kolkata tourism transportation

Kolkata Metro

Mikuláš Hudec

Updated on: September 22, 2023

There are many different ways to get around Kolkata thanks to its robust public transit system, which is available to both residents and tourists. This network connects many of the city’s top attractions, including the Victoria Memorial, Eden Gardens, and Howrah Station. Buses, trams, auto rickshaws, and ferries are some additional common forms of public transportation. In Kolkata, taxis can also be rented, however, they are typically more expensive than other modes of transportation.

Metro system in Kolkata: Basic information

The Indian state of West Bengal’s capital, Kolkata, is home to one of the country’s oldest and largest metro systems. In India, it was the country’s first underground metro system, and it opened for business in 1984. The Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC) manages the metro system, which has six lines.

The lines of the Kolkata subway system

Line 1 (blue): north-south metro.

From Dakshineswar to Kavi Subhash, 31.3 km, there are 26 working stations: 9 elevated, 2 at grade, and 15 subterranean. The line links Dakshineswar with New Garia with 1,676 mm train stock. Starting in October 1984, India’s first subterranean railway reached its full length by February 1995. Kolkata Metro was the first in the nation and wholly indigenous, hence its development was more trial-and-error than the Delhi Metro, which included many international specialists.

Line 2 (Green): East-West Metro

It connects Salt Lake to Sealdah and will bridge the Hooghly River to Howrah. An eastern expansion to Teghoria is also being proposed. It would feature 17 stations, 11 elevated and 6 underground, over a 22-km length from Teghoria (Haldiram) to Howrah Maidan. It would connect India’s two busiest commercial areas (BBD Bagh and Salt Lake Sector V) to its two busiest commuter and long-distance rail terminals (Howrah and Sealdah), attracting many passengers. The deepest metro shaft and largest underwater metro tunnel in India are on Line 2. Howrah will be India’s deepest metro station, at 33 meters.

Line 3 (Purple)

The 15-kilometer line’s 6.5 km section from Joka to Taratala was opened on December 30, 2022. The course extends 3.4 kilometers from Joka in the south to Diamond Park in the north, for a distance of 15 kilometers. It will join Kolkata Metro Line 1 at Park Street in the city’s center and travel concurrently up to Esplanade, where it will join Kolkata Metro Line 2 as well. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited is building Line 3.

Line 4 (Yellow): Noapara-Barasat Line

Connects Noapara to Barasat in North 24 Parganas . It will largely travel beneath ground viaducts. Up until Jessore Road Station, it will travel above ground before going underground to reach Barasat metro station. It will include an interface station with Kolkata Metro Line 6 at the NSCBI Airport. The line is planned to open in October 2023, running from Noapara to the airport.

Line 5 (Pink)

Runs from Baranagar to Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas. Its purpose is to make it easier for people to travel from the northern suburbs of Kolkata to Kolkata through North Kolkata.

Line 6 (Orange)

An under-construction rapid transit line would travel through the satellite cities of Salt Lake and New Town to connect New Garia with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport . In 2023, the line between Kavi Subhash and Hemanta Mukhopadhyay is expected to open. This section of the metro will rank among the most significant because it will link Kolkata Airport to the southern and eastern portions of the city. This path will cover a total distance of 30 kilometers. The East-West Metro’s speed testing during the CRS inspection in 2019 was conducted at a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph).

Map of Kolkata Metro 2023 – Free Download in PDF

Click and download the map of Kolkata’s underground system for 2023

The Kolkata Metro Map 2023 is a crucial resource for anyone trying to get around the city. Anyone can quickly take a detailed look at the Metro’s stations and routes thanks to this free PDF download. It is also a very useful tool for those who are organizing their vacation because it will enable them to determine the precise duration and expense of their trip. Additionally, it offers useful details about links to other public transportation systems and other attractions. Anyone may explore the city’s magnificent sights and noises while also making use of the Kolkota Metro’s ease.

Public transport tickets in Kolkata: the Best types for travelers & actual prices

One of the biggest cities on earth is Kolkata, the capital of India’s West Bengal region. Visitors to Kolkata can discover a wide range of ticket options for public transit to meet their needs.

Prepaid cards are the most popular form of public transit ticket in Kolkata. Given that it may be used for several trips, this is a practical method of paying for rides. The cost of the cards depends on how many trips are made, and they may be purchased at bus stops, metro stations, and other places.

The single travel ticket is an additional option for public transportation tickets. These are perfect for people who only intend to take one trip because they are only good for that one ride. Tickets for a single travel can be purchased at any bus or metro stop.

The ideal choice is the monthly pass for individuals who intend to make many excursions. This pass, which can be purchased at any metro station or bus stop, enables visitors to make an unlimited number of city excursions. The cost of the pass is based on how many trips are made.

Finally, a tourist permit is an additional option for customers. Travelers can make as many journeys inside the city as they like with this three-day permit. The pass is slightly more expensive than the monthly pass, but it is more cost-effective for those who intend to make several journeys while they are there.

Travelers should anticipate paying significantly less for public transit in Kolkata than in other large cities, regardless of the type of ticket. The tourist pass is the perfect choice for visitors to Kolkata who will be staying there for three days because it will allow them to go about the city as often as they like for a fair fee.

Timetables & Schedules of Kolkata Metro System

The metro system in Kolkata provides a quick and practical way to get around the city. On Monday through Saturday, the system is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m .; on Sundays and public holidays, it is open from 8:00 am to 10:00 p.m. At the terminal station, the first train leaves at 7:00 a.m., and the final train leaves at 10:00 p.m. During peak hours, services are typically provided every 10 minutes, and during off-peak hours, services are provided every 15 to 20 minutes. On a few routes, the metro additionally provides extra early morning and late night services.

What Are Other Options For Public Transportation In Kolkata?

Other than the metro, Kolkata, India, provides a wide range of public transportation choices. These consist of ferries, buses, trams, autorickshaws, taxis, and cycle rickshaws. In Kolkata, buses are the most widely used and least expensive kind of public transit. There are also trams, which move more slowly along the streets than buses. For quick excursions, auto-rickshaws are a viable choice, while taxis are available for those who prefer a more luxurious ride. For short distances, cycle rickshaws are a cost-effective choice, and ferries can be used to cross the Hooghly River. All of these choices give folks a practical means to get around Kolkata.

public bus in Kolkata

The entire city of Kolkata is served by an extensive network of public buses. The West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBSTC) operates these buses, and the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) is in charge of their management. The city bus network, which serves the city, and the suburban bus network, which links the city to its suburbs, are the two divisions of the public bus system.

Buses are the most commonly used form of public transportation in the city’s bus network. The blue-and-white bus routes that travel from the city center to the suburbs are the most well-liked ones. These buses are inexpensive and dependable, but they are frequently crowded. The red-and-white buses provide the express services that go from the suburbs to the city center. Although they cost more, these buses travel more quickly.

The majority of people who use the suburban bus system are commuters going to and from the suburbs. These vehicles are often more luxurious and have more room than city buses. Additionally, they cost more than city buses. The green-and-white bus routes that travel from the suburbs to the city center are the most well-liked ones.

In Kolkata, the public bus system is comparatively efficient and safe. All buses have air conditioning and an electronic ticketing system that streamlines the ticketing and trip-tracking processes. The WBSTC Red-and-White buses (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40) and the WBSTC Green-and-White buses (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60) are the most well-known bus numbers in the city.

Public TRAINS in Kolkata

India’s Kolkata is renowned for having a thriving public transportation system. Travelers can benefit from the dependable network of public trains, which offers quick and reasonably priced transportation across the city and its environs. There is a sizable public train network in Kolkata. The Eastern and South-Eastern Zones make up the two sections of the public train system. The Kolkata Suburban Railway and the Circular Railway provide service to both zones. The city’s most well-known public train system, the Kolkata Suburban Railway, has more than 400 kilometers of lines connecting more than 500 stops. The Circular Railway, in contrast, has a smaller network with only 22 stops and 39 kilometers of tracks.

The Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC) and Indian Railways jointly run Kolkata’s public train system. All throughout the day, trains run frequently, with peak hours seeing an increase in train frequency. The six different ticket classes that the Kolkata Suburban Railway offers are first class, second class, suburban first class, ladies first class, ladies second class, and general class. Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai , Bengalore , and Hyderabad are the nearest cities from which Kolkata has the most significant train connections. With a trip taking just 18 hours, the Delhi-Kolkata Rajdhani Express is the quickest train service between the two cities. Another well-liked train route is the Mumbai-Kolkata Superfast Express, and the Chennai-Kolkata Mail is a well-liked overnight train.

Kolkata offers a variety of local trains that connect the city to adjacent towns and villages in addition to long-distance train connections. For many locals, these trains are their only source of transportation, offering a dependable and convenient way to move around.

How to Get From Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport ( CCU ) To The City Center With Public Transport?

The Airport Shuttle Bus Service is the most practical method of getting from the airport to the city core. The least complicated way to go to your location is to use this service, which is available frequently. Every hour, a shuttle bus leaves the airport and makes stops throughout the city center, making it simple to travel to your selected location.

The Metro is an additional mode of public transit. From the airport to the city center, Kolkata may be reached using the Metro, which is a fantastic transportation option. The metro is a quick and inexpensive means of transportation that connects the airport to several locations throughout the city.

Finally, you can go from the airport to the city center by bus or autorickshaw. At the airport, you may find buses and autorickshaws that will take you where you need to go. Buses and auto rickshaws are also reasonably priced options, however,, they may take longer to get you where you’re going owing to traffic.

There are numerous public transit options available to get to the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (Kolkata Airport). The bus, cab, subway, auto-rickshaw, and airport shuttle bus are all excellent ways to reach your location. Before selecting a method of transportation, it is vital to think about which option is ideal for you because each has advantages and disadvantages of its own.

how to spend 3 days in Kolkata?

You’ll want to maximize your time in Kolkata if this is your first visit. Three days are the ideal length of time to discover all that this dynamic city has to offer, including its fascinating culture, delectable cuisine, and lively nightlife. This three-day itinerary will give you a genuinely unique opportunity to discover Kolkata.

Day 1: Cultural Investigation

Visit Kolkata’s entrance, the renowned Howrah Bridge, first thing in the morning. Explore the adjacent streets and take in the lively environment after you’ve taken in the breathtaking vista. Numerous street food vendors serving mouthwatering regional specialties may also be found among the many souvenir shops selling traditional handicrafts and souvenirs.

Visit the Victoria Memorial, a magnificent structure that honors British sovereignty in India, in the afternoon. Then, go to the adjacent Indian Museum to find out more about the history and culture of the area. Visit the Hindu shrine Dakshineswar Kali shrine later, which is renowned for its stunning architecture and exquisite beauty.

Try one of the city’s many hidden restaurants for dinner so you may sample real Bengali food.

Day Two: Regional Food

Visit Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral house at Jorasanko Thakur Bari first thing in the morning. The literature and culture of Bengal are well-taught in this location. After that, wander through Mullick Ghat’s bustling flower market.

Visit a nearby eatery, like 6 Ballygunge Place, for lunch so you may try some authentic Bengali cuisine. Then go for a stroll through Chinatown’s busy streets to learn more about the city’s varied culinary culture.

Take a boat trip along the Ganges River in the evening to view the city’s renowned ghats (riverbanks). You can then savor a delectable dinner at one of the best restaurants in the area, such Oh! Calcutta or Bhojohori Manna.

Third day: nightlife

Visit the famous Marble Palace first thing in the morning. This 18th-century house is a terrific site to explore and snap pictures. Then, go around the crowded New Market district where you may purchase for regional crafts and mementos.

Go to Park Street in the afternoon, which is well-known for having a thriving nightlife. Explore the numerous clubs and pubs in the area to take advantage of the live music, delectable cuisine, and, of course, a few drinks.

Last but not least, spend some time at the famous Prinsep Ghat, a riverbank promenade with some of the best views of the city skyline.

What other metro systems are nearby to Kolkata?

A number of significant metropolises, each with its metro system, surround Kolkata. These include the Lucknow Metro , the Mumbai Metro , the Hyderabad Metro , the Bengaluru Metro , the Chennai Metro , and the second-largest metro system in the world, the Delhi Metro. For commuters in the area, each of these metro systems provides easy-to-use transportation options that make it simple to navigate throughout Kolkata and the places nearby.

CHECK OUT THE AMAZING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION VIDEO GUIDE IN KOLKATA

Summary of our tour guide for Kolkata

I’ve had the good fortune to live in Kolkata for the past five years, so I’ve personally seen how convenient the city’s public transportation system is. The public transportation system in Kolkata is broad and effective , offering a range of buses, trams, and metro lines in addition to the iconic yellow taxis. The metro’s punctuality and cleanliness have pleased me during my own repeated use of it. The buses are generally reliable and offer a convenient means to get around the city, even though they can get crowded during rush hours. The trams offer a distinctive experience as they meander through Kolkata’s busy streets and are a terrific way to move around as well. In summary, both locals and tourists greatly benefit from Kolkata’s public transit system.

Top 5 FAQs and answers about Kolkata public transport?

What are the primary public transportation options in Kolkata?

• The public transportation network in Kolkata is made up of buses, trams, taxis, and auto-rickshaws. The West Bengal State Transport Corporation (WBSTC) manages the bus network, which is the most popular form of transportation. Another well-liked option is the tram, which is run by the Calcutta Tramways Company. You can rent taxis and auto-rickshaws as well.

How much are the tickets?

• The cost of bus and tram tickets varies based on the route. Tickets typically cost between 5 and 10 rupees. Typically, a flat payment based on the distance traveled is what taxis and autorickshaws charge.

When is the ideal time of year to travel?

• The non-peak hours in Kolkata, often between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., are the greatest times to travel. The roads can become highly crowded during rush hours, making it difficult to get where you’re going quickly.

Are there any unique services offered?

• Yes, Kolkata does provide a few unique services. Kolkata Metro Rail operates a commuter rail network, and Indian Railways also runs long-distance trains. Ferries and launches are a couple of the various water transportation choices.

Are there any specials for using public transportation?

• Yes, a few reductions are offered. Discounts on tickets are available for seniors, students, and those with disabilities. Additionally, there are reduced rates for some routes, including the Kolkata Metro Rail.

Useful links

• Official website of public Kolkata transport company

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Public transport in Greater Kolkata

• 1 Understand
• 2.1 State-run buses
• 2.2 Private buses
• 2.3 Termini
• 4.2.1 North–South Metro
• 4.2.2 East–West Metro
• 4.2.3 Purple Line
• 4.2.4 Orange Line
• 5.1 Kolkata Circular Railway
• 7 Stay safe

Greater Kolkata has one of the most extensive public transport networks in India . The diverse modes of public transport in the region ranges from the modern rapid transit system to the old heritage tram system.

Understand [ edit ]

Ferries, local trains and trams are one of the oldest modes of public transport in Greater Kolkata. Before the construction of road bridges over the Hooghly River, ferries were heavily used to transport between the two banks of the river. The ferries are still used to cross the river, mainly for sightseeing and to avoid the traffic on the bridges.

The first passenger railway service in Eastern India began on 15 August 1854 on its first run between Howrah to Hooghly . The service gradually evolved into the present-day Kolkata Suburban Railway Network. The trains were used to run in steam, but they were replaced by electric multiple units (EMUs) by the 1950s–60s.

Kolkata's tram system was opened in 1872. The trams were used to run by horses and steam, but they were replaced by electric trams by 1902. The tram network had up to 37 routes in the 1960s, but it has gradually reduced to only six routes operating as of 2024. The reasons cited include financial struggles, poor maintenance, low ridership, the addition of road flyovers, expansion of metro, slow tram speed and perceptions that the trams are outdated and occupy too much road space.

Bus services in Kolkata started in 1920, which was reorganised into 6 intracity routes with a fleet of 25 buses in 1948. The bus services were used to run by three companies, namely Calcutta State Transport Corporation (CSTC), Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC) and West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation (WBSTC). The three companies were merged into West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) by 2016.

Bus [ edit ]

The bus network around Greater Kolkata is possibly the most exhaustive in the whole of India and it is the cheapest, though not always the most comfortable means of transport. The routes are written all over the colourful buses in Bengali and also in English. The conductors call out their destinations to everyone they are passing and all you have to do is wave at the bus anywhere and it will stop, at times causing a small queue of other cars behind it. Buses in Kolkata, Howrah and other parts of West Bengal do not have a card system. One has to buy tickets after boarding the bus. The bus tickets are simple paper tickets purchased from the bus conductor.

You can travel 20 km at around ₹10. The exact fare depends on the type of bus. There are both state-run and private buses that ply the city streets.

State-run buses [ edit ]

State-run buses in Greater Kolkata are operated by West Bengal Transport Corporation ( WBTC ). These buses are generally painted blue and are identified by the acronym WBTC on the front windscreen and on their body. Non-air-conditioned buses fare start from ₹10 whereas air-conditioned buses fare start from ₹25. WBTC also provides some special transport services on some occasions, like Gangasagar Mela, Durga Puja, Kolkata Book Fair and so on.

West Bengal Tourism operates a pair of double-decker tourist buses from Rabindra Sadan to Jorasanko during festive seasons. These buses are identified with blue and white shades and the roofless (Bengali: হুডখোলা, huḍkholā ) upper deck. The ticket costs ₹649 per head for the upper deck and ₹499 per head for the lower deck.

Private buses [ edit ]

Private buses are run by private operators who are affiliated with bus unions. They are of three types:

• Regular buses: Coloured blue and yellow.
• Short-distance buses (SD): Coloured blue and white.
• Minibuses: Coloured red and yellow but contains fewer seats.

Termini [ edit ]

The bus termini in Greater Kolkata are:

• 22.56507 88.33976 1 Babughat Bus Terminus , ~8 Strand Rd . One of the main bus termini in Kolkata alongside Esplanade. One can find interstate buses going into Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and other cities of West Bengal. ( updated Sep 2022 )
• 22.72018 88.48673 2 Barasat Bus Terminus , Champadali . ( updated Sep 2022 )
• 22.58537 88.34236 3 Howrah Bus Terminus ( W of the Howrah Bridge, N of Howrah station ). Buses are available from Howrah and different parts of West Bengal. ( updated Oct 2022 )
• 22.56325 88.35039 4 Esplanade Bus Terminus ( Dharmatala Bus Stand ). It has bus terminals for buses from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sikkim, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and other parts of the country. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 22.5852 88.4208 5 International Bus Terminus , Karunamoyee, Sector-III, Bidhannagar . The Kolkata-Dhaka bus service operates from here. ( updated Oct 2022 )
• 22.58509 88.28377 6 Kolkata Central Bus Terminus ( Santragachi Bus Stand ) ( outside Santragachi station ). ( updated Oct 2022 )
• 22.56539 88.31302 7 Nabanna Bus Terminus , Andul Rd . ( updated Oct 2022 )

Ferry [ edit ]

The ferry services to cross the Hooghly River from Kolkata to Howrah is very convenient to zip across both cities. The Hooghly River offers a less crowded but slow traffic medium. There are several points (popularly called ghats and jetties) on the bank of the river from where you can board several regular routes of ferry services. Operated by the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC), the ferries can be fairly large launches to small improvised motorised boats. Even if you don't get any exotic manual boat like you get in Varanasi , the river transport of Greater Kolkata lets you go to several old spots near the bank in a hassle-free manner with an additional dash of the view of decadent riverfront of the cities.

Buy the ticket before you board the ferry and retain the ticket till after you have crossed to the other side and have shown it to the ticket checker near the exit gate or else you will be penalised!

Metro [ edit ]

The oldest rail rapid transit system in India, the Kolkata Metro is the fastest, cleanest, most reliable and most efficient of all the transport Kolkata has to offer. Trains run every 5 minutes (rush hours) to 15 minutes (non-rush hours) from 6:55AM-10:30PM from Monday to Saturday and 9:50AM-10:00PM on Sunday. Fares range from ₹5-30.

The four-seat sections at each end of a coach are reserved for senior citizens and the physically challenged. The two middle seat sections, between the general seat sections on each side, are reserved for women. Smoking is also strictly prohibited on the metro premises. Violating any of these incurs a penalty.

Be aware that if you wish to exit at a station during rush hours, you will have to tackle your way through in order to get out before the opposite flow of passengers pushes you back inside. Don't be afraid of using your strength to push yourself out.

Lines [ edit ]

As of 2024, the lines 1, 2, 3 and 6 are operational.

Stations [ edit ]

Only operational stations are listed here.

North–South Metro [ edit ]

East–west metro [ edit ], purple line [ edit ], orange line [ edit ], local train [ edit ].

Greater Kolkata is part of both the Eastern Railway (ER) and the South Eastern Railway (SER) zone. The region is served by both passenger and suburban railway services. The Kolkata Suburban Railway, commonly referred to as "local trains", has the largest suburban railway network in India. The suburban trains are identified by its white-pink livery, and depending on the route, such trains can be extremely crowded. It is less expensive to travel around by train as compared to private taxis.

There are five lines under the suburban railway network, including the Chord Link Line, Circular Railway, Eastern Line, Sealdah South and the South Eastern Line.

Kolkata Circular Railway [ edit ]

The Kolkata Circular Railway   Circular   is a railway loop line around Kolkata, which begins and terminates at Dum Dum Junction railway station. The line mostly runs along the Hooghly River and through the city centre. The Circular Railway offers direct interchange points with the North–South Metro at Dum Dum and Tollygunge railway stations, while connecting multiple tourist places and ghats, for example Prinsep Ghat and the Eden Gardens. It provides a scenic view for daily commuters and visitors.

