Siliguri to Kurseong
Your options
Ways to make the trip
1.5–2 hours
₹150–200 a seat · Jeeps for Kurseong leave from the Hill Cart Road stand near the Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus through the morning and early afternoon. Darjeeling-bound jeeps also pass through Kurseong and will drop you, though you may pay closer to the full Darjeeling fare.
1.5 hours
₹1,800–2,500 per car · Book from the NJP or Bagdogra prepaid counters or through your hotel. The Rohini road is the quickest; the Pankhabari road is steeper and narrower but shorter for hotels below Kurseong such as those near Makaibari.
3.5–4.5 hours
₹1,000–1,500 first class (indicative) · The daily NJP–Darjeeling train stops at Kurseong, about half way up the line. Kurseong station is where the train runs through the market on the street. Book on IRCTC. Check current status before you travel.
Worth a stop
- Sukna
- Rohini tea gardens
- Pankhabari road viewpoints
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Is Kurseong worth a stop on the way to Darjeeling?
Yes, for a few hours or a night. Kurseong has the Makaibari tea estate, the Netaji Museum at Giddapahar, Eagle's Crag viewpoint and the walk up to Dow Hill. It is quieter and warmer than Darjeeling and only 1.5 hours from Siliguri. A night here works well for late arrivals who would otherwise drive the upper road in fog.
Which is better, the Rohini road or the Pankhabari road?
The Rohini road is wider, smoother and used by most jeeps. The Pankhabari road is shorter but steep, narrow and full of hairpin bends, with fine views over the plains. It suits small cars and drivers who know it well, and is handy for hotels and tea estates below Kurseong. Ask your driver which road is open, because landslides can close either.
How long is Kurseong from Darjeeling?
Kurseong is about 32 km below Darjeeling on the Hill Cart Road, around 1–1.5 hours by car or shared jeep through Sonada and Ghum. Shared jeeps between the two towns run all day and cost about ₹100–150 a seat. The steam-hauled Red Panda tourist train has also run between Darjeeling and Kurseong in some seasons.
Can I do Kurseong as a day trip from Siliguri?
You can. Leave Siliguri by 8 am, visit Makaibari, the Netaji Museum and Eagle's Crag, have lunch in town and return by evening. A reserved car for the day costs around ₹3,000–4,000. It is a good way to see the hills on a short trip, though an overnight stay gives you a better chance of clear morning mountain views.