MyBagdogra Airport (IXB) Guide
Bagdogra Airport is located about 16 km west of Siliguri city. It is the vital air gateway for Darjeeling, Sikkim, Kalimpong, Mirik, and the Dooars forest sanctuaries.
Getting out of Bagdogra Airport
- Prepaid Taxi Counter: Right outside the arrival terminal door. It is run by the police and offers fixed, government-approved rates. Use this to avoid bargaining with touts.
- Shared Rides: Shared cars do not operate directly from the airport terminal. You will need to take a local auto/taxi to the Bihar More junction (2km away) or Siliguri Tenzing Norgay Bus Stand to find shared jeeps.
Airport Booking Pro-Tip
Ignore private cab agents who approach you inside the baggage claim area claiming the prepaid counter is closed. The prepaid booth is open for all arriving flights.
New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Railway Station
NJP is the largest railway junction in North Bengal. It connects the Northeast region to the rest of India. The station is located about 6 km from Siliguri town center.
Shared Jeeps (Sumos & Boleros)
Directly in front of the main exit gate is the shared taxi stand. Drivers call out destinations like "Darjeeling", "Gangtok", or "Kalimpong". A shared jeep holds 10 passengers and departs as soon as it is full.
Shared Jeep Ticket Price
Standard rate per seat during regular seasons.
Cab Fare Guide (Reserved Vehicles)
Taxi rates can fluctuate during the peak tourism seasons (March-May and October-December). Below are the standard police and syndicate rates for reserving a full vehicle (hatchback or SUV) from NJP or Bagdogra.
| Destination | Hatchback (Alto/WagonR) | SUV (Innova/Xylo) | Est. Time |
|---|
NJP Station Scam Alert
Touts at NJP Railway station are notoriously aggressive. Here are the common scams to watch out for:
1. The "Road Blocked" Scam
Touts will tell you the main Hill Cart Road or Rohini Road to Darjeeling is blocked by a landslide and demand double the fare to take a longer route. Fact: Always double check road blockages with your hotel before believing station touts.
2. The "No Shared Cars Today" Scam
Touts will intercept you and claim that shared jeeps are not operating due to strikes or union protests, pushing you to book their expensive private cars. Fact: Walk past them directly to the taxi stand to check for yourself.