How to Reach Sikkim: NJP, Bagdogra and Pakyong to Gangtok
The simplest way to reach Sikkim is to fly into Bagdogra Airport (IXB) near Siliguri, or take a train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station, and then drive roughly 4 to 4.5 hours (about 120 to 125 km) up NH10 to Gangtok. Pakyong Airport actually sits inside Sikkim, only about 31 km from Gangtok, but it has no reliable scheduled flights at the moment, so most travelers still route through Bagdogra or NJP and finish the trip by road.
Here is the thing every first-timer should know: Gangtok itself has no railway station and no functioning commercial airport, so the last leg is always a road journey into the hills. That drive is a big part of the experience, following the Teesta River as the plains give way to pine forest and mountains. Sikkim is a small Himalayan state, and once you are on NH10, everything is close together.
Below we break down each option honestly, the way we would explain it to family arriving for the first time: airports, the railhead, drive times, shared jeep versus private cab, the helicopter, and exactly which permits Indians and foreign travelers each need.
Bagdogra Airport (IXB): the practical gateway
For nearly every visitor, Bagdogra is the airport that matters. It sits near Siliguri in West Bengal, about 124 km from Gangtok, and the drive takes roughly 4 to 4.5 hours on NH10 depending on traffic and weather.
- Best connectivity: direct or one-stop flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Guwahati.
- It is a defence airfield with a civil enclave, so operating hours are limited and most flights land during the day.
- At the exit you will find prepaid taxis, shared jeeps and private cabs. We usually meet arriving guests here with their vehicle already arranged.
Plan your flight to land by early afternoon. That gives you a comfortable, unhurried drive to Gangtok in daylight, which is how hill roads should be driven.
Pakyong Airport: Sikkim's own airport, with a catch
Pakyong is the only airport physically inside Sikkim. It sits at about 1,416 m (4,646 ft), roughly 31 km south of Gangtok, an easy 1 to 1.5 hour drive. On paper it is the closest airport to the city.
The catch is reliability. Pakyong opened in 2018 and was built as a visual-flight-rules airport, so it is highly weather-dependent, and scheduled commercial service has been suspended more than once since then. As of now there are no dependable scheduled flights operating from it.
Our honest advice: do not build your plan around Pakyong. Check the live flight status yourself, and if a flight is genuinely running on your dates, wonderful, it is the fastest way in. If not, fly into Bagdogra instead.
NJP railway station: the nearest railhead
New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is the nearest major railway station to Sikkim, about 120 km from Gangtok, a 4 to 5 hour drive on NH10. It is a solid, budget-friendly way to arrive, especially from eastern India.
- Well connected: frequent trains from Kolkata and Howrah, plus long-distance services from Delhi, Guwahati and other cities.
- NJP and Siliguri are right next to each other, so you can catch shared jeeps, Sikkim Nationalised Transport buses and private cabs from either point.
If you love a good overnight train and want to keep costs sensible, NJP is a natural choice. Combine it with a shared jeep or a private cab for the hill leg.
The road to Gangtok: NH10 along the Teesta
Whether you start at Bagdogra or NJP, the route is essentially the same. You head out via Sevoke, cross the Coronation Bridge, and then follow the Teesta River almost the whole way up, passing Rangpo, Singtam and Ranipool before reaching Gangtok.
Rangpo is the Sikkim entry checkpost. This is where foreign nationals have their permits checked, so keep documents handy.
One seasonal warning we always give: during the monsoon, roughly June to September, NH10 is prone to landslides and slow-downs. It is still passable most of the time, but build a buffer into your plans and avoid tight connections in those months.
Shared jeep vs private cab: which to pick
Both work; it depends on how you travel.
- Shared jeeps (Tata Sumo, Bolero or Maxx) are the cheapest option, usually a few hundred rupees per seat. They are cramped, run to fixed stops, and mostly depart in the first half of the day, so seats thin out after early afternoon.
- A private cab is door to door. You can stop for photos, tea and washrooms, set your own pace, and keep all your luggage with you. For families, couples, older parents or anyone with kids, it is far more comfortable.
Our trips run on private vehicles for exactly this reason. One more local rule of thumb: night driving in the hills is avoided, so aim to reach your airport or NJP by afternoon on departure day too.
