Sikkim is small, mountainous and easier to reach than its reputation suggests. Gangtok, the capital, is about 4 hours from the plains of North Bengal by road, and that road is the key to the whole state. Whether you fly or take a train, you will almost certainly finish the journey on NH10 along the Teesta river.
By air
Bagdogra (IXB) in West Bengal is the airport everyone uses. It has daily flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Guwahati. Gangtok is about 125 km away, 4 to 5 hours by taxi depending on traffic at Rangpo. Prepaid taxis and shared jeeps wait outside arrivals.
Pakyong (PYG) is Sikkim's own airport, 30 km from Gangtok. It is a beautiful approach but weather closes it often, and flights come and go from the schedule. If a Pakyong flight exists for your dates, book it with a backup plan through Bagdogra.
By train
The nearest major station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in Siliguri, about 120 km from Gangtok. NJP is well connected: Rajdhani and other express trains reach it from Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati and beyond. From the station, shared jeeps and private taxis leave for Gangtok through the day; the last ones go around 5 pm, so a morning arrival is safer. Siliguri Junction and New Mal Junction are alternatives with fewer trains.
A railway line to Rangpo, Sikkim's first station, is under construction. Until it opens, NJP is the railhead.
By road
NH10 runs from Siliguri up the Teesta valley to Rangpo, the border checkpoint, and on to Gangtok. It is scenic and mostly good, with slow patches near Rangpo and occasional monsoon landslides. Options from Siliguri:
- Shared jeeps from SNT stand and NJP, the cheapest way, leaving when full.
- Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT) buses from Siliguri to Gangtok, a few departures a day.
- Private taxi, 4 to 5 hours, the most comfortable option for families.
Self-driving into Sikkim is allowed with a permit, but taxis for the sightseeing circuits (Tsomgo lake, Nathula, North Sikkim) must be local, so most visitors do not bring a car.
Permits
Indian citizens need no permit to enter Sikkim. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit, issued free at Rangpo on entry or in advance at Sikkim tourism offices; carry passport photos. Everyone needs a Protected Area Permit for Tsomgo lake, Nathula and North Sikkim (Lachung, Lachen, Gurudongmar), arranged through a registered local tour operator, usually a day ahead.
Best time to travel
March to May for rhododendrons and clear peaks, October to December for the sharpest views of Kanchenjunga. The monsoon from June to September brings landslides on NH10 and North Sikkim road closures; winter is fine for Gangtok and Pelling but high passes may close after snow.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is closest to Gangtok?
Pakyong, 30 km away, but flights are limited and weather-dependent. Bagdogra, 125 km away, is the reliable choice.
How far is NJP from Gangtok?
About 120 km, 4 to 5 hours by shared jeep or taxi along NH10.
Do Indians need a permit for Sikkim?
Not to enter. Permits are needed for Tsomgo lake, Nathula and North Sikkim, arranged by a local operator.
