Sikkim is really a beautiful place in the mountains of India. It is surrounded by the Himalayas mountains, quiet monasteries, green valleys and mountains covered with snow. Many people from India and other countries want to visit Sikkim. However people do not know how to get to Sikkim because Sikkim does not have its train station or airport, inside Sikkim.
Do not worry about getting to Sikkim. Getting to Sikkim is really easy. This guide will tell you how to get to Sikkim by flight how to get to Sikkim by train and how to get to Sikkim by road. We will explain everything step by step so it is easy to understand.
You can get to Sikkim from lots of places like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai or states that’re close to Sikkim. This guide will help you plan your trip, to Sikkim so everything goes smoothly.
Where Is Sikkim Located?
Sikkim is a state, in Northeast India. It shares borders with:
West Bengal (India)
Nepal
Bhutan
Tibet (China)
👉 The capital city of Sikkim is Gangtok, which is also the main entry point for tourists.
Important Entry Point to Sikkim
Before learning about transport options, remember this:
🔹 Gangtok is the main tourist hub of Sikkim
To get to Gangtok most people take a route that goes to Siliguri first or maybe NJP or sometimes Bagdogra. Then from Siliguri or NJP or Bagdogra they travel to Gangtok by road. Gangtok is the place they are trying to get to so they take the road, from Siliguri or NJP or Bagdogra to get there.
How to Reach Sikkim by Flight
✈️ Nearest Airport to Sikkim
There are two airports used by travelers to reach Sikkim:
- Bagdogra Airport (IXB) – Most Popular
Located in West Bengal
Distance to Gangtok: approx. 125 km
Travel time by road: 4–5 hours
Bagdogra Airport is really the way to get to Sikkim if you want to fly. It is very reliable. If you are going to Sikkim by flight Bagdogra Airport is the way to go.
- Pakyong Airport (PYG) – Sikkim’s Own Airport
Located near Gangtok
Distance to Gangtok: approx. 30 km
Limited flights due to weather
If you want to go to Pakyong it is really hard to find flights to Pakyong. The flights to Pakyong are not available all the time. So people like to go to Bagdogra of Pakyong because flights to Bagdogra are easier to find. Flights to Pakyong are very limited. That is why flights to Bagdogra are preferred over flights, to Pakyong.
Flights to Bagdogra from Major Cities
Direct flights are available from:
Delhi
Kolkata
Mumbai
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
👉 Kolkata to Bagdogra flights are frequent and affordable.
From Airport to Gangtok
After landing at Bagdogra:
Hire a shared taxi or private cab
Taxi cost:
Shared taxi: ₹500–₹700 per person
Private cab: ₹3,000–₹4,500
Pros of Traveling by Flight
Fastest way to reach Sikkim
Comfortable
Best for families and honeymoon couples
How to Reach Sikkim by Train
Sikkim does not have a railway station. However the railway stations that are near Sikkim are really well connected to places. This makes it easy for people to travel to Sikkim by train and then take another mode of transport to get to Sikkim. The nearby railway stations have connections to many other cities, which is very helpful, for people who want to visit Sikkim.
🚆 Nearest Railway Stations to Sikkim
- New Jalpaiguri (NJP) – Best Option
Distance to Gangtok: 120 km
Travel time: 4–5 hours
NJP is the most preferred railway station for Sikkim travelers.
- Siliguri Junction
Smaller station
Fewer long-distance trains
Trains to NJP from Major Cities
Direct trains to NJP are available from:
Delhi
Kolkata
Mumbai
Chennai
Bangalore
Guwahati
👉 Kolkata to NJP is the most common route.
From NJP to Gangtok
Options available:
Shared taxi (₹400–₹600)
Private cab (₹3,000–₹4,000)
Sikkim National Transport (SNT) buses (limited)
Pros of Traveling by Train
Budget-friendly
Good for group travelers
Comfortable overnight journeys
How to Reach Sikkim by Road
Traveling by road is the most scenic and popular option to reach Sikkim.
🚗 Road Route to Sikkim
Main Entry Point by Road
Siliguri (West Bengal)
From Siliguri the road goes through:
Sevoke
Teesta River
Rangpo (Sikkim border)
Gangtok
Distance by Road
Siliguri to Gangtok: 120 km
Travel time: 4–6 hours
Road Conditions
Mountain roads
Curves and slopes
Scenic views of Teesta River
The roads are usually, in condition but you can expect some problems when the monsoon season comes around. The monsoon can really affect the roads.
🚌 Bus Services to Sikkim
Government buses from Siliguri to Gangtok
Private buses also available
Budget-friendly option
Pros of Road Travel
Beautiful mountain views
Flexible stops
Best for adventure lovers
How to Reach Sikkim from Major Cities
From Kolkata to Sikkim
Flight: Kolkata → Bagdogra → Gangtok
Train: Kolkata → NJP → Gangtok
Road: Kolkata → Siliguri → Gangtok
👉 Travel time: 1 day
From Delhi to Sikkim
Flight: Delhi → Bagdogra → Gangtok
Train: Delhi → NJP → Gangtok
👉 Best option: Flight
From Mumbai to Sikkim
Flight via Kolkata or direct to Bagdogra
I do not think the train is an idea because it takes a really long time to get there. The train journey is very long. I would not recommend it.
