Hyderabad to Gangtok

Hyderabad to Bagdogra - Via Flight

The total distance between Hyderabad and Bagdogra is around 2000 kilometres, and a road trip between them will easily take 40 hours. Such a long journey is no doubt a very uncomfortable option, and thus the only alternative left with travellers is to take a flight to reach Bagdogra from Hyderabad. Both direct and connecting flights are available between the two locations. You will be able to complete your journey in around 2.5 hours if you opt for a direct flight. 

Available Flights

IndiGo offers non-stop flights between Hyderabad and Bagdogra, while other airlines such as SpiceJet and GoAir offer connecting flights to their travellers. 

Approximate Time Taken

If you travel by IndiGo, you will complete your journey in around 2 hours and 20 minutes. The time taken by other connecting flights depends on the airline that you choose, and the time can range from anything between 5 to 7 hours, and even more. 

Approximate Fare

Fares for flights on this route start at INR 5,000 if booked well in advance, and can go up to INR 10,000 for a one-way trip. 

Bagdogra to Gangtok - Via Road (Cab or Self-Drive)

The road distance between Bagdogra and Gangtok is 123 kilometres, and travellers have the option of either driving to Gangtok on their own or opting for a cab ride for the same. The route that connects the two places is a very scenic one, and for a significant part of the drive, you will witness the River Teesta flowing alongside in all its beauty. You will also be able to enjoy the sight of the confluence of the river Teesta with the river Rangeet on the way. However, an altitude rise on this route is quite sudden and drastic; thus remember to carry medicines along. 

Cab Options
Travellers can either book cabs online to reach Gangtok from Bagdogra through websites such as Savaari and Gozocabs. Local cab service providers such as Satyam Shivam Tour & Travels, Jayanti Travels, and Tanmay Tours and Travels are at the traveller's disposal for the same. Prepaid taxi counters are also available at the Bagdogra airport itself, right next to the arrival hall exit. If you prefer, you can even ride in a shared jeep, which is also available at the airport. 

Route from Bagdogra to Gangtok

Travellers on this route take the following way to reach their final destination in Gangtok:
Bagdogra- Siliguri-Sevoke- Kalijohra- Mangpoo- Kalimpong- Rangpo- Ranipool- Gangtok

This route takes you to the Sevoke Road, from where you will start to drive on the NH 10. Further along the way after crossing the Teesta Bazaar and the confluence of the Teesta and Rangeet rivers, you will reach Rangpo, which is the entry point to east Sikkim. All commercial vehicles that are not registered in Sikkim have to mandatorily halt at the Rangpo check post and take a permit. 

Gangtok is another 39 kilometres from here. Along the way, you will also pass through the Singtam settlement and Ranipool, following which a steep uphill journey will take you to your final destination. 

Approximate Time Taken

A car ride to Gangtok from Bagdogra takes around 4-5 hours, depending on the number of halts enroute. 

Approximate Fare

From Bagdogra to Gangtok, a small taxi will cost you around INR 2800, while for larger cabs; the ticket may go up to INR 3300. For a shared jeep, the fare is INR 250 per person, and this option is economical and feasible for solo travellers. 

Road Conditions

The roads on this road are only decent enough, but at multiple places, you will encounter numerous potholes and narrow stretches. Landslides also create traffic jams often, and traffic on this route does not move very fast. 
There are minimal eating options on the way. Thus it is suggested to eat at Bagdogra itself, and stock food and water for the trip. 

Possible Pit Stops Enroute

Some famous tourist destinations and attractions where travellers like to halt at include the Coronation Bridge, Namchi, Rumtek monastery, Tsomgo Lake, Lachung and Yumthang. 

Travel Advise About Travelling to Gangtok by Taxi

• If you take a cab registered with a West Bengal number, the taxi driver will have to drop you off at the Deorali Taxi Stand (also known as Mainline Taxi Stand) a 2-kilometre drift from the main town centre, as non-state vehicles are not allowed in Gangtok. Thus, you will then have to hire a local Sikkim cab to reach your hotel, and you will be charged around INR 200 to INR 300 for the same. 
• It is advisable to get a Sikkim registered vehicle, because this will save you from the hassles of transferring your luggage to a local cab, and also paying an additional amount. 
• Since Bagdogra is located in West Bengal, there are high chances that you will find a West Bengal state registered taxi. The best option in this case, would be to wait for a taxi that is coming to drop off passengers from Sikkim, but there is no assurance that you will be able to find one. 

