to stay and how much does it cost to stay in Darjeeling.

 Where to stay in Darjeeling?

I suggest to stay somewhere near to the view points or attractions in the city and accessible. I generally avoid to stay in the city center as it is mostly costlier and distant from the view points or the attraction sites in the town.

Therefore, there are 4 main places where I suggest to stay.

1. Lebong: Lebong is almost the end of the city and there are many view points near to it and is also known for it’s cheap hotels and dorms. One can get a taxi for Chauk Bazar at anytime throughout the day and is a good place to stay in Darjeeling
2. Chauk Bazaar: It is in the heart of the city and is accessible from every corner of the town. One can easily find accommodation in here even offline. There are numerous hotels and restaurants in this area and is also known for street shopping in Darjeeling.
3. Dali: Dali is famous for the Buddhist monastery and is very near from Chauk Bazar and Batasia loop. A place not very far from Dali is the point from where one can get cabs for Rock Garden as well.
4. Ghum: Ghum is another good option to stay at in Darjeeling which is full of view-points, monasteries, and other attractions.

How much does it cost to stay in Darjeeling?

The rates of accommodation may vary in the off season and peak season yet I have tried to present a range of it.

Budget Hotel rooms:	1000rs to 1800rs/day
Budget dorms/bed:	600rs to 900rs/day

How much does a Darjeeling trip cost?

Apart from the things you do in the city, a Darjeeling trip from Kolkata will cost you somewhere around 1000 to 1600rs per day. The entry fees for the attractions in the city are not expensive and only costs you somewhere between 20 to 50rs each.

Almost every attraction site is situated on the Hill Cart Road and is accessible via shared taxi and it is the same as at other places.

Share taxi charges in Darjeeling:

Dali to Chauk Bazaar	Chauk Bazaar to Lebong	Chauk Bazar to happy Valley tea state	Chauk Bazaar to Batasia loop
20rs	30rs	20rs	30rs

And so on.

Conclusion:

Travelling inside Darjeeling is not that much costly as it seems. In a Darjeeling trip from Kolkata one must spend about 1000rs to 1600rs per day apart from the things one does in the city. Also, if you follow some tricks then you can save more money on your Darjeeling trip if you know which vehicle to use to reach which place.

Let us know in the comments if you liked this article and share your feedbacks on it. Comment if you want more tips and tricks on how to explore the city and same more money at the same time.