Siliguri is where most travellers arrive in North Bengal and where most of them leave quickly, bound for Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Gangtok or the Dooars forests. It sits on the plains at the foot of the eastern Himalaya, beside the Mahananda river, with the Teesta forming its eastern edge. Bagdogra airport and New Jalpaiguri station both serve it, which is why the city works as a hinge between the plains and the hills.
The town grew from a small farming village. After the British took the Darjeeling hills in the 19th century and the narrow-gauge railway to Darjeeling opened in 1880-81, it became a trading and transit point for tea, timber and travellers. Its population jumped after 1947 and again in later decades, and today it is a busy, crowded commercial city of roughly half a million people in the municipal area. Do not expect old-town charm. Expect traffic, markets and a mix of Bengali, Nepali, Tibetan and Hindi-speaking communities.
Still, a day or two here repays the effort. Salugara and Ewam are two very different Tibetan Buddhist sites on the northern edge, the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary starts at Sukna, and the Coronation Bridge and Sevoke Kali temple sit above the Teesta where the hills begin. For a first night or a last night around a hill trip, Siliguri is the practical, comfortable place to rest, shop and sort out onward transport.
This guide treats Siliguri mainly as a well-run gateway: where to stay, how to transfer from the airport and station, and which sights are worth a half day when you have time. For the hills themselves, see our guides to Darjeeling, Mirik, Kurseong and Jaldapara.
Before you plan
Siliguri at a glance
- Best months
- November to February is the most…November to February is the most comfortable. March to April is warm; June to September is very wet, and landslides can disrupt the hill roads.
- Ideal trip length
- 1 day if you are passing through1 day if you are passing through; 2 days to include a sanctuary visit and the monasteries
- Airport
- Bagdogra AirportBagdogra Airport (IXB), about 12 km south-west of the city centre; the terminal is under reconstruction, so check the latest arrangements
- Railway station
- New Jalpaiguri JunctionNew Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP), the main railhead for the hills, in Bhaktinagar; Siliguri Junction (SGUJ) and Siliguri Town (SGUT) are smaller stations
- Getting around
- Taxis and app cabsTaxis and app cabs, e-rickshaws and autos in town; shared jeeps and private cars for the hills; main bus terminals on Hill Cart Road and Sevoke Road
- Daily budget
- ModerateModerate; most sights are free or low-cost, and your main spend will be the car, hotel and meals. Check current fees locally.
- Senior comfort
- Fair: it is flat and has good…Fair: it is flat and has good hospitals and hotels, but traffic, pavements and heat in summer are tiring; the Sevoke temple has steps
- Language
- Bengali, Nepali and Hindi are widely…Bengali, Nepali and Hindi are widely spoken; English is understood at hotels, taxi stands and main sights
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Siliguri: January, February, November, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Siliguri itinerary
One good day
1 day in Siliguri
Start at Salugara Monastery in the morning, when the stupa is quiet and the light is soft. If you have energy, drive on to Ewam India Buddhist Monastery, which is a short distance further north. Lunch in town and a rest. In the afternoon, drive out to Coronation Bridge at Sevoke and the Sevoke Kali temple above the Teesta, which suits late light. Return before dark, as the road is busy with trucks.
Two days
2 days in Siliguri
Salugara Monastery first, then Ewam India Buddhist Monastery. Return for lunch and rest. In the late afternoon, walk around the Hong Kong Market and nearby bazaars on Hill Cart Road for woollens, bags and Tibetan and Nepali goods, and have a simple dinner nearby.
Three unhurried days
3 days in Siliguri
Visit Salugara Monastery and Ewam India Buddhist Monastery in the morning, rest after lunch, then see the ISKCON temple around its evening programme. Keep dinner simple.