Bagdogra to Gangtok - Via Bus

Sikkim Nationalized Transport (SNT), which is the public bus transport service of Sikkim, offers direct bus services between Bagdogra and Gangtok daily. Tickets for the same can be booked online, or you can even buy a ticket on the spot from the station itself. A bus ride on this route takes around 4-5 hours, and travels will be able to reach their final destination comfortably and without much hassle. Although private bus operators also offer their services on this route, they are few and not very reputed. Thus, SNT buses continue to be the favoured option. 

Boarding Points in Bagdogra

Travellers can board a bus from the Siliguri Bus Terminal, which is close to the Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminal on the Hill Cart Road. 

De-boarding Points in Gangtok

Buses stop at either of the two bus stations in Gangtok: the SNT Bus Stand at Deorali, which is 2 kilometres below the Gangtok town centre, or at the central SNT bus station in Gangtok, which is located on the Paljor Stadium Road, close to MG Marg. 

Bus Timings

There are daily bus services from the SNT Siliguri Bus Terminal at 1-hour intervals, with the first bus leaving at 8:30 AM and the last bus leaving for Gangtok at 3:30 PM

Approximate Fare

Fares for buses on this route are around INR 150 per person for a one-way ride. 

The Preferred Mode of Transportation from the Bus Stand

From the bus stop, you can hire a private or shared taxi to reach your hotel in Gangtok. 

Bagdogra to Gangtok - Via Helicopter

It is suggested to undertake a helicopter ride for those who wish to avoid the four-hour-long journey while witnessing some breathtaking aerial views at affordable prices. This helicopter service, which is known as Pawan Hans, is operated by the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC). These helicopter services are quite reliable but are subject to the prevailing weather conditions. Thus they are often cancelled, in which case you will have to use a different mode of transport. 

Timings and Duration of the Helicopter Ride

From Bagdogra, the helicopter flight will take you around 35 minutes to reach Gangtok, and the helicopter that flies to Gangtok starts its journey at 2:30 PM every day. 
These flights are subject to weather conditions, and flight timings are often rescheduled, so it is advisable to call up and confirm the timings once. 

Helicopter Fare from Bagdogra to Gangtok

The per-person fare for a one-way helicopter ride on this route in INR 3500. 

Luggage Limit and Other Travel Constraints

1.  If you want to travel by helicopter, you will have to travel light, because only 10 kgs of luggage are allowed per person. Hand luggage is not permitted (except purses and laptops) is not allowed on the helicopter. Extra baggage is not permitted even at an additional cost. Thus, you will have to transport your luggage to your hotel via taxi, while you ride in a helicopter. 

2.  There are only five seats in the helicopter, of which one is reserved for VIPs/Emergency. Thus, only four out of the five places can be booked in advance. The fifth seat is released on the day of the flight, in case there is no emergency requirement or VIP demand. 

Reaching the Final Destination from the Helipad

The helipad where the helicopters land is only a short taxi ride away from the town. Thus, you can hire a shared/private taxi to reach your hotel. 

It was only in October 2018 that the Pakyong Airport, near Gangtok, came into service, making travel to Gangtok a lot easier for travellers. Thus, another convenient option for travellers is to reach Kolkata by any means and then take a direct flight to Gangtok. The Pakyong Airport situated 30 kms from Gangtok is quite time-saving. Thus, travellers will not have to fly to the Bagdogra airport and then take a five-hour drive from there to Gangtok. 

Hyderabad to Kolkata - Via Flight

The humongous distance between Hyderabad and Kolkata means that airways are the only convenient and comfortable mode of transportation between the two places. Travellers can easily travel from Hyderabad to Kolkata in just 2 hours or so, and they also have different airline and timings to choose from, as per their convenience and itinerary. 

Available Flights

Airlines such as GoAir, AirAsia, SpiceJet, Indigo and AirIndia offer direct flights between Hyderabad and Kolkata. Other airlines such as Vistara and Jet Airways offer connecting flights between the two locations. 

Approximate Time Taken

The estimated time taken to reach Kolkata from Hyderabad via flight is around 2 hours and 10 minutes. 

Approximate Fare

Fares for flights on this route start from INR 2500 per person for a one-way trip and can go up to INR 5600. These fares are tentative and are subject to change depending on other factors.  

Kolkata to Gangtok - Via Flight

As of now, only SpiceJet offers a direct flight between Kolkata and Gangtok. The trip takes only 1 hour and 25 minutes to complete this journey, and fares on this route start at INR 3060 per person for a one-way ride. The Pakyong Airport is only 30 kilometres away from Gangtok, from where travellers can undertake an hour-long ride via any mode to reach the city. A shared jeep will cost you INR 75 per person, while the fares for an AC bus are INR 100 per person. Tickets for cabs range between INR 1500 and INR 2000, depending on the size of the car that you book.