Major city
Kolkataকলকাতা
Give Kolkata two nights for colonial architecture, food and literary culture, and avoid the peak monsoon.
Rules in force · 3
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal and was the capital of British India until 1911. It has colonial-era buildings, a large tram and metro network, and a strong food and arts tradition. It sits on the Hooghly river in eastern India.
At a glance
- Known for
- Victoria Memorial · Howrah Bridge · Trams · Bengali sweets and fish dishes · Durga Puja festival
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Avoid
- Apr–Jun (hot and humid), Jul–Sep (monsoon)
- Nights
- 2
- Airports
- CCU Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International
Where to sleep
Park Street area
Central, restaurants and easy taxis.
Near Maidan and Victoria Memorial
Green space and main colonial sights.
Getting around
The metro is quick along its lines; yellow taxis and app cabs fill the gaps. Trams still run on some routes.
Watch out
- Heat and humidity are intense before the monsoon.
- Heavy Durga Puja crowds fill hotels and roads in autumn: book early.
- Agree taxi fares or use the meter.
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kolkata. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
Sources
Sources
- West Bengal Tourism (official)
- Wikivoyage — Kolkata (secondary)