Travel Guide to Gangtok, Sikkim

Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim, is nestled in the Eastern Himalayan range. It is renowned for its natural beauty, monasteries, and vibrant culture. Here's how you can reach Gangtok by train, flight, and road, including details from India's top 10 cities.

By Flight:

The nearest airport to Gangtok is Pakyong Airport (PYG), approximately 31 km away. However, it has limited connectivity. The second nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport (IXB) in West Bengal, about 125 km from Gangtok. From here, you can hire a taxi or take a helicopter service to reach Gangtok.

By Train:

The closest railway stations are New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in Siliguri, West Bengal, around 120 km away, and Siliguri Junction (SGUJ). From these stations, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Gangtok.

By Road:

Gangtok is well-connected by roads. You can reach it by driving through National Highway 10 (NH10), which connects Siliguri to Gangtok.

Reaching Gangtok from India's Top 10 Cities

1. Delhi to Gangtok

• Flight: Fly to Bagdogra Airport, followed by a road journey to Gangtok.
• Train: Board a train to New Jalpaiguri, then take a taxi or bus to Gangtok.
• Distance by Road: Approximately 1,650 km. Route: Delhi - Agra - Kanpur - Allahabad - Patna - Siliguri - Gangtok. Recommended stopovers are Agra, Patna.

2. Mumbai to Gangtok

• Flight: Fly to Bagdogra Airport, then a road trip to Gangtok.
• Train: Trains to New Jalpaiguri, and then proceed by road.
• Distance by Road: Roughly 2,300 km. Route: Mumbai - Nashik - Bhopal - Lucknow - Patna - Siliguri - Gangtok. Stopovers can include Nashik, Bhopal, and Patna.

3. Kolkata to Gangtok

• Flight: Direct flights to Bagdogra Airport, then by road to Gangtok.
• Train: Several trains to New Jalpaiguri, then taxi or bus.
• Distance by Road: Approximately 690 km. Route: Kolkata - Kishanganj - Siliguri - Gangtok. Dalkhola can be a good stopover.

4. Chennai to Gangtok

• Flight: Take a flight to Bagdogra Airport, followed by a road journey.
• Train: Trains to New Jalpaiguri and then a road trip to Gangtok.
• Distance by Road: Around 2,300 km. Recommend stopping at Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, and Kolkata.

5. Bangalore to Gangtok

• Flight: Fly to Bagdogra, followed by a road trip to Gangtok.
• Train: Trains to New Jalpaiguri and then by road.
• Distance by Road: About 2,500 km. Stopovers at Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Bhubaneswar.

6. Hyderabad to Gangtok

• Flight: Flights to Bagdogra and then by road.
• Train: Trains to New Jalpaiguri, follow up with a taxi or bus.
• Distance by Road: Approximately 2,000 km. Route: Hyderabad - Visakhapatnam - Bhubaneswar - Kolkata - Siliguri - Gangtok. Good stop at Visakhapatnam.

7. Ahmedabad to Gangtok

• Flight: Flights to Bagdogra followed by a road trip.
• Train: Board a train to New Jalpaiguri and then proceed by road.
• Distance by Road: Nearly 2,100 km. Consider stopping at Udaipur, Juipur, Kanpur, and Patna.

8. Pune to Gangtok

• Flight: Fly to Bagdogra and then take a road trip.
• Train: Take a train to New Jalpaiguri followed by a taxi or bus.
• Distance by Road: Roughly 2,300 km. Preferred stops at Nashik, Bhopal, and Patna.

9. Jaipur to Gangtok

• Flight: Direct flights to Bagdogra Airport, then by road.
• Train: Train to New Jalpaiguri, then a road trip.
• Distance by Road: About 1,600 km. You can stop in Agra and Patna.

10. Surat to Gangtok

• Flight: Take a flight to Bagdogra, then a road trip to Gangtok.
• Train: Travel by train to New Jalpaiguri, then by road.
• Distance by Road: Approximately 2,100 km. Stopping at Nashik, Bhopal, and Patna would be advisable.

Keep in mind that flight and train schedules may vary and it's best to check for the most recent information when planning your trip. Additionally, do make sure to check the weather and road conditions before embarking on a road trip to Gangtok as the mountainous terrain can be challenging, especially during the monsoons.