Getting there
Bagdogra to Gangtok: taxi fares, shared jeeps, buses and the helicopter
Almost every trip to Sikkim starts at Bagdogra airport near Siliguri, 124 km from Gangtok. The drive up the Teesta valley takes four and a half to five and a half hours, and how you do it decides whether day one is pleasant or exhausting. Here are the real options, current fares and the timing that matters.
Your options at a glance
| Option | Fare | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private small car (WagonR / Dzire) | ₹3,500–₹5,500 per car | 4.5–5.5 h | Couples, small luggage |
| Private SUV (Innova / Xylo / Scorpio) | ₹4,500–₹7,500 per car (peak weeks up to ₹9,000) | 4.5–5.5 h | Families and groups of 4–6 |
| STDC prepaid counter, Bagdogra airport | Fixed rates; SUV about ₹4,500–₹5,500 | 4.5–5.5 h | No haggling on arrival |
| Shared jeep from Siliguri (SNT area) | ₹500–₹800 per seat | 4–4.5 h + transfer to Siliguri | Solo and budget travellers |
| SNT state bus from Siliguri | ₹200–₹350 per seat | 4.5–5 h | Lowest cost, light luggage |
| STDC helicopter, Bagdogra to Burtuk | Confirm by phone | About 35 minutes | When it is flying (often suspended) |
Fares as checked in October 2026. Taxis are priced per vehicle, not per person, so a full SUV is the cheapest way for a family or group.
The route
From the airport the road runs through Siliguri and Sevoke, crosses the Coronation Bridge and follows the Teesta river upstream on NH10. Around the halfway mark it reaches Rangpo, the border between West Bengal and Sikkim. Here drivers show their papers, foreign nationals get or stamp their Restricted Area Permit, and many cabs stop for tea. From Rangpo it is a steady climb through Singtam and Ranipool to Gangtok at 5,500 ft. Mountain roads in Sikkim average 20–28 km/h, which is why 124 km takes most of an afternoon.
Coming by train instead? New Jalpaiguri (NJP) station is about 120 km from Gangtok, four and a half to five hours by the same road, with prepaid taxis outside the station.
Private taxi or SUV
The simplest option. Small cars seat two or three people with luggage; SUVs take four to six. Book in advance and the driver meets you with a name board, or use the STDC prepaid counter in the arrivals hall for a fixed fare. Agree in writing whether the fare includes the drop at your hotel door. MG Marg itself is pedestrian-only, so hotels on it are a short walk from the drop point.
If your trip continues to permit zones such as Tsomgo, Nathula or North Sikkim, a Sikkim-registered SUV with a permit-holding driver from the airport onward saves a vehicle change in Gangtok.
Shared jeeps and buses
There is no shared jeep stand at the airport. Take a cab or auto to Siliguri, about 30 minutes away. Shared jeeps to Gangtok leave from the SNT area between roughly 6 AM and 2 PM, departing when all ten seats are filled, for ₹500–₹800 a seat. State buses cost ₹200–₹350 and are slower. Both are good value for solo travellers with one bag and uncomfortable with children or big suitcases. Jeeps from Siliguri usually end at the Deorali taxi stand in Gangtok, so add a short local taxi to your hotel.
The helicopter
Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation runs a helicopter from Bagdogra to the Burtuk helipad near Gangtok. It takes about 35 minutes, with five seats and a 10 kg baggage limit per person. It depends on one helicopter and clear weather and is often suspended for days, so treat it as a bonus, not a plan. Call STDC on 03592-203960 to confirm before you book anything around it.
What about Pakyong airport?
Pakyong, 30 km from Gangtok, would cut three and a half hours off the journey. But it has had no scheduled flights since June 2024 and is cloud-bound for much of the year. Unless an airline is actually selling the route on your date, fly to Bagdogra.
Which option suits you
- Family with children or seniors: a private SUV booked in advance. You stop when you need to, the luggage rides with you, and the driver takes you to the hotel door.
