Major city · India
Sukna
Sukna is a 1-hour stop for the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary gate and the river crossing, not a base. Use it as a morning detour between Siliguri and Darjeeling.
Sukna is a small cantonment town at the edge of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, 20 km from Siliguri on the road to Darjeeling. Its only reason to stop is the sanctuary entrance and the Teesta river view. Most travellers drive through in 30–60 minutes.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon, leeches on trails)
- Airport
- Bagdogra (IXB)
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Sukna112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sukna, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyVery safe; the main risk is traffic on the Siliguri–Darjeeling highway.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckIXB Bagdogra Airport (About 35 km (22 mi); taxi 1 h (check)).IXB Bagdogra Airport (About 22 mi (35 km); taxi 1 h (check)).
- Getting aroundWalk or hire a taxi from the bazaar.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealTea and snacks at highway dhaba₹30–80 (≈ under US$1)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Sukna–Siliguri₹300–500 (≈ US$4–6) (check)
- Museum or sight ticketMahananda Wildlife Sanctuary entry (Indian / foreigner)₹50 (≈ under US$1)₹200 (≈ US$3) (check)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹500 (≈ US$6) · Mid ₹1,000 (≈ US$12) · High ₹2,000 (≈ US$25)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- IXB Bagdogra Airport (About 35 km (22 mi); taxi 1 h (check))IXB Bagdogra Airport (About 22 mi (35 km); taxi 1 h (check))
Map of Sukna
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Apr
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Jul (20 rain days), driest Nov (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sukna: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
20 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Dec
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk or hire a taxi from the bazaar. The sanctuary gate is a 10-minute walk from the highway.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30–40 min
Bus or taxi, about 30 min
Main hub for shopping, trains and connections.
Door to door: 2.5–3 h
Shared jeep or taxi, about 2 h 30 min
Hill station with tea gardens and Himalayan views.
Sevoke
goDoor to door: 20–30 min
Taxi, about 20 min
River rafting and Teesta bridge.
Mangpoo
goDoor to door: 30–40 min
Taxi, about 30 min
Orchid garden and river views.
Panitanki
goDoor to door: 15–20 min
Taxi, about 15 min
Border town with Nepal; market for imported goods.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Sukna bazaar area
A few basic lodges near the highway; most travellers sleep in Siliguri or Darjeeling.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12) (day trip only)
- Mid
- ₹1,000–2,000 (≈ US$12–25)
- High
- ₹2,000 (≈ US$25)+
Trip budget
| Day trip (no overnight)1 × 1 night × ₹0 | ₹0 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ₹500 | ₹500 |
| Trip total≈ ₹500 per person per day, bed included | ₹500≈ US$6 |
No accommodation needed
2026 estimate in rupees; day-trip only, no accommodation.
Prices of common things
| Shared jeep Sukna–Siliguri | ₹30–50 (≈ under US$1) (check) |
| Taxi Sukna–Siliguri | ₹300–500 (≈ US$4–6) (check) |
| Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary entry (Indian / foreigner) | ₹50 (≈ under US$1) / ₹200 (≈ US$3) (check) |
| Tea and snacks at highway dhaba | ₹30–80 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Monsoon brings leeches on sanctuary trails; wear long socks and carry salt.
- No ATM in Sukna; get cash in Siliguri.
- The sanctuary entry fee is paid in cash only (check current rate).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
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SuknaSukna
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
यस ठेगानामा, कृपयाTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Sukna → Siliguri (shared jeep): about ₹30–50 (≈ under US$1), 30 min (check)
- Sukna → Darjeeling (shared jeep): about ₹150–250 (≈ US$2–3), 2.5 h (check)
Say or show
- नमस्ते — Hello (namaste)
- कति? — How much? (kati)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
Nepali is widely spoken; Hindi and Bengali also work.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sukna. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon, leeches on trails) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place page for Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary with trail maps and entry timings.
- Eat page for the highway dhabas serving fish curry and rice.
- Sleep page for the basic lodges near the bazaar.
Sources
Ask about Sukna
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