Kolkata is the easiest big city to start a Northeast trip from. Guwahati is about 1.5 hours by air, and the Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper gets you there overnight in about 14 hours. For Sikkim and Darjeeling, Bagdogra and NJP are closer still.
This guide covers how to get from Kolkata to each part of the Northeast, which entry point to choose, and a 7-day plan with a rough budget.
Key takeaways
- Fastest: a direct flight from Kolkata to Guwahati, about 1 hour 25 minutes.
- Overnight: the Vande Bharat Sleeper from Howrah to Kamakhya, about 14 hours, with AC 3-tier from about Rs 2,435.
- For Sikkim and Darjeeling: fly to Bagdogra or take a train to NJP.
- With a long weekend: Shillong and Cherrapunji, or Gangtok and Darjeeling.
- With a week: Meghalaya and Kaziranga, or Tawang.
Which entry point for which state?
| Going to | Fly or train to | Then |
|---|---|---|
| Meghalaya (Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki) | Guwahati | 3 to 4 hours by road to Shillong |
| Kaziranga and Majuli | Guwahati, or Jorhat | 4 to 5 hours by road from Guwahati |
| Tawang | Guwahati, or Tezpur | 2 days by road via Dirang |
| Sikkim and Darjeeling | Bagdogra or NJP | 3 to 5 hours by road |
| Nagaland (Kohima, Hornbill) | Dimapur | 3 hours by road to Kohima |
| Eastern Arunachal (Mayudia, Dong) | Dibrugarh | 4 to 5 hours by road to Roing |
Kolkata to Guwahati by air
Direct flights between Kolkata and Guwahati run several times a day and take about 1 hour 25 minutes. Fares rise sharply around Durga Puja, Diwali, Christmas and New Year, so book 4 to 6 weeks ahead for those dates.
Kolkata to Guwahati by train
- Vande Bharat Sleeper (Howrah-Kamakhya): India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train, running since January 2026. It covers the route in about 14 hours overnight, leaving in the evening and arriving the next morning. Launch fares were about Rs 2,435 in AC 3-tier, Rs 3,145 in AC 2-tier and Rs 3,855 in AC First. It has been running close to full, so book early.
- Saraighat Express and other trains: take about 17 to 20 hours, and are cheaper.
Check current timings and fares on IRCTC before you book.
Kolkata to Sikkim and Darjeeling
Fly to Bagdogra (about 1 hour) or take an overnight train to NJP. From there it is 3 to 4 hours to Darjeeling and 4 to 5 hours to Gangtok. Our how to reach Sikkim from Kolkata guide has the trains and flights.
A 7-day Northeast plan from Kolkata
- Day 1: fly to Guwahati, drive to Shillong (3 to 4 hours).
- Day 2: Shillong. Ward's Lake, Shillong Peak, Police Bazar.
- Day 3: Cherrapunji. Waterfalls, caves and Nohkalikai.
- Day 4: Dawki and Mawlynnong. The Umngot river is clearest from November to March.
- Day 5: Shillong to Kaziranga (5 to 6 hours).
- Day 6: Kaziranga jeep safari in the morning, tea gardens in the afternoon.
- Day 7: Kaziranga to Guwahati airport (4 to 5 hours) and fly home.
How much does it cost?
These are our planning estimates per person for a 7-day trip, sharing a room, in 2026:
| Item | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Return flight Kolkata-Guwahati | Rs 6,000 to 10,000 | Rs 6,000 to 10,000 |
| Hotels, 6 nights | Rs 9,000 to 15,000 | Rs 18,000 to 30,000 |
| Car with driver, shared | Rs 8,000 to 12,000 | Rs 10,000 to 15,000 |
| Food, entry fees, safari | Rs 6,000 to 9,000 | Rs 9,000 to 14,000 |
Fares and hotel rates rise in peak season. Our Meghalaya trip cost guide goes into more detail.
Long-weekend trips from Kolkata
- 3 days: Shillong and Cherrapunji from Guwahati. See our weekend getaway.
- 3 days: Kaziranga from Guwahati. See our Kaziranga weekend.
- 4 days: Darjeeling from Bagdogra or NJP.
Plan your trip with Breeziah
Most of our trips start from Guwahati, Bagdogra or Dimapur, so they fit easily with a flight or train from Kolkata. Popular choices are the Shillong and Kaziranga Couple Getaway, the Meghalaya with Kaziranga tour and the Gangtok and Darjeeling Tour. Tell us your dates and we will plan around your flight or train.
Fly to Guwahati in about 1 hour 25 minutes, or take the overnight Vande Bharat Sleeper from Howrah to Kamakhya in about 14 hours. For Sikkim and Darjeeling, fly to Bagdogra or take a train to NJP.
Yes. The Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper has run since January 2026. It takes about 14 hours overnight, with AC 3-tier fares from about Rs 2,435 at launch.
Three days is enough for Shillong and Cherrapunji or Kaziranga. A week lets you combine Meghalaya and Kaziranga, or do Tawang.
A train to Guwahati, then a shared taxi or bus to Shillong, which takes about 3 to 4 hours.
As a rough estimate, about Rs 29,000 to 46,000 per person on a budget, or Rs 43,000 to 69,000 mid-range, including flights, hotels, a shared car and food.