Complete transport guide: flights, trains, buses, and local transport. Trip Planning travel planning.
arrow_back Back to main guideAirport: Pakyong Airport (PYG), 30km from city
New Jalpaiguri (NJP) (NJP)
Major railway station with connections to all major cities. Located in Siliguri, West Bengal, about 125 km from Gangtok.
Booking: IRCTC or 12Go.asia
Note: Shared jeeps are more common and faster than buses.
₹150-300 for short distances
Best for: Convenient for reaching specific destinations
Negotiate the fare before starting the journey. Taxis are readily available.
₹30-50 per person for short distances
Best for: Budget travelers, exploring nearby areas
Shared jeeps operate on fixed routes. They can be crowded during peak season.
Smart strategies to beat the rush and travel peacefully
Explore North India in summer when most tourists flee to hill stations
seasonSchool vacation periods (May-June, Dec-Jan) bring domestic tourist rush
seasonVisit Northeast India - spectacular and chronically under-touristed
alternativesChoose Chettinad over Pondicherry for Tamil culture without tourist hordes
alternativesBook homestays in villages near tourist cities for authentic, uncrowded experience
alternativesOctober-March are peak tourist months - avoid if seeking solitude
seasonDiwali week (Oct/Nov) means empty tourist sites as locals celebrate at home
seasonMeghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh barely see international tourists
alternativesAvoid: Weekends, Indian holidays (Jan 26, Aug 15, Diwali), school vacations (May-June, Dec-Jan).
Best: Weekday mornings, monsoon season for most destinations, opposite shoulder seasons.
Get vaccinated before arrival - Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and tetanus are recommended. Consult a travel clinic 6-8 weeks before departure.
Consider reverse migration timing - Travel against domestic tourist flow: visit hill stations in monsoon, beaches in summer, cities during festival exodus.
Talking and laughing together is normal - Animated conversation and laughter between couples is perfectly fine everywhere.
Police attitudes differ by state - More tourist-friendly in Goa, Kerala; less helpful in some northern states. Know local police helpline numbers.
Police intervention is possible - Police may ask you to leave public spaces or threaten charges under obscenity laws, especially in conservative areas.
Observe local couples' behavior - Watch how Indian couples in the area interact publicly and mirror that level of affection or less.
Goa is the most permissive state - Beach culture and tourism history make Goa relatively accepting of PDA, though limits still exist.
Northeastern states are surprisingly expensive - Limited accessibility means food, accommodation, and transport cost more than mainland India.
Romantic poses for photos can backfire - While taking photos together is fine, overly romantic poses (kissing poses, dramatic dips) can attract unwanted attention.
Buddhist festivals in Ladakh and Sikkim - Losar (New Year) and monastery festivals are major cultural events in Himalayan Buddhist regions.
Protected Area Permits for tribal regions - Certain areas in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and some northeastern tribal zones require additional clearance.
Photography by strangers is common - People might photograph you without permission if you're being affectionate, sometimes to shame you online.
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