From Dum Dum Junction to Tala, the line is double-tracked, while from Tala to Majerhat, the line is single-tracked. Running by the side of the Hooghly River from Tala to Majerhat, it joins and runs parallel to the Sealdah South tracks after Majerhat and elevates at Park Circus in order to bypass Sealdah (which is a terminal station). After bypassing Sealdah, it rejoins the mainline at Bidhannagar Road and again terminating at Dum Dum Junction.

Tram [ edit ]

Kolkata has the only tram service in all of India and the oldest surviving electric tram network in Asia. Though decommissioned in some parts of the city, electric trams are still one of the means of travelling between a few places within the city. They move slowly on the laid tracks in traffic-jammed streets, but they are environment-friendly (no emissions on the street, only at the source of energy generation). The trams were operated by the Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC) until 2016 when the company merged into the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC).

The tram network had up to 37 routes in the 1960s, but it has gradually reduced to only six routes operating as of 2024:

• Route No. 5: Esplanade–Shyambazar
• Route No. 11: Howrah Bridge–Shyambazar
• Route No. 18: Howrah Bridge–Bidhannagar
• Route No. 24/29: Ballygunge Jn–Tollygunge
• Route No. 25: Esplanade–Gariahat

Stay safe [ edit ]

Water-logging, caused by heavy rains during the summer monsoon, often interrupt transport networks. Keep yourself updated with the latest weather news before venturing out to use public transport.

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Your Trip to Kolkata: The Complete Guide

Kolkata, officially known by its British name of Calcutta until 2001, has undergone a dramatic transformation over the last couple of decades. No longer identified with slums, destitution, and the inspiring work of Mother Teresa, the capital city of West Bengal is widely referred to as the "Cultural Capital of India" and "City of Joy". Kolkata is renowned for its compelling heritage that extends across literature, arts, cinema, music and theater. In addition, it's the only city in India to have a tram/street car network, which adds to its old-world charm. However, it's conflicting city full of captivating soul and sadly neglected crumbling buildings.

Unfortunately, people often overlook visiting Kolkata in favor of India's more iconic destinations. However, those who are most interested in history, experiential travel and day-to-day life will appreciate what it has to offer. Plan your trip there with this Kolkata information and city guide.

After establishing itself in Mumbai , the British East India Company arrived in Kolkata in 1690 and began creating a base for itself there, starting with the construction of Fort William in 1702. In 1772, Kolkata was declared to be the capital of British India, and remained as such until the British decided to shift the capital to Delhi in 1911.

The city's prosperity and cosmopolitan atmosphere drew an influx of Chinese migrants, starting from the late 18th century when they came to work at the city's ports. This continued throughout the 19th century, as they fled from the effects of the Opium Wars in China. Kolkata was also shaped by the massive Renaissance social and religious reform movement in the 19th and 20th centuries, which originated in the city and spread across India. During this time, Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore rose to prominence as the first non-European Nobel Prize winner, and also composed India's national anthem.

Kolkata boomed with rapid industrial growth from the 1850s but problems began to occur after the British left. Power shortages and political action damaged the city's infrastructure. Fortunately, government reforms during the 1990s have brought about economic recovery. The Chinese community hasn't been so lucky though. Although Kolkata has India's only Chinatown, the population has dwindled significantly after facing local opposition. The reputation of creative and intellectual Bengalis, for enjoying spirited discussions and debates (locally known as " adda "), remains strong though.

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit: Kolkata has a tropical climate that's extremely hot, wet and humid during the summer, and cool and dry during the winter. The weather in April and May is unbearable, and visiting the city should be avoided during that time. Temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day and rarely drop below 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) at night. Humidity levels are also uncomfortably high. The best time to visit Kolkata is from November to February, after the monsoon season , when the weather is the coolest and temperatures range from around 25-12 degrees Celsius (77-54 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Language: Bengali, Hindi and English.
• Currency: Indian rupee.
• Time Zone: UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) +5.5 hours. Kolkata does not have Daylight Saving Time. Read more about India's time zone.
• Getting Around: App-based cabs Uber and Ola now operate in Kolkata, and are the easier way to travel. Ola tends to be a bit cheaper than Uber but Uber has more cabs. Alternatively, the city's distinctive yellow Ambassador meter taxis are another option. The minimum fare is 30 rupees. There are also new "no refusal" taxis, most of which are air-conditioned, painted white with a blue stripe. Kolkata has auto-rickshaws, but unlike in other cities such as Mumbai and Delhi, they operate on fixed routes and are shared with other passengers. The Kolkata Metro, India's first underground rail network, is useful for those wanting to travel north or south from one side of the city to the other. For getting around the city center, try taking a ride on Kolkata's historic trams/street cars . If you're on a strict budget, Kolkata's worn out local buses have been replaced with upgraded models (some are even air-conditioned) and they operate all over the city.
• Travel Tip: Most museums and monuments are closed on Mondays in Kolkata.

Getting There

Kolkata is located in West Bengal, on the east coast of India. The city's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is India's fifth busiest airport and handles nearly 20 million passengers per year. It's an international airport but about 85% of its passengers are domestic travelers. A much needed, new and modern terminal (known as Terminal 2) was constructed and opened in January 2013. Further expansion plans are underway to increase the airport's capacity to 40 million passengers by 2021. This will involve linking the old terminal with the new one, and then building a third terminal. The airport is located in Dum Dum, 16 kilometers (10 miles) northeast of the city. Travel time to the city center is 45 minutes to one and a half hours.

Neighborhoods in Kolkata

Kolkata is divided into three main districts -- north, central and south. North Kolkata is the atmospheric old part of the city, formerly referred to as "Black Town" by the British because it was inhabited by native Bengalis, many of whom were wealthy landowners and merchants. The district has many palatial heritage mansions, with architecture reflecting Italian and Dutch influences (you can even stay in a restored 1920s townhouse ). Kumartuli , where statues of Goddess Durga are handcrafted for the Durga Puja festival , is another highlight.

Central Kolkata is predominantly associated with the British. The Central Business District is located there, along with grand British-era buildings, Park Street (the city's landmark thoroughfare), Sudder Street (the seedy backpacker "ghetto") and Camac Street (an entertainment and restaurant precinct). However, it also has cluster of interesting neighborhoods in what was known as "Grey Town", between British "White Town" and "Black Town". These include Bow Bazaar, Burra Bazaar and China Town, where people of various communities live. It's a fascinating place to go on a walking tour, such as this one. The area around College Street was the epicenter of the Bengal Renaissance and can explored on this walking tour.

South Kolkata is a relatively modern part of the city, having developed most in the years after India gained independence from the British. It has shopping malls and many upscale neighborhoods such as Tollygunge, Ballygunge, Lansdowne, Bhowanipore, Alipore, Jodhpur Park and Gariahat. Hindustan Park, near Gariahat Road, has transformed into a trendy locality with its leafy streets now home to buzzing boutiques and cafes. Many of the old mansions around Ballygunge, built by the city's fashionable elite who relocated to the south, have also been converted into hip boutiques, restaurants and hotels. In contrast, one of the city's ancient temples can be found at Kalighat.

Further south, the area around South City Mall is a happening hangout for the city's younger generation.

To the east of Kolkata, Salt Lake is a planned satellite neighborhood that's become the hub of the IT sector.

Things to Do

Kolkata offers an eclectic combination of attractions. Take a look at these top places to visit in Kolkata to get to know the city and this Kolkata photo feature to get an idea of what you shouldn't miss. An insightful walking tour is an ideal way of immersing yourself in the city.

As a trading hub of eastern India, Kolkata is a great destination for shopping.  Popular purchases include textiles, handicrafts, books and tea.

Although a nightlife curfew has now been imposed in Kolkata, there are still some decent places to party. Here's where to find the most happening bars and clubs in Kolkata.

Durga Puja is the biggest festival of the year in Kolkata. Discover the best ways of experiencing it and see pictures of how its celebrated .

You may like to volunteer in Kolkata. Mother Theresa's Missionaries of Charity draws a lot of volunteers. There's also a range of volunteer opportunities in human trafficking.

What to Eat and Drink

Bengalis are passionate about food (especially fish), so don't miss sampling some delicious Bengali cuisine at these authentic restaurants or kathi rolls (a popular street food that originated in Kolkata).

Where to Stay

Most people choose to stay in and around Park Street, as it's close to the main tourist spots. The Park Hotel is the most happening hotel in the city. Backpackers head to nearby Sudder Street, where there's a plethora of inexpensive accommodations. Hotel Galaxy is a reliable choice in that area. The quirky Fairlawn Hotel on Sudder Street has a new owner but is legendary. New Market is conveniently located as well, although it is congested and noisy. The Astor is a standout, newly renovated heritage option only a few blocks from Park Street (and it has a hip bar). Central Bed & Breakfast is cheap and cheerful -- and central. Hotel Cecil also offers comfortable budget accommodations on College Street. In Ballygunge, homely 5/4 Bed n Breakfast is perfect for budget stays, including long term stays. For a fabulous dose of local culture, don't miss Calcutta Bungalow in North Kolkata.

Many of Kolkata's other top hotels, including luxury hotels, are listed here. If you're visiting the city during Durga Puja, these hotels are conveniently close to the action . Alternatively, here are the best hotels near Kolkata airport for those who are arriving or flying out.

Culture and Customs

There are just over 15 million people living in Kolkata's metropolitan region, making it India's third largest city after Mumbai and Delhi.

Although the people of Kolkata are warm and friendly, a great deal of poverty still remains, making begging and scams a problem. Short-changing and pick-pocketing are particularly prevalent. Kolkata is a reasonably safe Indian city though. However, Sudder Street does attract some undesirable types of people, including drug dealers.

Kolkata experiences political and industrial action that brings the city to a complete standstill. During these bandhs (strikes), it's virtually impossible to get around the city as transport doesn't operate and all shops remain closed.

As always in India, it's important not to drink the water in Kolkata. Instead buy readily available and inexpensive bottled water to stay healthy. In addition, it's a good idea to visit your doctor or travel clinic well in advance of your departure date to ensure that you receive all the necessary immunizations and medications .

18 Best Places to Visit in Kolkata to Discover the City

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The 15 Best Things to Do in Kolkata

Trips to Delhi: A Complete Guide

Your Ultimate Trip to India: The Complete Guide

16 Best Tourist Destinations in India

12 Diverse Ways and Places to Celebrate Diwali in India

20 Top Things to Do in Diverse India

Nightlife in Kolkata, India: Best Bars, Clubs, & More

Your Trip to Udaipur: The Complete Guide

11 Foods to Try in Kolkata

Getting Around Kolkata: Guide to Public Transportation

10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Kolkata from Textiles to Tea

The Best Time to Visit Kolkata

One Week in Delhi: The Perfect Itinerary

Ultimate Kolkata Travel Guide | 25 Best Things to Do in Kolkata

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In this Ultimate Kolkata Travel Guide, I’m going to share 25 Best things to Do in Kolkata.

Despite Kolkata (aka Calcutta) being once the capital city of India , the thought of visiting Kolkata always intimidated me.  From other travelers and Indians, I’d talked to,  I got the impression it must’ve been the armpit of India ~ poverty and disease-ridden, old, crumbling… Hence, it took my third trip to muster the courage to make it to India’s former capital.

The moment my airport taxi hit the road, I immediately sensed I’d like … no, love this charming, historical, and utterly unique city!

Delhi and Mumbai fell in my eyes; Kolkata beat them with its charm, friendliness, and an old colonial character, completely reframing my experience of an Indian city.  I experienced Kolkata culture shock but it was not what I expected. If you ask me about all the cities I’ve visited, Kolkata is one of my top Indian gems and a city worth spending time in!

This Ultimate Kolkata Travel Guide includes:

25 Best Things to Do in Kolkata Where to Eat in Kolkata Useful Information for Travelers Travel Tips for Solo Travelers Getting Around in Kolkata Where to Stay in Kolkata

Table of Contents: Ultimate Kolkata Travel Guide | 25 Best Things to Do in Kolkata

• 1 Kolkata Travel Guide
• 2.0.1 1. Esplanade
• 2.0.2 2. Mullick Ghat Flower Market
• 2.0.3 3. Howrah Bridge
• 2.0.4 4. Howrah Station
• 2.0.5 5. Kumortuli
• 2.0.6 6. Khalighat Temple
• 2.0.7 7.  Tour of the Colonial Architecture
• 2.0.8 8. City Tour by West Bengal Tourism Department
• 2.0.9 9. College Street (aka Book Market)
• 2.0.10 10. Sealdah Station
• 2.0.11 11. Kolay Market  | Burabazzar
• 2.0.12 12.  Kolay Market laborers
• 2.0.13 13. Indian Museum
• 2.0.14 14. New Market
• 2.0.15 15. Jorasanko: the Childhood home of Rabindranath Tagore
• 2.0.16 16. Bowbazar & Marble Palace
• 2.0.17 17.  Mother Theresa’s Tomb
• 2.0.18 18. Day Trip to Sundarbans
• 2.0.19 19. Durga Puja Festival
• 3 Top Attractions of Kolkata (Watch Kolkata Travel Guide Video )
• 4.0.1 20.  Kolkata Food Walk
• 4.0.2 21. Decker Lane
• 4.0.3 22. Mohan Bhandahar
• 4.0.4 23. Ganesh Chandra Avenue (in Bowbazar)
• 4.0.5 24. Makhan Lal Das & Sons
• 5.0.1 25. Fairlie Place (Railway Booking Center for Foreign Tourist Quota Tickets)
• 5.1 Communication: Internet and Indian SIM Cards
• 6 Is Kolkata Safe for Solo Travelers?
• 7.0.1 From the airport
• 7.0.2 Types of Transportation in Kolkata
• 7.0.3 Book bus and train tickets in advance
• 8.0.2 What are your best things to do in Kolkata recommendations for this Kolkata Travel Guide?
• 8.0.3 Related Posts
• 8.1 India Travel Videos: India for Solo Travelers (WATCH THIS BEFORE YOUR TRIP!)

Kolkata Travel Guide

25 best things to do in kolkata.

Kolkata is the capital of India’s West Bengal state. and formerly the capital of India when it was under the British Raj in 1773.  Today it’s a city with a traditional soul, colonial architecture, cultural festivals, lots of car honking and street food . So come along. I’m going to show you my favorite highlights of this unique city.

1. Esplanade

The Esplanade district is a buzzing district that is very Raj-esque in architecture and history. Colonial architecture is present as well as a bit of every man’s shopping area. It’s also the crossroads where you can find a lot of transportation from long-distance buses to trolleys. Nearby hotspots: BBD Bagh, Indian Museum.

2. Mullick Ghat Flower Market

Mullick Ghat Flower Market in Kolkata’s biggest and busiest flower market . Flowers are an essential part of life in the city and are sold for temple prayers, wedding decorations and festivals. Arrive 8 am in the morning to see the flower sellers haggle, negotiate and transport their bundles. Unlike what you see in photos, there are very few female vendors.   The majority of transactions occur between men.

Getting there: It’s next to Howrah Bridge on the opposite side of Howrah Station.

3. Howrah Bridge

Spanning the width of the Hoogly River , you have Howrah Bridge , a steel and iron landmark bridge connecting central Kolkata (and the Mullick Ghat Flower Market ) to Howrah Station . Early in the morning, you can see people going to their daily worship, and taking a bath in the river. A great place for people-watching, you’ll see daily commuters, travelers and work porters transport goods and big bundles of goods at all times of the day.

When you come to India, you will see a lot because India is truly amazing.  Getting There : sandwiched between the  Mullick Ghat Flower Market and Howrah Train Statio n. You can take one of the many buses en route to Howrah Station and have them drop you near the flower market.

4. Howrah Station

Howrah Station is Kolkata’s second railway station and one of India’s largest ! It’s said that an estimated two million people arrive and depart by Howrah station each day.

Note: Getting from the airport to Howrah Station should take at the least 45 minutes, but expect it to take over an hour if you’re traveling during peak traffic hours or during a festival. It’s further than Sealdah Station and you have to cross the river.

Read Ultimate Guide to Indian Trains

5. kumortuli.

Kumortuli or the potter’s colony of Kolkata was by far one of the most fascinating highlights of the city for me. The colony is known for their production of clay idols of Hindu gods and goddesses. I visited before the big Kali festival, so many sculptors were busy at work sculpting Kali goddess statues.

There are hundreds of potter shops and their work supplies Kolkata and is exported throughout India.

It was helpful to be accompanied by a guide I had for a half-day tour with Viator . While much of Kumortoli seems self-explanatory, wandering the shops alone might have felt a little awkward for me.  Having a guide helped me to get closer to my camera.

6. Khalighat Temple

Khalighat temple is the main pilgrimage temple for devotees of Kali. Being the main site, it’s very busy.   There are street vendors and touts trying to usher you in and sell you places to park your shoes and it’s a little too nutty for me now.  If you come at night, there are a lot of festivities where you’ll see a lot of people here and there are a lot of shops to go to.

Read Things to Do in Sikkim, Yuksom

7.  tour of the colonial architecture.

Kolkata was once ruled by the British Raj, so the colonial architecture is a feature of the city.  The most well-preserved architecture is in the BBD Bagh area, which houses government institutions and it’s best to hire a guide or take a city tour in order to understand what to see.

I took a half-day city tour with Viator to learn about Kolkata’s history, see its colonial architecture in the impressive BBD Bagh district, visit the sculptor colony of  Kumortoli and witness the madness of  Burrabazaar /Kolay Market . The tour also took me into the more local pockets of the city.   I got my own personal driver and having an English-speaking guide to share insights into the landmarks was invaluable!  Although I don’t think we were able to cover everything that was mentioned on the website’s itinerary, we covered a helluva lot in a matter of a short time and it was a solid city tour.

8. City Tour by West Bengal Tourism Department

Alternatively, the West Bengal Tourism Department ( www.wbtdc.gov.in ) offers a Kolkata day tour for 450 rupees.  The itinerary doesn’t mention the obvious places mentioned in your guidebook, but depending on your focus or budget, it’s still a viable option. I was unable to take this tour–the office was not easy to find –and it was best to book in person.  But it provides additional sightseeing to your stay.

9. College Street (aka Book Market)

College Street is also known as  Boi Para (aka Book Market ), Asia’s largest book market,  a shining testament of the reading culture of the people of Kolkata. You’ll find every imaginable type of text, in many languages from Bengali to Dutch. First and rare editions from Bengali authors Rabindranath Tagore (see his works ) and Jibanananda Das and more you will find here.

10. Sealdah Station

There are two main train stations in Kolkata  ( Howrah Station & Sealdah Station ). Sealdah Station is one of the busiest railway stations in India. It’s located centrally in the city and one you’d ideally like to arrive in due to that fact. Meanwhile, Howrah Station is further crossing the river, past Howrah Bridge. What defines Sealdah for me is that it’s a stone’s throw from Kolay Market . While I wouldn’t say it was the BEST thing to do, it is a place I wanted to list here because travelers will have to pass through one of these stations. This would be an easier station to arrive at if your hotel was located in the heart of the city.

Getting There from the airport: The station is not accessible via metro. You will need to take either, a city bus or an airport taxi to Sealdah Station.

11. Kolay Market  | Burabazzar

Opposite Sealdah Train Station, Kolay Market is a bustling wholesale market that sells vegetables in wholesale bundles. It is HUGE. Produce comes in from all parts of India and then gets auctioned off and goes back out. Some parcels of produce can weigh up to 400 Kg and four to five persons carry this from the main road off the truck and into the market.

Read Best Things to Do in Darjeeling

12.  kolay market laborers.

So if the sheer quantity of produce in Kolay Market doesn’t impress you maybe this will. .. The Kolay Market laborers that unload and transport those heaping bundles work in long shifts and sleep nearby so they can be the first to unload trucks that arrive. Some bundles might take one man, while others may require 4 or 5. They earn about 500 Rupees  a day. How’s that for a day’s hard work?

13. Indian Museum

Indian Museum (aka the Magic House .) founded in 1814, it is the oldest museum in India and the most impressive one I’ve seen yet. It’s a spacious museum of artifacts, anthropology, and interesting zoology exhibitions. Highly worth the 50Rs to enter. Admission: 150 rupees for foreigners. 50 rupees if you want to take a camera inside. Website :

Getting there: Between Park and Esplanade metro stations.

14. New Market

New Market , otherwise known as the Hogg Market, is a covered shopping area with over 2000 shops selling anything from clothing to sweets and spices. It’s interesting to see what stocks Kolkata’s kitchens and you’ll definitely get to see some of it.

Being vegetarian it’s definitely hard for me to see all these chickens (and butchers right next door, de-feathering and chopping them up). But put in this context it makes me realize that everyone has to survive in their own way.  While a majority of India is vegetarian due to religious and dietary reasons, there’s still a meat-loving society as well.

Getting there: You can reach it either through Park or Esplanade metro stations, slightly closer to Esplanade. From Chowringhee Road, take a left onto Chowringhee Place, then right onto Betram Street.

15. Jorasanko: the Childhood home of Rabindranath Tagore

If you want to understand a bit about why Kolkata loves literature, visit Jorasanko . Nestled in Bowbazar is the childhood home of Rabindranath Tagore. Rabindranath Tagore is the Bengal poet laureate famous for being the first non-European Nobel Prize winner of Literature. He is one of the icons of Calcutta, next to Mother Theresa.

