As of our last update, Gangtok itself does not have direct rail connectivity. The nearest major railway station to Gangtok is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in Siliguri, West Bengal. This station is well-connected to major cities across India, including Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and others.
From New Jalpaiguri, Gangtok is approximately 120 kilometers (about 75 miles) away, and reaching Gangtok from NJP generally involves a road journey of about 4 to 5 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions. Travellers can opt for private taxis, shared jeeps, or bus services to make this journey. These transportation options are readily available outside the railway station.
For those looking for a more scenic and potentially closer rail link in the future, the Indian Railways has been working on extending rail connectivity to Sikkim through a project that aims to link the town of Rangpo in Sikkim with Sevoke in West Bengal. Once completed, this would bring rail transport closer to Gangtok, with Rangpo situated about 30 kilometers from the city.