Road trip guide

Kolkata Siliguri

Planning to travel from Kolkata to Siliguri? It is about 580 km by road and 12 to 14 hours by bus. Here is the whole journey: the towns on the way, the best time to leave, and how to travel comfortably.

about 580 kmabout 12 to 14 hours9 big stops on the way

Photo: Siliguri, Sourik8, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Quick answer

Kolkata to Siliguri by bus takes about 12 to 14 hours and covers about 580 km by road, via Ranaghat, Dhulian, Raiganj, Islampur. An overnight trip: leave in the evening and arrive in the morning, rested.

The journey, stop by stop

The big towns the road passes, in order.

Kolkatastart
Ranaghat
Krishnanagar
Berhampore
Dhulian
Malda
Raiganj
Karandighi
Kishanganj
Islampur
Siliguri arrive

What the road is like

From Kolkata the road passes Ranaghat, Krishnanagar, Berhampore, Dhulian, Malda, Raiganj, Karandighi, Kishanganj and Islampur before reaching Siliguri.

Siliguri is the gateway to Darjeeling, Sikkim and the North East. Travellers change here for the hills.

Kolkata is eastern India’s biggest city, a centre for hospitals, education, shopping and flights. The Victoria Memorial and the Howrah Bridge are its best-known sights.

Trains also connect the Kolkata area with Siliguri. Check IRCTC for direct trains and current availability: on festival and holiday dates they often sell out weeks ahead.

Why go by bus, not train?

Why more and more people now choose the road for Kolkata to Siliguri.

Board near home: a bus stops at towns and junctions along the way, so you do not have to travel to a big station first.
Seats when trains are full: on popular dates, train seats to Siliguri sell out weeks ahead, while buses add capacity close to the date.
Live tracking your family can follow, so nobody has to call you at midnight to ask where you are.
A proper berth to sleep in: a modern AC sleeper coach gives you your own lie-flat berth with curtains, charging and a reading light.
Why buses are growing: new expressways, better coaches and online booking with seat choice have made long-distance road travel faster and far more comfortable than it was a few years ago.

Tips for the journey

Pick a lower berth if you get up at night, and an upper berth if you want the most privacy and the least foot traffic.

Carry a light shawl: AC coaches run cool after midnight, even in summer.

Keep your ID, phone charger and water in a small bag at your berth, and the big bag in the luggage hold.

Share your live bus tracking link with family before you sleep, so they can see where you are without calling.

Eat a light dinner before boarding. Long-route coaches stop for meals, but timings depend on the road.

Questions travellers ask

How long does Kolkata to Siliguri take by bus?

About 12 to 14 hours, depending on traffic, stops and the exact road.

How far is Siliguri from Kolkata by road?

About 580 km.

Which towns are on the way from Kolkata to Siliguri?

Ranaghat, Krishnanagar, Berhampore, Dhulian, Malda, Raiganj, Karandighi, Kishanganj and Islampur.

When is the best time to leave?

An overnight trip: leave in the evening and arrive in the morning, rested.

Is it better to go by bus or train from Kolkata to Siliguri?

Both work. A bus lets you board near home and often has seats when trains are full; a train can be faster on some routes. For a trip this long, choose an AC sleeper berth.

Useful links: the road route on Google Maps and IRCTC for current trains. Distances and times are rounded and vary with traffic and stops.

Last updated 15 October 2026 by the Nandighosh travel team.