The Darjeeling toy train, officially the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), is a UNESCO World Heritage narrow-gauge line that climbs from the plains of Siliguri to the hill town of Darjeeling. This guide brings together the Darjeeling toy train timings for the popular Darjeeling–Ghum joy ride and for the longer New Jalpaiguri (NJP)–Kurseong–Darjeeling services, along with ticket prices, special coach charges, a route map and booking tips.
Many visitors search for Darjeeling toy train seat availability, NJP to Darjeeling toy train ticket price, Darjeeling to Kurseong timings or Siliguri to Darjeeling booking. Each of those questions is answered in the sections below.
Darjeeling Toy Train at a Glance
- Line: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), a 2 ft narrow-gauge heritage railway
- Popular ride: Darjeeling – Ghum – Darjeeling joy ride, about 2 hours with halts
- Joy ride fare: ₹1,310 (steam) and ₹805 (diesel), First Class, as per the published chart
- Long route: NJP – Kurseong – Darjeeling, about 7 hours one way
- Halts on the joy ride: 10 minutes at Batasia Loop and 30 minutes at Ghum for the DHR Museum (entry included)
- Booking: online on IRCTC or at the railway booking counters
In This Guide
- Latest DHR updates
- Joy ride timings: Darjeeling to Ghum
- NJP, Kurseong and Darjeeling timings
- Jungle Safari special
- Ticket price and how to book
- Special coach and charter booking
- Route map and stations
- How to reach NJP by train
- About the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
- Frequently asked questions
Latest Darjeeling Toy Train Updates (2026)
Check before you travel. The timetable and fare tables in this guide follow the DHR schedule published with effect from 1 July 2017. Services are revised often, especially in the Puja and winter seasons, so confirm today’s timings on IRCTC or at the station.
Recent news and travel reports point to these changes:
- In June 2026 it was reported that the DHR planned two evening joy rides on the Darjeeling–Ghum route, leaving at around 5:45 pm and returning by about 7 pm, with both steam and diesel engines, adding roughly 150 seats a day. About 13 joy rides were running daily, and five diesel joy rides gained an extra coach from 1 June (ETV Bharat).
- A travel guide published in October 2026 lists daily diesel joy rides between Darjeeling and Ghum from 1 October 2026 to 3 January 2027, plus Kurseong–Mahanadi specials such as the Red Panda steam run in the morning and the Mukta Dhara diesel run in the afternoon (Native Planet). Treat this as a guide, not an official timetable.
Darjeeling Toy Train Joy Ride Timings
The joy ride is a daily round trip from Darjeeling to Ghum and back. It is the most popular way to experience the toy train. The train climbs steep 1 in 20 gradients, loops over itself to gain height and passes several well-known Darjeeling sights. It halts for 10 minutes at Batasia Loop so passengers can admire the view, and for 30 minutes at Ghum (Ghoom) for the DHR Railway Museum. Museum entry is included in the fare.
| Train No. | Engine | Departs Darjeeling | Returns to Darjeeling | Class | Fare (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52593 | Steam | 09:40 | 11:40 | First Class | 1,310 |
| 52594 | Steam | 10:00 | 12:00 | First Class | 1,310 |
| 52591 | Diesel | 10:10 | 12:05 | First Class | 805 |
| 52595 | Steam | 12:10 | 14:10 | First Class | 1,310 |
| 52596 | Steam | 12:20 | 14:20 | First Class | 1,310 |
| 52597 | Diesel | 12:45 | 14:30 | First Class | 805 |
| 52598 | Steam | 16:05 | 18:05 | First Class | 1,310 |
| 52592 | Steam | 16:10 | 18:25 | First Class | 1,310 |
| 52599 | Diesel | 16:20 | 18:20 | First Class | 805 |
NJP, Kurseong and Darjeeling Toy Train Timings
For the full mountain journey, passenger services link New Jalpaiguri (NJP) with Darjeeling, and Kurseong with Darjeeling. The NJP–Darjeeling run takes about seven hours, so start early and carry water and snacks.
| Train No. | Route | Departs | Arrives | First Class (₹) | AC (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52541 | New Jalpaiguri → Darjeeling | 08:30 | 15:35 | 1,295 | 1,555 |
| 52540 | Darjeeling → New Jalpaiguri | 08:00 | 15:10 | 1,295 | 1,555 |
| 52587 | Kurseong → Darjeeling | 06:30 | 09:05 | 685 | – |
| 52588 | Darjeeling → Kurseong | 16:00 | 18:30 | 685 | – |
Jungle Safari Special: Siliguri to Tindharia
The Jungle Safari is a special round trip that runs on demand from Siliguri to Tindharia. It uses two First Class coaches behind one of the DHR’s NDM 6 diesel locomotives and passes through the Sukna forest and the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, giving travellers a close view of the forest.
- Standard charter fare: ₹29,770
- Students and schools: a special concession applies, with a fare of ₹14,885
Darjeeling Toy Train Ticket Price and How to Book
Many travellers are unsure where and how to book, and what the tickets cost. The fares in this guide are summarised below. For the complete price list, see our Darjeeling toy train fare chart.
| Service | Fare (First Class) |
|---|---|
| Darjeeling–Ghum joy ride, steam | ₹1,310 |
| Darjeeling–Ghum joy ride, diesel | ₹805 |
| NJP ↔ Darjeeling | ₹1,295 (AC ₹1,555) |
| Kurseong ↔ Darjeeling | ₹685 |
How to Book Your Seat
- Open the IRCTC website or app and search for the Darjeeling joy ride, or for the NJP–Darjeeling train number you want.
