Kalimpong to Gangtok
Your options
Ways to make the trip
3–3.5 hours
₹200–270 a seat · Shared jeeps to Gangtok leave from the Kalimpong motor stand in the morning and early afternoon and arrive at one of the main jeep stands in Gangtok. Book a seat at the counter a day ahead in peak season.
3 hours
₹3,000–3,800 per car · A one-way car from your Kalimpong hotel to your Gangtok hotel. Note that West Bengal-registered cars may face limits on running local sightseeing inside Sikkim, so book a Sikkim car for Gangtok tours.
Worth a stop
- Teesta Bazaar
- Melli
- Rangpo checkpost (ILP for foreigners)
- Singtam
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How long is the drive from Kalimpong to Gangtok?
About 75 km and roughly 3 hours by car, a little longer in a shared jeep. The road drops to the Teesta at Teesta Bazaar, follows the river on NH10 through Melli and Rangpo, then climbs from Singtam to Gangtok. Landslides on NH10 can cause long delays in the monsoon.
Do I need a permit to go from Kalimpong to Gangtok?
Indian citizens do not. Foreign nationals need a Sikkim Inner Line Permit, which can be applied for online or issued at the Rangpo checkpost on this road with a passport, visa and photos. Rules can change. Check current status before you travel.
Where do Gangtok jeeps leave from in Kalimpong?
From the main Kalimpong motor stand in the centre of town, where counters sell seats for Gangtok, Siliguri, Darjeeling and the villages. Morning departures are the most frequent. In October and May, book a seat the day before. Fares are about ₹200–270 a seat, indicative.
Is there another road from Kalimpong to Sikkim?
Yes. A quieter road runs from Kalimpong via Algarah and Pedong to Rhenock in East Sikkim, linking to the Old Silk Route towards Zuluk. It is slower and narrower than NH10 but useful for Sillery Gaon and Silk Route trips. Foreigners should confirm where they can get an ILP on that route.