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If you are traveling to Bhutan by train, your trip begins in Hasimara. Hasimara is a train station in West Bengal. It is 15 kilometres from Jaigaon. Jaigaon is a town in India, located before you enter Bhutan via the Phuentsholing border. Most people go through Jaigaon without thinking about it. This is not an idea.
I have seen people get off the train and quickly get on the vehicle to the border. Then they stand in line for permits for three hours. They are tired and hungry and not ready. The people who take their time are off. They spend a night in Jaigaon. They get their papers in order. They exchange their money. They get a night of sleep. These people always take trips to Bhutan. This guide is for people who want to spend time in Jaigaon and plan a trip to Bhutan.
The distance between Hasimara and Jaigaon is 15 kilometres. On a day with no traffic, it takes around 20 to 30 minutes by road. The route is simple; NH 717A connects the two towns directly. The road is okay for most of the year.
The monsoon season changes everything. Between June and August, this period can be challenging. Waterlogging and potholes slow you down. If you are travelling during these months, add 15 minutes to your travel plan to be safe.
Once you reach Jaigaon, the Bhutan Gate is right in front of you. The town is small so you can walk from the hotels to the border in under ten minutes.
People often ask about the distance from Hasimara to Bhutan, especially when they are trying to determine whether they can do the whole trip in one day. Here is how it breaks down: From Hasimara Railway Station to the Bhutan Gate at Phuentsholing, you cover 17 to 18 kilometres. The distance from Hasimara to Jaigaon is 15 kilometres, and then it is another 2 to 3 kilometres from Jaigaon to Phuentsholing.
So yes you can get from the train to the border in under an hour. Whether you should rush is a different question. The immigration process at Phuentsholing is not always quick. As a national you need to get an Inner Line Permit processed at the immigration office. On days the wait can be a couple of hours.
If you arrive at Hasimara on an afternoon train and head to the border you might end up scrambling. Spending one night in Jaigaon gives you a morning to get your permits done properly without any hurry. You can then go to Bhutan the day feeling relaxed and prepared.
The distance from Hasimara is not very long, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. The town of Jaigaon is on the border and Hasimara is a major railway station. So you have plenty of options to plan your trip, from Hasimara to Bhutan.
A taxi is a very easy and comfortable way to get to Jaigaon. Many drivers are waiting outside the station. They know the way to Jaigaon very well. They go to Jaigaon many times a day. You will need to pay approximately ₹300- ₹500 for a taxi. The price depends on the time of day and how well you can negotiate with the driver.
If you have a lot of luggage or you are arriving at night a taxi is the option. The driver will drop you where you want to go. You do not have to wait for other people to fill the taxi.
If you do not want to spend more money, you can take a bus from Hasimara to Jaigaon. The bus fare is very low, around ₹20-₹50. The bus takes a little longer because it stops at places, but it is fine if you are alone and do not have a lot of luggage. You should not take the bus if your train arrives late at night because there may not be any buses
Shared jeeps and cars are another option. You pay for a seat in the car, which costs around ₹80-₹150. You have to wait until the car’s full of people before it leaves. The cars are waiting near the station exit. They drop people in the Jaigaon market area. Many local people use these cars. They fill up quickly during the day. If you are not in a hurry and you want to save some money without taking a bus, a shared car is a good option. You can take a shared car from Hasimara to Jaigaon to save some money.
Jaigaon does not look like much when you see it for the first time. It is a place and it is crowded and a little chaotic. This is the way most Indian border towns are seen. If you spend a few hours in Jaigaon you will start to see why so many people who travel to Bhutan think it is a good place to stop for a while not just a place to pass through
Another thing to think about is money. You can use Rupees in Bhutan but some shops and restaurants may not be able to change large notes easily. If you exchange your money in Jaigaon, you will have options when you are in Bhutan. There are also companies in Jaigaon that can help you plan your trip, to Bhutan. They can give you a guide and a car to use. If you have not planned your trip yet, spending an evening in Jaigaon is a good time to do it. You can get everything sorted out. Then you will be ready to go to Bhutan.
Most people come to Jaigaon, check in, have something to eat, and then sleep. That is okay.. If you have some free time in the afternoon Jaigaon has a few things that are worth your time.
It is a place to start. This beautiful archway is built in the style and marks the entrance to Phuentsholing. At night when it is lit up it makes for a photo and gives you an idea of what to expect.
It is around Jaigaon and is worth visiting for an hour. You can find handicrafts, woollen textiles, incense and carved wooden items in small shops near the border. Prices here are generally lower than in Bhutan, so if you want to buy souvenirs, consider doing so in Jaigaon.
