Kolkata tourism welcomes you to a cultural hub where people take an interest in art and literature amidst staunch political inclination. Being the British capital of India, this place has seen a lot of history and architectural developments.
A Kolkata guide can offer educational insights while taking your children through the oldest museum in India. From art galleries to planetariums, from theatres to the biggest book market in India, Kolkata is a one-stop destination for all things educational.
Cricket enthusiasts will find the second-largest stadium in India, whereas football lovers will be intrigued by the concept of Kolkata Derby.
Kolkata is one of the lucky cities to be home to the pious River Ganga. Not many know that the famous Ganga Aarti of Varanasi is also common here.
The mesmerizing views of Howrah Bridge, the sour burst of local pani puri called phuchka, and the sweetness of the Bengali language all await you in your journey to Kolkata.
How To Reach Kolkata
Kolkata locates in the southern part of West Bengal and is accessible via roadway, railway, and flight services. Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Sikkim, and Assam are neighbouring states to West Bengal. However, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha are nearer to Kolkata.
West Bengal shares a border with Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Kolkata is a metro city with an international airport flying to several destinations like Bangkok, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Dubai, Doha, Colombo, etc. The airport locates 15 kms away from the city centre. Two main railway stations link the city with the rest of the country.
By Air
The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) is one of the bustling airports in India. Sprawling over 2,460 acres, this airport has the best amenities you would need. The airport has three terminals catering to international, national, and cargo services.
Flights to Kolkata are available across places like Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bangalore, Patna, Chennai, Agartala, and more. Along with national airlines like Indigo, Air Asia, Spice Jet, and Vistara, international airlines, including Jet Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Thai Airways, and Singapore Airlines, are frequently found here.
By Road
Roads across West Bengal are well-maintained. Kolkata is reachable by several national highways. For instance, NH 2 and NH 6 help navigate within West Bengal, while NH 32 connects Jharkhand, NH 35 goes up to the Bangladesh border, NH 55 connects North Bengal, etc.
Bus services are available throughout the day for long-distance travel across states and within it. The three most popular destinations from Kolkata are Digha, Puri and Darjeeling (DiPuDa). While Digha is a beach destination that takes 3-4 hours to reach by car or bus, Darjeeling locates in North Bengal and requires an overnight bus journey. Puri is in Odisha and is located 495 km away. It takes 6-8 hours to reach by car or bus.
By Rail
If you are travelling with children, you should hold them tight as you enter the busiest railway station in India. The Howrah Junction welcomes you to a fleet of people because it is also the largest railway station in India.
Sealdah follows Howrah in terms of busyness. However, there are three more outstation railway lines, including Kolkata Station, Shalimar Station, and Santragachi Junction Railway Station.
Capital cities close to Kolkata include Ranchi (400 km away), Bhubaneswar (422km away) and Patna (590 km away). Kolkata is more than 1000 km from Lucknow and 1500 km away from Delhi.
How to travel within the City
Among local transport, Kolkata is most famous for Peeli Taxi or yellow ambassador cabs. As the prominence of Uber and Ola services continue to grow, the inclination to ride a Peeli Taxi remains among tourists.
Tonga rickshaws or hand-pulled rickshaws are also considered a part of Kolkata’s heritage. However, many refrain from availing for humanitarian reasons. There are cycle and electric rickshaws available across the narrow lanes in Kolkata.
Kolkata is famous for its numerous bus routes connecting people across the North and South. These are state-owned buses painted blue. There are also mini-buses in maroon, smaller in size and have fewer routes.
The city’s most remarkable way to travel is the local train and the metro railway. Kolkata metro was the first-ever in India, but it is straightforward, unlike the Delhi metro. A straight route connects major parts across the North and South and carries over 700,000 passengers daily.
Frequent local train services to and from Howrah and Sealdah allows thousands of people to travel from remote areas daily. From vegetable vendors to people living on the outskirts, everyone can reach the city easily because of its fantastic railroad connectivity.
Best Time To Visit Kolkata
The best for Kolkata tourism is between October and February. You can not only be a part of Durga Puja festivities that happen during Navratri but also experience bearable temperatures. Summertime in Kolkata is extreme for travellers who are not familiar with humidity. Due to global warming, the temperatures during summer have significantly increased over the past few years.
Peak Season
The peak season for Kolkata tourism is between October to February. Kolkata does not experience extreme cold, making the weather across December and January pleasant. It is the best time for heritage walks and witnessing intricate architectural work. Kolkata hosts a series of cultural events during this time. The annual book fair, the Kolkata International Film Festival, and Christmas week at Bow Barracks, are all areas of interest that make Kolkata tourism ideal during this time.