The Bagdogra to Gangtok helicopter
There is a helicopter service operated by the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation between Bagdogra and Gangtok (Burtuk helipad). The flight takes only about 30 to 35 minutes, against 4 to 5 hours by road.
The fare is set by STDC and was revised to around Rs 3,100 one way from December 2025, with roughly 7 kg of free baggage per passenger. Rates, baggage rules and timings change, so always confirm the current details before you count on it.
Two honest caveats: there are only a handful of seats per flight, and it is weather-dependent, so it can be cancelled at short notice. Book well ahead and always keep a road backup ready. It is a lovely shortcut when it flies, not something to stake your whole itinerary on.
Permits: what Indians and foreigners each need
This trips up a lot of first-timers, so here is the clear version.
- Indian citizens need no permit to enter Sikkim or to visit Gangtok, Pelling, Ravangla or Namchi. Just carry a government photo ID.
- Foreign nationals need a Restricted Area Permit (RAP), still often called an Inner Line Permit. It is available online and at designated entry points and covers the main tourist circuit.
- A separate Protected Area Permit (PAP) is required by both Indians and foreigners for restricted and border spots such as Tsomgo (Changu) Lake, Nathula, Zuluk, Yumthang and Gurudongmar. These are arranged through registered operators like us.
- Nathula Pass is open Wednesday to Sunday and closed on Monday and Tuesday, and its permit is issued only to Indian nationals. Foreigners are not permitted at Nathula, Gurudongmar or Zuluk, as these are international border areas.
- Nationals of Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nigeria need prior clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs before a permit can be issued.
North Sikkim destinations like Lachen and Lachung, on a Lachen Lachung style tour, also run on a PAP arranged through a registered operator, so it is worth sorting the paperwork in advance.
Arriving from major cities and the best time to come
From Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad or Chennai, the usual path is a flight to Bagdogra, often with one stop in Kolkata or Delhi, then the road up to Gangtok. From Kolkata you can either take a quick flight to Bagdogra or a comfortable overnight train to NJP. From the Northeast, Guwahati has flights to Bagdogra and trains to NJP.
The best months to visit are roughly March to May and October to mid-December, when skies are clearer and mountain views open up. Try to avoid the June to September monsoon because of landslides on NH10.
Many travelers also pair Sikkim with a relaxed Darjeeling leisure trip, since both sit just off the same NH10 corridor, which makes the long journey in feel very worthwhile.
When you are ready, send us your travel dates and arrival point, Bagdogra or NJP, on WhatsApp. We will line up the right vehicle, sort the permits, and make sure someone is there to receive you. No pressure, just tell us what you are planning and we will help you shape it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the nearest airport to Gangtok?
Pakyong Airport is closest at about 31 km, but it currently has no reliable scheduled flights. In practice, Bagdogra Airport (IXB) near Siliguri is the airport everyone uses, about 124 km and a 4 to 4.5 hour drive from Gangtok.
Do Indians need a permit to visit Gangtok and Sikkim?
No. Indian citizens need no permit to enter Sikkim or visit Gangtok, Pelling, Ravangla or Namchi; just carry a photo ID. A separate Protected Area Permit is required for restricted areas like Tsomgo Lake, Nathula and North Sikkim. Foreign nationals need a Restricted Area Permit to enter Sikkim.
Which days is Nathula Pass open?
Nathula Pass is open Wednesday to Sunday and closed on Monday and Tuesday. The permit is issued only to Indian nationals; foreign tourists are not allowed at Nathula, Gurudongmar or Zuluk, as these are international border areas.
How far is NJP railway station from Gangtok?
New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is about 120 km from Gangtok, a 4 to 5 hour drive on NH10 along the Teesta River. It is the nearest major railhead and a popular budget-friendly way to arrive.
Is the Bagdogra to Gangtok helicopter worth it?
It is a great time-saver at about 30 to 35 minutes versus 4 to 5 hours by road, operated by STDC. But seats are limited and it is weather-dependent, so it can be cancelled at short notice. Book early, confirm current fares and timings, and keep a road backup ready.
What is the best time to reach Sikkim?
March to May and October to mid-December are ideal, with clearer skies and good mountain views. Avoid the June to September monsoon, when NH10 is prone to landslides and delays.
Planning this trip?
Wongyal Travels is a Gangtok-based team with 11+ years arranging Sikkim and Darjeeling trips. Send your dates and group size for a practical plan and quote.
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