16. Bowbazar & Marble Palace

Bowbazar ( The Black Town of Northern Calcutta ) is the heart of the Bengal community with its hidden residential villas and palaces. Many wealthy, high-status families lived there once, with Victorian mansions and this is where the arts thrived. The ostentatious Marble Palace is one example. I wasn’t able to take photos there so I did not include it in my video, but it is a 19th-century unique neo-classical palace constructed by art lover and philanthropist, Raja Rajendra Mullick.  The palace is built of all marble with kitschy collectibles, along with a rock garden, a lake and a zoo.

17.  Mother Theresa’s Tomb

Mother Teresa devoted her life to the sick and poor in Kolkata. You can visit Mother Teresa’s tomb, room, church, and school at The Mother House Of The Missionaries Of Charity   Interested in volunteering in Kolkata? Read more about volunteering for the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata .

Tip: Visit Mother Theresa’s tomb

18. Day Trip to Sundarbans

Looking for a day trip tour to Sundarbans ? Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage because it’s the largest mangrove site in the world, where you can spot deer, many bird species, various fauna, and if you’re lucky you might spot a Bengal Tiger!

19. Durga Puja Festival

Durga Puja Festival is an annual Hindu festival celebrating the female goddess warrior Durga. The festival is celebrated big-time by Bengali, Assamese, Odia, and Maithals. Thus, it is a huge festival in Kolkata, where  Durga Puja artists bring the festival to life through their craft of creating Durga floats, and statues and adorning the goddess with lights, so there are many puja tours around town, celebrating highly decorated Durga pandals (aka temporary structures).

Read How to Plan your first trip to India

Top attractions of kolkata (watch kolkata travel guide video ), where to eat in kolkata.

Kolkata is a foodie capital best known for its street food . What Bangkok is to Thailand , or Osaka is to Japan, is what Kolkata is to India …for me. It is a street food kitchen of the country.  While Indian foods range by the region and it might be unfair to other cities like Mumbai or Delhi , you’ll find street food galore walking down certain blocks of this Bengali city.

Read more on Best Street Foods in Kolkata .

20.  kolkata food walk.

If you feel timid about trying new foods, highly recommended is the Kolkata Food Walk . It’s a tour run voluntarily by local foodies, where you get to taste the best and most mouthwatering street food in Kolkata at scandalously inexpensive prices.   You’ll pay for the foods you try and you’ll get to try a lot! Come with an empty stomach.  This is an exceptional food tour run strictly by volunteers, so a donation is suggested; please, tip your guide well!

For food tour options, check out this 15 Taster Private Food Tour and  Evening Food Walk Tour

21. Decker Lane

In the BBD Bagh district, you’ll find Decker Lane, a street that is like a buffet line of street food vendors.  You’ll find food hawkers line the sidewalk with samosas to chai, Chinese noodles, chat, and … a stroll down this street is like a walk down a buffet line. For a few rupees (costing anywhere from 5 to 45 cents USD), you can have a mouthwatering feast.   When in Kolkata, eating street food is a must.

22. Mohan Bhandahar

Mohan Bhandahar  was a sweet shop where I had kachori sabzi . The shop was made famous by the Bollywood film Piku and was visited by Amitabh Bachchan. You’ll see photos of the star there. But the kachori sabzi is literally finger licking good.

Read 26 Best Bollywood Films to Excite Wanderlust

23. ganesh chandra avenue (in bowbazar ).

Right off Ganesh Chowk Metro, you’ll be welcomed by Broadway Hotel (the hotel I stayed at) and Ganesh Chandra Avenue in the Bowbazar district and several street food hawker stalls which line both sides of the street selling things from jhal muri to Hakka Chow mein (influenced by Chinese immigrants).

24. Makhan Lal Das & Sons

Makhan Lal Das & Sons is a 200-year-old sweet shop known for their hand-crafted sweets, and popular Bengal desserts (such as Ras Malai, Jol-Bhora,   Malai Chumchum, Chocolate Misti, etc… )and their 2rs Shondesh . I visited their Ballygunge location, although it’s original shop is inside Notun Bazar of the Jorabagan and that is where they sell the 2Rs shondesh.

Read:  Street Food Safety Tips

Useful information for travelers, 25. fairlie place (railway booking center for foreign tourist quota tickets).

If you’re booking onward travel via railway and your hotel or travel agency can’t book it for you (aka the trains you want are full), you’ll be directed to  Fairlie Place . Fairlie Place is the official railway booking center and the place where you can check on and reserve foreign quota train tickets (generally, a few train seats on each train are reserved for foreign tourist travel and if your train is booked full, there’s a chance there may be a seat open if you’re a foreign traveler.  Doors open around 8A or 9A.   Location: Strand Rd, Fairley Place, B B D Bagh, Kolkata. Is a 15-minute walk from the Mullick Ghat flower market .

You can see schedules and book trains and VIP/long-distance buses/flights on your own online, but trains aren’t easy. You’ll need to register with the IRTC and then register at  Make My Trip and link the two accounts together. I can’t remember what type of credit card is accepted; just that a Visa (what I don’t have) is okay.

|All Photos & Videos Copyright ©GRRRLTRAVELER

Read Best things to do in Pelling, Sikkim

Communication: internet and indian sim cards.

A data plan with internet is essential for me as a travel blogger. Many budget guesthouses in Kolkata do not have WiFi and internet cafes are not common. My first day, I went shopping for a place to buy SIM cards. While my hotel was keen to offer advice about getting a SIM from the shop around the corner, it was actually not easy to find. So I went to the official Vodaphone store on Esplanade street. It’s a few blocks from the subway and near a tech mart on the corner.

Read more about Getting an Indian SIM and mobile hotspots, USB internet sticks, etc .

Is Kolkata Safe for Solo Travelers?

There are many things that give Kolkata its charm and character . It’s by far one of my favorite cities, but as I mentioned I was initially intimidated visiting here.

Firstly, while Kolkata has its history with Mother Theresa’s work, you won’t find sick people all around the streets (and no more than you would see in India; India, I’ve noticed can have human anomalies I’ve never seen before like a three-legged calf ). Kolkata is no more or less dirty than any other city in India. It’s well-maintained and I found it more charming than Mumbai  (which actually felt dirty to me) or Delhi . But like any city, sanitize your hands before you eat.

I found Kolkata to be one of the more friendly cities with more gentlemen and less staring. It could be because I’m Pacific Asian and can pass as Tibetan , Sikkimese  or Nepalese , but I still think I come across as a tourist. Touts and scams are not high here. In fact, Kolkata was one of the most laid-back urban Indian cities I’ve traveled to.

With most Indian cities, I’d say for women, to be back to their hotels by around 10 pm (although I have stayed out later for filming).  Indian society as a whole is conservative. There is an idea that gauges a woman’s decency or impropriety, by how late she is out at night.  An Indian woman out on the streets past 11 pm might be considered morally loose, which can be a problem for women returning from work late at night .  For tourists, it’s hit or miss , but generally, Indian men may consider foreign female travelers as more morally loose than their own women.  Keep street smarts about you everywhere you go in general.

Packing Tips for India

Getting around kolkata, from the airport.

It’s best to take the prepaid taxis and book it from the taxi counter inside.  They will give you a ticket which you’ll give the driver.

Note: There is only one ATM inside the airport in arrivals, but there is also a money changer.  If the ATM is down, you might be directed to one outside the airport. Keep in mind, once you leave the airport, you cannot come back in.

Tip: Save time, stress and book a private airport transportation

Types of Transportation in Kolkata

Getting around Kolkata isn’t so difficult. Aside from the standard Ambassador taxis, you can get around using the city bus, tram or metro.

The metro is the easiest and inexpensive way to get around most sightseeing parts of the city. There are places the metro can’t reach that the city bus can, such as Mullick Ghat Flower Market and Howrah Bridge.   If you’re using the bus, ask locals or an officer to help you find one and hail it… sometimes you have to flag it down) or an auto-rickshaw (maybe even a shared one! For intrepid travelers on a budget , keep your eyes peeled for  shared autorickshaws . Used by locals, the shared rickshaw drops passengers along a certain route. Often you’ll notice them waiting around gathering passengers and you can ask if they’re going to your location. The driver won’t leave until he has a full vehicle and locals are typically charged a fraction of the normal cost. Travelers still might pay a tourist price but it’s worth the experience, being squished between Indian passengers as you witness how many can pile into your car.

Read Complete Guide to Transportation in India

You’ll see old blue   cable car trams and these are often headed to the BBD Bagh area , which is known as the government area, where you’ll also see much colonial architecture.

As I mentioned in this list, there are two main train stations — Sealdah Train Station and Howrah Station. Read more on  taking Indian trains and getting a foreign tourist quota .

Book bus and train tickets in advance

Book your Kolkata trip tickets in advance. I used 12GoAsia to book transportation for my Thailand trip .

Where to stay in Kolkata

At the time of research on Booking.com  and countless websites and blogs, many decent budget hotels in Kolkata went around the price range of $14-30. The less central you are, the cheaper it can get. However, one thing to note is accessibility to transportation and city highlights. Hostels aren’t a term  in India, but recently, a hip and boutique hostel chain opened up for modern travelers (wifi available). Note: Service Tax On Room Tariff in Kolkata @ 8.4% for Hotels

Backpackers Park- Affordable hostel with great location. Mixed and women’s dorm facilities, shared kitchen and serves breakfast on the premises.  16 minute walk to the Grand Esplanade Metro station.

Check out more hostels: list of top hostels in Kolkata

Broadway Hotel – This hotel takes you back into time. Kolkata’s oldest hotel since 193t, I stayed here. It was in an ideal location for me, across the street from Chandni Chowk metro station . An old Ambassador-styled hotel with an attendant in the lift, the rooms feel spacious, clean, and comfortable. It can feel very antiquated to some, but it’s part of the interesting charm. You also get the daily Kolkata newspaper delivered to your door. There’s an Art Deco-styled restaurant which tends to be popular with guests and locals.  Front desk receptionists are helpful. Watch my video (below) and read my review .

Midrange Boutique

Calcutta Bungalow   2.1 miles from the city center his two star bed & breakfast has the look and feel more of a 3 star boutique! 9.4 ratings on booking.com, it is adorable! Cute, heritage aesthetic and architecture this hotel transports you back in time. Airport shuttle available for extra fee.

Fairfield by Marriott is 7.5 miles from Sealdah Railway Station and in a great location of New Town. With an 8.5 rating the facilities offer a great value with a budget price! For the price, it’s a steal.

Elgin Fairlawn Kolkata is a private enclave that takes you back in time, with English/Irish breakfasts and a faint taste of the colonial period. Located in the heart of downtown Kolkata. Next to the Indian Museum and a stone’s throw from New Market

 The Grand Oberoi – For those looking for pampering,  The Grand Oberoi is located in the heart of the Esplanade area next to the Indian Museum. If you want to know where celebrities go, you’ve found it. It has its own gated driveway with uniformed valet and bellhops to give you colonial hospitality.

12 Tips to finding Hotels in India

What are your best things to do in kolkata recommendations for this kolkata travel guide, related posts.

How to Eat with your hand in India

5  Essential Travel Tips for India

Tips on Indian Culture

 Staying at Indian Ashrams

Choosing the Right Yoga  School

Note: This post has affiliate links that help me maintain my site. This is at no extra cost to you and I only recommend services I would use. My half-day city of a tour of Kolkata was sponsored by Viator as an effort to help make some of my Kolkata filming possible. As always, my opinions are my own

India Travel Videos: India for Solo Travelers (WATCH THIS BEFORE YOUR TRIP!)

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Best Kolkata Travel Guide for the first timers

Kolkata , West Bengal

Last Updated on: Jan 4, 2023  

Well, what can we say about Kolkata ? It is our hometown, a place that we love dearly. To be honest, only after we became travel bloggers, did we understand the beauty and charm of the “City of Joy” , a sobriquet that is given to Kolkata. Kolkata is rich in heritage and is full of interesting places interspersed in every corner of the city. We have travelled to many places and written about them as well. But somehow, we have not yet written anything about the places to visit in Kolkata. Maybe we were hit by the ‘ hometown syndrome ’! Nevertheless, we have now written this Kolkata Travel Guide that will tell you about the tourist places in Kolkata , special attractions and all the offbeat places that are known only to the locals! This Kolkata Travel Guide is just perfect for your first time visit to the city.

Kolkata is a chaotic city. Not as big as Mumbai or Delhi , the city thrives on its people, culture and past. Calcutta, as it was known earlier was the first British capital before it was shifted to Delhi. The city is almost 300 years old and is an eclectic mix of the splendid decaying past and the promising new future. The British had built some amazing buildings during their heydays and today Kolkata flaunts the colonial-era architecture with pride.

Kolkata or Calcutta is known as the cultural hub of the country. The vibrant city has produced some of the best writers, poets, performing artists and works of literature. Even today, there is no doubt that Kolkata is the hub of all the cultural activity of the country. Kolkata is also a foodie’s paradise. The Bengalis (people of Bengal) love their food and also love to treat their guests with sumptuous dishes. And those who told you that Kolkata food is only about Maach-Bhaat (fish and rice), then they are absolutely wrong.

We can actually go on and on about the place that is so dear to us. But let me just stop here and write about the places to visit in Kolkata, places to eat and other interesting facts about the city. For foreign nationals visiting Kolkata for the first time, the city can give you quite a shock. Kolkata can be quite overwhelming for the first-timers , for that matter, you can say this for any Indian cities. But Kolkata will gradually grow on you. For no reason, the Kolkata is known as the city with a heart! You need to stay here to believe that.

Kolkata Travel Guide | How to reach Kolkata?

Kolkata is located in West Bengal in the eastern part of India. Kolkata has an international airport (Netaji Subhash Chandra International Airport). The distance of Kolkata airport from Esplanade (considered to be almost in the heart of the city) is about 16 km.

Otherwise, Kolkata is well connected with other cities of India by flights all through the day.

India has an extensive railway network and one can travel anywhere in India by train. Kolkata has 3 important railway stations – Howrah, Sealdah and Kolkata Terminus, Howrah Station being the busiest of all. All the three stations are well connected by trains from almost all the parts of India.

I would not suggest travelling by bus, if the distance is more than 200 km. nevertheless, buses are available to Kolkata from the neighbouring towns.

Kolkata Travel Guide | How to get around Kolkata?

Getting around Kolkata is not very difficult. There are plenty of options to move around the city.

Metro: I always suggest Metro as the best mode of transport, but the problem in Kolkata is that the metro line is not yet extensive. It runs only through a particular area, and though it has been extended, it is not enough to cover the entire city. However, new metro lines are being laid. But we are not quite sure when they will be operational. Metros are clean, fast and cheaper mode of transport in Kolkata. Ticket price starts from Rs 10 to Rs.25.

Local Buses: Local buses in Kolkata are a bit of a challenge. Not that you will have a problem communicating, but getting on and off the local buses are a bit tough. However, the government-run AC buses are better in this respect. Local buses are quite a cheap form of transport.

Yellow Taxis, Ola & Uber: Kolkata is also known for its iconic yellow Ambassador taxis. Once they used to be the main form of cab services in the city. And it was always a great deal of excitement for us as children to hop on a yellow taxi and drive around the city. But the yellow taxis do have a bad reputation. If the taxi drivers understand that you are not a local, he will try to extort the maximum fare from you. And this especially happens with foreigners. Be aware, that all these taxis have a meter and you have to pay according to the meter reading.

There are pre-paid taxi counters at Howrah Station, Sealdah Station and Airport from where you can get taxis to anywhere in Kolkata at a prescribed rate. This is a good form of travel, as you do not have to bargain with the taxi driver here.

Finally, there is the Uber and Ola that will take you anywhere in Kolkata.

Rickshaws: For short distances, there are rickshaws that will take you around. Kolkata is the only city that still has hand-pulled rickshaws . But the rickshaw pullers do it voluntarily and it is the sole decision of the rider whether they want to sit on a hand-pulled rickshaw. As a child, I would enjoy these rickshaw rides, but now, hand-pulled rickshaws are a strict no for me.

Local Trains: Kolkata has a local train network that is far more extensive than the metro. They are a cheaper mode of travel and you can travel to almost any part of the city. But a word of caution, the train becomes really crowded during the morning between 9-11 AM and in the evening between 6-9PM. This is the time when mostly office goers commute.

Trams in Kolkata

The Kolkata tram is the oldest operating electric train system in Asia. Once, the trams used to connect every part of the city. But with modern time and faster transport options, trams have almost become redundant. Yet, some tram routes are still working in Kolkata, mainly because it is a part of our heritage. A tram ride in Kolkata is a pleasant experience and you can take a tram ride only to get a feeling of it. I think it is no longer a practical mode of transport.

Kolkata Travel Guide | What is the best time to visit Kolkata?

Kolkata has a tropical climate with warm weather almost all through the year. The city mainly has three types of seasons – summer, monsoon and winter with very small autumn and spring. Summers are quite hot and humid. Monsoons are going to be wet and humid. Winters are cold with clear skies.

The best time to visit Kolkata is between the months of October to March.

October and November: This is the autumn season with clear blue skies and warm weather. Humidity is still there though. This is one of the best time to visit Kolkata as Durga Puja, the largest and craziest festival of the Bengalis are celebrated in October (sometimes it is late September as well).

December to March: December to mid-February is the winter season when the weather remains cold and less humid. This is the best time to visit Kolkata. This is the time when various fairs and festivals are held in Kolkata. Kolkata Book Fair, one of the largest book fairs is held in the month of January.

April to May: These are the summer months and Kolkata is quite hot and humid during this time. Perspiration is the most common difficulty you will face and exploring the city during the day time can be quite taxing.

June to September: Usually the monsoon months, but for the last 2 years, monsoon have been pushed to mid-July. Weather is hot and humid again and rain can play spoilsport in your outdoor plans. But nowadays travellers brave the rain and go out all right. So carry a rainwear or umbrella if you are visiting during this time.

Kolkata Travel Guide | Top Tourist Places to visit in Kolkata

As I said earlier, Kolkata is a mélange of the old and new. A part of the city is the old and decaying one trying to hold on to its past. Here the roads are congested, houses are old and joined to other and there are numerous alleys and boulevards. This part is definitely the older Calcutta. The other part is the swanky modern one with flyovers and malls and modern offices and apartment – the new Kolkata.

Victoria Memorial

One of the most elegant and grand monuments located right in the heart of Kolkata, the Victoria Memorial is a must-visit attraction of Kolkata. The white marble structure is perhaps one of the most opulent structures to be built by the British in Calcutta. Victoria Memorial was built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s 25 years of rule over India. Spread across an area of 64 acres, the white marble structure is surrounded by well-maintained gardens.

Victoria Memorial is one of the favourite destinations of the Kolkatans as well. Come winter, and you will see hundreds of people on the lawns of Victoria Memorial. There is a museum as well that houses a number of antique items.

Timings: The Garden remains open from 5.30 AM to 6.15 PM everyday. The Victoria Memorial Hall (museum remains open between 10AM to 5 PM. The Museum remains closed on Mondays.

Entry Fee: INR 30 for Indians and INR 200 for foreign visitors.

Nearest Metro Station: Maidan Metro

Kalighat Temple

Kalighat Temple is one of the most revered temples of Kolkata and Goddess Kali is considered to be the guardian deity of the city. It is often said that the name of the city has been derived from Kalighat, but this fact is historically inaccurate. Kalighat Temple is believed to be one of the 52 Shakti Peethas of Hinduism. The right foot of Devi Sati fell here while the Rudra Tandava of Lord Shiva.

The idol inside the temple is made of black stone. An interesting feature of the Goddess Kali of Kalighat temple is the long protruding tongue, made of pure gold.

The Kalighat Temple is always busy with devotees flocking down to offer their prayers and seek blessings from the divine Goddess. Be careful of your belongings while you visit the temple. Buy Puja offerings from the vendors only if you wish to pay offerings inside the temple.

Timings: The temple is open from 5 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 10.30 PM

Entry Fee: Nil

Nearest Metro Station: Both Kalighat Metro and Jatin Das Park Metro

Howrah Bridge

The most iconic structure of Kolkata is perhaps the Howrah Bridge. Built across the Hooghly River, it forms the gateway to Kolkata connecting the city to Howrah Station. The Howrah Bridge is said to be the fourth busiest cantilever bridge in the world with thousands of people travelling across the bridge while entering and leaving Kolkata. The bridge is 1528 feet long and 62 feet wide.

If you are coming to Kolkata by train, you might have to cross the Howrah Bridge to enter Kolkata. You can get a great view of the iconic bridge from a boat ride on the Hooghly River.

Dalhousie Square

Kolkata is actually a city of many firsts. It was the first city in India to have a Page 3 newspaper. It was the first city in India to have an authentic Italian restaurant (not your Dominos Pizza and Pizza Huts), the city was the first to have a metro line as well. And many of these firsts bear testimony in the Dalhousie area.

Dalhousie Square area was known as the “White Town” during the British era. After the Battle of Plassey, the British shifted the capital of Bengal to Calcutta and built it with the aim of making it the “Second City of the Empire”. They were successful and it is evident by the presence of a number of colonial architecture in the Dalhousie Square area. Walk by the Raj Bhavan, explore around the GPO, take a peek into the Company stables and rest your feet by the Lal Dighi. You can also visit the St. John’s Church area as well. And while you walk along the area, listen to the interesting tales from the past.

Indian Museum

Indian Museum was founded in 1814 and is the largest and oldest multipurpose museum not only in India but also in the Asia Pacific region. In Kolkata, it is fondly known as “ Jadughar ”. The Museum contains a collection of contemporary as well as old paintings (Mughal paintings are also present), Buddha relics, Egyptian mummies and ancient sculptures. The museum also has a rare collection of antiques, ornaments, fossils and skeletons and many more. Currently, there are 35 galleries in the museum.

