Planning a getaway to the serene and beautiful town of Siliguri, but don’t want to face any inconvenience?
You're in the right place; this blog provides insight into the travel mistakes to avoid while in Siliguri.
Common mistakes travellers make are when it comes to transport and accommodation.
They often face loss or sometimes get into scams by booking high-priced taxis anda high-priced hotel in Siliguri.
For people wondering, is Siliguri safe to travel to?
The answer to which is yes. It is generally safe to travel to, but there are some factors you should be aware of, just like when traveling to any other place.
Siliguri, also called the gateway of North Bengal, is a very serene town located on the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas.
This town is not just a travel destination, but also a gateway to the hills and many beautiful hill stations.
Whether it is a holiday focused on nature, shopping, or incredible excitement, Siliguri is not going to disappoint you with its unique offerings.
Let’s start by getting to know.
Why is Siliguri a Must-Visit Place?
Siliguri is not just the gateway to North Bengal, but this town is blessed with a prime geographical location. It is a prime travel destination because it offers a strategic hub to access Darjeeling, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Dooars.
This town provides access to all these places while also being surrounded by lush tea gardens and the Himalayan foothills.
Siliguri offers a vibrant mix of bustling markets, wildlife, and scenic views of Mount Kanchenjunga, known for its four T’s that are for
- Tea
- Timber
- Transport
- Tourism
The following is why Siliguri is a must-visit place.
1. Has a Strategic Location:
It acts as the primary access point to major hill stations like Darjeeling and Gangtok, and borders Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, making it ideal for starting a Himalayan adventure.
Many people come to Siliguri to travel to these places. It’s a prime hub to get access to all these places.
2. Lush Green Nature and Wildlife:
This city features the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and the Bengal Safari Park, where tourists can experience jeep safaris to see tigers and leopards.
Being located on the banks of the Mahananda River, Siliguri is blessed with an abundant amount of lush green nature and forests.
3. Has Unique Attraction:
Siliguri is a vast town with multi-cultural and multi-religious people. So, having a blend of a lot of cultures here is common. This town has many monasteries, along with different types of religious sites.
You can visit these sites, like the Salugara Monastery, ISKON Temple, and the Scenic Coronation Bridge in Sevok, connecting the region to Dooars.
4. Offering Unique Local Culture & Shopping:
This town offers a unique local culture and shopping markets and malls. Here you can explore the vibrant Hong Kong Market, which is a popular spot for international goods.
While shoppers can also explore some shopping malls like City Centre, Vega Circle, and ML Acropolis.
5. Tea Tourism of Siliguri:
Siliguri offers a scenic escape into the foothills, creating a refreshing atmosphere near the Himalayan plains, surrounded by lush, green tea gardens.
Apart from the many people who come to Siliguri to experience its tea culture.
6. Provides Access to Many Places:
Apart from being the gateway to Northeast India, it also provides easy access to all parts of India.
With the help of the Bagdogra International Airport and the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station, or NJP, this city provides excellent connectivity to all parts of India.
Coming to the main topic of this blog, which is,
Siliguri travel mistakes to avoid
While travelling to Siliguri, there are not many issues you will face. But when it comes to booking taxis and hotels in Siliguri, this is where people make the most mistakes.
Avoid booking last-minute, non-negotiated taxis, travelling during the heavy season, which is from June to September, and neglecting to pre-book vehicles during peak season.
These are some of the factors to keep in mind while planning to travel to Siliguri to avoid inconvenience.
Also, always bargain in local markets, use reputable transport, and avoid driving on specific, notorious routes at night.
1. Transportation & Taxi Traps
- Don’t Over-rely on last-minute transport:
To avoid price surges and non-registered operators, book private cars or taxis in advance, preferably through hotels.
This will make sure that you have a secure and safe journey, giving the best suitable prices, and negotiating according to you.
- Sometimes Bargaining is Essential:
Taxi drivers often quote higher prices to tourists, so bargain with a smile and confirm fares before starting your journey.
