The Darjeeling Toy Train, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, runs 18-20 times daily during the peak season at a leisurely pace of 11 km/hr. This historic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has attracted visitors since 1999 with its spectacular rides and panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayas.
The toy train climbs 7,000 vertical feet on a 2-foot narrow-gauge track. Its route spans 870 curves and loops over 88 km. You can choose between a 2-hour Darjeeling joy ride from Darjeeling to Ghoom or a 7-hour trip from New Jalpaiguri Junction. Knowing the Darjeeling toy train schedule will make your Himalayan adventure more adventurous and memorable. Your Darjeeling toy train price depends on your preferred experience and time availability. Diesel engine rides cost about INR 1,000 per person, while steam engine rides cost INR 1,600. The First Class seats on the scenic Ghoom Joyride cost between INR 1,200 and 1,500 per person.
Darjeeling to Ghoom Toy Train Ride
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway runs three excellent routes through the Eastern Himalayas. You will find a narrow-gauge track 2 feet (610mm) that creates a cozy trip as you pass through some of India’s most stunning mountain views.
Darjeeling to Ghoom Toy Train Ride
Tourists love the Darjeeling to Ghoom toy train joyride most. This round-trip ride covers 14-15 kilometers in about 2 hours. Your scenic trip starts at Darjeeling Railway Station and takes you to Ghoom, which sits at an impressive 7,407 feet above sea level and holds the title of Asia’s highest railway station.
The train makes two interesting stops along the way. You will get a 10-minute break at Batasia Loop, where the train circles a beautiful garden with a War Memorial that honors Gorkha Soldiers.
On clear days, you can see breathtaking Kanchenjunga views and Darjeeling town. The next stop is Ghoom Station, where you will have 30 minutes to check out the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Museum. Your ticket included museum entry, and you will see some fascinating exhibits, including the “Baby Sivok” (The oldest toy train engine at the site).
During the peak summer season, you will find up to 18-20 daily trips. You can choose between steam and diesel engines. The steam trains cost more but give a nostalgic feel of a heritage railway experience.
New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling Full Route
The complete toy train ride in Darjeeling runs from New Jalpaiguri (NJP) to Darjeeling, covering all 88 kilometers of the track. Modern diesel engines complete this trip in about 7.5 hours at 11 km/hour, much faster than the steam engines that took over 10 hours.
Your day starts at NJP at 10 am, and you will reach Darjeeling around 5:40 pm. This full-day adventure takes you through a variety of landscapes. You will climb from above 100 meters at NJP to roughly 2,200 meters at Darjeeling. The train handles the steep climb by using six zig-zags and three loops.
You will stop at several stations along the way: Sukna(511 feet), Rangtong (1,404 feet), Tindharia (2,822 feet), Gayabari (3,516 feet), Mahanadi (4,120 feet), Kurseong (4,864 feet), Tung (5,656 feet), Sonada (6,552 feet), and Ghoom (7,404 feet) before finally reaching Darjeeling. Ghoom stands proud as Asia’s highest railway station and the world’s second highest.
Darjeeling Toy Train Schedule
The Himalayan railway schedule changes based on routes and seasons, so planning will make your Himalayan adventure more memorable.
Darjeeling Toy Train Daily Schedule
The popular Darjeeling to Ghoom joy ride runs several trips each day. You will cover about 14-15 kilometers in a 2-hour round trip. This scenic route lets you stop at Batasia Loop for 10 minutes to take photos and spend 30 minutes at Ghoom Station to explore the DHR (Darjeeling Hill Railway) Museum.
Steam and diesel-powered joyride runs every day. Steam engine toy trains take a bit longer to complete to reach their destination, but are worth taking a joyride. These short trips are perfect if you stay in Darjeeling accommodation and experience the toy train without spending a whole day.
NJP to Darjeeling Train Schedule
The New Jalpaiguri (NJP) to Darjeeling route offers a complete adventure. This whole trip covers 88 kilometers and takes about 7.5 hours.
Darjeeling to NJP Time Schedule
Note: The railway also runs an AC Service (Train Number 52539) three days each week from NJP- Darjeeling and Darjeeling-NJP.
Your journey included stops at beautiful stations like Siliguri Junction, Sukna, Rongtong, Tindharia, Gayabari, Mahanadi, Kurseong, Tung, Sonada, and Ghoom.
New Visitors should know that delays can happen, especially during the rainy season, due to landslides. Train services stop for public and tourist safety.
Seasonal Schedules in Train Rides
The timing of the toy train in Darjeeling changes throughout the year based on tourist numbers and weather. October through December is the best time to visit. The weather stays pleasant, and you will find more than 10 daily services running.
Peak season sees the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways running up to 20 daily train rides. The Darjeeling to Ghoom route alone has 18 rides. This means more options for travelers during busy tourist times.
Peak season sees the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways running up to 20 daily trains. The Darjeeling to Ghoom route has 18 rides. This means more options for travelers during busy tourist times.
The service reduces during:
| Monsoon Season | July to Mid September |
| Winter Months | January and February |
Train Schedule from Darjeeling to Kurseong
The Him Kanya Toy Train runs on weekends between Darjeeling and Kurseong.
| Darjeeling | Kurseong |
| Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| 08:30AM | 11:00AM |
Train Schedule from Kurseong to Darjeeling
| Darjeeling | Kurseong |
| Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| 01:15PM | 04:05 PM |
The IRCTC website or the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway office can give you the latest schedule updates since the timing often changes with the season and weather.