Opening Time: Opened on all days of the week except Monday

Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (March to November) and 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM (December to February)

Entry Fee: INR 20 (For Indians) INR 500 (For foreign tourists)

Nearest Metro: Park Street Metro

If you are reading about Kolkata, then you must have heard about the famous Durga Puja of the city. Kumartuli is the place where the Durga idols are made. The place is the residence of the “kumors” or potters who had settled down in the area during the early eighteenth century. Before the Durga Puja (held in October), the lanes and mazes of Kumartuli becomes busy with the idol makers working on their craft. You can visit Kumartuli and see the idol makers working. But be careful as you walk so as not to harm the idols in any way.

Nearest Metro: Sovabazar Metro

Mallick Ghat Flower Market

Just below the Howrah Bridge, the chaotic and loud market of flowers, the Mullick Ghat Flower Market is located. It is the largest flower market of Kolkata and is obviously a photographer’s delight. The market starts at 4 AM in the morning as the flower sellers from the nearby areas pour in with their merchandise – various flowers in this case. The market is overcrowded, dirty and completely chaotic, but this is where you see a colourful and raw Kolkata without any pretensions.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

Just near the Victoria Memorial stands the elegant and beautiful St. Paul’s Cathedral. It is considered to be the first Episcopal Church of the eastern region. The church built in all-white looks majestic and has a beautiful architecture. You can enter the church and sit there quietly for some time. photography is not allowed inside the church.

Nearest Metro: Rabindra Sadan Metro.

Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM

John’s Church

St. John’s Church is one of the oldest churches to be built in Kolkata. It is not only a religious site, but also has immense historical importance. The church is a repository of old historic documents related to Kolkata. The land on which the church was built was initially a burial ground. The garden around the church still has a number of graveyards, the most significant of them being the tomb of Job Charnock, who is believed to be the founder of Kolkata.

Timings: 8AM to 5PM

Location: 2/2, Council House Street. The church is located near Raj Bhavan

Princep Ghat

Princep Ghat or Prinsep Ghat is one of the most beautiful places in Kolkata where you can simply sit and enjoy. Located beside the banks of the Hooghly River, the pristine white structure with the second Hooghly Bridge at the background looks just majestic. The Princep Ghat is one of the best examples of the colonial architecture and one of the grandest monument built to access the riverfront.

You can visit Princep Ghat and sit around the huge lawn surrounding the structure. You can also take a boat ride on the Hooghly River. There is a railway station by the same name, which is a stop for the circular railway in Kolkata.

How to reach: There is no metro station nearby. If you are coming from Howrah, take a ferry ride across the river to reach Princep Ghat. Otherwise, Uber, Ola and the yellow taxi of Kolkata will bring you here from anywhere in Kolkata.

Dakshineswar Temple

Another famous and revered temple of Kolkata, Dakshineswar Kali Temple is one of the oldest in Kolkata. It was founded by Rani Rashmoni in 1855, Ramkrishna Deb, the highly revered religious ascetic used to be the main pandit of Dakshineswar Temple.

Dakshineswar Temple is located about 20 km from central Kolkata at the banks of the Hooghly River. On the opposite bank of the temple is the famous Belur Math. Dakshineswar Temple receives a lot of visitors almost every day. You can visit the Temple and Belur Math together. Ferry services are available from Dakshineswar Ferry Ghat to Belur Math Ghat.

Belur Math is the headquarters of Ramkrishna Math and Mission and represents the idea of Universal faith. The mind behind Belur math was Swami Vivekananda, the famous disciple of Sri Ramkrishna, who had taken the message of Hinduism to the western world. Belur Math is also located on the banks of the Hooghly River and is regarded as “Symphony in architecture” as it combines Hindu, Islamic, Christian and Buddhist architectural elements to symbolize the unity of religion.

Belur Math is quite a serene place where you can spend some time sitting and meditating. The peace in the Belur Math campus would be quite a pleasant experience.

Mother House

The Mother House is the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity that was founded by Mother Teresa. The house served as the Mother’s residence since1953 till her death in 1997. Her body was laid to rest in a tomb inside the house. You can visit the tomb and a small museum displaying her personal belongings.

Location: Ripon Street

Entry Fee: Free.

Botanical Gardens, Shibpur

Botanical Gardens or Acharya Jagadish ChandraBose Indian Botanic Garden is located on the west bank of River Hooghly at Shibpur. The garden covering a huge area of 273 acres was established in 1787. The garden contains about 12000 perennial plants. The main attraction of Botanical Gardens is the colossal banyan tree known as the Great Banyan Tree. This tree forms the second largest canopy in the world. Botanical Garden is like a breath of fresh air near Kolkata. There is a lot of walking to be done here, so wear comfortable shoes.

Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM everyday except Mondays

Entry Fee: INR 10 (for Indians) and INR 200 (for foreigners)

Eco Park, New Town

All these long, I had told you mainly about heritage places in the city. If you want to see the modern Kolkata, then a visit to Eco-park in New Town is a must. Eco Park or Eco-tourism Park is an expansive urban park designed to promote ecotourism in the city. The park has been built across a huge area of 480 acres and has a number of interesting gardens and places.

The most interesting attraction of the Ecopark is the Seven Wonders of the World where replicas of the Seven Wonders of the World are built across the park. There are various gardens like the tea garden, butterfly garden, mask garden, fruit garden, rose garden etc inside the park. A huge water body surrounds the park and boating facilities are also available there. Ecopark is a great place to spend time as well as to get some knowledge about Kolkata and Bengal.

Just near the Gate No.3 at Eco Park stands the Mishti Hub, a novel concept wherein most of the famous sweets shops in Bengal are found under one roof. Here you will get some of the best sweets of Kolkata, all under one roof. This is just the place to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Timings: During summer between 2.30 PM to 8.30 PM. For Sundays and Holidays, the park remains open from 12 PM to 8.30 PM. During the winter season (November – February) between 12 PM to 7.30 PM. For Sundays and Holidays, the park remains open from 11 AM to 8.30 PM. The Park remains closed on Mondays.

Entry Fee: Rs.30 per person. Inside the park, individual activities have individual rates.

Things to do in Kolkata

Where to stay in kolkata.

In Kolkata, you will find hotels of various ranges and types all through the city. A google search on the best places to stay in Kolkata will give you areas near Esplanade and Sudder Street. Infact, Sudder Street is the first choice of most of the foreign tourists visiting in Kolkata.

If you want to stay in the heart of the city where you can see the city in her full form, then stay near Esplanade, Park Street or Sudder Street.

If you want to stay somewhere near the airport, then try for hotels near New Town and Chinar Park.

Kolkata does not have the hostel culture developed yet, but there are a couple of hostels in the city. You can check out Offbeat CCU.

Kolkata Travel Guide | What to eat in Kolkata?

Kolkata is a foodies’ paradise. The Bengalis love their food, be it vegetarian or non-vegetarian. The street food in Kolkata is one of the best. Kolkata food has Bengali cuisine influence all right in its street food and snacks, but you will get food from other regions here as well. Street food of Kolkata includes lip-smacking rolls, phuchkas, bhelpuri, papri chat etc.

While in Kolkata, you must taste the Bengali cuisine. Bengali food is not only about fish and rice, but much more. But it is definitely about sweets and lots of sweet dishes. Bengalis love their sweet treats and no Bengali meal is ever complete without the quintessential rosogolla.

Some of the best places to have Bengali food are:

• Kasturi (our personal favourite)
• 6, Ballygunge Place
• Bhojohori Manna
• Oh! Calcutta
• Mitra Café (only for snacks and treats)

Other well-known restaurants of Kolkata that you might try out

For Biriyani & Kebabs:

• Indian Restaurant at Khidirpore
• Shiraz Golden restaurant

For Chinese

• Mainland China
• Buddha Bites
• Any restaurant at Chinatown in Tangra

Just remember, Chinese in Kolkata is mostly Indianized Chinese that has evolved catering to the taste of local population. You might not get authentic Chinese experience here. But even then, this Chinese version is also just too good!

Continental

• Peter Cat, Park Street (One of my favourites)
• Moulin Rouge, Park Street (I absolutely love the ambience here. This place still has a piano that is played in the evening)
• Mocambo, again at Park Street
• Barbeque Nation

Kolkata Travel Guide | Interesting places to visit near Kolkata 

From Kolkata, you can make a day trip or 2 days trip to a few places like Sunderbans, Shantiniketan and Mandarmani. Each of the places has its own speciality and will be a different experience.

For day trips near Kolkata, you can visit Chandannagore (erstwhile French Town), Bandel Church, Hooghly Imambara and others.

What are the best places for shopping in Kolkata?

Kolkata has a lot of interesting shopping places. Kolkata has different markets for different items. The New Market, Esplanade Market and Gariahat market are shopper’s paradise. You will get clothes, shoes, fashion items, jewellery, food and household items in all these markets.

New Market happens to be one of the most favourite places for Kolkata shoppers even in the times of glitzy malls and high-end shops. As a child, we were told that at New Market, you get almost everything. We still believe in that till date. For all things Bengali and traditional, visit the Dakshinapan Market at Gariahat.

College Street is the market place for book and education items. Again, it was said that if you do not get a book in College Street, perhaps that book never existed. You just need to look for it.

And if you are looking for Malls, then there are South City Mall at Prince Anwar Shah Road, City Centre at Salt Lake, City Centre II at New Town, Acropolis near Ruby etc.

Kolkata Travel Guide (FAQs answered)

Q. How many days are required?

The number of days depends on what you would like to do in the city. Usually Kolkata serves as a stop for travellers before travelling further to Darjeeling and northeast India. Minimum of 2 days are required to explore Kolkata and cover the important places to visit in Kolkata.

Q. How is the mobile connectivity and Internet?

Kolkata is the capital city of West Bengal and has proper mobile and internet connectivity.

If you are a foreign toursit arriving at Kolkata and looking for a Sim Card, you can check Sims Direct .

Q. Is Kolkata expensive?

Well, Kolkata can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be. Generally, Kolkata is not an expensive city to live. You can probably break the cost of your travel in Kolkata in the following way:

Accommodation: This cost is as per your choice. You will get rooms at hotels at as low as Rs500 while there are expensive 5-star properties as well. In general, the cost of accommodation can be between Rs1500 to Rs3000 for a good budget hotel.

Food: Food can be quite cheap here. Within Rs500 you will get all the three meals and more.

Transport: Public Transport is cheap in Kolkata compared to other Indian metros. If you can travel by public transport, then you can reduce your cost to a considerable amount.

Q. What about the nightlife in Kolkata?

It might not be as happening as in Mumbai, but Kolkata has an active nightlife. There are some amazing bars, pubs, clubs and lounges that are hosts to the thriving party scene of the city. Most of the nightlife in Kolkata is concentrated in the Park Street area. If I had to name a few, then they would be:

• Someplace Else , Park Street – one of the most famous pubs in the city
• Roxy , Park Street – upscale cocktail bar
• Shisha Bar , Camac Street
• Tantra , Park Street – stylish lounge
• Nocturne , Theatre Road – Nightclub

And yes, Kolkata is absolutely safe at night. I have travelled after midnight in the city without any problem.

A few things you should be aware of while visiting Kolkata

• Please be wary of over-friendly taxi drivers on your arrival, be at the airport or railway station. I am not saying that they are bad person, but they will usually try to extort a larger amount for taxi fare, more so if you are a foreign tourist. I would suggest you go to the prepaid counter at the airport or railway station and take a taxi to your hotel or accommodation. At other times, ask the yellow taxi drivers to go by the meter.
• Be easy about the street food you eat. You might get a stomach problem if you are not careful.
• Also, watch out for the water you drink. Don’t just drink water from anywhere, especially tap waters.

There are lots more things to do in Kolkata, a lot more places to visit. This Kolkata Travel Guide is designed for first-timers in the city which will help you get acquainted with the city. If you are visiting Kolkata and have any questions, please feel free to ask us in your comments or just send us a mail.

Pin this for a later read!

Agni Amrita

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28 comments.

Hoping to go to this city soon, came across your site while looking up details. Helpful and lots of info, thanks so much !

A must visit place in Kolkata, the collection is huge and it will take 1-2hr to see all the sections properly. They also exhibit different art, paintings, photographs, and other collectibles from time to time. Please watch my presentation on the archeological section of Kolkata Museum

Thank you for mentioning about your collection here. Hope you will have more visitors.

Kolkata is my Favourite place i was born in kolkata thank you for sharing this lovely blog

Thank you Rahul!

Great blog and very interesting information. Do you have any good recomendation for hotels around “Esplanade, Park Street or Sudder Street”, for a Solo travellers where luxary is not a requirement

Very Nice explanation . Can I get any pdf version of this guide details?

Sure. How do I send it?

This is a great post. One of my favorites was being respecful with the culture. I always love being totally present in the moment and be aware of what I’m living.

Very great content. Nice reading this blog.

Very good explanation of every topic .It describe the culture and life style of kolkata.

The post is informative. You explain every traveling guideline in an informative manner.

Thank you so much.

You well explain. Very useful information. This information make my journey easy.

Good blog with genuine information. Thanks for writing.

Thanks for sharing this valuable information. I am planning to visit kolkata in next navratri. This info would help me a lot

Dear Team Excellent report. My heartfelt thanks to you. I am planning to visit Kolkatta next month with my daughter for about 4 days. Now i have a good idea to plan my trip. Thank you once again.

Regards Ram

Hello Ram! Thank you so much for stopping by our blog. Hope you have a great time in Kolkata with your daughter. And do let us know how your trip went

It’s very helpful to learn in advance about the best behavior at the place you plan to visit. Thanks for the great tips and useful advice.

Thank you so much!

Lots of hard work done. Great Job!

You have done a good job. Travellers will find your blog very useful. Keep on doing Best wishes

Thank you so much! Glad that you liked it!

It was nice reading your blog. Marvelous work!. A blog is brilliantly written and provides all necessary information. Thanks for sharing this useful post with us.

Thank you for your kind words.

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Kolkata Tourism

• Travel Guide
• Kolkata Travel Guide

The city is known for its colonial architecture, cultural festivals, and delicious street food. Kolkata tourism is popular with visitors from all over the world. Some of the famous tourist places in Kolkata are the Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, Dakshineswar Kali Temple, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Indian Museum. These places provide a glimpse into Kolkata's rich history, culture, and religious diversity.

Kolkata tourism also offers a glimpse into the city's rich cultural heritage. The city is home to numerous art galleries and museums, including the Indian Museum and the Birla Industrial and Technological Museum. The annual Kolkata Book Fair is also a major attraction for book lovers from all over the world.

Popular Kolkata Tour Packages

History of Kolkata

Kolkata, a city in the eastern part of India and the capital of West Bengal, was formerly known as Calcutta. It has a vibrant atmosphere and is home to a diverse population. With its large metropolitan area, Kolkata ranks as the third most populous city in India. It is a significant hub for commerce, culture, and education, attracting people from all over the country. Kolkata boasts a rich history, having served as the center of the British East India Company's reign in India until 1911.

Apart from its tourist attractions, Kolkata is also famous for its literature, music, and cinema. The city has produced some of the greatest literary minds in the country, including Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, and Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. Kolkata's music scene is also thriving, with famous classical musicians like Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan hailing from the city. Kolkata is also known for its contribution to Indian cinema, with the famous Tollywood film industry based in the city.

Kolkata is a city that offers a unique blend of old-world charm and modernity. It is a bustling metropolis with a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere. The city's food, art, and culture are a reflection of its people, who are warm, hospitable, and always ready to welcome visitors with open arms.

Best Time to Visit Of Kolkata

The best time to visit Kolkata is during the winter months from October to March. The temperature during these months ranges from 9°C to 26°C, making it comfortable for tourists to explore the city. This is also the peak tourist season in Kolkata, so expect to see a lot of crowds and higher hotel rates.

There's plenty to do and see, especially during this time. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the city's sights, indulge in its street food culture, and soak up the lively atmosphere. You won't want to miss out on some of the city's top tourist spots, such as the impressive Victoria Memorial, the iconic Howrah Bridge, the serene Dakshineswar Kali Temple, and the historic St. Paul's Cathedral. These are all must-see destinations for any tourist visiting Kolkata.

Kolkata also hosts several festivals during this time, including Durga Puja, which is the biggest festival in Kolkata. The city comes alive during this festival, and tourists can witness the grand pandal decorations and immerse themselves in the festive spirit.

However, if you prefer to avoid the crowds and the higher hotel rates, the monsoon season from June to September is another good time to visit Kolkata. The city receives moderate rainfall during this time, and the temperature is relatively cooler. It is also an excellent time to experience the city's lush greenery and enjoy the indoor attractions.

How to Reach Kolkata:

The most convenient way to reach Kolkata is by air. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is the main airport serving the city, and it is well-connected to major cities in India and abroad. From the airport, you can take a taxi, or bus or hire a car to reach your destination.

If you happen to be someone who enjoys traveling by train, Kolkata has got you covered with two major railway stations- Howrah and Sealdah. These stations have great connectivity to many major cities in India. Not just that, if you're looking to travel to neighboring countries such as Bangladesh or Nepal, you'll be happy to know that Kolkata also offers train services to these locations.

Another way to reach Kolkata is by road. National Highway 12 and National Highway 16 connect Kolkata to major cities in India. You can either take a bus or hire a private car to travel to Kolkata.

Once you reach Kolkata, you can explore its tourist places by using public transportation, such as the metro, buses, and taxis. The Kolkata Metro is the easiest and fastest way to travel around the city. It is also an experience in itself as it is the first underground metro railway in India.

Places to Visit Kolkata

1. Victoria Memorial :  One of the most popular tourist places in Kolkata, the Victoria Memorial is a magnificent white marble building that was built in memory of Queen Victoria. The museum inside the memorial showcases a rich collection of art and artifacts from the British era. 2. Howrah Bridge :  Another iconic landmark in Kolkata, the Howrah Bridge is a cantilever bridge that connects Kolkata to the neighboring town of Howrah. The bridge is one of the busiest in the world, with more than 100,000 vehicles and pedestrians crossing it every day. 3. Dakshineswar Kali Temple :  The Dakshineswar Kali Temple is one of the most revered places of worship in Kolkata. Built-in the 19th century, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali and attracts thousands of devotees every day. 4. St. Paul's Cathedral :  St. Paul's Cathedral is an exquisite Anglican cathedral nestled in the center of Kolkata. Its construction dates back to the 19th century, and it stands as a prime example of Gothic architecture. As a result, it has become a well-known tourist hotspot in the area. 5. Indian Museum :  This museum is not only the largest in India, but it's also the oldest. You can find an impressive collection of artifacts, such as fossils, mummies, paintings, and sculptures. It's truly a treasure trove of history and culture, waiting to be explored. 6. Birla Planetarium :  The Birla Planetarium is a popular attraction for those interested in astronomy and space. The planetarium features a dome-shaped screen where visitors can watch fascinating shows about the universe. 7. Mother House :  The Mother House is a place of worship and pilgrimage for followers of Mother Teresa. The house also houses a museum dedicated to the life and work of the Nobel laureate.

Kolkata Tourism is growing rapidly, and there are many other places to visit in Kolkata that you can explore. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or just someone looking for an adventure, Kolkata has something to offer everyone.

Things to Do Kolkata

Kolkata is a city full of life and energy that offers a diverse range of experiences to its visitors.

1. Explore the Culture :  Kolkata is known for its rich cultural heritage, and exploring it should be at the top of your list. Attend a cultural event or visit a museum to delve deeper into the city's history. 2. Enjoy the Food :  Kolkata is famous for its delicious cuisine, and trying the local street food is a must-do. From phuchka to kathi rolls, the city has a wide variety of tasty dishes to offer. 3. Take a Walk :  Walking at a leisurely pace, you can soak in the city's vibrant culture and explore its many hidden gems. For a peaceful experience, take a stroll along the banks of the Hooghly River or through the charming streets of North Kolkata. This way, you can truly appreciate the unique beauty and character of the city. 4. Witness the Art :  Kolkata has a thriving art scene, and visiting an art gallery or attending an exhibition is a great way to experience it. The city is also known for its street art, which can be found on various corners of the city. 5. Attend a Festival :  Kolkata is a city that celebrates its festivals with great enthusiasm. From Durga Puja to Holi, attending a festival is a unique experience that should not be missed. 6. Shop Till You Drop :  If you're looking for a shopping experience that caters to all tastes, then Kolkata is the place to be. This vibrant city boasts an array of markets and malls that are stocked with an impressive range of products. Whether you're in the market for authentic handicrafts or the latest fashion trends, Kolkata has something to offer every shopper. 7. Explore the Nightlife :  Kolkata has a vibrant nightlife scene, and experiencing it is a must-do. From rooftop bars to underground clubs, the city has a variety of options for a fun night out.

These are just a few of the many things to do in Kolkata. Kolkata travel guide is an experience that is sure to leave you with lasting memories.

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01 Why is Kolkata famous for tourism?

Kolkata, the cultural capital of India, is famous for its rich history, vibrant culture, delicious food, and colonial architecture. The city has a charm that attracts travelers from across the world. Kolkata is home to several iconic landmarks, including Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, and St. Paul's Cathedral, which add to its allure.

