Siliguri to Phuentsholing
Your options
Ways to make the trip
4.5–5.5 hours
₹150–250 a seat · Government and private buses leave from the Tenzing Norgay bus terminus area in Siliguri for Jaigaon through the morning. Bhutan Post also runs a coach to Phuentsholing. Buy tickets at the counter and leave by 8 am to reach immigration in good time.
4 hours
₹3,500–5,000 per car · Book a car from Siliguri, NJP or Bagdogra; the driver drops you at the Bhutan Gate in Jaigaon. Indian taxis rarely go further into Bhutan, so arrange your Bhutanese car and guide to meet you at the gate.
4–5 hours
₹100–600 by train plus ₹50–100 auto · Trains from NJP to Hasimara run on the Alipurduar line. From Hasimara station shared autos and taxis cover the last 17 km to Jaigaon in about 30 minutes.
Worth a stop
- Coronation Bridge over the Teesta at Sevoke
- Tea gardens of the western Dooars around Malbazar and Birpara
- Hasimara, gateway to Jaldapara National Park
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How long does it take from Siliguri to Phuentsholing?
About 4 hours by reserved car and 4.5–5.5 hours by bus, covering roughly 160 km. The road runs east through Sevoke, the Dooars tea country and Birpara to Hasimara and Jaigaon. Traffic in Siliguri and Jaigaon can add time. Leave by 7 or 8 am to arrive before midday.
Is there a direct bus from Siliguri to Phuentsholing?
Yes. Bhutan Post runs a coach between Siliguri and Phuentsholing, and many government and private buses run to Jaigaon at the border, from where you walk across. Fares are about ₹150–250. Timings change, so confirm at the Siliguri bus terminus the day before. Check current status before you travel.
Can I combine Jaldapara with the Siliguri to Phuentsholing drive?
Yes. Jaldapara's Madarihat entrance is about 35 km from Jaigaon on the same road. Spend a night there for a morning jeep or elephant safari, then continue to the border. It is a good way to break the trip and adds Dooars wildlife to a Bhutan journey.
What documents should I carry from Siliguri to Bhutan?
Your original passport or voter ID, two or more passport photos, photocopies, hotel bookings for Bhutan and, if applied online, your permit printout. Children without a passport or voter ID need a birth certificate. Keep everything handy for the immigration office at Phuentsholing. Check current status before you travel.