The short answer
The fastest door-to-door way from Bagdogra Airport to the hills is a private taxi: ₹2,800 to Darjeeling in about 3 hours and ₹3,500 to Gangtok in about 5. Shared jeeps from Siliguri cost far less a seat but are slower and stop at town stands. App cabs serve the plains only.
- Taxi to Darjeeling
- ₹2,800 · about 3 h
- Taxi to Gangtok
- ₹3,500 · about 5 h
- Shared jeep
- About ₹300 a seat from Siliguri
- Uber and Ola
- Plains only, not the hills
Every option compared
| Option | Darjeeling | Gangtok | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private taxi (pre-booked) | ₹2,800, ~3 h | ₹3,500, ~5 h | Families, late flights, hotel drop |
| Prepaid counter taxi | Fixed, varies | Fixed, varies | No plan, daytime arrivals |
| Uber / Ola | Rarely available | Rarely available | Siliguri and NJP only |
| Shared jeep (from Siliguri) | ~₹300 a seat | ~₹400 a seat | Solo budget travellers |
| Bus (from Siliguri) | Cheapest | Cheapest | Time is no concern |
| Helicopter | Not offered | Several thousand ₹ a seat | When weather and seats allow |
Shared jeep, bus and helicopter prices are typical figures from 19 October 2026 and change often. Taxi fares are our own fixed fares.
When a private taxi is worth it
- You land after 2 pm and want to reach the hills before dark.
- You are travelling with children, elderly parents or a lot of luggage.
- Your hotel is outside the town centre, where shared jeeps do not go.
- You want to stop at Kurseong, Mirik or the Teesta on the way.
See the full fare chart, or go straight to Bagdogra to Darjeeling or Bagdogra to Gangtok.
Frequently asked questions
Are Uber and Ola available at Bagdogra Airport?
Uber runs Uber Go and UberXL from Bagdogra for trips in the plains, such as Siliguri and Matigara. App cabs rarely take hill trips to Darjeeling or Gangtok, so book a private taxi for those.
Is there a prepaid taxi counter at Bagdogra?
Yes, outside arrivals. Fares are fixed, but you cannot choose the car or pre-book, and queues form after each flight.
What is the cheapest way from Bagdogra to Darjeeling?
A shared jeep from Siliguri at about ₹300 a seat, after a short taxi or auto ride from the airport. It is cheap but slow, and drops you at the Darjeeling motor stand rather than your hotel.
Is there a helicopter from Bagdogra to Gangtok?
Sikkim Tourism runs a helicopter service when weather allows, costing several thousand rupees a seat with strict luggage limits. Check the current schedule with Sikkim Tourism before planning around it.