- Choose your travel date and check seat availability. Seats on joy rides fill quickly during the tourist season and holidays, so book early.
- Pay online and keep your ticket and a valid photo ID ready for the journey.
- You can also book at the railway reservation counters, including the Darjeeling station booking office, subject to availability.
Special Coach and Charter Booking
Tourists and tour operators can book heritage coaches, First Class and Second Class coaches, flat open wagons and covered wagons, which are attached to the passenger train on demand.
| Coach type | Charge (₹) | Seating capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Flat wagon | 9,500 | – |
| Covered wagon | 9,500 | – |
| Second Class | 9,500 | 20 / 30 |
| First Class | 20,335 | 18 / 28 / 30 |
| Heritage coach RA 124 | 20,335 | 8 |
| Heritage coach FH 14 | 20,335 | 11 |
| Heritage dining car CDR 149 | 20,335 | 12 |
| AC chair car | 25,000 | 15 |
| Vista Dome coach (diesel joy ride) | 27,000 (₹900 per seat) | 30 |
| Vista Dome coach (steam joy ride) | 42,000 | 30 |
Darjeeling Toy Train Route Map and Stations
The line starts near the plains and climbs more than 6,000 feet. Distances below are measured from Siliguri Junction.
| Station | Altitude (ft) | Distance (km) |
|---|---|---|
| Siliguri Junction | 510 | 0 |
| Siliguri Town | 500 | 2.42 |
| New Jalpaiguri | 480 | 7.42 |
| Sukna | 533 | 9.20 |
| Rongtong | 1,404 | 16.83 |
| Chunabhati | 2,208 | 23 |
| Tindharia | 2,822 | 29.36 |
| Gayabari | 3,516 | 35.36 |
| Mahanadi | 4,120 | 41.43 |
| Kurseong | 4,864 | 48.83 |
| Tung | 5,656 | 56.26 |
| Sonada | 6,552 | 64.17 |
| Ghum (Ghoom) | 7,407 | 73.28 |
| Darjeeling | 6,812 | 79.27 |
How to Reach NJP by Train
New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and Siliguri Junction are the main railheads for the toy train. NJP is connected to Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati and most major cities. Popular options include the Darjeeling Mail from Sealdah (12343/12344), the Padatik Express from Sealdah (12377/12378), the Howrah–NJP Shatabdi Express (12041/12042) and the Rajdhani Express services from Delhi. Timetables change, so check live timings and availability on IRCTC or the National Train Enquiry System before booking.
About the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
Opened in 1881, the DHR is a UNESCO World Heritage railway. Ghum station is the highest point on the line and the highest railway station in India, and from there roads lead to Nepal, the Teesta Valley and Tiger Hill. The railway still runs historic steam locomotives, a reason it remains one of the best-loved experiences in the hills.
Darjeeling Toy Train: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Darjeeling toy train joy ride timings?
As per the published schedule, steam joy rides leave Darjeeling at 09:40, 10:00, 12:10, 12:20, 16:05 and 16:10, and diesel joy rides at 10:10, 12:45 and 16:20. Timings are revised seasonally, so verify the current schedule on IRCTC.
How long is the Darjeeling toy train joy ride?
The round trip from Darjeeling to Ghum and back takes about two hours, including a 10-minute halt at Batasia Loop and a 30-minute halt at Ghum.
What is the Darjeeling toy train ticket price?
The published First Class fare is ₹1,310 for a steam joy ride and ₹805 for a diesel joy ride. From NJP to Darjeeling the fare is ₹1,295, or ₹1,555 in AC.
How long does the toy train take from NJP to Darjeeling?
About seven hours. Train 52541 leaves NJP at 08:30 and reaches Darjeeling at 15:35.
Where can I book Darjeeling toy train tickets?
Book online through IRCTC or at the railway reservation counters, including the booking office at Darjeeling station. Book early for peak season.
Is the Ghum museum entry included in the joy ride ticket?
Yes. The joy ride ticket includes entry to the DHR Railway Museum at Ghum.
Important note: The information in this article has been collected from different sources. Prices and timings are subject to change, and readers are advised to verify details with the Indian Railways or DHR authorities before travelling.
Plan More of Your Darjeeling Trip
- Planning a trip to Darjeeling
- Information about Darjeeling
- Culture and tradition of Darjeeling
- Cheap and best homestays in Darjeeling
- Travel tips and places of interest in Darjeeling
- Images of Darjeeling
More guides: Places to visit in Darjeeling · Places to visit in Siliguri
From the hills, for the hills
Sandeep Khati
Editor, SearchDarjeeling · Founder, India Job Alerts
Sandeep grew up in the Darjeeling hills and writes about the places, people, festivals and everyday news of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Mirik, Kurseong and Sikkim. Every story is checked with local sources and official notices before it goes live. Looking for verified government jobs in West Bengal, Sikkim and across India? He also runs India Job Alerts.