- Couple on a mid-range budget: a private small car, or the STDC prepaid counter if you prefer a fixed fare on arrival.
- Solo traveller or backpacker: cab or auto to Siliguri, then a shared jeep. Leave Siliguri by early afternoon; the last jeeps fill slowly.
- Group of five or six: one SUV. Split six ways it costs about the same per person as a shared jeep and saves the Siliguri detour.
Going on to Pelling, Darjeeling or North Sikkim
You do not have to go to Gangtok first. Pelling in West Sikkim is about 135 km from Bagdogra, five to five and a half hours via the Melli checkpost and Jorethang, a good choice if your trip starts with Kanchenjunga views. For North Sikkim, plan a night in Gangtok first: the North Sikkim permit is filed there and the altitude gain is easier in two steps. Many travellers combine Darjeeling and Sikkim; the two are linked by road through Teesta Bazaar and Melli, and a Sikkim-registered vehicle from the airport saves changing cars at the state border.
Comfort on the road
The road is good tarmac most of the way but it winds constantly after Sevoke. Take a motion-sickness tablet before you leave if you are prone to it. Sit in the front or middle row and keep water and snacks handy. In the monsoon, landslides near the Teesta can hold traffic for an hour or more, so a little patience and a full phone battery help. Most drivers stop for tea at Rangpo or Singtam, which is also the place for a washroom break.
Timing that makes day one work
- Land before 1 PM if you can, so you drive in daylight and reach Gangtok by early evening.
- Reach Gangtok before 3 PM if you want a permit trip such as Tsomgo or Nathula the next morning; your operator files permits that afternoon.
- On the way home, leave Gangtok five to six hours before your flight, more in the monsoon or on peak weekends. Never book a morning flight on the day you come down from North Sikkim.
- Pay the ₹50 Sustainable Tourism fee per tourist at your first hotel check-in (children under 5 exempt; it covers 30 days).
The how to reach and cabs guide compares every gateway and lists cab rates for the whole state. The 7-day itinerary shows how day one fits a full trip.
Bagdogra to Gangtok: FAQs
How far is Gangtok from Bagdogra airport?
About 124 km by road along the Teesta valley through Sevoke and the Rangpo checkpost. It takes 4.5 to 5.5 hours in normal conditions, longer after rain or in peak-season traffic.
What is the taxi fare from Bagdogra to Gangtok?
A private small car costs about ₹3,500–₹5,500 and an SUV about ₹4,500–₹7,500, rising towards ₹9,000 in peak weeks. The STDC prepaid counter at the airport sells fixed-rate SUVs for roughly ₹4,500–₹5,500.
Is there a shared taxi from Bagdogra to Gangtok?
Not from the airport itself. Take a cab or auto to Siliguri, where shared jeeps leave from the SNT area between about 6 AM and 2 PM for ₹500–₹800 a seat, and state buses for ₹200–₹350.
Is there a helicopter from Bagdogra to Gangtok?
Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation runs a roughly 35-minute helicopter service to the Burtuk helipad with five seats and a 10 kg baggage limit. It depends on one helicopter and the weather, so it is often suspended; call STDC on 03592-203960 before relying on it.
Should I fly to Pakyong instead of Bagdogra?
No. Pakyong airport, 30 km from Gangtok, has had no scheduled flights since June 2024. Bagdogra has daily flights from every major Indian city and is the reliable choice.
Do I need a permit to travel from Bagdogra to Gangtok?
Indian citizens need no permit for Gangtok. Foreign nationals, including OCI holders, must get the free Restricted Area Permit at the Rangpo checkpost on the way, or beforehand.
What time should my flight land?
Before about 1 PM if you can. The hill road is slow and unlit after dark, the Rangpo checkpost is quicker in daylight, and arriving in Gangtok before 3 PM lets your operator file next-day permits.