How To Reach Buxa Tiger Reserve

By Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport (IXB), located roughly 170 KMs away from the entry point of Rajabhatkhawa. The road journey from Bagdogra to Buxa is the longest among the major Dooars destinations, typically taking 4 to 5 hours by taxi. It is highly recommended to pre-book a private vehicle or shared tourist taxi that will take you directly to your accommodation near Rajabhatkhawa or Jayanti. The route passes through Siliguri and then follows the main highways towards Alipurduar, offering scenic views of tea gardens and forests along the way.

By Train: The most convenient railway station is Alipurduar Junction (APDJ), which is only about 25 KMs from Rajabhatkhawa. Alipurduar is well-connected by express and mail trains from cities across India, including regular trains from Kolkata (Sealdah). Alternatively, travelers can use New Jalpaiguri (NJP), which is about 180 KMs away. From NJP, a private car hire takes about 4 hours. For budget travelers, the local train to Alipurduar and then a local bus or auto-rickshaw to Rajabhatkhawa is a common route.

By Road: Buxa is accessible via the National Highway network. From Siliguri, the distance is about 170 KMs, taking approximately 4 hours by car. The main entry gate is at Rajabhatkhawa, which is on the main road connecting Alipurduar with Cooch Behar. Local buses and shared sumo taxis run regularly between Alipurduar and Rajabhatkhawa, providing affordable local connectivity. However, to travel deeper into the reserve to places like Jayanti or the start of the Santrabari trek, hiring a dedicated local jeep or car is necessary due to the challenging road conditions.

By Local Transport: Within the immediate area of the reserve, particularly around Rajabhatkhawa and Jayanti, local transport is limited to hired local jeeps and auto-rickshaws. These local jeeps are essential for transporting tourists from the main road to the remote forest villages like Raimatang. For the treks, walking is the only option, accompanied by a mandatory forest guide. It is important to confirm local transport availability in advance, especially for early morning starts or late evening returns.