02 What are the famous places to see in Kolkata?

Kolkata has a rich cultural heritage, and there are several tourist places in Kolkata that are worth exploring. Some of the famous places to see in Kolkata are:

• Victoria Memorial
• Howrah Bridge
• Dakshineswar Kali Temple
• St. Paul's Cathedral
• Fort William
• Indian Museum
• Birla Planetarium
• Marble Palace
• Science City
• Kalighat Temple

03 What are the top things to do while visiting Kolkata?

If you're curious about the best things to do in Kolkata, you'll be pleased to know that there's a wide range of options available to keep you thoroughly entertained and engaged. Regardless of whether you're an aficionado of history, a lover of all things culinary, or simply seeking a new adventure, Kolkata offers something to pique your interest. Here are a few of the most outstanding activities that you might want to consider exploring:

• Take a walk through the narrow lanes of North Kolkata and explore the colonial architecture.
• Visit Dakshineswar Kali Temple and Kalighat Temple to experience the spiritual side of Kolkata.
• Take a boat ride on the Hooghly River and enjoy the scenic views of the city.
• Try the street food in Kolkata, including puchkas, jhal muri, and mishti doi.
• Attend a cultural program or a play at one of Kolkata's iconic theaters, including Rabindra Sadan and the Academy of Fine Arts.
• Visit the Indian Museum and explore the rich history and culture of India.
• Watch a cricket match at Eden Gardens, one of the oldest and most iconic cricket stadiums in the world.

04 Where to stay in Kolkata for tourism?

Kolkata has a range of accommodation options for tourists, including budget hotels, luxury hotels, and homestays. Some of the popular areas to stay in Kolkata for tourism are Park Street, Esplanade, and Salt Lake City. These areas are centrally located and have easy access to the major tourist places in Kolkata.

05 How to reach Kolkata for tourism?

Kolkata boasts excellent connectivity with major cities both within India and overseas. The city proudly hosts the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, which enjoys good connectivity with other major cities in India and abroad. Additionally, Kolkata also houses two major railway stations, namely Howrah and Sealdah, which connect seamlessly with other cities across India. For local travel within the city, one can avail of buses and taxis that are easily accessible.

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A Simple Kolkata Travel Guide to experience the Treasures of Kolkata

Kolkata is one of the most cosmopolitan cities of India that needs to be included in your bucket list of Indian cities to visit. Kolkata, the bustling capital of the eastern state of West Bengal in India is best known among tourists for the great engineering marvel-Howrah Bridge that connects the twin cities of Howrah and Kolkata.

The Howrah Bridge is undeniably the numero uno of all the attractions in Kolkata but there is so much more to Kolkata than just the Howrah Bridge. Have your eyes glued to our little travel guide to Kolkata to gain a good insight into the city of joy, covering aspects like the best landmarks to visit, best restaurants for fine dining, and other useful travel information related to Kolkata.

What is Kolkata best known for?

Besides the Howrah Bridge, Kolkata is famous on the international radar for its delectable Bengali cuisine, Bengali sweets, Bengali Sarees, and most revered personalities including Rabindranath Tagore, Mother Teresa and the noble laureate Amartya Sen. The slogan of Kolkata Tourism is “City of Joy” and it truly lives up to it.

Historical facts about Kolkata, India

Interestingly, some of the historical facts about Kolkata are also the lesser known facts of Kolkata and are sure to amaze you- The British made Kolkata the center for the colonial rule in India that lasted for 200 years, Kolkata was the capital of India between the years 1772 to 1911 under the British rule and was also the capital of Bangladesh between the years 1912 to 1947.

Kolkata Highlights

There are plenty of things to do in Kolkata. From the popular Tram rides to sacred landmarks like Dakshineshwar Kali Temple to street food vendors selling authentic Bengali food, there is no dearth of attractions in the city of joy. Here’s our list of things to do in Kolkata.

• The Howrah Bridge over West Bengal’s Hooghly River is the pride of Kolkata and no trip to Kolkata is complete without exploring the Howrah Bridge
• The Victoria Memorial Palace, built in the honor of the iconic Queen Victoria is worth gazing at for its beautiful architecture
• Mother Teresa House is something that can’t be missed during a Kolkata tour. The tomb draws huge crowds every month and one can even get to see the bed used by the famous personality
• The Indian Museum  is India’s first and largest museum and is worth touring for getting glimpses of the rich antiques that speak about the culture and history of India from the pre-historic period
• Tram rides on the roads of Kolkata are truly fascinating. Explore the city of joy using a tram for a different Kolkata experience.
• Birla Planetarium tops the list of attractions for kids in Kolkata. Spend some quality time with family at the planetarium to gaze at the artificial video simulations of the night sky along with the stars and other heavenly bodies of the universe
• Dakshineshwar Kali Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in the city of joy dedicated to Goddess Kali. Take a temple tour of this renowned holy site to seek the blessings of Kali
• Princep Ghat is a must-visit for getting gorgeous sights of the sunsets during the dusk

Gastronomy in Kolkata

There is no better way to experience a new place than tasting its delicious local foods. The Bengali cuisine is characterized by a sweet taste through the use of sweet spices like dry fruits and this is strong a Persian influence from the Mughal kings who once ruled Kolkata. The Delish local foods of Kolkata are endless but the must-tastes are

• Kathi roll of Kolkata- a flattened dough made of wheat that is heated on both sides with some oil on a pan and rolled with a stuffing of either cooked vegetables or cooked diced chicken along with some freshly prepared seasoning
• Rasagulla- a signature-style desert from Kolkata.

Our top picks for the best Bengali and Indian food joints are Kusum Rolls, Bhojohori Manna, and Sher-e-Punjab. For street food in Kolkata , we suggest visiting Deckers Lane and New Market which are filled with street stalls selling all kinds of Bengali delicacies at throw-away prices. No trip to Kolkata is complete without tasting the local foods of Bengal.

Reaching Kolkata

While there are many ways to reach Kolkata for the locales including the popular bus, train and private car modes, we highly recommend taking a flight to Kolkata which simplifies the accessibility of Kolkata for people from far-off places. International travellers from the United States can have their cheap flights to Kolkata booked on Indian Eagle . If you are flying to Kolkata, you will be landing at Netaji Subash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) located at Dum Dum in West Bengal, about 17 km from the city center of Kolkata.

Suggested Read: Best Time to Visit Kolkata: The Cultural Capital of India

How to get around Kolkata

Kolkata has good road connectivity backed by excellent public transportation modes of bus, taxi, metro, autos, and trams. You could also hire a private car or a bicycle to get around the city to bring out the adventurer in you. We highly recommend using a combination of all the modes for getting the best of everything. Taxis in Kolkata are the classic Ambassador cars like in Mumbai city and they are all metered-taxis and usually, in most cases, the taxi drivers in Kolkata very rarely turn the meters on and they try to charge customers exorbitant amounts for the rides. A better alternative to taxis is using the Ola and Uber cab rides which are a lot cheaper and can only be pre-booked from the respective Apps through the mobile phones linked to a local number.

Now that you have read our travel guide to Kolkata , it’s about time you planned for a trip to Kolkata to get mesmerized by its attractions. Just in case you have an emergency travel plan to Kolkata, don’t fret, Indian Eagle also offers cheap last-minute flights to Kolkata at affordable fares.

– Travel Diary

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Exploring Kolkata: Must-Visit Tourist Places in the City of Joy

Explore Kolkata’s diverse and vibrant attractions—it’s a city that never stops enchanting its visitors! #KolkataTourism #CityOfJoy 🌆😊

Are you ready for an enchanting journey through the cultural heart of India? Welcome to Kolkata, where history, art, and tradition come alive in every corner. Join us as we explore the top tourist places that make this city truly extraordinary.

Kolkata’s rich history, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality make it a unique destination for travelers. Whether you’re interested in history, art, food, or simply soaking in the city’s ambiance, Kolkata has something to offer for everyone.

Here are the most tourist attractions must visit in Kolkata:

Table of Contents

1. Victoria Memorial :

Victoria Memorial, a masterpiece in marble, stands as a testament to Kolkata’s royal heritage. Get ready to be transported to a bygone era! 🏛️✨ #KolkataDiaries #Heritage

• Historical Landmark: Victoria Memorial is an iconic historical monument located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It was built in honor of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
• Architectural Marvel: The memorial is a stunning example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, combining elements of British and Mughal styles.
• Built in 1921: The foundation stone of the Victoria Memorial was laid in 1906, and the memorial was inaugurated in 1921. It was funded by the people of Bengal.
• Museum and Art Gallery: The memorial houses a museum and art gallery that showcases a vast collection of art, sculptures, and historical artifacts from the colonial era. It offers insights into the history and culture of India during the British Raj.
• Exquisite Gardens: The memorial is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, adding to its charm. The gardens are a popular spot for picnics and leisurely walks.
• Light and Sound Show: Victoria Memorial offers a captivating light and sound show in the evenings, narrating the history of Kolkata and the British era. It’s a must-see for visitors.
• Central Dome: The central dome of the memorial is a prominent feature, and its height and grandeur make it visible from various parts of the city.
• Historical Significance: The memorial is not only a tribute to Queen Victoria but also a symbol of the cultural heritage and historical significance of Kolkata.
• Cultural Events: Various cultural events, exhibitions, and seminars are held at Victoria Memorial, making it a hub for intellectual and artistic activities.
• Visitor’s Center: There’s a visitor’s center with informative displays about the memorial’s history, architecture, and the period it represents.
• Accessibility: Victoria Memorial is centrally located in Kolkata, making it easily accessible by public transportation and a popular stop for tourists exploring the city.
• Photographer’s Paradise: The stunning architecture and picturesque surroundings make Victoria Memorial a favorite spot for photographers.

2. Howrah Bridge:

From Howrah Bridge, the iconic symbol of Kolkata, the view of the Hooghly River at sunset is nothing short of mesmerizing. 🌉🌅 #HowrahBridge #KolkataViews

• Iconic Landmark: The Howrah Bridge, officially known as the Rabindra Setu, is one of Kolkata’s most iconic landmarks and a symbol of the city.
• Historical Significance: It holds immense historical significance, as it was completed in 1943 during World War II, replacing a pontoon bridge. It was named after Rabindranath Tagore, the renowned Bengali poet, and Nobel laureate.
• Architectural Marvel: The Howrah Bridge is a cantilever truss bridge and was one of the first such bridges in India. Its design combines both aesthetic appeal and engineering excellence.
• Strategic Location: It spans over the Hooghly River, connecting the city of Kolkata to the district of Howrah. It serves as a vital transportation link for both pedestrians and vehicles, including trains.
• No Nuts and Bolts: Remarkably, the Howrah Bridge was constructed without any nuts or bolts; instead, it uses rivets to hold the structure together.
• Lifeline of Kolkata: The bridge is often referred to as the “lifeline of Kolkata” because of its pivotal role in connecting the two sides of the city, which are divided by the Hooghly River.
• 24/7 Accessibility: The Howrah Bridge is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it’s one of the busiest bridges in the world in terms of daily traffic.
• Spectacular Views: The bridge offers spectacular views of the Hooghly River and the Kolkata skyline, especially during sunrise and sunset. It’s a popular spot for photography and sightseeing.
• Pedestrian Path: The bridge has a dedicated walkway for pedestrians, allowing them to take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the scenic beauty of the river.
• Cultural Significance: It is often featured in Bollywood and Tollywood (Bengali film industry) movies, making it a cultural icon in addition to its architectural importance.
• Annual Celebrations: Every year, on December 26th, the anniversary of the bridge’s inauguration is celebrated with various events and activities.
• Engineering Feat: At the time of its construction, the Howrah Bridge was the third-longest cantilever bridge in the world, showcasing India’s engineering prowess.

3. Indian Museum:

The Indian Museum is a treasure trove of knowledge, showcasing centuries of art, culture, and history under one roof. 🏺🎨 #IndianMuseum #Artifacts

• Oldest Museum in India: The Indian Museum, established in 1814, is the oldest museum in India and one of the oldest in Asia.
• Location: It is located in Kolkata, West Bengal, and is situated near the intersection of Chowringhee Road and Sudder Street, making it easily accessible.
• Architectural Beauty: The museum’s architectural style is a blend of Indian and British designs, reflecting the Indo-Saracenic architectural style popular during the British colonial era.
• Collections: The Indian Museum boasts an extensive and diverse collection of over 100,000 artifacts, including art, sculptures, manuscripts, fossils, and more.
• Galleries: It has several galleries dedicated to different categories of artifacts, including archaeology, art, anthropology, geology, zoology, and botany. Each gallery provides a comprehensive view of India’s cultural and natural heritage.
• The Egyptian Mummy: One of its most famous exhibits is the Egyptian mummy, which draws visitors from around the world. It is one of the few museums in India to house such an artifact.
• Bharhut and Sanchi Stupas: The museum has a remarkable collection of sculptures and artifacts from the famous Buddhist sites of Bharhut and Sanchi, shedding light on India’s ancient Buddhist heritage.
• Prehistoric Artifacts: It also houses prehistoric artifacts, including tools, pottery, and fossils, offering insights into India’s ancient history.
• Coin Gallery: The museum’s coin gallery is particularly noteworthy, showcasing a vast collection of ancient and historical coins from various periods.
• Educational Programs: The Indian Museum conducts educational programs, workshops, and exhibitions to promote awareness and understanding of Indian history and culture.
• Renovation: The museum has undergone renovations and modernization to enhance visitor experiences and preserve its valuable collection.
• Cultural Heritage: It plays a crucial role in preserving and showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage and history.
• Visitor Experience: The museum provides an engaging and informative experience for visitors of all ages, making it a must-visit destination for history and art enthusiasts.

4. Dakshineswar Kali Temple:

Seeking spiritual solace? Dakshineswar Kali Temple, nestled by the river, is a serene haven for devotees and seekers alike. 🙏🌊 #KaliTemple #Spirituality

• Location: Dakshineswar Kali Temple is situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, in the Dakshineswar area of Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
• Dedication: The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali, a powerful and revered deity in Hinduism. It is one of the most important Kali temples in India.
• Founder: The temple was built by Rani Rashmoni, a philanthropist and devotee of Goddess Kali, in 1855. It was designed by the architect Janakinath Mullick.
• Architectural Style: The temple’s architectural style is primarily of the traditional Bengali “Navaratna” temple design, featuring nine spires or towers.
• Goddess Kali: The main deity of the temple is a magnificent idol of Goddess Kali. She is depicted in her fearsome form, adorned with a garland of skulls and a protruding tongue.
• River Ghat: The temple complex includes a ghat (steps leading to the river) on the Hooghly River, where devotees can take holy dips and offer prayers.
• Pilgrimage Site: Dakshineswar Kali Temple is a significant pilgrimage site for devotees of Goddess Kali and attracts thousands of worshippers and tourists throughout the year.
• Rani Rashmoni’s Legacy: Rani Rashmoni’s contributions to the temple and her dedication to the goddess are celebrated, and her shrine is part of the temple complex.
• Ramakrishna Paramahamsa: The temple is closely associated with the famous 19th-century mystic and saint, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who served as the temple priest for a significant portion of his life. His room, where he lived and meditated, is preserved within the temple complex.
• Spiritual and Cultural Hub: Beyond its religious significance, Dakshineswar Kali Temple is a center for spiritual and cultural activities, including regular devotional music and dance performances.
• Festivals: The temple celebrates various Hindu festivals with great enthusiasm, including Kali Puja, Durga Puja, and Diwali, attracting large gatherings of devotees.
• Visiting Hours: The temple is open to visitors during specific hours, and it’s advisable to check the timings before planning a visit.
• Aesthetic Beauty: The serene surroundings, exquisite architecture, and spiritual ambiance of Dakshineswar Kali Temple make it a tranquil and visually appealing place to visit.
• Heritage Preservation: The temple complex has undergone restoration and conservation efforts to preserve its historical and architectural significance.

5. Park Street:

Park Street is where Kolkata’s heart beats the loudest. Explore a world of culinary delights and vibrant nightlife! 🍽️🎶 #ParkStreetVibes #FoodieHeaven

• Location: Park Street, also known as Park Street Avenue, is a famous thoroughfare located in the heart of Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
• Historical Significance: Park Street has a rich historical legacy dating back to the British colonial era when it was one of the main streets for leisure and entertainment.
• Cultural Hub: Often referred to as the “Food Street of Kolkata,” Park Street is renowned for its vibrant culinary scene and nightlife, making it a cultural and entertainment hub.
• Restaurants and Cafes: Park Street is home to a plethora of restaurants, cafes, and eateries serving a wide variety of cuisines, from traditional Bengali dishes to international delicacies.
• Iconic Eateries: The street is famous for iconic establishments like Flurys, Peter Cat, and Mocambo, known for their delicious food and historic charm.
• Nightlife: As the sun sets, Park Street comes alive with pubs, bars, and nightclubs that offer music, dancing, and a lively atmosphere.
• Shopping: Park Street offers shopping opportunities, including boutiques, bookstores, and souvenir shops.
• Landmarks: It is home to several iconic landmarks, including St. Xavier’s College, Asiatic Society, and South Park Street Cemetery.
• Festivals: During festivals like Christmas and New Year’s Eve, Park Street is beautifully decorated with lights and becomes a major attraction for celebrations.
• Music and Arts: The street has a rich musical and artistic heritage and is known for hosting live music performances and art exhibitions.
• Accessibility: Park Street is easily accessible by public transportation, including buses and the Kolkata Metro.
• Historic Architecture: It features colonial-era architecture, with buildings that showcase a blend of British and Indian architectural styles.
• All-Year Attraction: Park Street is a year-round attraction, offering something for everyone, whether you’re a food enthusiast, music lover, or simply looking for a vibrant atmosphere.
• Local Culture: It provides a glimpse into the local culture and lifestyle of Kolkata, making it a must-visit destination for tourists and residents alike.

6. Shantiniketan:

Shantiniketan, just a few hours away, is a tranquil escape into Tagore’s world of creativity and tranquility. 🌳📚 #Shantiniketan #TagoresLegacy

• Location: Shantiniketan is a small town located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, known for its serene and tranquil environment.
• Foundation: Shantiniketan was founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in 1901. He established an open-air school here, later developing it into Visva Bharati University.
• Visva Bharati University: The town is home to Visva Bharati University, a renowned institution that blends Indian and Western educational philosophies. It promotes education, art, and culture.
• Rabindranath Tagore: Shantiniketan is closely associated with Rabindranath Tagore, who wrote many of his literary works here. His former residence, “Uttarayan,” is now a museum showcasing his life and works.
• Cultural Hub: Shantiniketan is a cultural hub known for its artistic and literary heritage. It hosts various cultural events, including the famous Poush Mela and Rabindra Jayanti celebrations.
• Art and Craft: The town is known for its vibrant art and craft traditions, including music, dance, pottery, and textiles. The Kala Bhavana, an art college within Visva Bharati University, is a center for artistic pursuits.
• Surrounding Nature: Shantiniketan is surrounded by natural beauty, including dense forests, gardens, and water bodies. The presence of the Kopai River adds to the town’s charm.
• Ashram Complex: Shantiniketan has an ashram complex called “Santiniketan Ashram,” where Tagore’s vision of education and spirituality is celebrated. It’s a place for meditation and reflection.
• Rabindra Bhavan: Rabindra Bhavan is a cultural center and repository of Tagore’s literary works, paintings, and manuscripts. It plays a crucial role in preserving Tagore’s legacy.
• Educational Excellence: Visva Bharati University offers courses in various disciplines, attracting students and scholars from across the country and the world.
• Bolpur: Shantiniketan is often accessed via Bolpur, a nearby town with a railway station. Bolpur serves as a gateway to Shantiniketan for travelers.
• Tourist Attraction: Shantiniketan is a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors interested in art, culture, spirituality, and the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore.
• Tagore’s Vision: Shantiniketan reflects Tagore’s vision of a holistic education system that harmonizes nature, culture, and spirituality.

7. Science City:

Discover the wonders of science at Science City Kolkata, where fun and learning go hand in hand. 🚀🔬 #ScienceCity #LearningIsFun

• Location: Science City is located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, and is a prominent science and technology center in the region.
• Inauguration: It was inaugurated on July 1, 1997, and has since become a popular destination for both education and entertainment.
• Objective: Science City was established with the aim of promoting scientific knowledge and fostering scientific temper among the public, especially young people.
• Architecture: The complex features a unique and futuristic architectural design with modern facilities, making it a visually appealing attraction.
• Interactive Exhibits: Science City offers a wide range of interactive exhibits and hands-on activities across various scientific disciplines, including physics, biology, astronomy, and more.
• Space Odyssey: One of the main attractions within Science City is the Space Odyssey, which includes a Space Theater with a dome-shaped screen for immersive space shows.
• Evolution Park: The Evolution Park is an outdoor area that presents the evolution of life on Earth through life-sized dinosaur models and other exhibits.
• Earth Exploration Hall: This hall explores the geology and natural resources of our planet, providing insight into Earth’s processes and history.
• Science Shows: Science City regularly hosts science shows, demonstrations, and workshops to engage and educate visitors of all ages.
• 3D Vision Theater: It features a 3D Vision Theater where visitors can experience 3D movies related to science and nature.
• Astronomical Observatory: Science City has an astronomical observatory with telescopes for observing celestial objects, making it a great place for astronomy enthusiasts.
• Convention Center: The complex also includes a convention center that hosts scientific conferences, seminars, and educational events.
• Educational Programs: Science City offers educational programs for schools and students, promoting scientific curiosity and learning.
• Botanical Garden: Adjacent to Science City, there is a botanical garden with a wide variety of plant species, providing a peaceful and green space for visitors.
• Planetarium: The Birla Planetarium is located nearby and is often visited in conjunction with Science City for a comprehensive science experience.
• Visitor Amenities: Science City has facilities like cafeterias, souvenir shops, and parking areas to enhance the visitor experience.
• Accessibility: It is easily accessible by public transportation, including buses and the Kolkata Metro.

