Travel advisory · IndiaWest Bengal is in or near an area where governments advise against all but essential travel: Rural West Bengal.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Jammu and Kashmir (Union Territory) · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, UK, US
- Kashmir Valley · avoid all travel · Spain, France, Italy
- Manipur · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, UK
- Within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, UK, US
- Bihar · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Chhattisgarh · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy, New Zealand
- Jharkhand · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Odisha (Orissa) · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Rural West Bengal · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Srinagar–Ladakh road · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
Also named by one government: Jammu region (Spain), Tripura (Ireland), Assam border areas with Bangladesh (New Zealand), Border areas of Jammu and Kashmir (Italy), Gulmarg (Italy), Imphal (Ireland), India-Myanmar border (France), Ladakh (Spain), Ladakh border with China (immediate vicinity) (France), Nagaland border areas with Myanmar (New Zealand), Pahalgam (Italy), Rural Andhra Pradesh (Spain), Sonamarg (Italy), Srinagar (Italy)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | Jun 16, 2025 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No warning against the whole country; partial warnings for specific areas (regional advisories) | Oct 14, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | High Degree of Caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Pays relativement sûr dans son ensemble, sous réserve de respecter certaines règles et de tenir compte du risque terroriste (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
West Bengal
Go to West Bengal for Darjeeling's tea gardens and mountain views, then spend a few days in Kolkata's markets, temples and colonial streets.
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West Bengal is a state in eastern India with Kolkata as its capital. It borders Bangladesh to the east and Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan to the north, so its land runs from the flat Ganges delta up to the Himalayan foothills. Kolkata was the capital of British India until 1911, and its colonial buildings, old tram lines, bookshops and food, from sweets to street snacks, give the city much of its character. Durga Puja in autumn brings decorated pandals and large crowds to the streets.
Many travelers add Darjeeling, a hill station known for its tea gardens, its mountain railway and views of Kanchenjunga on clear mornings. Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri are the gateways to the hills, with New Jalpaiguri station and Bagdogra airport nearby. The clearest mountain views come from March to May and October to November. Plan a few days in Kolkata and a few more in the hills.
West Bengal in five
- Apply for an e-Visa before you flyMost foreign passports can apply for an Indian e-Visa online before arrival, and eligibility depends on your nationality. Check the official portal before you book flights.Visas and entry
- Get a Sikkim permit for the Gangtok roadForeign visitors need a Protected Area Permit to enter Sikkim, which lies north of Siliguri. Check the current process with the Sikkim government before you book.
- Carry rupee cash for the hillsCard payments and ATMs are limited outside the main towns, including on shared jeeps. Carry rupee notes for small guesthouses and transport.Money and costs
- Book the Toy Train before you goThe Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a World Heritage railway that runs slowly on narrow track. Reserve seats early, since scenic runs fill up, and check the timetable with the operator.Getting around
- Set up an Indian SIM with your passportIndian SIM cards are registered in person at an authorised retailer, using your passport and visa copy. Signal drops on hill roads, so set up your phone before you leave Siliguri.Phones and eSIM
Neighborhoods
Darjeeling
Darjeeling is a hill town in India's West Bengal state where travelers ride a narrow-gauge mountain train, walk among tea estates and watch the sun reach Kangchenjunga at dawn.
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Kolkata, the former capital of British India, is a large city in eastern India known for colonial buildings, old trams, street-side book stalls and sweet shops.
Things to do in West Bengal
See all attractions in West Bengal
Need to know
- Currency
- Indian rupee (INR)
- Entry
- e-Visa for most passports, applied for online before arrival Read more
- Emergency
- 112 for all emergencies; 100 police, 101 fire, 102 ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected in shops; customary in restaurants without a service charge
- Time
- UTC+5:30, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, clear mornings
- FebruaryEarly spring
- MarchRhododendron bloom
- AprilWarm, clear
- MayWarm, hazy
- JuneMonsoon, landslides
- JulyHeavy monsoon
- AugustMonsoon, green
- SeptemberClearing skies
- OctoberAutumn, Durga Puja
- NovemberClear, cool
- DecemberCold, misty
Right now in West Bengal
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 27°
- Humidity
- 88%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 22%
West Bengal
02:07 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°24°22%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Wed30°22°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu29°21°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri28°19°0%Friday: Clear. High 28°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat28°17°0%Saturday: Clear. High 28°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun28°17°0%Sunday: Clear. High 28°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 10:34 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- Sep–OctDurga PujaKolkata (Calcutta), a day trip
Day trips by train
- Tiger Hillabout 1 hour by road from Darjeeling, with a pre-dawn startA hilltop viewpoint for sunrise over the Himalayan peaks.Read the guide
- Ghum stationabout 1 to 2 hours by toy train from DarjeelingA stop on the toy train line, with a museum and views.Read the guide
- Siliguriabout 3 to 4 hours by road from DarjeelingThe lowland gateway with the main rail station and Bagdogra airport.Read the guide
Before you go to West Bengal
Rules for West Bengal, checked
- Foreign visitors need a Protected Area Permit to enter Sikkim; check the current requirements with the Sikkim government before you travel.
- Hotels register foreign guests on arrival using passport and visa details, so carry originals or clear copies at check-in.
- Do not photograph military sites or border posts. The Siliguri area is close to the Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh borders.
Plan around West Bengal
Tea estates, the toy train and Himalayan views
Read the guideSiliguri & New JalpaiguriThe rail and air gateway to the hills
Read the guideGetting aroundToy train, shared jeeps and the road to Darjeeling
Read the guideVisas and entryThe e-Visa process and the Sikkim permit
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses in Darjeeling and Siliguri
Read the guideFestivalsDurga Puja in autumn and Losar in the hills
Read the guideWest Bengal FAQ
How many days do you need in Darjeeling?
Two or three nights covers the town, a sunrise viewpoint and a tea estate. Add a day for the toy train if you want the ride in both directions.
Do you need a permit for Darjeeling?
Most foreign visitors do not need a permit for Darjeeling town itself, but Sikkim requires a Protected Area Permit. Check the current rules with the official sources before you travel.
Is Siliguri worth a stop?
Yes, as a base for arrivals. New Jalpaiguri station is the main rail link and Bagdogra airport is nearby, so an overnight stay helps with late flights or early trains.
How do you get from Siliguri to Darjeeling?
Shared jeeps, buses, taxis and the toy train all make the trip. The road takes several hours, and the toy train is slower, so book seats in advance.
When is the best time to visit Darjeeling?
March to May and October to November give the clearest views. June to September is the monsoon, with heavy rain and landslide risk on the roads.
Is the toy train worth the time?
Yes for the ride. It is slow, so allow extra time if you need to reach Darjeeling by a set hour.