Jaigaon has several restaurants serving momos, thukpa, and Bhutanese cuisine. The food is hot, filling, and cheap. If you need to buy anything before crossing, such as clothing, sunscreen, or snacks for the road, the general stores and pharmacies in Jaigaon have what you need.
Finding accommodation in Jaigaon is essential. The town is small. The quality of hotels and guesthouses varies a lot. Staying close to the Bhutan Gate is an idea. It is a walk to the immigration office in the morning. You can easily go to the market and exchange currency. You will not waste time getting around a town you do not know. Hotel Vianta is an option in Jaigaon for travellers coming from Hasimara. The location is convenient for everything you need to do before crossing the border to Bhutan. The Bhutan Gate is close. The market is easy to get to. The staff are used to helping tourists who are just passing through.
The rooms at Hotel Vianta are clean and well looked after. This is important after a train journey. Whether you book a Deluxe Room or an Executive Room you get a bed. The amenities work. The rooms are quiet. This helps you rest before an early morning start.
For anyone travelling from Hasimara to Bhutan booking a night at Hotel Vianta before crossing the border takes one worry off your list. You can get in rest and handle your permits in the morning. Then you can go into feeling like yourself. Hotel Vianta is a place to stay in Jaigaon. Jaigaon has hotels and guesthouses.. Hotel Vianta is close, to the Bhutan Gate. Jaigaon can be confusing.. Hotel Vianta is easy to find. You can walk to the immigration office from Hotel Vianta. You can walk to the market from Hotel Vianta.
A few things are worth knowing before you make this journey. You need to carry the ID. Indian nationals need a valid government issued photo ID to enter Bhutan. Aadhaar card, Voter ID or Passport all work. International travellers need a passport. You should keep both the original and a photocopy of your national ID with you.
You should start your permit process early. The Phuentsholing immigration office opens in the morning. The queues build up fast. If you arrive at the gate by 8 or 9 in the morning which means you have to stay the night in Jaigaon it makes this process far less stressful. You should sort your currency in Jaigaon. There are exchange counters everywhere in Jaigaon.
You should book your hotel before you travel to Bhutan. During the months. March to May and September to November. Accommodation in Jaigaon fills up quickly. If you secure your room in advance at a well-located property like Hotel Vianta, you avoid the hassle of hunting for a place to stay after a long journey to Bhutan.
Bhutan is a destination that rewards you differently depending on when you visit. Here is an honest look at each season:
March to May is when most people choose to travel, and for good reason. The weather is warm and clear, rhododendrons are flowering across the hills, and the mountain views are at their most dramatic. The downside is that everyone else has the same idea, so tourist numbers are high and accommodation books up early.
June to August brings the monsoon. The road from Hasimara to Jaigaon can be muddy and slow-moving, and Bhutan itself becomes more difficult to navigate at higher altitudes. Unless you specifically want to see the landscape at its greenest and are comfortable with unpredictable weather, this period is best avoided.
September to November is arguably the finest time to visit. The rains have cleared, the air is crisp, visibility is excellent for mountain views, and several major festivals — including Bhutan’s famous Tshechus — fall during this window. Book everything well in advance if you are travelling in October.
December to February is cold but peaceful. Tourist numbers drop, prices tend to be lower, and border crossings are less crowded. Higher elevation areas in Bhutan may be inaccessible, but if you are focused on Phuentsholing and the lower western valleys, winter travel is entirely manageable.
A: It serves as an elephant corridor between Jaldapara Forest and Buxa Tiger Reserve, making the sighting of wild elephants an uncommon event.
A: The most common way to enter Bhutan is from Hasimara or New Alipurduar Station..
A: Hasimara is a town in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal, India near the border with Bhutan, in the eastern Sivalik Hills.
A: Hasimara Air Force Station (ICAO: VEHX) is an Indian Air Force (IAF) base located in Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India. Hasimara is located strategically near the Indo-Bhutan border.
A: The place known as the “Queen of Dooars” is often debated, with Chalsa being called this for its general scenic beauty and location near major parks, while Jayanti is also frequently referred to as the “Queen of Dooars” for its tranquil, riverside charm within the Buxa Tiger Reserve.
A: The popular sightseeing attractions near Hasimara are Jaldapara National Park, Chilpata Forest, Phuentsholing, and more.
A: Hasimara railway station is on the New Jalpaiguri–Alipurduar–Samuktala Road line and serves the town of Hasimara and Jaigaon in Alipurduar district in the Indian state of West Bengal.