8. Birla Mandir:

• Location: The Birla Mandir is situated on Asutosh Chowdhury Avenue, near Ballygunge, in Kolkata. It is easily accessible from various parts of the city.
• Architectural Style: The temple is built in the traditional Orissan style of architecture. It features intricately carved stonework, ornate spires, and beautiful sculptures.
• Dedication: The Birla Mandir is dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narayan, a form of Lord Vishnu (Narayan) and Goddess Lakshmi (the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity).
• Construction: The temple was built by the Birla family, a prominent industrialist family in India. It was constructed in the 1970s and is made of white marble.
• Inner Sanctum: The temple houses idols of Lord Lakshmi Narayan, along with other deities such as Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga, Lord Krishna, and Lord Ganesha.
• Idol: The main deity, Lord Lakshmi Narayan, is adorned with intricate jewelry and garments, making the idol visually stunning.
• Beautiful Surroundings: The temple is set in a lush garden with well-maintained landscaping, adding to its serene ambiance.
• Visitors: Birla Mandir is open to visitors of all religions, and it is a popular attraction for both tourists and devotees.
• Religious Activities: Regular religious ceremonies, pujas, and aarti (rituals) are performed at the temple, making it a place of worship and spirituality.
• Festivals: The temple celebrates Hindu festivals with great enthusiasm, particularly during Diwali and Janmashtami.
• Photography: The temple’s stunning architecture and surroundings make it a popular spot for photography enthusiasts.
• Peaceful Atmosphere: Visitors often describe the Birla Mandir as a place of tranquility and spiritual solace amidst the hustle and bustle of Kolkata.
• Panoramic View: The temple offers a panoramic view of the city from its terrace, making it a great spot for enjoying the cityscape.
• Visitor Facilities: The temple provides facilities such as a shoe stand, a visitor’s waiting area, and a small bookshop for religious texts.

9. Jorasanko Thakur Bari:

• Location: Jorasanko Thakur Bari is located in the Jorasanko neighborhood of north Kolkata. It is a significant historical site in the city.
• Historical Significance: The mansion was the ancestral home of the Tagore family and played a pivotal role in the cultural and literary history of Bengal.
• Birthplace of Rabindranath Tagore: Rabindranath Tagore, one of India’s most celebrated poets and the composer of the national anthems of both India and Bangladesh, was born in Jorasanko Thakur Bari on May 7, 1861.
• Architectural Style: The mansion is an excellent example of traditional Bengali architecture, featuring a central courtyard and a large, open veranda. It reflects the traditional zamindar (landlord) lifestyle of the Tagore family.
• Preservation: The mansion has been preserved as a museum, providing visitors with insight into the life and works of Rabindranath Tagore and his family.
• Exhibits: Jorasanko Thakur Bari houses a variety of artifacts, including paintings, manuscripts, personal belongings of Rabindranath Tagore, and historical documents.
• Tagore’s Paintings: The museum features an extensive collection of Tagore’s paintings, showcasing his talents as an artist in addition to being a renowned writer.
• Personal Library: Visitors can see the personal library of Rabindranath Tagore, which includes a vast collection of books and manuscripts.
• Courtyard Theater: A courtyard theater within the mansion hosts cultural programs, performances, and events, keeping alive the artistic legacy of the Tagore family.
• Educational and Cultural Center: Jorasanko Thakur Bari is not just a museum but also an educational and cultural center dedicated to promoting Tagore’s philosophy and artistic contributions.
• Festivals: The museum hosts various cultural events and festivals, particularly during Rabindra Jayanti (Tagore’s birthday) and other significant occasions.
• Visitor Experience: It offers a unique and immersive experience for visitors, allowing them to explore the life, literature, and art of Rabindranath Tagore.
• Tagore’s Influence: The Tagore family’s contributions extended beyond literature and art and had a profound impact on the social and cultural fabric of Bengal and India.

10. Rabindra Sarovar:

11. Alipore Zoo:

• Location: Alipore Zoo is situated in the Alipore area of Kolkata, making it easily accessible from various parts of the city.
• Establishment: It was established in 1876, making it one of the oldest zoos in India. The zoo was opened to the public in 1876 and was inaugurated by the then Prince of Wales, Albert Edward.
• Size: The zoo covers an extensive area and is home to a wide variety of animals and birds.
• Diverse Collection: Alipore Zoo houses a diverse collection of animal species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. It’s a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts and families.
• Rare and Endangered Species: The zoo plays an important role in the conservation of wildlife and houses some rare and endangered species, including the royal Bengal tiger and the Indian rhinoceros.
• Open Enclosures: Many of the enclosures in the zoo have open designs that simulate the natural habitat of the animals. This provides a more natural and humane environment for the animals.
• Aviary: Alipore Zoo features an extensive aviary, housing a wide variety of bird species, including colorful parrots and exotic birds.
• Butterfly Garden: The zoo includes a butterfly garden, where visitors can witness the different stages of butterfly development and see a variety of beautiful butterflies.
• Conservation Efforts: The zoo is involved in various conservation and breeding programs, contributing to the preservation of endangered species.
• Educational Programs: Alipore Zoo offers educational programs and guided tours to create awareness about wildlife conservation and animal behavior.
• Botanical Garden: Adjacent to the zoo is the Alipore Horticultural Society, which maintains a botanical garden with a wide variety of plants and trees.
• Picnic Spot: The zoo is a popular spot for family outings and picnics. It offers a serene and green environment for relaxation and leisure.
• Infrastructure Development: In recent years, there have been efforts to modernize and upgrade the zoo’s infrastructure to provide better living conditions for the animals and a more enjoyable experience for visitors.
• Accessibility: The zoo is well-connected by public transportation, and it is a short distance from the Alipore metro station.

12. New Town Eco Park:

• Location: New Town Eco Park is situated in the New Town region of Kolkata, making it easily accessible from various parts of the city.
• Size: The park covers a vast area of approximately 480 acres, making it one of the largest urban parks in India.
• Concept: New Town Eco Park is designed as an ecologically sensitive and sustainable green space that integrates nature, culture, and recreation.
• Three Major Zones: The park is divided into three primary zones: Urban, Wetlands, and Terrestrial, each representing a different ecological theme.
• Wetlands: The Wetlands section of the park features a large waterbody with an island at its center, designed to replicate the rich biodiversity of wetland ecosystems.
• Conservation: The park serves as a hub for biodiversity conservation and features a diversity of plant and animal species, including several bird species.
• Eco-Island: The Eco-Island in the Wetlands zone serves as a sanctuary for migratory birds and other wildlife.
• Culture: The Urban section includes cultural attractions like replicas of traditional Bengal architecture and sculptures, providing insights into the region’s heritage and history.
• Recreational Facilities: Visitors can enjoy various recreational activities in the park, such as boating, nature walks, cycling, and picnics.
• Musical Fountain: The park features a musical fountain that comes to life in the evening, offering a captivating audio-visual experience.
• Butterfly Park: New Town Eco Park houses a butterfly park where visitors can witness the life cycle of butterflies and various species.
• Mist House: The Mist House provides a unique experience with mist and fog, creating a cool and refreshing environment.
• Aqua Zone: The Aqua Zone is an aquatic attraction with various water features, including artificial waterfalls and ponds.
• Flower Garden: The park has beautifully landscaped gardens with a wide variety of flowers and plants, providing a scenic and colorful atmosphere.
• Visitor Facilities: The park provides visitor amenities like food stalls, restrooms, seating areas, and parking facilities.
• Education and Research: New Town Eco Park is also involved in educational and research activities related to environmental conservation and sustainable practices.
• Accessibility: The park is well-connected by public transportation, including buses and the Kolkata Metro.

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KOLKATA TOURISM | TOURIST PLACES TO VISIT & TRAVEL GUIDE TO KOLKATA

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About Kolkata

Country: india | state: west bengal, #2 of 9 places to visit in west bengal | places to visit in india, ideal trip duration: 2 full days, base station: kolkata, nearest city to kolkata: kolkata, best time to visit kolkata: october to february, peak season: october to january, kolkata weather: summer: maximum - 40° c and minimum - 24° c winter: maximum - 29° c and minimum - 10° c.

At a distance of 8 km from Howrah, 133 km from Kharagpur, 167 km from Durgapur, 251 km from Balasore, 270 km from Dhanbad, 289 km from Jamshedpur, 424 km from Cuttack, 449 km from Bhubaneswar, 480 km from Gaya, 550 km from Siliguri and 579 km from Patna, Kolkata is the capital city of the West Bengal, India. Formerly known as Calcutta, it is the second-largest city in India after Mumbai and among the most popular tourist places to visit in West Bengal . Fondly called as the 'City of Joy', Kolkata is a vibrant 350-year-old metropolis located on India's Eastern Coast and has retained its quintessential charm despite modernization. It holds an important place in the economy, politics, and culture of India. The city is associated with some of the greatest thinkers, artists, filmmakers, and writers like Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay and Satyajit Ray. According to the historical evidence, the region in which the city stands has been inhabited for over two millennia. It is believed that Kalikata was the ancient name of the city and was derived from the Bengali word 'Kalikshetra', which means 'Ground of Goddess Kali.' Kolkata's recorded history began in 1690 when Job Charnock, an agent of East India Company came to the city and bought three villages (Sutanuti, Kolkata, Gobindapur) from the local landlord. In 1699, the East India Company started developing the city as a Presidency city and named it Calcutta. Kolkata was the capital of the British Indian Empire until 1911 when the capital was relocated to Delhi due to perceived geographical disadvantages and growing nationalism in Bengal. When India gained freedom in 1947, the country got partitioned between India and Pakistan in which Calcutta was included in the Indian part of Bengal and became the capital city of West Bengal. In 2001, the Indian government renamed Calcutta to Kolkata.  The first British capital of India is a city of every traveler's dream as it boasts of marvelous architecture, rich art galleries, vibrant culture, and historical significance. Victoria Memorial, Fort William, Howrah Bridge, Belur Math, Birla Planetarium, Indian Museum, St. Paul's Cathedral, Science City, Marble Palace Mansion, Birla Mandir, Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Mother House, and Eden Gardens are the top places to visit in Kolkata. The city offers genuine traditional art and handicrafts items along with delicious food at unbelievably cheaper rates. New Market, Bara Bazaar, College Street and Gariahat are the city's eminent shopping joints that offer anything and everything unique to Bengal. About 10 km from Kolkata, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is the nearest airport and has well-connected flights from Guwahati, New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Vishakhapatnam, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Indore, Agartala, Bhubaneswar, Dibrugarh, Goa, Siliguri, Pune, Patna, Surat, and Jaipur. Kolkata Railway Station is well connected by trains with Dhaka, Puri, Bikaner, Dibrugarh, Khulna, Jhansi, Amritsar, Darbhanga, Haldibari, Jammu, Agra, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Gorakhpur, Patna, Ghazipur, Guwahati, Muzzafarpur, New Jalpaiguri and Lucknow. Howrah Junction, about 8 km from Kolkata, is the other major railhead which is well connected by trains with almost all the major cities in India. Kolkata is well connected by road with Bhubaneswar, Puri, Siliguri, Durgapur, Haldia, Dhanbad, Patna, Ranchi, Cuttack, and Gaya. Owing to its expansive history and rich traditions, Kolkata has become the cultural capital of India. Durga Puja is the most extravagant religious celebration in the city when the streets turn into dazzling kaleidoscopes and men and women immerse in the colors of Vermillion. Millions of lamps are lit on the streets, and vast and colorful clay statues of goddess Durga are displayed in pandals. Apart from Durga Puja, Holi, Diwali, Vasanth Panchami, Poush Parbon, Bhai Phota, Poila Boishakh, Christmas, etc. are the other festivals celebrated here with great enthusiasm. The best time to visit Kolkata is from October to February when the weather is perfect and festivities are plenty. This is the season which witnesses the peak arrival of travelers, especially during Durga Puja. Being the tropical city, summers in Kolkata are hot and humid. It is too difficult to bear the scorching heat.

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Nearest Airport: Kolkata - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (10 Kms)

Direct flights to kolkata, nearest train station: kolkata railway station (0 kms) howrah junction (8 kms), direct trains to kolkata, howrah, nearest bus station: esplanade bus terminus (8 kms), direct buses to kolkata, distance chart, distance chart & driving directions to kolkata, top 16 places to visit in kolkata, victoria memorial.

#1 of 29 Places to Visit in Kolkata

At a distance of 11 km from Kolkata Railway Station, the Victoria Memorial is a historical building and museum located in the heart of Kolkata, West Bengal. It is considered one of the most iconic structures in Kolkata and among the best places to visit as part of Kolkata Tour Packages. Spread over 57 acres of land, Victoria Memorial was built by Lord Curzon in the memory of Queen Victoria to celebrate her 25 years of rule over India. The Queen had become the figurehead of India after the Revolt of 1857 and successfully ruled over the country until her death in 1901. King George V and the Prince of Whales laid down the foundation stone for the memorial in 1906, and the memorial was finally opened to the general public in 1921. It is interesting to note that the Victoria Memorial was built with the funds collected from the people of India. This white marbled opulent structure was built on the lines of the Victoria Memorial in London. The chief architect of the memorial is William .....

Dakshineswar Kali Temple

#2 of 29 Places to Visit in Kolkata

At a distance of 9 km from Kolkata Railway Station, Dakshineswar Kali Temple is a famous Hindu temple located in Dakshineswar locality of Kolkata, West Bengal. Situated on the eastern bank of Hooghly River, it is one of the largest temples in Kolkata and among the must include places in Kolkata Tour Packages. Dedicated goddess Kali, the temple was built in 1855 CE by Rani Rashmoni, a Philanthropist and a devotee of Kali. According to history, Dakshineswar was a mere village nestled along the eastern bank of the River Ganges in the early phase of the 1800s. It is said that Rani Rashmoni of Janbazar, while on her pilgrimage to Varanasi, had a dream, where she was instructed to build a Kali temple. She was intensely moved by the dream and to materialize it, she instructed her people to search for suitable plots to erect the Kali Temple. After a long hunt for land, eventually, a 20-acre plot was selected in the village of Dakshineswar. The construction of Dakshineswar temple was initiated .....

Indian Museum

#3 of 29 Places to Visit in Kolkata

At a distance of 8 km from Kolkata Railway Station, Indian Museum is a museum located at Park Street in Kolkata. Popularly known as 'Jadughar', it is the oldest and the largest museum in India and among the popular Kolkata Tourist Places. Referred to as the Imperial Museum in British India era texts, Indian Museum is the earliest and the largest multipurpose museum in India and the ninth oldest museum of the world. The museum was founded in 1814 by the Asiatic Society of Bengal at the present building of the Asiatic Society, 1 Park Street, Kolkata. The founder curator was Nathaniel Wallich, a Danish botanist. Later, the museum was shifted to the present building in 1878. This is an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Designed by Walter B Grawille in Italian Style, the museum building comprises of three floors, each spanning across an area of about 930 sq. meters. Presently, the museum has 35 galleries which have been divided into six categories .....

Kalighat Kali Temple

#4 of 29 Places to Visit in Kolkata

At a distance of 13 km from Kolkata Railway Station, Kalighat Kali Temple is a Hindu temple located in Kalighat area of Kolkata, West Bengal. Lying on the old course of River Hooghly, it is considered as one of the popular Kali temples in India and among the popular places to visit as part of Kolkata Tour. Dedicated to Goddess Kali, Kalighat Kali Temple is regarded as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of the country. According to mythology, this is the place where toe from the right foot of Goddess has fallen when Lord Shiva did Rudra Tandava with Goddess body in his hands after her immolation at the holy pyre of yagna by King Daksha. Kalighat Temple is believed to have existed from the time of Chandragupta II. The original temple was a small structure constructed by King Manasingha in the early 16th century. The present structure was built in 1809 under the patronage of Sabarna Roy Chowdhry family of Banisha. There is a dispute about the ownership of the temple between Chowdhrys .....

St Paul Cathedral

#5 of 29 Places to Visit in Kolkata

At a distance of 11 km from Kolkata Railway Station, St. Paul Cathedral is an Anglican church located in Kolkata, West Bengal. Situated to the east of the Victoria Memorial, it is one of the largest churches in India and among the popular places to visit in Kolkata. St. Paul's Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral of the Church of North India and the seat of the Diocese of Calcutta. The construction of the church was initiated in 1839 under the benefaction of Bishop Daniel Wilson. Completed in 1837, it is said to be the largest cathedral in Kolkata and the first Episcopal Church in Asia. It was also the first cathedral built in the overseas territory of the British Empire. The edifice stands on Cathedral Road on the 'island of attractions'. The cathedral was severely damaged during the great earthquake of 12th June 1897, when the upper part of the steeple fell, to be restored later but it was completely destroyed in the earthquake of 1934, after which the tower was constructed in place .....

Science City

#6 of 29 Places to Visit in Kolkata

At a distance of 12 km from Kolkata Railway Station, Science City is a science center located in Kolkata city of West Bengal. Situated at the crossing of Eastern Metropolitan Bypass and JBS Haldane Avenue, it is the biggest science center in India and among the major Kolkata Tourist Places. One of its kind in India, the Science City, Kolkata is a unit of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It was opened on 1st July 1997 as a major attraction for the residents' of Kolkata as well as for the national and international visitors to the metropolis. Among the largest and finest in the world, it is presenting science and technology in a stimulating and engaging environment that is truly educational and enjoyable for the people of all ages. Sprawling in 50 acres, Science City boasts of two facilities, the Science Centre and the Convention Centre. The Science Centre features several galleries and halls, each of which educates visitors .....

Howrah Bridge

#7 of 29 Places to Visit in Kolkata

At a distance of 6 km from Kolkata Railway Station, Howrah Bridge is an old suspension bridge located in Kolkata, West Bengal. Also known as Rabindra Setu, it is one of the longest cantilever bridges in the world and an iconic landmark of Kolkata. Howrah Bridge is a massive steel bridge constructed over the Hooghly River. Commissioned in 1943, the bridge was originally named the New Howrah Bridge, because it replaced a pontoon bridge at the same location linking the two cities of Howrah and Kolkata. It was renamed Rabindra Setu in 1965 after the great Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore, who was the first Indian and Asian Nobel laureate. It is still popularly known as the Howrah Bridge. It is perhaps the best-known bridge in India and certainly one of the most recognizable. Howrah Bridge was the third-longest cantilever bridges in the world at the time of its construction, but now it is the sixth-longest of its kind. The bridge is one of four bridges on the Hooghly River while .....

#8 of 29 Places to Visit in Kolkata

At a distance of 7 km from Howrah Junction and 14 km from Kolkata Railway Station, Belur Math is a popular temple and institute located on the western bank of River Hooghly in Kolkata. It is one of the significant institutions in Kolkata and among the must include places in Kolkata Packages. Beluṛ Maṭh in Kolkata is a place of pilgrimage and also the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vijnanananda, a brother-monk of Swami Vivekananda and one of the monastic disciples of Ramakrishna Paramahansa, laid the foundation stone of Ramakrishna Temple in the year 1935. The massive construction was handled by Martin Burn & Co. This temple has become the hub of the Ramakrishna Movement. The Belur Math is visited by people from all over the world, irrespective of the religion. The people who are not interested in religion also come to Belur Math to experience and appreciate the peace that it diffuses into the environment, and ultimately .....

Kolkata Zoo /Alipore Zoo

#9 of 29 Places to Visit in Kolkata

At a distance of 11 km from Kolkata Railway Station, Kolkata Zoo is zoological garden located in Alipore locality of Kolkata in the state of West Bengal. Situated near National Library, it is the oldest zoological parks in India and among the must-visit places during your Kolkata Trip. Popularly called as Alipore Zoo, the zoo was initially established as a private menagerie by the then Governor-General of India, Richard Wellesley, around the year 1800 as a part of the Indian Natural History Project. It was upgraded to a formal zoological garden on 1st January 1876 and was finally opened to the general public on 6th May 1876. The zoo is most known for being the home of the expired Aldabra giant tortoise 'Adwaita', who had lived for over 250 years before he died in the year 2006. The place is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts, or for families with children, to explore the abundant and plentiful wildlife of the country at its best. Spread over an area of 46.5 acres, Alipore .....

Pareshnath Jain Temple

#10 of 29 Places to Visit in Kolkata

At a distance of 2 km from Kolkata Railway Station, Pareshnath Jain Temple is a popular Jain temple located at Badridas Temple Street in the city of Kolkata. Also called as Calcutta Jain Temple, it is one of the significant places of pilgrimage in Kolkata and among the must-visit places as part of Kolkata Packages. Pareshnath Jain Temple was built in 1867 by Rai Badridas Bahadur Mookim and pratishta was done by Sri Kalyansurishwarji Maharaj. It is one of the most revered and holy shrines of the Jains in Kolkata. The Pareshnath Jain Temple is actually a complex of 4 temples - Shitalnath Temple, Chandraprabhuji temple, Mahavir Swami Temple, and Dadawadi and Kushal Maharaj Temple. Each of these temples has a captivating architecture with mirrors, stained glass and intricate designs all over the structure. The structure is mostly made in marble with floral designs and has meticulously decorated gateways, walls, pillars, and floors. The main shrine is dedicated to the 10th Tirthankara, .....

