Kurseong

The quieter tea town half way up the hill

Kurseong is a small tea town at about 1,480 m, 34 km from Siliguri and 32 km below Darjeeling. Come for Makaibari and the other tea estates, the Netaji Museum, forest walks on Dow Hill and the toy train running through the bazaar; one or two nights is ideal.

Photo: Richard Horvath · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Kurseong sits on the Hill Cart Road about half way between the plains and Darjeeling, at around 1,480 m. The Lepchas, its first inhabitants, are said to have named it after the small white orchids that flower on the slopes each spring. It is a town of schools, tea gardens and forest, and much calmer than Darjeeling. Many visitors pass straight through and miss it.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has its headquarters here, and the toy train runs right through the bazaar, inches from shop fronts. Around the town lie some of the best-known Darjeeling estates, including Makaibari and Castleton, and the forested ridge of Dow Hill with its old boarding schools. Hill Cart Road, the old route up from the plains, runs straight through the town.

Kurseong suits travellers who want tea gardens and walks without the crowds. It is warmer than Darjeeling, only 1.5–2 hours from NJP or Bagdogra, and makes a good first or last night in the hills. Mornings bring views of Kangchenjunga from Eagle's Crag and of the plains glittering at night. Hotel and food prices are generally lower than in Darjeeling as well.

Highlights

What Kurseong does best

Makaibari Tea EstateHome of the first tea factory in Darjeeling district, commissioned in 1859, with garden tours and village homestays.
Netaji Museum at GiddapaharThe house of Sarat Chandra Bose where Subhas Chandra Bose was interned in the late 1930s.
Toy train in the bazaarThe DHR's headquarters town, where the train shares the main street with shops and traffic.
Dow Hill forestTall cryptomeria forest, old boarding schools and quiet walking roads above town.
Eagle's CragA viewpoint above the station with views of the plains and, on clear days, Kangchenjunga.

Experiences

Four hours to plan around

tea · 2–3 hours Tea walk and tasting at Makaibari Kurseong, Darjeeling

culture · 1 hour Netaji Museum at Giddapahar Kurseong, Darjeeling

nature · 2–3 hours Forest walk on Dow Hill Kurseong, Darjeeling

culture · 1.5 hours Eagle's Crag viewpoint and the toy train in the bazaar Kurseong, Darjeeling

Getting there

How to reach Kurseong

Shared jeep

Jeeps leave Siliguri's Hill Cart Road stand near the Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus for Kurseong in 1.5–2 hours at ₹150–200 a seat. Between Kurseong and Darjeeling, jeeps run all day for about ₹100–150.

Private car

A reserved car from NJP or Bagdogra costs about ₹1,800–2,500 and takes 1.5–2 hours via the Rohini road or the steeper Pankhabari road.

Toy train

The daily NJP–Darjeeling train stops at Kurseong. Some seasons also see a steam tourist service between Darjeeling and Kurseong. Book on IRCTC. Check current status before you travel.

Where to stay

Rooms we book

Kurseong has a handful of mid-range hotels in town near the station and on Hill Cart Road for ₹2,500–5,000, small family guesthouses for ₹1,200–2,500, and a few heritage and tea-estate stays outside town, such as Cochrane Place on the Pankhabari road. Makaibari runs homestays with families in its tea villages, a good Budget choice. Stay out of town for quiet and views; in town for transport.

Heritage hotel · Kurseong Cochrane Place

A small heritage hotel in an old planter's house just below Kurseong on the Pankhabari road, with tea-garden views and well-kept rooms. Good value for a …

From our planners

Five things to know

Stop here on the way up if you arrive after lunch at NJP; it saves driving the foggy upper road at dusk
Walk the stretch of Hill Cart Road around the station to see the toy train pass through the market
Book Makaibari visits and homestays ahead; factory tours depend on the season and the day's work
Carry a light rain jacket even in spring; Kurseong gets cloud and drizzle earlier in the day than the plains
Kurseong is a school town; avoid arriving at 3–4 pm on weekdays when school traffic fills the road

The local story

Netaji's house at Giddapahar

On a curve of the road above Kurseong, in the Giddapahar area, stands a plain hill house that once belonged to Sarat Chandra Bose, an elder brother of Subhas Chandra Bose. In the late 1930s the British government interned Subhas Bose in this house, keeping one of the most prominent leaders of the freedom movement far from Calcutta.

Read the whole story →

Questions travellers ask

Questions about Kurseong

Is Kurseong worth visiting?

Yes, for a night or two if you like tea gardens, forest walks and quiet. Kurseong has Makaibari and Castleton estates, the Netaji Museum, Dow Hill and Eagle's Crag, and the toy train running through the town. It lacks Darjeeling's big views and cafés, but it is calmer, warmer and closer to NJP and Bagdogra, at about 1.5–2 hours.

How far is Kurseong from Darjeeling?

About 32 km, 1–1.5 hours by car or shared jeep along the Hill Cart Road through Tung, Sonada and Ghum. Shared jeeps run all day for about ₹100–150 a seat. The toy train covers the same stretch more slowly, in around 3 hours. Kurseong can easily be a day trip from Darjeeling.

Can I visit Makaibari Tea Estate?

Yes. Makaibari, founded in 1859 and home to the first tea factory in Darjeeling district, offers guided visits and tastings. Factory tours depend on the season and processing schedule, mainly March to November. The estate also has homestays with families in its villages. Call ahead to confirm timings. Check current status before you travel.

Where is the Netaji Museum in Kurseong?

The museum is in the Giddapahar area, about 5–10 minutes by car from Kurseong station, in the house of Sarat Chandra Bose where Subhas Chandra Bose was interned in the late 1930s. It displays photographs, letters and family belongings. Opening days and hours vary, so ask locally before you go. Entry is free or nominal.

Is Kurseong colder than Darjeeling?

No, it is warmer. At about 1,480 m, Kurseong is roughly 550 m lower than Darjeeling and usually 3–5°C warmer. Winter days are mild and nights around 5–8°C, while summer days reach the mid-20s. It is also wetter in the monsoon, with plenty of mist. Bring a fleece for evenings in any season.

What is Dow Hill known for?

Dow Hill is a forested ridge above Kurseong with tall cryptomeria trees, old boarding schools such as Victoria Boys' School and Dow Hill School, and a small forest museum. It is a fine walking area. Local lore says the woods are haunted, and ghost stories are told about the road, which has made it popular with curious visitors.

Does the toy train stop at Kurseong?

Yes. Kurseong is the headquarters of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the main intermediate station on the line. The daily NJP–Darjeeling train stops here, and some seasons see steam tourist runs between Darjeeling and Kurseong. The station has a small railway museum. Check current timings on IRCTC before you plan around a train.

How long should I stay in Kurseong?

One night suits most travellers on the way to or from Darjeeling. Two nights let you do a Makaibari visit, the Netaji Museum, Eagle's Crag and a Dow Hill walk without hurrying. Tea lovers may want a homestay night in a Makaibari village. Kurseong also works as a half-day stop if you drive from Siliguri in the morning.

Is Kurseong good for families?

Yes, for families who enjoy easy walks and nature. Distances are short, the climate is mild, and the drive from NJP is under two hours, which helps with young children. There are fewer restaurants and activities than in Darjeeling, so pair it with Darjeeling or Mirik. Choose a hotel with road access, as some lanes are steep.