This will make sure that you don’t fall into traps set by the drivers, and also helps in saving your money.
- Don’t Ignore the Traffic Congestion:
Siliguri is a major transit hub with narrow roads leading to severe traffic. Allow extra time for travel and beware of spontaneous, intentional traffic jams on highways.
You should leave for your desired destination, atleast 30 to 60minutes before, to reach your destination in time, because Siliguri is a very fast city. Traffic is always packed in this town.
2. In Terms of Accommodation & Logistics
- Booking late in peak season:
Securing your accommodation before your trip begins is essential in general. Let alone, in a peak season, it becomes especially important to pre-book your hotel before your trip begins.
Because of the peak season, especially during holidays, transport and hotels sell out quickly, and the remaining hotels charge double the price. So it's essential to book your hotel beforehand in advance only.
- Assuming city familiarity:
Before coming to Siliguri, you should at least have an idea of its transit points. This city has many transit points like the Tenzing Norgay Bus Station for Bengal, the SNT for Sikkim, and the NJP Station for trains.
Having an idea about these helps the travellers to save time, along with knowing which terminal they need.
3. Some Safety Measures
- Driving or walking in secluded areas at night:
Avoid strolling after 7 pm in deserted areas to avoid potential mugging risks.
- Don’t fall for travel agents:
While most of the travel agents in Siliguri are trustworthy, there are some that you shouldn’t fall for; these are the fake ones that just have eyes on your money.
Be cautious of overly friendly travel agents or touts at NJP or Bagdogra, as sometimes they can be aggressive if you refuse their offers.
- Don’t Ignore Motorbike Safety:
If you’re someone who likes to travel by bike rentals, there are some traffic rules and regulations that you should definitely not ignore.
Avoid private numbers, ensure you have a valid license, and always wear a helmet, as it is strictly enforced.
4. Local Norms & Good Health
- Drinking tap water:
If you’re somebody who is prone to stomach issues, then it is best for you to strictly use bottled or filtered water.
Sometimes, a water change can lead to stomach issues.
- Ignoring Cultural Etiquette & Norms:
There are some cultural norms and etiquette that nobody should forget and should follow while travelling to any place.
You should remove your shoes before entering religious sites and use your right hand for eating, which is a local norm.
Planning for Your Desired Route
- No Night Driving on Unsafe Routes:
You never know what the next challenge will be when travelling by road late at night, so it's best to avoid routes that feel unsafe after dark.
Due to reported unsafe conditions and spooky reputations.
- Avoid Traveling in Monsoon:
Because Siliguri is mostly a hilly area, or is surrounded by hills, it's best to avoid travelling during the rainy season, that is between June and August.
At this particular time, the roads become slippery because they become slippery, and at any point in time, anything that could fall off on the hillside roads, also leading to road closures and disruptions to hill travel.
Conclusion
Travelling to Siliguri is a serene and peaceful experience. This city is not only the “Gateway to the Northern Hills”, but it is also blessed with the best geographical location.
Not only that, but it is also filled with lush green tea estates and forests.
While travelling to Siliguri, it's mostly a serene experience, but sometimes it can be hectic as well.
Because this is a fast-growing city, there might be some scams for someone travelling here for the first time as well.
To avoid any inconvenience while traveling here, you must follow some instructions, such as not ignoring its traffic rules, respecting cultural norms, showing etiquette, pre-booking hotels, and using taxis, which are some of the ways to make your trip successful.
However, the most critical part is when it comes to booking hotels in Siliguri. This can be a tricky process, but you can trust some of the best hotels in Siliguri for a comfortable stay.
Sunhill Portico, placed at the heart of Siliguri, is an iconic 3-star boutique hotel in North Bengal that allows you to unwind and relax in the best way possible.
From elegantly designed interiors and a range of premium amenities to spacious rooms and world-class hospitality.
This haven has been specially designed to meet all your staying needs and will allow you to escape into the timeless beauty of the hotel.
Book the best hotel in Siliguri for your next stay.