Birla Mandir

#11 of 29 Places to Visit in Kolkata

At a distance of 10 km from Kolkata Railway Station, Birla Mandir is a popular Hindu temple located in Ashutosh Chowdary Avenue in Kolkata, West Bengal. Placed opposite to Ballygunge Post Office, it is one of the popular Birla temples in India and among the most visited places in Kolkata. Built by the industrialist Birla family, the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha. The construction of the temple began in 1970 but it was completed in 1996. The Pran Prathistha ceremony of the idols was done by Swami Chidananda Maharaj. The magnificent Birla Mandir of Kolkata is an exemplary work of art and is one of the finest architectural beauties of the city. The temple represents a beautiful blend of traditional and contemporary art. The colossal structure stands at 160 feet above the ground and is spread over 44 kathas of land. The architectural pattern of the temple is partly inspired by the Laxmi Narayan Temple and Lingaraj Temple of Bhubaneswar. The entire temple .....

Birla Planetarium

#12 of 29 Places to Visit in Kolkata

At a distance of 9 km from Kolkata Railway Station, Birla Planetarium or M.P. Birla Planetarium is an iconic structure located near Victoria Memorial in Kolkata. Situated adjacent to St. Paul's Cathedral, it is the second-largest planetarium in the world and among the major Kolkata Tourist Places. Birla Planetarium was founded in 1962 and was formally inaugurated in 1963 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India. Also known as Taramandal, it is the largest planetarium in Asia and one of the three planetariums present in India. Known for space science and astronomy museum, the planetarium houses numerous innovations and creativity, giving out knowledge to its fellow visitors. This is a must-visit place for children and students as it provides a great learning opportunity and generates interest among them. Birla Planetarium is a single-storied circular structure whose architecture is based on the famous Buddhist Stupa at Sanchi. The dome has a diameter of .....

ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple

#13 of 29 Places to Visit in Kolkata

At a distance of 9 km from Kolkata Railway Station, ISKCON Kolkata is a place of pilgrimage located in Kolkata. Also known as Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple, it is one of the ISKCON Temples in India and among the famous places to visit in Kolkata. ISKCON Temple was established by Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1971. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this is the foremost center of the ISKCON Society in India. ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple is a highly spiritual place for the devotees and is mainly focuses on spreading the teachings of Lord Krishna. It is not restricted to any one particular religion as such and welcomes enthusiasts or people interested in learning about these teachings with open arms. The temple is a serene complex that houses beautifully ornamented idols of Goddess Radha and Lord Krishna. The ambiance of the temple with the chanting of Hare Krishna reverberating in the atmosphere draws many devotees and tourists to this serene shrine. The temple also houses a .....

Birla Industrial & Technological Museum

#14 of 29 Places to Visit in Kolkata

At a distance of 9 km from Kolkata Railway Station, Birla Industrial & Technological Museum is a science museum located in Ballygunge area of Kolkata. It is the first science museum in India and among the prime attractions of Kolkata and the must-visit place for kids, science students, and science lovers. Established in the year 1959, Birla Industrial & Technological Museum (BITM) in Kolkata is the first science museum in the country under the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India. The idea behind this pioneering initiative came from Dr. B C Roy, the then Chief Minister of West Bengal who after visiting the Deutsches Museum in Munich was inspired to create a similar institution in India. In 1956, Sri GD Birla donated the Birla Park, his sprawling bungalow and the adjoining plot of land for setting up the museum. This entire transformation of the place from a park to a museum took nearly 3 years. The main objective of the museum is .....

Eco Tourism Park

#15 of 29 Places to Visit in Kolkata

At a distance of 14 km from Kolkata Railway Station, Eco Tourism Park is an urban park located in New Town area of Kolkata in West Bengal. Also known as Prakriti Tirtha, it is the biggest Eco parks in India and one of the serene places to visit during your Kolkata Trip. The park was established in 2013 in order to promote eco-tourism in the city. This expansive park occupies over an area of around 480 acres of land which includes a 200 acres water body. The idea of an Eco Tourism Park was proposed by Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal and was developed by the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation of West Bengal coordinated with several departments. The park features urban recreational spaces and three sections like ecological zones, theme gardens and open spaces making it a perfect getaway to relax and unwind. In the ecological section, there are wetlands, urban forests, and grasslands. Eco Tourism Park surrounds a picturesque water body with an island .....

Park Street

#16 of 29 Places to Visit in Kolkata

At a distance of 9 km from Kolkata Railway Station, Park Street is the prominent road located in Kolkata of West Bengal. Officially known as Mother Teresa Sarani, it is one of the most visited and famous places for hangout in Kolkata. Park Street is one of the oldest roads in the city constructed by Britishers. The street begins at Chowringhee Road or JL Nehru road and stretches till Park Circus crossing. It boasts of a surprisingly diverse range of attractions that range from beautiful Colonial buildings to bustling shopping outlets and from popular restaurants to many night clubs. It is a prominent entertainment and commercial hub of Kolkata. A number of prominent landmarks are also located in or near Park Street including Asiatic Society, St. Xavier's College, South Park Street Cemetery and The Park Hotel. Often known as 'Food Street' and 'The Street that Never Sleeps', the street has been a crowd-puller since the reign of the British Kingdom and undergone modifications .....

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Map of Kolkata (Calcutta) — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info

What’s on this map.

We’ve made the ultimate tourist map of Kolkata (Calcutta), India for travelers! Check out Kolkata (Calcutta)’s top things to do, attractions, restaurants, and major transportation hubs all in one interactive map.

Visiting Kolkata (Calcutta)? See our Kolkata (Calcutta) Trip Planner.

How to use the map

Use this interactive map to plan your trip before and while in Kolkata (Calcutta). Learn about each place by clicking it on the map or read more in the article below. Here’s more ways to perfect your trip using our Kolkata (Calcutta) map:

• Explore the best restaurants, shopping, and things to do in Kolkata (Calcutta) by categories
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• Export all places to save to your Google Maps
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• Create a Wanderlog trip plan (link to create a trip plan for the city) that keep all the places on the map in your phone
• Print a physical map to bring it on your trip

Top 19 attractions in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Victoria memorial, jorasanko thakurbari.

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Marble Palace

• Howrah Bridge

The Mother House Of The Missionaries Of Charity

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Eden Gardens

Dakshineswar kali temple, south park street cemetery, mother teresa sarani, বাংলা পুস্তক পরিচয়, birla mandir, birla industrial & technological museum, rabindra sarobar.

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St. Paul Cathedral Church

James prinsep monument, netaji bhawan, top 10 restaurants in kolkata (calcutta).

Oh! Calcutta

Mocambo restaurant and bar, barbeque nation- park street, kolkata.

Kewpie's

Bhojohori manna, 6 ballygunge place, transportation in kolkata (calcutta), nearby airports, netaji subhash chandra bose international airport, highways and major roads.

• Eastern Metropolitan Bypass
• NH-12 (old NH-34)
• ML Mukherjee Road
• Sarat Bose Road
• AJC Bose Road
• EM Bypass Connector
• Strand Road

Popular road trips from Kolkata (Calcutta)

What's the weather like in kolkata (calcutta).

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Kolkata (Calcutta) for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Kolkata (Calcutta) in January
• Weather in Kolkata (Calcutta) in February
• Weather in Kolkata (Calcutta) in March
• Weather in Kolkata (Calcutta) in April
• Weather in Kolkata (Calcutta) in May
• Weather in Kolkata (Calcutta) in June
• Weather in Kolkata (Calcutta) in July
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All road trips from Kolkata (Calcutta)

• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Bangkok drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to New Delhi drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Kathmandu drive
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• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Hanoi drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Agra drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Varanasi drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Bengaluru drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Hyderabad drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Gangtok drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Darjeeling drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Pattaya drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Chiang Mai drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Udaipur drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Puri drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Dhaka City drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Yangon (Rangoon) drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Chennai (Madras) drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Pokhara drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Bhubaneswar drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Luang Prabang drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Mysuru (Mysore) drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Pune drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Thimphu drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Visakhapatnam drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Kochi (Cochin) drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Bagan drive
• Kolkata (Calcutta) to Jodhpur drive

Explore nearby places

• Kolkata (Calcutta)
• Singalila National Park
• Bidhannagar
• Chandannagar
• Sundarbans National Park
• Krishnanagar

All related maps of Kolkata (Calcutta)

• Map of Singalila National Park
• Map of Bidhannagar
• Map of Howrah
• Map of Belur
• Map of Teghoria
• Map of Barasat
• Map of Siuri
• Map of Chandannagar
• Map of Haroa
• Map of Chinsurah
• Map of Bishnupur
• Map of Rajbalhat
• Map of Canning
• Map of Raichak
• Map of Habra
• Map of Kalyani
• Map of Tarakeswar
• Map of Hooghly
• Map of Kolaghat
• Map of Sonakhali
• Map of Pandua
• Map of Haldia
• Map of Gosaba
• Map of Kalna
• Map of Kamarpukur
• Map of Sundarbans National Park
• Map of Burdwan
• Map of Krishnanagar
• Map of Nababhat
• Map of Mayapur

Kolkata (Calcutta) throughout the year

• Kolkata (Calcutta) in January
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• Kolkata (Calcutta) in March
• Kolkata (Calcutta) in April
• Kolkata (Calcutta) in May
• Kolkata (Calcutta) in June
• Kolkata (Calcutta) in July
• Kolkata (Calcutta) in August
• Kolkata (Calcutta) in September
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• Kolkata (Calcutta) in December

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Travel Budget for Kolkata (Calcutta) Visit Kolkata (Calcutta) on a Budget or Travel in Style

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• Best Luxury Hotels in Kolkata (Calcutta)
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• Kolkata (Calcutta) trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month

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• How much do I need for a trip to Kolkata (Calcutta)?
• Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
• Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Kolkata (Calcutta)?

You should plan to spend around $37 (₨3,110) per day on your vacation in Kolkata (Calcutta). This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

• $14 (₨1,187) on meals
• $5.11 (₨427) on local transportation
• $33 (₨2,786) on hotels

A one week trip to Kolkata (Calcutta) for two people costs, on average, $521 (₨43,546) . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

• Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 37 ₨ 3,110
• One Week Per person $ 260 ₨ 21,773
• 2 Weeks Per person $ 521 ₨ 43,546
• One Month Per person $ 1,116 ₨ 93,314
• One Week For a couple $ 521 ₨ 43,546
• 2 Weeks For a couple $ 1,042 ₨ 87,093
• One Month For a couple $ 2,233 ₨ 186,627

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Kolkata (Calcutta) cost?

A one week trip to Kolkata (Calcutta) usually costs around $260 (₨21,773) for one person and $521 (₨43,546) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Kolkata (Calcutta) on average costs around $521 (₨43,546) for one person and $1,042 (₨87,093) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Kolkata (Calcutta) will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Kolkata (Calcutta) on average costs around $1,116 (₨93,314) for one person and $2,233 (₨186,627) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Kolkata (Calcutta) has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Kolkata (Calcutta) is a very affordable place to visit. Located in India, which is a very affordable country, visitors will appreciate the lower prices of this destination. It falls in the average range in the country for its prices. Budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring Kolkata (Calcutta) in depth.

Within Asia, Kolkata (Calcutta) is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Luang Prabang, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Taipei.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Kolkata (Calcutta)?

The average Kolkata (Calcutta) trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Kolkata (Calcutta) travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $17 (₨1,393). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $33 (₨2,786). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

• Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 17 ₨ 1,393
• Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 33 ₨ 2,786

Hotel Prices in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Looking for a hotel in Kolkata (Calcutta)? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Actual Hotel Prices The average hotel room price in Kolkata (Calcutta) based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $34. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Recommended Properties

• Indismart Hotel Budget Hotel - Kayak $ 42
• The Oberoi Grand Kolkata Luxury Hotel - Kayak $ 76

Transportation Budget in Kolkata (Calcutta)

The cost of a taxi ride in Kolkata (Calcutta) is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $5.11 (₨427) per person, per day, on local transportation in Kolkata (Calcutta).

• Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 5.11 ₨ 427

Recommended Services

• Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers Viator $ 69
• Private Transfer Kolkata Airport CCU To Kolkata Hotels Drop Viator $ 22

Flights to Kolkata (Calcutta)

Rental cars in kolkata (calcutta), food budget in kolkata (calcutta).

While meal prices in Kolkata (Calcutta) can vary, the average cost of food in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $14 (₨1,187) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Kolkata (Calcutta) should cost around $5.68 (₨475) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Kolkata (Calcutta) is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

• Food 2 Meals for one day $ 14 ₨ 1,187

Recommended

• Alleyway Food Tour Viator $ 42
• Cooking experience in Authentic Bengali House with Lunch/Dinner Viator $ 41

Entertainment Budget in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Entertainment and activities in Kolkata (Calcutta) typically cost an average of $15 (₨1,250) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

• Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 15 ₨ 1,250

Recommended Activities

• Magic Hour Tour Viator $ 37
• Calcutta Contrast Tour Viator $ 37

Alcohol Budget in Kolkata (Calcutta)

The average person spends about $8.27 (₨691) on alcoholic beverages in Kolkata (Calcutta) per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

• Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 8.27 ₨ 691

Related Articles

Kolkata (calcutta) on a budget.

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Food and dining, transportation, more related articles.

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Places To Visit In Kolkata

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Near Airport

Must Visit Places in Kolkata

Victoria Memorial

Fort William Kolkata

Howrah Bridge

• Filter (79)
• Garden & Park (9)
• Amusement & Theme Park (4)

1. Victoria Memorial

4 km from city center 1 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The Victoria Memorial is a large marble building, which is considered to be the pride of Kolkata. Built between 1906 and 1921, it is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria. Now, it is a museum and a popular tourist spot under the Ministry of Culture.

2. Fort William Kolkata

3 km from city center 2 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Fort William is a fort built in Kolkata on the eastern banks of the River Hooghly, the major distributary of Ganges. The magnificent structure is spread over 70.9 acres and is embellished with hundreds of arched windows that overlook lush green gardens. Meticulous stonework adorns the surface of the building.

3. Belur Math

7 km from city center 3 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Belur Mutt is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda. Situated on the west bank of Hooghly River, the temple is prominent for its architecture that embraces Hindu, Christian and Islamic styles and stands as an icon of unity of all religions.

4. Howrah Bridge

2 km from city center 4 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Located over the Hooghly river in West Bengal, Howrah Bridge or the Rabindra Setu is the main connection between Howrah and Kolkata. It is a cantilever bridge and is regarded as one of the busiest ones among them.

Top Hotels In Kolkata

₽ 1,614 onwards

₽ 1,996 onwards

₽ 830 onwards

₽ 5,659 onwards

₽ 1,409 onwards

5. Birla Planetarium

3 km from city center 5 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The Birla Planetarium in Kolkata, is the largest planetarium in Asia and the second largest planetarium in the world. It is a single-storeyed circular structure designed in the typical Indian style whose architecture is designed on the Buddhist Stupa at Sanchi. 

6. Indian Museum

2 km from city center 6 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The Indian Museum is one of the oldest museums of the world boasting some of the most exquisite collections of ornaments, fossils, skeletons, antiques, armors, mummies and stunning Mughal paintings.

7. Marble Palace Mansion

2 km from city center 7 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The Marble palace near the Chorbagan in North Kolkata built in 1835 by Rajendra Mallick is famed for its art collection of masterpieces by Reuben and paintings by various renowned international artists such as Reynolds, Van Gogh and Rembrandt.

8. Mother House

3 km from city center 8 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

This is the place where the Tomb of Mother Teresa is present. It is maintained by her missionaries and followers who have continued to promote her legacy.

9. Science City Kolkata

5 km from city center 9 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

One of its kind in India, the Science city was inaugurated on 1st July 1997. It is a major attraction for the residents of Kolkata as well as for the people visiting Kolkata. It is one of the finest and the largest science museums in the world and provides a fun way of learning science.

10. St. Paul's Cathedral Kolkata

4 km from city center 10 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Said to be the first cathedral built in the overseas territory of the British Empire, St. Paul's Cathedral is a Anglican cathedral located in Kolkata. Also said to be the seat of the Diocese of Calcutta, it is a very fine example of Indo-Gothic style of architecture.

127 km from city center 11 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Tucked between Mandarmani and Shankarpur, Tajpur is a small town set on the Bay of Bengal's tranquil shore, just 170 kms from Kolkata. Considered to be a serene secret of West Bengal, the virgin beach is hidden away from view and is still untouched by commercialization and tourism. The highlight of the pristine beach are the hundreds of red crabs that are found on the shores, which also give a perfect crimson colour to the beach.

12. Birla Mandir Kolkata

4 km from city center 12 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The glowing structure that adorns the streets of Kolkata is the popular Hindu Temple, Birla Temple. Dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha, the temple is perfect specimen of craftsmanship.

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13. Eden Gardens

3 km from city center 13 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Popular as the largest cricket stadium in the India and the second largest in the world, the Eden Gardens can seat 66,000 spectators. It is set amidst an adjoining garden where Eden- related to the one-time Governor of Aukland and her sister would stroll during the evenings. 

14. Jorasanko Thakur Bari

1 km from city center 14 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Currently located on the Rabindra Bharati University campus in Jorasank, Jorasanko Thakur Bari is the house in which the first non-European Nobel laureate and poet, Rabindranath Tagore was born.

15. Birla Industrial & Technological Museum

4 km from city center 15 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Being the first scientific and industrial museum in India, Birla Industrial and Technological Museum (BITM) is one of the prime attractions of Kolkata. It is famous for its galleries and 3D shows.

16. Rabindra Sarovar

7 km from city center 16 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The erstwhile Dhakuri lake is an artificial tank spread over 75 acres and is home to various migratory birds from Siberia and Russia. The lake is surrounded by gardens, children's park an auditorium, making it a popular recreational spot perfect for idyllic picnics making it one of the unique places to visit in Kolkata.

17. Kalighat Temple

6 km from city center 17 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Kalighat Temple, one of the 51 Shakti Sthals of India, is one of the most visited Kali temples in India. The spot is where the toes of Sati's right foot fell during Shiva's Rudra Taandav naach.

18. Shobhabajar Rajbari

3 km from city center 18 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The Shobhabazar Rajbari is one of the grandest Bengali style houses ever built. It was build by the Royal family of Shobhabazar in Kolkata, and the grandeur is only palpable to the eye.

19. Botanical Gardens in Kolkata

45 km from city center 19 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The Botanical Gardens of Calcutta were founded by Robert Kyd in 1787. Protected by the Botanical Survey of India, it stretches over 109 hectares. A Banyan tree in the garden, of more than 330 m circumference, known as The Great Banyan, is the largest tree in the world. The Botanic Gardens of Kolkata were later renamed Acharya Jagadish Chandra Indian Botanic Garden.

20. Nakhoda Mosque

1 km from city center 20 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Placed in the Chitpur area in the Burrabazar business district, Nakhoda mosque is one of the busiest Mosques of Kolkata and dates back almost a century. The prayer hall has a seating capacity of 10000, and the domes and minarets have been constructed in keeping with the Fatehpur Sikri style of architecture.

21. Alipore Zoo

5 km from city center 21 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The Alipore Zoo, also known as the Calcutta Zoo or the Zoological Garden of Alipore, is the oldest zoological park to have been established in India and is a major tourist attraction in Kolkata. It attracts tourists from all across the nation who visit the zoo to explore the wildlife that happily thrives here and to enjoy themselves.

22. Sabarna Sangrahashala

12 km from city center 22 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Designed, developed and maintained by Sabarrna Roy Choudhary Paribar Parishad to preserve and display the heritage of one of the well known families of Bengal- The Sabarna Roy Choudhary family.

23. Eco Tourism Park, Kolkata

11 km from city center 23 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Eco Tourism Park is an expansive urban park designed to promote eco tourism in the city. It is the biggest urban park in India and occupies over 475 acres of land. The beauty of the location increases ten folds because of a water body that surrounds the park and forms an island in the middle.

24. Calcutta Jain Temple

4 km from city center 24 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Pareshnath Jain Temple is a temple complex dedicated to four Jain Teerthankaras. The complex is a beautiful arrangement of these shrines and draws tourists from all over the world. The architecture of the temples consists of intricately carved marbles and glass work. It is indeed one of the few temples that have a charismatic vibe.

25. Nicco Park, Kolkata

6 km from city center 25 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Nicco Park is an amusement park frequently visited for entertainment and recreational purposes. It is also called the "Disney Land of West Bengal: and attracts visitors in large numbers throughout the year. The park functions efficiently on solar energy that causes no pollution.

26. Prinsep Ghat

4 km from city center 26 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Prinsep Ghat, located on the banks of River Hooghly, is a majestic structure famous for its Greek/ Gothic inlays. IWith the magnificent Howrah Bridge in the background, watching the sunrise or sunset and taking a long walk in the cool air on the banks of the river are some of the preferred recreational activities here.

27. Aquatica

10 km from city center 27 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Aquatica is a water theme park and resort in Kolkata having many exciting themed rides, slides, entertainment and recreational activities for all their guests. The water park occupies over 75000 square feet of area and provides for a pleasant respite from the scorching summer heat. They provide lockers for the visitors to keep their belongings securely.

28. Park Street

1 km from city center 28 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Park Street is a major access route in Kolkata, also officially known as Mother Teresa Sarani. The street begins at Chowringhee Road or JL Nehru road and stretches till Park Circus crossing. It is said that Park Street never sleeps and is always bustling with activities. It is one of the major hangouts in the city as it has a number of pubs and restaurants.

29. Chowringhee

3 km from city center 29 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Chowringhee, also officially known as Jawaharlal Nehru Road, is a happening hub and frequently visited by locals for recreational activities and shopping. It is one of the few localities in the city with top end boutiques, hotels, malls, shops and restaurants.

