From Lucknow, also known as the City of Nawabs, if you are planning to visit Darjeeling, it is your most unforgettable journey, starting from the heart of Uttar Pradesh and ending in the misty mountains of Darjeeling.
Darjeeling is known for its stunning snow-capped Himalayas, tea gardens, and its scenic greenery and high hills. Although it’s known its local street food and some cultural performances that attract travellers from worldwide.
Lucknow → Darjeeling: Distance & Travel Time
Here are the approximate distances and travel times for different transport modes:
| Travel Type | Distance | Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|
| Aerial (Lucknow → Bagdogra / Darjeeling) | 725 km | Depends on flight + road from airport |
| By Road | 84 km | 16 hours by road |
| To New Jalpaiguri (Rail) + Road to Darjeeling | Lucknow → NJP: ~908 km by road | Depends on flight + road from the airport |
Darjeeling Tourism Package
How to reach Lucknow to Darjeeling
If you are planning a trip from Lucknow to Darjeeling, these are the key questions: how to reach, how far it is, and how much time it takes. So, to reach from Lucknow to Darjeeling, there are several ways to reach Darjeeling – by Air, by road, and by Train.
Best Ways to Travel from Lucknow to Darjeeling
1. Lucknow to Darjeeling by Flight
If you want to save time and enjoy a comfortable journey, taking a flight is the best option. Because flight is the fastest way to reach Darjeeling. Since Darjeeling does not have its own airport, you must fly from Lucknow Airport (LKO) to Bagdogra Airport (IXB). Most flights have a stop in Delhi or Kolkata, and the travel time is around 3.5 to 5 hours, depending on the airline.
After reaching Bagdogra, you need to hire a taxi or take a shared cab to Darjeeling. The drive takes about 3 hours and gives you beautiful views of mountains and tea gardens.
Flights from Lucknow → Bagdogra (for Darjeeling Trip)
| Airline | Typical Route / Stops | Ticket Price |
|---|---|---|
| Air India (via New Delhi) | Lucknow → New Delhi → Bagdogra | ~ ₹4,240 |
| IndiGo | Lucknow → Kolkata → Bagdogra (or via a stop) | ~ ₹4,624 |
| Air India Express | Lucknow → New Delhi → Bagdogra | ~ ₹4,212 |
2. Lucknow to Darjeeling by Train
Taking a train is a budget-friendly and convenient way to travel. There is no direct train from Lucknow to Darjeeling, so you first need to reach New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station. Many trains run from Lucknow to NJP, and the travel time they take is usually 20 to 24 hours.
From NJP, you can continue your journey to Darjeeling by taxi, shared jeep, or the famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train). The toy train ride takes around 7 to 8 hours, but it offers amazing views and a unique mountain experience.
Trains from Lucknow to New Jalpaiguri (NJP)
Here are a few key trains, their timings, and ticket price estimates.
| Train | Departure & Arrival | Duration | Classes / Approx Ticket Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| DBRG Rajdhani Express (20504) | Departs Lucknow (LKO) at 18:50, arrives NJP at 11:25 | ~16 hr 35 min | 1A: ₹3,960; 2A: ₹2,200; 3A: ₹1,550 |
| DBRG Rajdhani Express (20506) | Also departs LKO at 18:50, arrives NJP at 11:25 | ~16 hr 35 min | 1A: ₹3,860; 2A: ₹2,145; 3A: ₹1,505 |
| NDLS–NJP Super Fast Express (12524) | Departs LKO at 23:45, arrives NJP at 18:25 | ~18 hr 40 min | SL: ~₹520; 3A: ~₹1,320; 2A: ~₹1,895 |
| Lohit Express (15652) | Departs LKO at 15:30, arrives NJP (or very close) next day | ~22 hr | 3A: ₹1,275; 2A: ₹1,825; SL: ₹475 |
| Avadh Assam Express (15910) | Departs LKO at 15:30, arrives NJP (or very close) the next day | ~23 hr | SL: ₹495; 3A: ₹1,335; 2A: ₹1,915; 1A: ₹3,240 |
Darjeeling Holiday Plans
3. Lucknow to Darjeeling by Road
Travelling by road from Lucknow to Darjeeling is the longest option, with a distance of more than 1,100 km. A direct road trip takes 24 to 26 hours, so most people prefer breaking the journey or avoiding a direct drive.