Permit Requirements for Sikkim
📝 Inner Line Permit (ILP)
Required for foreign tourists
People from India do not need an Inner Line Permit for Gangtok. Indians can visit Gangtok without any permit. This is news for Indians who want to see Gangtok. They can go to Gangtok like they go to any place, in India. Indians do not have to get an Inner Line Permit to visit Gangtok.
❄️ Special Permit Needed For
North Sikkim (Lachung, Lachen, Yumthang)
Nathula Pass
When you want to get a permit you can ask a travel agent to do it for you.. You can also ask your hotel to arrange a permit for you. They can take care of the permits so you do not have to worry about it. Permits are really important so it is good that travel agents and hotels can arrange permits, for you.
Best Time to Travel to Sikkim
March to June – Best weather
October to December – Clear views
July to September – Monsoon (landslides possible)
Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
Start early for road journeys
You should carry some cash with you because ATMs are limited in areas. This means you might not always be able to get money from an ATM when you’re in a remote area so it is a good idea to have some cash on hand. Carry cash it is just easier that way especially when you are, in areas and the ATMs are limited.
Book taxis from authorized stands
Avoid night travel in mountains
Keep ID proof handy
The cost to go to Sikkim can be a lot. It depends on how you want to travel.
- If you take a plane the cost will be high.
You have to pay for the flight ticket.
The cost of the flight ticket can be around ten thousand rupees or more.
Then you have to pay for a taxi or bus to get to your hotel.
The cost of the taxi or bus can be one thousand rupees or more.
If you take a train the cost will be less.
You have to pay for the train ticket.
The cost of the train ticket can be two thousand rupees or more.
Then you have to pay for a taxi or bus to get to your hotel.
The cost of the taxi or bus can be five hundred rupees or more.
If you take a bus the cost will be very less.
You have to pay for the bus ticket.
The cost of the bus ticket can be one thousand rupees or more.
Then you have to pay for a taxi or auto to get to your hotel.
The cost of the taxi or auto can be two hundred rupees or more.
The cost to stay in Sikkim can also be a lot.
You have to pay for the hotel room.
The cost of the hotel room can be two thousand rupees or more per day.
You also have to pay for food.
The cost of food can be five hundred rupees or more per day.
So the total cost to go to Sikkim can be twenty thousand rupees or more, per person.
This is an estimate.
The actual cost to go to Sikkim can be more or less.
It depends on how you want to travel and where you want to stay.
The cost to go to Sikkim is worth it because Sikkim is a beautiful place.
You can see a lot of things in Sikkim.
You can go to the mountains. See the snow.
You can go to the lakes. See the water.
You can go to the forests. See the trees.
The cost to go to Sikkim is worth it because you can have a lot of fun in Sikkim.
You can do a lot of things in Sikkim.
You can go trekking. See the beautiful views.
You can go rafting. See the water.
You can go skiing. See the snow.
The cost to go to Sikkim is worth it because you can learn a lot of things in Sikkim.
You can learn about the culture and history of Sikkim.
You can learn about the people and their way of life.
You can learn about the food and the clothes.
The cost to go to Sikkim is worth it because you can make a lot of memories in Sikkim.
You can take a lot of pictures. Show them to your friends.
You can write about your experiences. Share them with others.
You can tell people about the things you saw in Sikkim.
So the cost to go to Sikkim is worth it.
You should go to Sikkim if you want to have fun and learn things.
You should go to Sikkim if you want to see things and make memories.
You should go to Sikkim if you want to experience a place and a new culture.
The cost to go to Sikkim is a small price to pay for all the fun and experiences you can have.
So you should go to Sikkim.
You will not regret it.
Sikkim is a place to visit.
You will have a lot of fun in Sikkim.
You will learn a lot of things in Sikkim.
You will make a lot of memories in Sikkim.
So you should go to Sikkim.
Mode Approx Cost
Flight (Delhi–Bagdogra) ₹5,000–₹9,000
Train (Sleeper) ₹700–₹1,500
Taxi NJP–Gangtok ₹3,000–₹4,000
So you want to know how to get to Sikkim. The best way to reach Sikkim is by air or by road. You can take a flight to Bagdogra Airport which’s the nearest airport to Sikkim. From the airport you can hire a taxi. Take a bus to reach Sikkim.
Alternatively you can also take a train to New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri. Then take a taxi or bus to reach Sikkim.
The road journey, to Sikkim is also very beautiful. You can take a bus. Drive your own car to reach Sikkim. Sikkim is a place to visit and I am sure you will have a great time there. You will love visiting Sikkim.
Fastest: Flight via Bagdogra
Cheapest: Train to NJP + shared taxi
Most Scenic: Road journey
👉 Choose based on budget, time, and comfort.
Final Thoughts
Getting to Sikkim is really easy if you think it through. You can take a plane, a train or a bus and the trip is very pretty and you will remember it. The main ways to get to Sikkim are by flying into Bagdogra Airport or taking a train to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station then you take a nice drive to Gangtok. Sikkim is a place to visit and Sikkim has a lot to offer so getting to Sikkim is just the start of your trip, to Sikkim.
Now that you know how to reach Sikkim, you can confidently plan your dream trip to this Himalayan paradise.
