How To Reach Sikkim by Road, Rail and Air

In this comprehensive guide, we give you all the information you need on how to reach Sikkim through different modes of transport. Tucked away in the northeastern part of India, Sikkim is a small slice of paradise. A fascinating tourist destination; its natural beauty is scintillating, spellbinding, and serene, and there are plenty of stunning attractions to explore. 

If you are planning a holiday to this wonderland, you may be wondering how to reach Sikkim, right? Well, travelling to Sikkim as all three modes of transport – air, road, and rail are available to you. 

This guide also covers:

• Places to visit in Sikkim
• Best time to visit Sikkim
• Things to do in Sikkim 
• Resorts in Sikkim

Travelling to Sikkim by Air

Although a popular tourist destination, Sikkim does not have an airport yet. So, if you are wondering how to reach Sikkim by air, the nearest airport to Sikkim is the Pakyoung Airport, which is about 31 km south of Ganktok.

It is a small airport with no international flights landing here. In fact, there are direct flights to Pakyoung Airport for a few destinations in India, including Delhi, Guwahati, and Kolkata. The closest major airport to Gangtok is the Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal, which has excellent connectivity to all major cities in India. 

It is also the gateway to neighbouring countries like Bhutan. Bagdogra Airport is located about 125 km from Gangtok. Once you reach here, you can take a bus or book a cab to your destination in Sikkim. 

Alternatively, you can take a helicopter ride from Bagdogra to Gangtok. It is a much faster and comfortable way to reach Sikkim. The helicopter service, offered by the Sikkim Tourism Department Corporation, takes about 20-30 minutes. The helicopter rides from Bagdogra cost about Rs. 3500 per person. 

Travelling to Sikkim by Rail

Since Sikkim is nestled in the hills, the state does not have railway connectivity. Although the Indian Railways started the construction of a rail link from Sevoke in West Bengal to Rangpo in Sikkim, the work was halted in 2009, and it never started again. 

If you are unsure how to reach Sikkim by train, you can reach Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri. These are two stations closest to Sikkim. Both the stations are about 147 km and 187 km away from Gangtok, respectively. 

You can easily find several direct from all major cities in India, like Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Lucknow, and Delhi to Siliguri. Once you reach here, you can get a prepaid taxi to Gangtok from outside the station and reach your destination without any hassles. 

Travelling by train to Sikkim may be time-consuming, but the ticket prices are quite affordable for all. Also, you have the flexibility to book a ticket in a normal sleeper or an AC class. Either way, you can be assured that the journey is comfortable. 

Travelling to Sikkim by Road

If you are planning to go on a road trip to Sikkim, brace yourself to have the best road trip experience of your life. No matter which part of the country you are travelling from, it is advisable to drive to Siliguri in West Bengal through the National Highway that connects your city. 

Siliguri is the main gateway to Sikkim, and it connects the city to Gangtok via National Highway 31A. The drive between the two cities will take you on a journey through the scenic lush green forests with River Teesta on the side and the mighty Eastern Himalayan Mountain ranges on the side. The beautiful view on either side of the road makes the drive worthwhile. 

If you don't want to drive yourself, you can travel to Siliguri and continue your journey to Sikkim by bus, a private taxi or a shared jeep. The Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT) operates regular buses from Siliguri to Gangtok. You can book a private taxi if you want to travel more comfortably. 

Different vehicle options exist, such as Tata Sumo, Mahindra Bolero, or Toyota Innova. Just like buses, the prepaid taxes have fixed fares. If you are looking for a more affordable mode of transport, you can take a shared jeep from Siliguri. These jeeps take about ten people and charge on a per-person basis. 

You can keep all your worries about how to reach Sikkim by road aside, as plenty of options are available to suit your needs and budget. 

Best places to visit in Sikkim

Now that you know how to reach Sikkim through different modes of transport, it would help to know the best places to explore in this stunning state. Whether you are a first-time visitor to Sikkim or not, picking only a few of the best places to visit in sikkim can be very challenging as each place is alluring and worth visiting. 

But there are some places that you cannot miss for anything in the world. For your convenience, we have shortlisted 10 such places. Make sure that you include these places in your Sikkim itinerary. 

1. Khangchendzonga National Park (it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
2. Gurudongmar Lake
3. Yumthang Valley 
4. Pelling
5. Lachung
6. Dzongu
7. Enchey Monastery
8. Nathula Pass
9. Tashi View Point
10. Borong Village

Best time to visit Sikkim

Sikkim is known to have pleasant weather all through the year, and it has its own unique charm in every season. But the best time to visit Sikkim is between March and June and from September to December. During these months, the weather is just perfect, and you have an ambient environment in which to explore the different places without any hassles. 

If you love chill weather and want to enjoy snowfall, you can go to Sikkim in January and February. During these months, Sikkim gets a decent amount of snowfall, especially in the high-altitude regions. However, you must be very careful while venturing out during these months as there is a risk of landslides. 

During summers that are from March to June, the weather is balmy. You get bright sunny days, but it is not too hot, and at night, the mercury dips, allowing you to enjoy a wonderful sleep in the cool and cosy weather. 

Things to do in Sikkim

If you are tired of the daily routine and want to escape the city chaos, Sikkim is the perfect antidote for your boredom. Its pristine natural beauty soothes your mind and body. Also, the fresh air and the scenic views of the snow-clad mountain peaks everywhere you see rejuvenate your senses. 

Apart from exploring the dreamy landscapes, there are tons of leisurely and adventurous activities for you to do in Sikkim. From paragliding, river rafting, trekking, and shopping to birdwatching, the options are aplenty. So, to make your task easy, we bring the best activities you must definitely do in Sikkim for a memorable holiday experience. 

• Take a helicopter ride and admire the stunning view of the mountain ranges and the valley from the sky.
• Try your hands at mountain biking and get an adrenaline rush like never before.
• Go camping on the banks of Teesta Reiver, spend a night in the open air under the star, and make merry by the bonfire.
• Enjoy a Yak safari at Yumthang Valley and explore the stunning landscape around.
• Have a delightful experience riding a gondola.
• Enjoy the feeling of floating freely like a bird and taming the skies by doing hand gliding. 
• Explore the lush green tea plantation of Temi Tea Gardens and learn everything about the production process. 
• Trek to the Kanchenjunga base camp
• Indulge in the local food and try the authentic Sikkim dishes
• Go shopping and buy handicraft items and other souvenirs for your loved ones from the bustling markets. 

Resorts in Sikkim

There are many places to stay in Sikkim, and you can choose one to suit your needs and budget. But, when you go on a holiday to such a pretty place, you would want to have the best experience and enjoy the best of everything that the place has to offer, right? Well, to get the most authentic Sikkim experience, book your stay at Club Mahindra Le Vintuna Resort. 

Rated among the best couple-friendly and family resorts in Sikkim, this stunning property has spacious rooms and ensures that you have the most amazing holiday experience you have had. Starting with its location amidst towering mountains to the stunning interior décor and world-class hospitality services where the staff literally spoil, this resort is the perfect haven for you to write your Sikkim adventure tales.