Major city · India
Kolkataকলকাতা
Give Kolkata two nights for colonial architecture, food and literary culture, travel between November and February, and book hotels early if your visit lands on Durga Puja.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (cool and dry, best for walking)
- avoid Apr–Jun (hot and humid), Jul–Sep (monsoon and waterlogging)
- Airport
- CCU
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
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.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kolkata, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 emergency (all services) · 100 (now routed to 112) police · 108 (most states) or 102 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)India-wide
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCCU Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (About 17 km northeast of the centre; metro or taxi into the city.).CCU Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (About 11 mi northeast of the centre; metro or taxi into the city.).
- Getting aroundThe metro is quick along its lines; yellow taxis and app cabs fill the gaps.
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CCU Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (About 17 km northeast of the centre; metro or taxi into the city.)CCU Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (About 11 mi northeast of the centre; metro or taxi into the city.)
Weather and climate
Kolkata: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The metro is quick along its lines; yellow taxis and app cabs fill the gaps. Trams still run on a handful of routes and are worth riding once for the experience rather than speed.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Park Street area
Central, restaurants and easy taxis.
Near Maidan and Victoria Memorial
Green space and main colonial sights.
Salt Lake (Bidhannagar)
Modern business district, closer to the airport.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Watch out
- Heat and humidity are intense before the monsoon.
- Heavy Durga Puja crowds fill hotels and roads in autumn: book well ahead.
- Agree taxi fares or use the meter/app.
- Low-lying streets can waterlog quickly in monsoon downpours.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kolkata. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb (cool and dry, best for walking) · avoid Apr–Jun (hot and humid), Jul–Sep (monsoon and waterlogging)
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- 4 things to watch out for
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Meanwhile
Sources
- officialWest Bengal Tourism
- secondaryWikivoyage — Kolkata