Quick answer
A 6-night Sikkim trip covering Gangtok, Lachung and Pelling costs from about ₹17,000 per person on a budget, ₹26,000 mid-range and ₹60,000 luxury, twin sharing, land only. Return flights to Bagdogra add roughly ₹9,000–19,000 from Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru. The car, hotel standard and the Nathula and North Sikkim add-ons drive the cost.
Sikkim at three budgets
Budget
Starting from
₹17,000
per person, twin sharing
Land only, no flights. 6 nights in simple hotels and Lachung homestays, breakfast and dinner, shared jeeps for Tsomgo and North Sikkim, small car for airport transfers, permits.
Mid-range
Starting from
₹26,000
per person, twin sharing
Land only, no flights. 6 nights in 3-star hotels in Gangtok and Pelling and a good lodge in Lachung, breakfast and dinner (all meals in Lachung), a private car for all seven days, permits. Nathula vehicle supplement extra.
Luxury
Starting from
₹60,000
per person, twin sharing
Land only, no flights. 6 nights in Gangtok's top hotels, a premium resort in Pelling and the best lodge in Lachung, private Innova Crysta throughout, Tsomgo and Nathula included, local guide.
Starting prices per person on twin sharing for 6 nights, reflecting typical market rates at the time of review. Peak dates (Diwali, Christmas–New Year, May–June school holidays) cost more. GST and TCS apply as per law on packages.
Where the money goes (mid-range, per person)
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gangtok (4 nights) and Pelling (1 night) hotels with breakfast and dinner | ₹9,000–13,000 | Per person, twin sharing, 3-star. |
| Lachung lodge, 1 night with all meals | ₹2,000–3,500 | — |
| Private car and driver for seven days, including the North Sikkim vehicle | ₹11,000–15,000 | Per person for two. North Sikkim needs a Sikkim-registered vehicle arranged by a registered operator. |
| Tsomgo Lake and Nathula day trip | ₹2,500–4,000 | Per person for two sharing a car, permits included. |
| Zero Point add-on from Lachung | ₹1,000–2,000 | Per person; road often closed by snow in winter. |
| Lunches, snacks, entry fees and ropeway | ₹3,000–5,000 | — |
| Sikkim tourism fee | ₹50 | Collected by hotels at check-in; valid for up to 30 days. |
Return flight fares from Indian cities
| From | Typical return economy fare |
|---|---|
| Delhi | ₹9,000–16,000 |
| Mumbai | ₹11,000–19,000 |
| Bengaluru | ₹11,000–19,000 |
| Kolkata | ₹5,500–10,000 |
Booked 4–8 weeks ahead outside peak holidays. Last-minute and festive fares run higher.
How to spend less without ruining the trip
- Avoid Durga Puja week and Christmas–New Year, when Gangtok hotel rates and car hire jump.
- Book Lachung as an all-inclusive package from Gangtok (vehicle, stay, meals and permits). It costs less than piecing it together.
- Families of four to six should hire one Innova or Xylo rather than two small cars.
- Go in mid-November or March for shoulder-season rates and still-good weather.
- Budget travellers can take shared jeeps from Siliguri to Gangtok for a fraction of a private car.
- Confirm the Zero Point road is open before paying the add-on. It is often snowed out in winter.
How much does a Sikkim trip cost?
For 6 nights covering Gangtok, Lachung and Pelling, expect from about ₹17,000 per person on a budget, ₹26,000 mid-range and ₹60,000 for luxury, twin sharing, land only. Return flights to Bagdogra are extra.
| Tier | From (per person) | Hotels | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹17,000 | Simple hotels, homestays | Shared jeeps, small car transfers |
| Mid-range | ₹26,000 | 3-star in Gangtok and Pelling | Private car, 7 days |
| Luxury | ₹60,000 | Top hotels and resorts | Innova Crysta, guide |
These figures follow our 7-day Sikkim itinerary: three nights in Gangtok, one in Lachung, a fourth Gangtok night, and one in Pelling.
What drives the cost?
- The car. Sikkim's roads are slow and steep, and you need a car for every day. A private car for seven days is the biggest item after hotels. Four people sharing an Innova pay far less per head than a couple.
- North Sikkim rules. Lachung and Lachen permits are issued only through registered operators, using Sikkim-registered vehicles. Most people buy a two-day North Sikkim package from Gangtok that bundles car, lodge, meals and permits.
- Nathula. The pass is a supplement on top of the Tsomgo day trip, roughly ₹1,500–3,000 extra per car. It is open to Indian nationals only, usually Wednesday to Sunday.
- Season. October, the Puja holidays, May and Christmas are the most expensive. Mid-November and March are good value.
Small costs that add up
A ₹50 per person Sikkim tourism fee collected at check-in, entry fees at monasteries and Buddha Park, the Gangtok ropeway, Zero Point add-ons, and tips for drivers who spend long days on mountain roads. Budget ₹1,000–2,000 per person per day beyond the hotel and car.
How to get there
Fly to Bagdogra, about 125 km and 4–5 hours from Gangtok. Kolkata has the cheapest fares; Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru have non-stop and one-stop options. The nearest major railway station is New Jalpaiguri. Pakyong airport near Gangtok has had limited, weather-dependent service, so don't count on it.
Adding Darjeeling? Two nights there add roughly ₹8,000–12,000 per person at mid-range rates.
See the best time to visit Sikkim, things to do in Sikkim, where to stay in Gangtok and what to eat in Sikkim. For a quote for your dates, use the enquiry form.
Frequently asked questions
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How we checked this page
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