View this post on Instagram
Shoulder Season
While locals await the monsoon season, it might not be the best time for Kolkata tourism. The roads get clogged with water, and the humidity does not die. Monsoon begins towards the end of June and reaches its peak during August. Travelling during this time can hamper your sightseeing plans unless you admire a drenched Howrah Bridge while sipping ‘gorom cha.’
Off Season
Months from April to August aren’t the best time for Kolkata tourism. You will want to avoid the scorching heat and the profuse rainfall. The temperature becomes cooler in September as tourists prepare to visit Durga Puja.
Types of Stays in Kolkata
Here are the types of stays that will give you the comfort of your home while you’re planning to make an itinerary around Kolkata tourism:
Heritage stays
A boutique hotel that exhibits the heritage of Kolkata can teach you many things about the city and culture. These luxury stays reflect the Babu culture of zamindars and elegant colonial influences. There are also Rajbari (palaces) stays, but most of them are located in the outskirts and are a long drive away. Unless you want to spend a day trip to experience those places, you might want to exclude them from your itinerary.
Hotels
From cheap stays to the biggest brands, Kolkata offers ample options in terms of hotels. Depending on your touristy needs, you would want to select the perfect place to stay.
For example, if you travel with family, you will want to stay around the city centre in the Dharmatala area. It is close to major tourist destinations and is easily accessible between North and South Kolkata. If you are a honeymooner looking for views of the cityscapes, you might want to stay around the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass.
Hostels and Guest Houses
The hostel culture is not very dominant in Kolkata. Solo travellers and backpackers will find limited budget hostels in Kolkata. Searching for Guests Houses in Kolkata will land you more options than hostels. However, they function like budget hotels.
Homestays
Homestays in Kolkata depend on brands that offer related services. There aren’t many options found online individually. However, a few options might suit your budget and requirement depending on the location and purpose of your travel.
Top Attractions in Kolkata
Here are all the places that your Kolkata travel guide would take you:
Victoria Memorial
Looks like the Taj Mahal of Bengal but is a colonial structure built as a replica of the Victoria Memorial in London. As the name suggests, it was made in honour of Queen Victoria and the premises also have a statue of her. It locates in the heart of the city and is near the centre. While the British built it to celebrate 25 years of rule in India, today, it proudly boasts of the accomplishments of Subhas Chandra Bose.
Birla Planetarium
Located close to Victoria Memorial and beside St. Paul’s Cathedral church, this venue welcomes all astronomy lovers. If your child is interested in the working of the Universe, you must let them have an exclusive experience of this show.
The 30-minute-long recorded show happens in English, Bengali, and Hindi. The exhibits introduce you to planets, constellations, astronomical patterns, and more.
St Paul’s Cathedral
The beautiful flowers and the Indo-Gothic architectural marvel will draw you into this Anglican cathedral during your Kolkata tourism. The colossal structure reflects the colonial significance and beautifully lights up during Christmas. This place was the first Episcopalian church built in Asia.
Indian Museum
This museum is the oldest in India and ninth in the world. It has an Egyptian mummy, relics of Lord Buddha, ancient sculptures, fossils, armours, paintings, and much more. The museum exhibits works of Art, Anthropology, Archaeology, Economic Botany, Geology, and Zoology across 35 gallery spaces. Students interested in the related subjects will find this museum visit a great learning experience.
Howrah Bridge
The iconic river link connects Howrah with Kolkata and transports over 100,000 vehicles daily. A boat ride on the Ganges with this landmark at the backdrop is on every honeymooner’s bucket list. The night view is priceless as it illuminates in a purple hue.
Kali Temple
Kolkata is home to one of the Shakti Pith of Goddess Sati. It was this spot where a toe of the Goddess fell during the Tandav dance by Lord Shiva. The temple is over 200 years old and has devotees from all over India.
Belur Math
Belur Math is a sacred place that welcomes people of all religions. It is spread across 40 acres and was founded by Swami Vivekananda to promote the Ramakrishna Movement. It houses a museum and a beautiful open area for meditation and leisure. The evening aarti experiences are unique as no offerings are made or flowers.
Science City
If you want your child to be interested in science, this is the place to be. It is a one-of-a-kind science museum that promotes education and makes it fun. One part is dedicated to the marine world, while the other is to technological advancements. The entry greets visitors with a big dinosaur replica, and one of the main highlights is a Time Machine.
Eden Gardens
If you want to witness a cricket match with your kids, find out if Eden Gardens will organize one during your Kolkata visit. With a capacity of more than 66,000 people, this place spreads across 50 acres and has seen historic cricket matches.
Eco Tourism Park
Eco Tourism Park in Kolkata is the largest urban park in the country and covers over 475 acres of land. The surrounding waterbody makes it soothing and welcomes fun activities like zorbing and kayaking. The park has a replica of all the seven wonders, places to eat, and beautiful landscapes to enjoy. It interests kids due to many activities like duo cycling, toy train ride, rifle shooting, and more.