Darjeeling Train Price and Breakdown
The historic mountain railway’s prices changes based on the type of ride you choose. We will break down the toy train price in Darjeeling so you can plan your budget for the Darjeeling Joyride experience.
Steam and Diesel Engine Price Comparison
Steam engine toy train cost more than diesel train because of their heritage value and maintenance cost. Here’s the price comparison between Steam and Diesel Engine Train:
These prices reflect running costs and authenticity- steam engines are the original heritage trains that have run on these mountain tracks for decades. Bonus: Your ticket also gets you free entry to the DHR Ghoom Museum, which adds educational value to your joy ride trip.
Let’s compare First class seats and Chair Car Pricing
This is important to know that the seating class choice affects the ticket price and class seats price depends on the destinations.
| First Class | It gives you a traditional feel with wooden seats and classic interiors. |
| AC Chair Car | It comes with modern comforts and air conditioning. |
Toy Train Price in Darjeeling
| Route | First Class | AC Chair Car |
| Darjeeling to Ghoom | Rs. 450 | Rs. 525 |
| Darjeeling to Sonada | Rs. 590 | Rs. 700 |
| Darjeeling to Tung | Rs. 610 | Rs. 720 |
| Darjeeling to Kurseong | Rs. 1,000 | ———– |
Tip: Budget travelers also can travel from Darjeeling to Ghoom by local train at just Rs. 30/person.
Now it’s time for best part!
How to Book Toy Train Tickets in Darjeeling
Getting seats on the historic mountain railway requires good planning and knowledge of booking options. The Darjeeling toy train seat availability changes throughout the year, so booking early is safest and essential.
The IRCTC (The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) website provides the easiest way to book tickets. Here’s how you can reserve your trip:
- Create an account on www.irctc.co.in (Free Registration)
- Log in and click Tourist Train, then go to Hill Charter – Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – Retail Booking.
- The Darjeeling – Ghoom joyride needs DJ as the source and DJRZ as the destination.
- Choose the preferred date (you can book 60 days ahead also).
- Select your desired train service and check if it’s diesel or a steam engine.
- At last, choose your class and pay.
The system sends an E-ticket to your account that you can print.
Offline Booking at Railway Station Counters (Darjeeling)
You can also buy tickets through the following physical options:
- Tickets can be bought from any reservation counter across India.
- Buy tickets right at Darjeeling Railway Station (Call +91 354-2252555) and you can check the available seats.
- You can let your hotel or tour operator book a ticket for you (they will ask for your IDs and may charge a small extra amount).
Tip: Last minute travels might find ticket at the Darjeeling Railway station without any hassle mostly during the off-season or when tourists cancel the joyride.
Tips for Securing Train Seats during Peak Season
Heavy crowds during peak season (April – June and October – December) create massive demand for toy train trips. Here’s a brilliant plan you can use to secure train seats.
- Book at least 1 or 2 months in advance for popular joyrides.
- The diesel engine trains usually have more seats available than the steam engines.
- Weekday trips have better availability than weekends.
- The 8 am joyride has the most seats available.
- Foreign visitors need to have their passports ready; their ID will not work for other tourists.
Tips for Smooth Train Joy Ride
The UNESCO heritage value of this narrow–gauge marvel deserves careful planning. Brilliant timing can make your toy train ride in Darjeeling truly special.
Best Time to Ride the toy Train
The prime months to enjoy the Darjeeling toy train are October through December. The Mist clears up during this period and reveals spectacular views of the picturesque landscapes. Spring brings a different charm with blooming flowers along the route. The monsoon season from mid-June to mid-September should be avoided because constant rain creates cloudy skies, poor visibility, and sometimes causes service disruptions due to landslides. Afternoon rides usually give you good visibility with the pleasant weather.
What to Expect Inside the Toy Train
The charm of the interior matches its practicality perfectly. The train features are below:
- Vintage-style wooden seats are arranged facing each other.
- Large windows are ideal for photography.
Short journeys need maintenance stops because steam engines require regular adjustments and water refills about every 5 kilometers. These technical breaks become part of the authentic heritage railway experience and let you stretch while watching the engineers work.
Photography and Scenic Stops During Joyride
Batasia Loop stands out as the photographic highlight of the joyride. This engineering marvel spirals around a beautifully landscaped garden that showcases seasonal flowers, mountains, and the Darjeeling War Memorial honoring Gorkha soldiers. Clear days reward you with exceptional panoramic views of Mount Kanchenjunga and the surrounding valleys.
The DHR Museum at Ghoom Station displays informative exhibits about the railway’s heritage- something you should not repeatedly see. The train slows down significantly at scenic points, which gives photographers plenty of time to capture memorable shots of tea gardens, forests, and charming buildings scattered across the hillsides.
Conclusion
The Darjeeling Toy Train is proof of engineering brilliance and historical significance. Planning and booking a ticket for the toy train 1-2 months ahead will improve your joyride. You must choose between steam engines and diesel engines based on your budget and what kind of adventure you want.
The right timing can transform your experience completely. The clearest views and pleasant weather come between October and December. Spring brings beautiful blooming flowers along the tracks. These seasons create perfect photo opportunities at spots like Batasia Loop and Ghoom Station.
The joy ride in Darjeeling is more than just a way to travel – it’s a window into the golden age of mountain railways. The rides showcase engineering marvels and colonial heritage while offering spectacular views of the majestic Kanchenjunga. Modern trains may be faster, but these historic narrow–gauge railways give you an unmatched experience that’s rich in character and charm.