How to reach Sikkim

Last Updated: June 2026

Sikkim is intimidating, immensely gorgeous, and enticing enough to entice visitors throughout the year. However, unlike other Himalayan terrains that are difficult to reach, Sikkim is accessible for the most of the year from everywhere in the country. There are a variety of ways to reach Sikkim, the most convenient being a flight to Bagdogra, and the most thrilling being a car drive via NH 31A.

Travelers must pick a feasible form of transportation to go to Gangtok from the closest and most accessible locations, which include Bagdogra, New Jalpaiguri, and Siliguri. To go to Gangtok, you may choose three distinct modes of transportation: air, road, and rail.

How to reach Sikkim by Air

The nearest airport to Gangtok is Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal, which is around 124 kilometres away. The most common air carriers operating from Bagdogra to major cities in India are SpiceJet, IndiGo, Air India and Indigo. When you arrive at Bagdogra Airport, you can rent a private vehicle or take a shared cab to Gangtok for a 2-hour drive. As previously said, the trip through these roads is truly stunning, with the majestic Himalayas and the Teesta as the backdrop for the majority of the excursion.

Another airport in Sikkim is Pakyong Airport, which is one of India’s five highest airports (4,590 ft elevation). It is located 31 km from Gangtok. However, since its newly inaugurated airport, only a limited number of flights are available from Delhi and Guwahati.

Sikkim by Helicopter: One can also reach Gangtok, Sikkim from Bagdogra through Helicopter services operated by Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC). The journey takes a mere 35 minutes to complete. Read more on Sikkim Helicopter Service.

Flights from Delhi to Bagdogra (IXB)

• IndiGo – 2h 0m – Nonstop – ticket price from ₹4,299 onwards
• Akasa Air – 2h 20m – Nonstop – ticket price from ₹4,749
• SpiceJet – 2h 5m – Nonstop – ticket price from ₹5,048
• Air India Express – 2h 5m – Nonstop – ticket price from ₹5,148

Flights from Mumbai to Bagdogra (IXB)

• IndiGo – 3h 0m – Nonstop – from ₹4,899
• Akasa Air – 3h 5m – Nonstop – from ₹5,349
• SpiceJet – 9h 5m – Connecting – from ₹13,064
• Air India Express – 2 h 55m – Nonstop – from ₹4899

Flights from Kolkata to Bagdogra (IXB)

• IndiGo – 1h 5m – Nonstop – from ₹3,440
• Air India Express – 1h 5m – Nonstop – from ₹3,689
• Air India – 7h 5m – Connecting – from ₹4092

How to reach Sikkim by Rail

Sikkim is well connected to the rest of the nation not just by road but also by rail. The New Jalpaiguri Railway Station in Siliguri district, located around 148 kilometres from the capital city of Gangtok, is well connected by rail to major cities such as Kolkata and New Delhi. To go to Gangtok, take a state roads bus or hire a cab from the railway station.

Everything is available to get you to the lovely Himalayan destination, from government-run buses to private taxis. Siliguri Bus Station, also known as Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus, provides local bus service.

Here is a list of trains from Delhi, Guwahati, Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad that takes you to Siliguri and their expected time.

Trains from Delhi to Siliguri (NJP station).

• Avadh Assam Exp (15910) -33h 36m
• North East Exp (12506) – 24h 14m
• Amrit Bharat Exp (15672) – 28 hours
• Dbrg Rajdhani (20504) – 24 hours
• Arunachal Exp (22412) – 24 hours
• Dbrt Rajdhani (12424) – 20 hours

Trains from Mumbai to NJP

• APDJ AMRITBHARAT (11031) – 43 hours
• LTT GHY EXPRES (15647) – 42 hours
• LTT AGTL AC EXP (15659) – 35 hrs 30 mins
• KARMABHOOMI EXP (22511) – 39 hrs 35 mins

Trains form Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri

• NEWTINSUKIA EXP (22501) – 09 hours 19 mins
• SHATABDI EXP (12041) – 08 hours 25 mins
• SARAIGHAT EXP (12345) – 09 hours
• VANDE BHARAT SL (27575) – 07 hours 20 mins

Trains from Guwahati to New Jalpaiguri

• RAJDHANI EXP (12423) : 6 hours 30 mins
• KOAA GARIB RATH (12502): 7 hours 20 mins
• VANDE BHARAT EXP (22228): 05 hours 30 mins
• BRAHMAPUTRA EXP (15658): 07 hours 10 mins

Hyderabad to NJP

• CHZ SCL EXP (15645)
• KYQ AMRITBHARAT (15673)
• SC NHLN SPECIAL (07046)

How to reach Sikkim by Road

For an explorer or a road trip aficionado, a road trip to Sikkim on a bike or in a vehicle is the best alternative. The reason for this is that this path incorporates the best of the Himalayas, and the sights along the way are breathtaking. Except for a few areas, NH 31A is well-kept for most of its length.

The length and enjoyment of a road trip are determined by the location from which you are departing. As a result, the majority of people travel to Sikkim from West Bengal, which necessitates using the route through Siliguri, Bagdogra, or NJP. From Siliguri, shared jeeps and private taxis are accessible to most of the significant regions of Sikkim, particularly in South and West Sikkim.

Here is a list of major highways you you can use to reach Sikkim by road:

NH-10: Siliguri – Gangtok (via Melli, Rangpo)

NH-717A: Bagrakote – Pakyong – Gangtok