Hotels in Darjeeling: City Overview
Darjeeling, a town, hill station and district in West Bengal, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Also known as the Queen of the Hills, Darjeeling is popular for its rich cultural and natural heritage. Travellers visiting the town can enjoy the toy train ride and breathtaking views of snow-capped Kanchenjunga, lush green tea gardens, landscapes with pines, firs and ferns, and the town’s modern yet colonial charm. The hotels in Darjeeling are safe, hygienic and well-equipped with basic amenities for a comfortable stay.
Best Time to Reach
Summer months, i.e. from April to June, is the best time to visit the town. The ideal climate during these months helps travellers explore the town and enjoy different outdoor activities with ease. However, couples and families who want to experience the winter chill can visit Darjeeling anytime between October and January. The town experiences heavy rainfall and landslides between July and mid-September. Hence, travellers must avoid these months. Darjeeling hotels get booked pretty quickly, especially during summer. Therefore, travellers must make reservations in advance to avoid end-minute hassles.
Major Attractions
The major attractions in Darjeeling are:
1. Observatory Hill (650 m)
2. Lloyd Botanical Garden (1.6 km)
3. Zoological Park (1.8 km)
4. Bengal Natural History Museum (2.1 km)
5. Peace Pagoda (2.4 km)
6. Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway (3 km)
7. Rock Garden (6.8 km)
8. Ghoom Monastery (7.1 km)
9. Senchal Lake (7.8 km)
10. Nehru Park (9.8 km)
11. Tiger Hill (20.2 km)
If you are planning a trip to the town with your partner, you will find many couple friendly hotels in Darjeeling. There is a plethora of options for solo travellers and families as well. You can search for the available hotels online and book your stay in advance to get rooms of your choice at the best rates.
Shopping Places
When it comes to shopping, Darjeeling has a lot to offer. Tibetan craftsmanship in the form of jewellery, trinkets, and artefacts are unique and quite popular. You can also find woollen fabrics, handloom products, carpets, bamboo umbrellas, brass pieces, and wooden carvings here. The popular shopping places in Darjeeling are:
1. Bhutia Market or New Mahakal Market (73 m)
2. Mall Road (270 m)
3. Nehru Road Market (450 m)
4. Rink Road (700 m)
5. Hongkong Market (900 m)
6. Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre (2.9 km)
7. Teesta Market (3.2 km)
How to Reach
Air:
The nearest airport is at Bagdogra Airport (IXB) (69.9 km from Darjeeling). After landing at the airport, travellers can hire a cab and reach the hill station.
Rail:
Travellers opting for a train journey can reach NJP or New Jalpaiguri Railway station (73.1 km from Darjeeling) and book a cab for Darjeeling. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railways toy train service also starts at NJP, but it can take about 7 hours to reach the hills.
Road:
Darjeeling is well-connected to Siliguri, Gangtok, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Kolkata, Nepal, and the nearby places by buses and taxis.
Travellers looking for economical accommodation options will find many low-budget hotels in Darjeeling. The properties are well-maintained and perfect for a pleasant stay.