Delicacies and Beverages to try in Kolkata
Kolkata is the best place for food if you are a meat and fish eater. It is also a paradise for those with a sweet tooth.
If you are vegan or vegetarian, you have limited street food options. However, you can still navigate multiple options amidst the unlimited non-vegetarian food.
Phuchka
If there was only one thing to try during your Kolkata tourism expedition, it must be phuchka. Some call it golgappa, some gup chup, but here you call it by this name. A fried pani puri is filled with spicy mashed potato and dipped into tamarind water to offer a sour taste. The tastebuds can linger forever with additional lemon, salt, and chillies.
Rosogolla
You will find different versions of rasgullas across India, but you can only find the original taste in Kolkata. Even the brandless, tiny sweet shops in every corner of Kolkata can give your mouth a spongy feeling with the classic sweet. Rosogolla in Kolkata is available in different flavours and colour options.
Kathi roll
Kati or kathi rolls are usually called rolls in Kolkata and are locally available on every street. Ideally, these are made with chicken and mutton skewers added to parathas and rolled up to be served together.
It amplifies the taste when added with various sauces, chopped chilli, lemon, and onion. It is one of the go-to snacks children crave during supper. Veg rolls have mashed potato and paneer as options. You can get egg rolls served with or without meat as per preference.
Jhalmuri
Kolkata’s version of spicy puffed rice differs from how it is served in North Indian states. While sev is a common accompaniment, people add many spices, coconut flakes, chopped onion, tomatoes, cucumber, and chillies here. In some parts of the city, you will find a special chutney added to this street food making the recipe sweet yet slightly spicy.
Momos
Since North Bengal is a mountainous area, much of its influence dominates the capital city. Over the past decade, if there is one street food that has grown in prominence is momos in Kolkata. From being sold in street stalls across the city to branded shops dedicated to selling a variety of momos, this dish is a must-try.
Tea
Kolkata is a hub of cafes, and tea is an integral part of people’s diets. While most of the country drinks milk tea, Kolkata sells the best black tea from Darjeeling and Assam. Black tea is available in local street shops and top tea cafes in Kolkata.
View this post on Instagram
Fritters
From fish fries to chicken pakora, plenty of fritters can be found here. The term used to address these is ‘chop’, and you will find them in vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. So, try onion chop (piyaji), brinjal chop (beguni), fish chop, and mutton chop when you come here.
Shopping experience in Kolkata
Here are the shopping places you must ask your Kolkata city travel guide to take you:
New Market
If you are staying in the city centre or Dharmatala area, New Market will be your closest shopping destination. It is a huge hub that sells everything from clothes, cookware, books, and much more. The street stalls sell local products like bags, shoes, and accessories available for a bargain. The famous Hogg’s Market in the New Market area is an age-old shopping place that sells amazing cloth pieces for designing clothes.
College Street
If you travel with children, then College Street on a weekday is a must-visit. It is a book lover’s paradise where you can find the rarest collections of new and used books. Many educational books found here are treasures that many do not find elsewhere. Academic books are also available for WB, ICSE and CBSE boards.
Gariahat Market
Like New Market, this is another shopping hub spread across four streets divided by a flyover route in Gariahat. Street vendors dominate the market, but there are big brands selling the finest sarees, kurtas, and other ethnic wear.
Sunday Pet Market
The biggest pet market in India is on Galiff Street, which opens every Sunday morning and stays up till noon. Various pets are sold here, including rabbits, dogs, birds, and many more.
Chandni Chowk
Kolkata’s biggest electronics market is Chandni Chowk. This place sells reusable laptops, new cameras, drones, home appliances, and more. It also has an Electronic Mall (E-Mall) specifically built to sell branded electronics.
Safety Tips
According to National Crime Records Bureau, Kolkata was marked as the safest city in India in 2022. Tourists find this place safe to travel but must keep a few things in mind:
- Several routes in Kolkata allow one-way traffic between 1 pm to 10 pm and reverse the rules before 1 pm
- Chances of pickpocketing remain in Kolkata, and one must keep their belongings safe
- Public transport does not take the onus to help you find lost items and mention the same in buses
- Monsoon season welcomes frequent power outages
- Parents travelling with small children must consider the weather conditions, as humidity can make children sick
- Yellow taxis often reject locations
- When travelling in a taxi, make sure the meter is on from Rs. 30 (base price)
- Cyclone risk during monsoons has become common over the past few years
Traffic in Kolkata is massive, but Kolkata Police is always on alert and do a great job managing it. There are police stations available in every locality, and they take prompt action to settle any grievance.
Final thoughts
Kolkata tourism is a learning experience and can ignite curiosity among students. Families must visit the City of Joy at least once to experience the rich culture, variety of food, and learning opportunities.
0 Comments