30. ISKCON Kolkata

3 km from city center 30 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple is a highly spiritual place for the devotees focusing on spreading the teachings of Lord Krishna. It is not restricted to any one particular religion as such and welcomes enthusiasts or people interested in learning about these teachings with open arms. The temple is a serene complex that houses beautifully ornamented idols of Goddess Radha and Lord Krishna.

31. South Park Street Cemetery

3 km from city center 31 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

South Park Street Cemetery is an 18th-century non-church cemetery, one of the earliest in the world. It is one of the largest burial grounds and a heritage site in Kolkata and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. Most of the tombs in the South Park Street Cemetery are aesthetically beautiful and very attractive.

32. Sonajhuri Forest

143 km from city center 32 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Away from the mell pell of the city lies a hidden gem in the state of West Bengal. Considered to be one of the most clean forests in India, Sonajhuri Forest is a great retreat to be close to nature. The Sonajhuri Forest is replete with lush green trees that has blooming flowers. This place is picturesque with quite a number of mesmerizing places to see and explore.

33. St John's Church

2 km from city center 33 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

St John's Church is one of the oldest churches in Kolkata that was built during the reign of the British Kingdom when the city was the capital of British India. It is a splendidly well-maintained structure that draws history and architecture buffs for its uniqueness and ancient features.

34. Barrackpore

22 km from city center 34 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Barrackpore was the first place where Britishers set up their cantonment and later spread their rules in India. This place is of great historical significance as it was also the first place where the spark to attain I from Britishers was lit. Not to stop at that, this place is also home to some of the most mesmerizing and green parks which are perfect to spend some time lazing around? and relaxing.

35. Jhargram

141 km from city center 35 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Jhargram is small city located in the state of West Bengal with a rich historical and cultural background. Surrounded by dense forests this place is mystical. A perfect place to spend few days in the lap of nature surrounded by friendly tribal population, you are bound to be mesmerized not only by its picturesque beauty but by the gregarious people who inhabit this place.

36. Baabur Haat

8 km from city center 36 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Dominated by natural fishing lakes or bheris, responsible for producing some of the tastiest fish in West Bengal, Babur Haat is a nature paradise. Fishing is one of the more popular activities here. You can also go on a short picnic trip to the nearby local village grounds.

37. Kamarpukur

81 km from city center 37 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

A cluster of small villages, Kamarpukur is nestled between Vishnupur and Tarakeshwar. Birthplace of a pious and sagacious saint, Sri Ramkrishna Paramhansa, this village is perfect getaway from the pell-mell of the cities. In this village you will be able to enjoy the pleasures of simple rural life.

48 km from city center 38 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Situated on the bank of river Roopnarayan, Deulti provides for an ideal picnic spot. If you are a bird lover, keep an eye (read ear) for the chirps of different birds, while you take a walk on the clay paths of the villages. 

39. Hooghly Riverfront

60 km from city center 39 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

The very picturesque Hooghly Riverfront is situated along two banks of River Hooghly in West Bengal- Kolkata in the East and Howrah on the West. The mighty river offers mesmerising sunrise and sunset views. After the beautification of the East promenade in 2011, the spot has become a major tourist attraction.

3 km from city center 40 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Also known as the Brigade Parade Ground, Maidan is the largest urban park in Kolkata. The humongous stretch of land includes the famous Eden Gardens, several football stadiums and the Race Course Kolkata.

41. Central Park

5 km from city center 41 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Also known as Banabitan, Central Park is the second largest urban park after Maidan, situated in Bidhannagar, Kolkata. Built around an expansive lake, the park also has a rose garden. Another attraction is its beautiful butterfly garden.

42. Millenium Park

2 km from city center 42 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Spread over an area of 2.5 kms on the banks of River Hooghly in Kolkata, Millenium Park is a privately owned park situated on the Strand Road. The park has beautiful landscaped gardens and numerous slides and swings for kids.

43. Deshapriya Park

6 km from city center 43 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Deshapriya Park is situated in the Kalighat area of South Kolkata and is used for playing outdoor games like cricket, football etc., both by amateur and professional players. In addition to that, Durga Puja is celebrated on a large scale where several pandals are set up in the premises for the celebrations.

44. Safari Park

7 km from city center 44 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Situated near Gariahat Golpark, Safari Park is one of the relatively smaller parks in Kolkata. The park also has a lake on the outskirts that is ideal for early morning walks and evening strolls. A smaller area on the side is also used as a cricket coaching for young kids. The park is buzzing with activity at all times of the day.

45. Mohor Kunja

4 km from city center 45 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Also known as Citizen's Park, Mohor Kunja is an urban park in Kolkata situated in the premises of Maidan. The highlight of the park are the several musical fountain concerts held in it. It also has well-paved walkways for evening and morning walks and an amphitheater to hold cultural events.

46. Elliot Park

3 km from city center 46 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Inaugurated in 2004, Elliot Park is one of the relatively newer parks to have been developed in the city. The park has a joggers' stretch of 1.5 km besides the lush green vegetation, swings for children and water fountains.

47. Gitanjali Sports Complex

7 km from city center 47 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Located at Kasba in Kolkata, Gitanjali Sports Complex is the newly established stadium in the city. Running for a length of 57.5 metres, the stadium has a massive seating space for 4000 people. Besides, it has a separate area for indoor games and a gymnasium.

48. Kishore Bharati Krirangan

9 km from city center 48 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Kishore Bharati Kirangan is a multi purpose stadium situated in the south Kolkata neighbourhood of Santoshpur. With a seating capacity of 12000 people, the stadium is mostly used for football and sometimes other sports as well.

49. Salt Lake Stadium

5 km from city center 49 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Known as Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan, Salt Lake Stadium is an international multi-purpose stadium in Bidhannagar, Kolkata. The stadium takes pride in being the largest stadium of the country, it can accommodate upto 1,20,000 people.

50. Rabindra Sarobar Stadium

7 km from city center 50 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Rabindra Sarobar Stadium is situated in the centre of the city of Kolkata in Rabindra Sarovar. Believed to be the oldest stadiums of the city, the stadium has a seating capacity of 20,000 people and host some of the important football matches.

51. Mohunbagan Stadium

0 km from city center 51 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Mohunbagan Stadium is the oldest and the first stadium in the country. It is also the place of inception of the very famous Mohunbagan Club. The stadium is considered the best in Kolkata as its emerald green grass cover is imported from Brazil.

52. Netaji Indoor Stadium

2 km from city center 52 out of 79 Places To Visit in Kolkata

Officially named as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indoor Stadium, Netaji Indoor Stadium is a multi-purpose indoors stadium in Babughat, Kolkata, opposite the Eden Gardens. The fully air-conditioned stadium is used to host various domestic and international events.

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Kolkata City Tour Packages with Price & Itinerary

Located on the banks of River Hoogly, the city of Kolkata acts as the major connecting point for north eastern part of India to the rest of the country and the world. The present capital city of West Bengal, Kolkata was also capital of India during British regime (1733 to 1911). To explore this “city of joy” at comfort, check our Kolkata City Tour Packages .

The city of Kolkata, with majestic buildings, lush green gardens and art galleries, cultural colourfulness, religious fervour and literary glimmer, impresses each and every one. Irrespective of the purpose of your visit or your interest and idea of holidaying, Kolkata will entice you with its unique charm.

The best way to explore this city is to begin by visiting the most popular sightseeing places. Although listing the popular places to see in Kolkata , prioritizing which one to visit, finding out the timings, route maps and most importantly a suitable mode of transportation is often stressful, you need not worry now. We at Kolkata Tourism , a division of Holidays DNA have made it extremely easy for all the travellers.

We, along with the leading tour organisers in Kolkata, have made an extensive list of Kolkata city tour packages . Through these packages you can not only visit all the popular tourist attractions in Kolkata but at a pace of your choice and utter comfort of an air conditioned vehicle. A private taxi from these top car rental companies in Kolkata , takes our customers for sightseeing in a haggle-free way.

Top Sightseeing Places to Visit with Kolkata City Tour Packages

1. victoria memorial.

One of the most prominent buildings in Kolkata, Victoria Memorial was constructed in the fond memory of Queen Victoria and was opened for public in the year of 1921. An art museum, this building presents a rich collection varying from documents to paintings to artefacts.

With an impressive architecture, which was designed by the then famous architect William Emerson, Victoria Memorial stands at a height of 184 feet above sea level and spread over a massive area of 64 acres.

2. Kalighat Temple

A prominent religious site, Kalighat Temple is recognized as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of the country. It is also one of the most preferred place with Kolkata city tour. Dedicated to Goddess Kali, this temple is built on Kalighat, lying on the old course of River Hooghly.

As per the religious beliefs, it is the place where toes from the right foot of Goddess Kali fell. This happened, when Lord Shiva did a dance of destruction- Tandava with Goddess body in his hands after her immolation at the holy pyre of yagna by King Daksha.

3. Eden Gardens

Nothing less than a holy site for cricket lovers, Eden Garden is said to be the oldest cricket ground in India. This cricket stadium has witnessed many historical moments of Cricket. Established in 1864, this stadium hosted its first test match in 1934 and first ODI in 1987.

Often said to be the Cricket’s answer to the colosseum, this stadium has hosted many prominent international competitions too such as World Cup, Asia Cup, World Twenty20 and many more.

4. St. Paul’s Cathedral

Another historical building that one must visit in Kolkata is the St. Paul’s Cathedral. A significant religious site, its foundation was laid out in 1839. Displaying an Indo-Gothic style of architecture, this cathedral was designed by Major William Nairn Forbes.

Although owing to natural disasters, it was destroyed and rebuilt again. Its present majestic structure seems to resemble the Bell Harry Tower of Canterbury Cathedral.

5. Dakshineswar Kali Temple

Another prominent religious site in Kolkata is the Dakshineswar Kali Temple which is dedicated to the Goddess Bhavatarini. Spread over an area of 25 acres, this temple was constructed in 1847 by the Queen of Janbazar, Rasmani. Standing majestically on the banks of River Hooghly, it also presents a beautiful sight for visitors to cherish and also most popular tourism place with our Kolkata city tour.

6. Jorasanko Thakurbari

It is the house where Rabindranath Tagore, the writer of India’s national anthem, first non-European nobel laureate, had spent his childhood and took his last breath. This house is now converted as Tagore museum and lies within the premises of Rabindra Bharati University.

7. Marble Palace, Kolkata

One of the most attractive buildings in Kolkata, Marble palace is a place that very visitor must try to visit. Although a private property, visitors are allowed to the designated areas of the palace with a 24 hours prior permission from West Bengal Tourism Information Bureau. Constructed in 1835, this palace was built for Raja Rajendra Mullick. It also houses a mini zoo.

8. Howrah Bridge

A landmark for Kolkata, Howrah Bridge is an essential part of most of the Kolkata CIty tour packages. Also known as the Rabindra Setu, this bridge stands majestically over the River Hooghly. It is the highlight of our Kolkata city tour by private cab.

Connecting Kolkata and Howrah, this bridge was built in the year of 1824. An engineering masterpiece, this bridge was built without using any kinds of nuts and bolts and on top of 270 feet high pillars.

Adding to these are the list of other sightseeing places that are also sure to make your trip more enjoyable. Some of these are Birla Mandir, Kolkata Race Course, Fort William, Indian Museum, National Library, Writer’s Building, Mother’s House, Eco Tourism Park, MP Birla Planetarium and Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden.

Apart from exploring the above sightseeing places, you can also plan a visit to places such as Shaheed Minar, South Park Street Cemetery, Raj Bhawan, Town Hall, Nicco Amusement Park, Rabindra Sadan, Rabindra Sarobar, Alipore Zoological Gardens, Aquatica Water Park, Tipu Sultan Mosque, Science City, Belur Math, James Prince, Park Street, Nakhoda Mosque, etc.

Even the areas surrounding the city are equally astonishing. If time permits, you can hire a cab from these car rental companies in Kolkata and visit Shantiniketan, Sundarbans National Park , beaches of Mandarmani and Digha as well as terracotta temples in Bishnupur.

However, if you are planning to stay in Kolkata for longer period or want to not just have a Kolkata city tour package for sightseeing but a package that can take care of everything related to your travel, then you can have a look at the list of other tour packages that we offer.

Our All-Inclusive Kolkata Tour Package cover a wide range of facilities that include accommodation in a hotel/resort (budget hotel, 3 star hotel, 4 star and 4 star hotel), pickup and drop services, complimentary breakfasts, sightseeing, etc.

To know more about these packages you can reach us by filling out the Contact Us Form. Our travel executives will reach with you relevant information.

How to reach Kolkata

Kolkata is connected by all modes of transportations, airways, railways and roadways. For those who are travelling by airways, Kolkata has the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport which is connected to all the major cities of the country and various international cities as well.

The main railway station, Kolkata Railway station is connected to rest of the country. There are four other main railway stations that are located nearby. These are Howrah Junction (HWH), Sealdah Junction (SDAH), Santragachi Junction (SRC) and Shalimar Junction (SHM).

The main bus station in the city is the Esplanade Terminus which receives buses from all the major cities nearby as well as from Dhaka and Bhutan.

For commuting you have rickshaws, metro rail line, trams, city buses as well as ferries. However, the most comfortable means to travel within the city is by hiring a taxi from these leading car rental companies in Kolkata .

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Popular Tourist Places to Visit in Kolkata

• Dakshineswar Kali Temple Kolkata
• Howrah Bridge Kolkata
• Park Street/Food Street Kolkata
• Indian Museum Kolkata
• Victoria Memorial Kolkata
• Birla Temple Kolkata
• Kolkata Race Course
• Eden Gardens Kolkata
• Marble Palace Mansion Kolkata
• Kalighat Kali Temple Kolkata
• Fort William Kolkata
• Writers’ Building Kolkata
• St. Paul’s Cathedral Kolkata
• National Library Kolkata
• Mother House Kolkata
• Eco Tourism Park Kolkata
• Mother's Wax Museum Kolkata
• Nicco Park Kolkata
• Birla Planetarium Kolkata
• BBD Bagh Kolkata
• Science City Kolkata
• Belur Math Kolkata
• Alipore Zoological Gardens Kolkata
• Millennium Park Kolkata
• Shaheed Minar Kolkata
• Aquatica Water Park Kolkata
• Armenian Church Kolkata
• College Street Kolkata
• General Post Office Kolkata
• Kumartuli Kolkata
• Lal Dighi Kolkata
• Misti Hub Kolkata
• Nakhoda Mosque Kolkata
• Netaji Bhawan Kolkata
• Police Museum Kolkata
• Prinsep Ghat Kolkata
• Raj Bhavan Kolkata
• Shobhabazar Rajbari Kolkata
• St. John’s Church Kolkata
• Star Theatre Kolkata
• Town Hall Kolkata
• Tram Museum Kolkata
• Vidyasagar Bridge Kolkata
• Rabindra Sadan Kolkata
• Tipu Sultan Mosque Kolkata
• Rabindra Sarobar Kolkata
• Shantiniketan Kolkata
• Sundarbans National Park Kolkata
• Elliot Park Kolkata
• Wet-O-Wild Kolkata
• Hooghly Imambara Kolkata
• Nehru Children’s Museum Kolkata
• Snow Park, Axis Mall, Kolkata
• Babughat Kolkata
• Mandarmani Beach Kolkata
• Digha Beach Kolkata
• Bandel Church Kolkata
• Maddox Square Park Kolkata
• Muhammad Ali Park Kolkata
• Santosh Mitra Square Kolkata
• Patuli Floating Market Kolkata
• Kolkata Gate / Biswa Bangla Gate
• Maidan / Brigade Parade Ground Kolkata
• Vivekananda Setu / Bally Bridge Kolkata
• Chintamani Kar Bird sanctuary Kolkata
• Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary Kolkata
• ISKCON Radha Govinda Temple Kolkata
• Swami Vivekananda's Ancestral House Kolkata
• Jorasanko Thakurbari / House of the Thakurs Kolkata
• Birla Industrial and Technological Museum Kolkata
• Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden Kolkata
• Nature Park Kolkata

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Secretary Buttigieg Urges U.S. Airlines to Improve Military Travel Benefits

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg sent a letter to the Chief Executive Officers of the 10 largest U.S. airlines urging them to improve military travel benefits provided to active-duty service members and their families. 

The full text of the letter is below: 

[CEO Name]  [Airline]  [Address] 

Dear [CEO Name], 

America has the greatest military in the world, thanks to the unwavering commitment of service members who protect this country and the family members who support them. As we approach the 25th anniversary of National Military Appreciation Month, I urge U.S. airlines to improve military travel benefits to honor, recognize, and support service members and their families who sacrifice so much for our freedom. 

The Department appreciates that carriers currently provide active-duty service members and their families various military travel benefits. However, these benefits are not consistently detailed in carriers’ public-facing Customer Service Plans, resulting in many service members being unaware of them. Also, airlines’ travel benefits often do not fully address the needs of service members who may need to cancel or change personal travel plans due to military directives. 

To encourage improvements in military travel benefits offered by airlines and ensure that service members have easy access to this information, the U.S. Department of Transportation is creating a “Support Our Troops” dashboard that provides service members and their families with easy-to-read, comparative information on the travel benefits that each of the large U.S. marketing carriers will guarantee for service members and their families. 

The dashboard will be displayed on the Department’s Aviation Consumer Protection website in May 2024. It will be based on commitments that airlines have made to service members and their families in their Customer Service Plans, such as a full refund to service members and their families who cancel travel plans due to military directives and allowances for free baggage. The Department also intends to provide direct links to airlines’ Customer Service Plans from its website. 

As someone who often flew on military orders as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, I know how important airline benefits and services can be for members of the military and their families. I look forward to working together to ensure that service members and their families have clear and reliable information about the special travel offers and benefits that they deserve, reflecting our gratitude for their service and sacrifice. I have sent similar letters to the other nine largest U.S. marketing carriers. 

Sincerely, 

Pete Buttigieg 

US wants airlines to boost travel benefits for military personnel

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Ukraine attacked Russia's Morozovsk military air base in the Rostov region, destroying six Russian warplanes in a joint operation conducted by the SBU security service and military, a Kyiv intelligence source told Reuters on Friday.

Foreign inflows in Asian stocks surge in March on rate cut prospects, China data

Asian stocks saw robust demand from overseas investors in March, marking their best quarter for foreign inflows in over three years, amid prospects of accommodative monetary policies from major central banks and positive Chinese economic indicators.

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Map: 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Taiwan

By William B. Davis ,  Madison Dong ,  Judson Jones ,  John Keefe and Bea Malsky

Shake intensity

A major, 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the eastern coast of Taiwan on Wednesday, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The temblor happened at 7:58 a.m. Taipei time about 11 miles southwest of Hualien City, Taiwan, data from the agency shows.

Read our coverage here .

As seismologists review available data, they may revise the earthquakes reported magnitude. Additional information collected about the earthquake may also prompt U.S.G.S. scientists to update the shake-severity map.

Aftershocks in the region

An aftershock is usually a smaller earthquake that follows a larger one in the same general area. Aftershocks are typically minor adjustments along the portion of a fault that slipped at the time of the initial earthquake.

Quakes and aftershocks within 100 miles

Aftershocks can occur days, weeks or even years after the first earthquake. These events can be of equal or larger magnitude to the initial earthquake, and they can continue to affect already damaged locations.

Source: United States Geological Survey | Notes: Shaking categories are based on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. When aftershock data is available, the corresponding maps and charts include earthquakes within 100 miles and seven days of the initial quake. All times above are Taipei time. Shake data is as of Tuesday, April 2 at 8:14 p.m. Eastern. Aftershocks data is as of Thursday, April 4 at 3:58 a.m. Eastern.

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UConn men's team arrives in Phoenix after flight to Final Four delayed by plane issues

The UConn Huskies ' men's basketball team has soared its way to the NCAA Tournament's Final Four in Phoenix, but the defending champions were grounded Wednesday night in Connecticut due to "mechanical issues."

UConn's flight to Phoenix ahead of their Final Four matchup against Alabama on Saturday was delayed "due to mechanical issues with the original aircraft," the NCAA confirmed Wednesday. The flight, which was originally supposed to depart Connecticut on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. ET, left at 1:30 a.m. ET and arrived in Phoenix at 5:14 a.m. ET (3:14 a.m. local time).

“Due to mechanical issues with the original aircraft, UConn men’s basketball team is experiencing a delay and is now projected to depart at approximately 11:30 p.m. ET," the NCAA said in a statement obtained by Stadium's Jeff Goodman. "In conjunction with the school and charter airlines, the NCAA worked to develop several options for travel alternatives to Phoenix. We are very disappointed that UConn will arrive later than anticipated and it’s unfortunate the team’s travel experience has been impacted.”

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UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley told CBS Sports that the team's original chartered flight coming in from Kansas City was significantly delayed with mechanical issues, causing the flight crew to surpass their allowable work hours outlined by the FAA.

UConn has Final Four media availability and practice scheduled on Thursday, but it's not clear if the NCAA will modify the Huskies' schedule to accommodate for the team's late arrival. No. 1 seed UConn is looking to become the first team to win back-to-back championships since the Florida Gators, who won consecutive titles in 2006 and 2007.

The other three Final Four teams have landed in the desert. No. 1 seed Purdue and No. 4 seed Alabama both arrived in Phoenix on Tuesday, while NC State touched down on Wednesday afternoon. NC State vs. Purdue are scheduled to play at 6:09 p.m. ET, followed by UConn and Alabama at 8:39 p.m.