Siliguri to Pelling
Your options
Ways to make the trip
5–6 hours
₹400–500 a seat · Shared jeeps for Gyalshing (Geyzing) and Pelling leave Siliguri in the morning from the SNT terminus area and the jeep stands near Siliguri Junction. Some go only as far as Gyalshing, 10 km below Pelling, where local jeeps cover the rest for about ₹50–80. Buy a ticket a day ahead in peak season; the front seats cost the same but go first.
5–5.5 hours
₹5,000–6,500 per car · A small car (Alto or Wagon R class) or an SUV from NJP station, Bagdogra airport or Siliguri town. SUVs cost about ₹6,500–8,000. The driver will stop for tea at Melli or Jorethang. Agree the price, the pick-up point and whether waiting time is included before you set off.
6–7 hours with change
₹350–450 in total · If you miss the direct jeeps, take a shared jeep from Siliguri to Jorethang (about ₹250–300), then a local jeep from Jorethang to Gyalshing or Pelling. Jorethang jeeps run until early afternoon. It is slower but has more departures.
Worth a stop
- Coronation Bridge at Sevoke over the Teesta
- Melli checkpost (ILP for foreigners)
- Jorethang bazaar on the Rangeet
- Legship and the Rangeet bridge
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How long does Siliguri to Pelling take
Allow 5–6 hours by road for the 135 km, longer in the monsoon or on weekends when traffic builds near Sevoke and Melli. A reserved car is usually a little faster than a shared jeep because it does not stop for passengers. Leave early: driving the last stretch after Legship in the dark is not pleasant.
What is the cheapest way from Siliguri to Pelling
A shared jeep is cheapest, about ₹400–500 a seat on direct jeeps to Gyalshing or Pelling, or ₹350–450 in total if you change at Jorethang. Buses on this route are few and slower. Fares are indicative and rise in the Puja season and around New Year, when jeeps fill quickly.
Where do foreigners get the Sikkim permit on this route
Foreign nationals can get the Sikkim Inner Line Permit at the Melli checkpost on the Siliguri–Pelling road, with passport, Indian visa and photos, or apply online in advance. Keep several copies, as hotels in Pelling will ask for one. Check current status before you travel, as the process changes.
Is the road from Siliguri to Pelling safe
Yes, it is a busy, mostly paved road used daily by jeeps and buses. The main risks are monsoon landslides, especially around Sevoke and the Teesta valley, and a narrow, steep final stretch. Travel in daylight, use experienced local drivers, and allow a spare day in the monsoon. Check current status before you travel.