Kolkata people are known for their Budget-friendly trips. People across the nation learn tricks and tips they follow while travelling. Just to increase their list I am dropping a few budget-saving tips for a Trip from Kolkata to Gangtok.
Gangtok is one of the most visited tourist places in Sikkim. Although there are more than 10 major tourist attractions in Sikkim. Gangtok is the most accessible one and also attracts most of the tourists.
That is why, it becomes very crucial to know the budget-saving tips for Gangtok especially when you are coming from Kolkata. First Let’s talk about the tourist places in Gangtok in short. My other post-Darjeeling Trip Cost from Kolkata was loved by the Kolkata guys which inspired me to write this post I must say.
Tourist places in Gangtok
There are mainly 10-12 tourist attractions in Gangtok which deserve a visit. Every place has something best in it. Like the top 13 places to visit in Darjeeling.
You can easily book a cab or taxi for around 2000 to 2500Rs for the local sightseeing in Gangtok. But that’s what the general tourist does. We will share some tips which can reduce your local sightseeing cost up to 1000 to 1500Rs or even more.
Secondly, a maximum part of a tourist’s budget goes on food and stay. Let’s talk about each one by one.
How much do you need to spend on your food in Gangtok?
Generally, food costs in Gangtok may reach up to 2000Rs/day. Yes, it is not that pocket-friendly. Yet, I do have some tips which will bring it down to 1000 or 1200Rs/day.
How much do you need to spend on your stay in Gangtok?
Staying in Gangtok may cost you up to 2500Rs/day. Of, course there are budget options available but where? They are hard to find. There is also a low-cost room scam in Gangtok that I am going to share with you in this post.
Apparently, it is quite evident that this post can save you at least 5-6000Rs during your Gangtok trip. Without any further conversation, let’s start with the tips now.
Tips to save your budget for a trip from Kolkata to Gangtok
Before starting the budget-saving tips for our Gangtok trip I mean yes your Gangtok trip. Let me make this clear to you that I won’t be suggesting any cheap tricks that will just fool you around and make you suffer during your trip.
1. Start your trip in the evening from Kolkata:
You might think how could it affect your budget but trust me it does. If you start your trip in the evening or at night from Kolkata, you will be in Gangtok the next morning and you will have the whole day to explore. So even your Day 1 stay in Gangtok won’t go in vain.
Still not sure?
Okay, compare with this. Suppose you reached Gangtok in the evening or even after 12 p.m. You would like to have lunch and take some rest for a while. Now it is 6 pm. Gangtok is a hill station so 6-7 pm means everything is closed except a few casinos. You got me, right?
2. Don’t take a shared taxi:
Don’t be surprised, I am not gonna tell you to book a taxi from Siliguri.
Oh yes, one more point. If your train was only to New Jalpaiguri, make sure to come to Siliguri. Siligudi is Siligudi man. Food, hotels, transport everything is cheaper here without any change in the quality or experience. I still wonder how.
Now coming to our main point. If you are a couple or just two friends or two guys or whatever in number 2. Don’t laugh. Rent a bike for your Gangtok trip. I am telling you this considering you already know that we are only going to explore Gangtok this time. If you are here expecting a tour Guide then check out my other post Sikkim: A Traveler’s Guide to the Best Places to Visit where I have put all my knowledge. Or if you are of video type then you can watch this video Sikkim Tour Budget on YouTube as well.
Here are the per-day charges of a Scooty in Siliguri.
| Vehicle Type | Charge/Day |
|---|---|
| Scooty | 600-800Rs/day |
| Bike | 800-1200Rs/day |
You may wonder if you can reach Gangtok from Siliguri in just 200rs by bus then why rent a bike?
Here are the reasons:
- These buses are not luxurious rather the small ones which are not that comfortable.
- Renting a bike gives you the liberty to take it anywhere you want.
- Even if you take a shared cab or taxi or a bus it will drop you off at the taxi or bus point. You need to take another taxi for MG Road. Still, it won’t go near to your accommodation, it will drop you near MG road only.
- Riding a bike in the mountains is like a dream come true for bikers.
- Where the other transport options will cost you around 2500Rs for just sightseeing, a bike only costs you around 2000Rs for the whole trip.
Leave Gangtok, you can read my other post on Should you take a bus from Siliguri to Darjeeling and you will have your answer.
But for a person who does not know how to ride a bike or considers it risky. I do have an alternate option.
3. Take a bus to Gangtok
Although these buses are not that comfortable but are budget-friendly. They only charge 180rs/person for Gangtok.
But there are only 2 or 3 buses that too in the morning from Siliguri to Gangtok.
4. If you are a budget traveller then MG Marg is not the right place to satiate your appetite.
Kolkata folks love to eat delicious foods. They, themselves have a variety of cuisines that you can only find in Kolkata. Street foods of Kolkata are just wow.
So if you are from Kolkata then MG Marg is not for you. Although there are various cafes and restaurants on MG Road they are not that budget-friendly. You might need to walk uphill there you will find better options in your budget. But, let me warn you, don’t expect a drastic change in the price.
5. Don’t stay at MG Marg:
I know all the videos and articles suggest you stay at MG Marg. But please don’t.
MG Marg is the most happening place in Gangtok. Therefore it is costly too. The main street has a bunch of hotels which might charge you up to 5000Rs/day.
Yet, there are other budget-friendly hotels as well. But for that, you must explore the nearby area of MG Marg. There you can find hotels at a price as low as 800Rs/day.
6. Beware of the low-budget hotel room scam:
There is too much humidity in the atmosphere in Gangtok. It causes house walls to become damp. While looking for a budget hotel you might end up booking a hotel with damp walls which will make your clothes and luggage wet.
Don’t do that. Always check the rooms thoroughly, they might say that it is because of the bathroom or some other reason but that’s just an excuse.
Takeaways:
Did you expect this post to be an exhaustive one? It’s not right. But, doesn’t it talk about the most crucial things related to a trip from Kolkata to Gangtok? Here are some of the key points that we talked about in the budget-saving tips for the Gangtok trip from Kolkata.
- Try reaching Gangtok as early as possible.
- Rent a bike in Siliguri if you are a rider.
- Take a bus if you don’t want to ride a bike.
- Do some research while booking a hotel in Gangtok.
- There are budget-friendly food outlets you just need to find them.
- Beware of the low-budget hotel room scam.
If you need some guidance over things to pack for your Sikkim trip like Things to Carry for Darjeeling Trip. Let me know in the comments.
FAQ
Q. 1. How much does it cost to visit Gangtok from Kolkata?
Ans – The Kolkata to Gangtok trip costs around 5-6000Rs in general per person. But if you follow these budget-saving tips for your trip from Kolkata to Gangtok it will cost you around 3-4000Rs/person.
Q. 2. Is 3 days enough to explore Gangtok?
3 days is more than enough to visit Gangtok and explore the local sightseeing in the town. In fact, even 1 day is enough to visit Gangtok by bike.
Q. 3. What is the best way to reach Gangtok from Kolkata?
Ans – The best way to reach Gangtok from Kolkata is to take a train for New Jalpaiguri/Siliguri. Rent a bike in Siliguri for 2 days then visit Gangtok by bike. It is best if you are 2 people or a couple. Otherwise, for solo travellers, it is best to take a bus from Siliguri and then do the local sightseeing in Gangtok by shared taxi.
