Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₹400–700 ($5–8) | ₹1,500–3,000 ($18–36) |
| Food | ₹200–400 ($2–5) | ₹600–1,200 ($7–14) |
| Transport (tram/metro) | ₹50–100 ($1) | ₹200–400 ($2–5) |
| Entry Fees | ₹200–300 ($2–4) | ₹200–300 ($2–4) |
| Drinks & Sweets | ₹150–250 ($2–3) | ₹400–700 ($5–8) |
| Daily Total | ₹1,000–1,750 ($12–21) | ₹2,900–5,600 ($35–67) |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Getting There
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) has direct flights from Bangkok, Dhaka, Yangon, Singapore, Dubai, and all major Indian cities. Pre-paid taxi to city centre: ₹400–600 (40–60 mins)
- From Delhi by train: Rajdhani Express 17hrs (₹1,000–2,500 AC sleeper). From Mumbai: 24–30hrs (₹800–2,000). The Howrah station is the main rail terminus — one of the busiest in the world
- From Dhaka by train: Maitree Express (₹1,200, 7–8hrs) runs 5 days a week — a popular overland crossing for backpackers doing the Bangladesh–India route
Getting Around
- Kolkata Metro is the easiest way around: Line 1 (Blue) runs north–south through the city. ₹5–25/trip. Smart card available at stations for small discount. Clean, air-conditioned, and reliable
- Trams (₹7–10) are unique to Kolkata and wonderful for sightseeing — slow, atmospheric, and charming. They share routes with buses and taxis along major corridors
- Yellow Ambassador taxis are metered (₹25 flag, ₹13/km) and nostalgic. Ola and Uber work and are more reliable. Hand-pulled rickshaws survive in the Shyambazar area — use them if you choose, noting the ethical complexity
Weather & Best Time
- Oct–Feb is ideal: Durga Puja (Oct) transforms the city into a 5-day street festival. Dec–Jan is the best weather — clear skies, 18–25°C. Christmas and New Year on Park Street are a Kolkata tradition going back to British times
- Mar–May is increasingly hot and humid (35–40°C). Bearable in AC but outdoor sightseeing is exhausting. The city moves more slowly
- Jun–Sep monsoon: 1,500mm+ of rain. Flooding in low-lying areas. Durga idol-making in Kumartuli begins in earnest in August — if you can handle the rain, this is a rewarding time
Connectivity & Money
- Jio or Airtel SIM from the airport or Esplanade market: ₹200–300 for 28 days. Coverage is excellent throughout the city. Bangladesh border areas sometimes pick up Bangladeshi networks
- ATMs on Park Street, Esplanade, and in malls are reliable for foreign cards. HDFC and Axis Bank ATMs have the lowest fees (₹150–200/withdrawal). Carry ₹1,000–2,000 cash for street food and trams
- Google Pay and PhonePe QR codes are ubiquitous even at street stalls — but require a linked Indian bank account. Foreign cards cannot use UPI. Card terminals work at restaurants and larger shops
Cultural tips
Intellectual Culture
Kolkata considers itself India's intellectual capital — the city of Tagore, Vivekananda, Satyajit Ray, and Amartya Sen. Locals are proud of this heritage and conversations about books, cinema, football, and politics are easy to start. The adda (informal intellectual debate) at coffee houses and street corners is a living tradition. Engage seriously and you will be welcomed warmly.
Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal
The Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal rivalry is the most intense club football derby in Asia — the city is divided. Asking a local which team they support will ignite a passionate conversation. Matches at the Salt Lake Stadium are an extraordinary experience; buy tickets in advance through the club websites. Wear neutral colours unless you know which end of the stadium you are in.
Durga Puja
If you are in Kolkata during Durga Puja (October, 5 days), you are witnessing the world's largest public art installation festival. Every neighbourhood erects a pandal (decorated temporary temple) with increasingly elaborate artistic themes. Walking the pandals through the night is free, extraordinary, and unlike anything else on earth. Book accommodation months in advance — the city fills completely.
Bengali Food Culture
Bengali cuisine is built on fish (hilsa is sacred), mustard oil, and subtle spice — very different from North Indian food. Shorshe ilish (hilsa in mustard sauce), chingri malaikari (prawns in coconut cream), and luchi-aloo dum (puffed bread with potato curry) are the dishes to seek out. Do not miss mishti doi and rosogolla — Bengalis are fiercely proud that rosogolla was invented in Kolkata (Supreme Court of India agreed in 2017).
