How to Reach Sikkim

Reaching Sikkim through airway is the best transportation mode if saving time is your priority. Pakyong Airport, located in Pakyong Town, at a distance of 35 km from the state capital Gangtok, is the first airport in Sikkim.

However, since the airport has been recently inaugurated, it is not well connected with major cities of India but will soon have direct flights connecting the state with other parts of the country. The nearest major airport to Gangtok is in Bagdogra located at a distance of 124 km in West Bengal. Bagdogra Airport is well connected with major cities like Delhi and Kolkata through regular flights.

Almost all domestic airline companies have their flights running to and from Bagdogra. Helicopter service is available between Bagdogra and Gangtok which takes 20 minutes to traverse between the two cities.

So, if you opt to fly to Sikkim, you can first take a flight to Bagdogra and then cover the remaining distance in the helicopter operated by Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation. Or, you can also take a bus or cab to reach Gangtok from Bagdogra as these are easily available on a regular basis.

Don't forget to check out our guide on the best places to visit in north east india which will help in planning your trip accordingly. 

Railway is an ideal mode of transportation to reach Sikkim if you are budget traveller who has plenty of time to savour the moments of journey. You can also opt to travel to Sikkim in a train if you believe journey is as important as the destination.

As of now there, is no major railway station in Sikkim. However, a railway link is being developed to connect the state with the other states of India through railway. Currently, the nearest major railway stations to Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim, are Jalpaiguri and Siliguri railway stations located in the West Bengal state. One can also explore amazing places in cherrapunji.

While Siliguri is located 145 km away from Gangtok, Jalpaiguri is located at a distance of 188 km from the city. Both Siliguri and Jalpaiguri are well connected with major cities in India. The major trains connecting the cities to farther parts of the country are Mahananda Express and Kanchankaya Express. 

Taxis and buses regularly ply to Gangtok from Siliguri and Jalpaiguri, so you can opt for either to reach Sikkim from here. While the journey from Siliguri to Gangtok normally takes 4 to 5 hours, it will take you 5 to 6 hours to reach Gangtok from Jalpaiguri.

You can also check out our guide on the best places to visit in sikkim, which will surely help in planning your trip. 

Here's our full guide on the best places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh, if you also wish to explore the raw beauty of arunachal. 

National Highway 31A connects Sikkim to other states, and is a scenic route to travel on with lush greenery and Teesta River following you all through the way. The highway connects Gangtok to Siliguri, and the latter is connected to other parts of the country through a web of highways. If you wish to take a road journey to reach Sikkim, following are the means of transport you can opt for:

Bus: Gangtok is connected through bus service with numerous major cities. Regular buses from cities like Siliguri, Bagdogra, Jalpaiguri and Kolkata are available. One can also visit shillong for some stunning places to see. 

Car: If you wish to enjoy the scenic route that leads to Sikkim, taking a cab or hiring a private taxi is a recommended option so that you can take a halt wherever you feel like savouring the breathtaking landscapes. You can easily find a cab from cities like Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, and Kolkata to reach the capital city, Gangtok.

Bike: Satisfy the adventure junkie in you by taking a journey through the mountainous route that leads to Sikkim on two wheels. You can get a bike on rent from neighbouring cities like Siliguri and Jalpaiguri. Riding a bike to Sikkim is inarguably the most fun way to reach Sikkim.

If you plan to visit meghalaya also, check out our deatiled article on the most famous places to visit in meghalaya.