The more common route is to travel to Siliguri or Bagdogra first and then take a cab to Darjeeling. The uphill drive from Siliguri to Darjeeling takes around 3 hours and passes through tea gardens, forests, and cool mountain air, making the journey very scenic.
Here are the Serval travel options that you can pick to reach Darjeeling
When travelling from the lower plains (New Jalpaiguri railway station, Siliguri bus stand, or Bagdogra Airport) up to Darjeeling, you have a few common and budget-friendly transport options: shared jeeps, taxis, and buses. Each travel option has its advantages in terms of cost, time, and comfort, as mentioned below:-
Shared Jeep / Shared Taxi
Shared jeeps (or shared taxis) are very common for the Darjeeling hill route, and locals also use them for transportation. These are typically 10-seater Sumos / Commanders. Basically, jeep drivers wait until the seats to fill up, which in the low season can take 30–45 minutes. And they charge for a shared seat from NJP to Darjeeling is ₹300 per person.
From Siliguri Bus Stand (Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus) to Darjeeling, shared jeep fare is about ₹275 per person. These vehicles drop you at fixed points in Darjeeling (for example, Chowk Bazaar), so you might need to walk or take a small local taxi from there to your hotel.
Shared jeeps usually run between 7 AM and 3 PM for this route.
Cab/ Private Taxis
If you want more comfort or have luggage, private taxis are a good option, and the price from New Jalpaiguri (NJP) to Darjeeling, taxis like small hatchbacks cost around ₹2,000–2,500, sedans ₹2,500–3,500, and SUVs (Innova / Scorpio) go up to ₹3,500–4,500. For the best and cheapest prices, you can also contact Kingsland Holiday.
Buses
There are state-run buses (NBSTC) from Siliguri bus stand to Darjeeling, and the fare is quite low — approximately ₹100–₹200 per person, depending on the bus and time.
These buses run via the Hill Cart Road, and the journey takes 3 to 4 hours depending on traffic and road conditions.
| Route Name | Travel Option | Time | Distance | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi to Darjeeling | Flight to Bagdogra / Cab | 6–8 hours | 1,500 km | Fly from Delhi to Bagdogra (2h 10m) and take a 3-hour taxi or shared cab to Darjeeling. |
| Mumbai to Darjeeling | Flight to Bagdogra + Cab | 7–9 hours | 2,100 km | Direct flight to Bagdogra (3h) followed by a scenic 3-hour hill drive to Darjeeling. |
| New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling | Toy Train / Cab | 7–8 hours | 70 km | The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train) offers a UNESCO heritage journey through the hills. |
| Kolkata to Darjeeling | Flight / Train + Cab | 10–12 hours | 620 km | Fly or take a train to NJP/Bagdogra, then hire a cab or take a shared jeep to Darjeeling. |
| Bangalore to Darjeeling | Flight to Bagdogra + Cab | 8–10 hours | 2,300 km | Fly to Bagdogra (via Kolkata or Delhi) and take a taxi or shared jeep to Darjeeling. |
| Chennai to Darjeeling | Flight to Bagdogra + Cab | 9–11 hours | 2,250 km | Take a flight to Bagdogra and travel by road through scenic hills to Darjeeling. |
| Siliguri to Darjeeling | Cab / Shared Jeep / Toy Train | 3–4 hours | 65 km | Road trip via Hill Cart Road or scenic toy train ride through Kurseong. |
| Jamshedpur to Darjeeling | Train + Cab | 14–16 hours | 620 km | Take a train to NJP and then a cab or toy train to Darjeeling. |
| Bhopal to Darjeeling | Flight / Train + Cab | 14–16 hours | 1,400 km | Fly via Delhi/Kolkata to Bagdogra and continue by road to Darjeeling. |
| Bagdogra to Darjeeling | Cab / Shared Jeep | 3 hours via Hill Cart Road (NH110) | 68 km | The fastest and most popular route for tourists; taxis and shared jeeps available. |
Places to Visit in Darjeeling
Darjeeling Images
