Getting Around Kolkata

Kolkata has India's oldest metro, its only trams, and the last of the yellow Ambassador taxis. The metro now does most of the work, airport included; the rest you ride because they exist nowhere else.

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Airport to City

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU)

Located 17 km northeast of central Kolkata.

By Uber/Ola

To Park Street area: ₹400-600 To Howrah: ₹500-700 Time: 45-90 minutes depending on traffic

Indian SIM required for OTP verification.

By Prepaid Taxi

Counter inside arrivals. Fixed rates.

• To Esplanade: ₹450-550
• To Park Street: ₹400-500
• To Howrah: ₹500-600

Add 25% for night (10 PM - 6 AM).

By Airport Bus

AC bus to Esplanade. ₹70. Runs regularly. Takes 1-1.5 hours. Stops along the way.

By Metro

The airport has its own metro station now: Jai Hind (Bimanbandar), about 150 m from the terminal and linked to it by an underground walkway, opened in August 2025 on the Yellow Line. Ride to Noapara, about 12 to 14 minutes, then change to the Blue Line for Esplanade, Park Street and the rest of the city. It is the cheapest way in by far, but check the clock: the Yellow Line runs roughly 07:18 to 21:30 (Sundays from 09:18), so an evening arrival needs a taxi.

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Kolkata Metro

Overview

India's first metro (1984). Clean, efficient, cheap. The Blue Line runs north-south. The east-west Green Line now runs the full stretch from Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V, passing under the Hooghly (India's first under-river metro), and the Yellow Line links the airport to Noapara.

Key Stations

Station	Near
Esplanade	Central hub, malls
Park Street	Park Street restaurants, bars
Maidan	Victoria Memorial, racecourse
Rabindra Sadan	Academy area
Kalighat	Kalighat Temple
Dum Dum	North Kolkata, mainline rail interchange
Jai Hind (Bimanbandar)	The airport, via Yellow Line
Howrah	Howrah Station, Green Line under the river, India's deepest metro station

Fares

• ₹5-25 depending on distance
• Token from counter
• Smart cards available for frequent use

Hours

• 6:45 AM to 10:00 PM (Sunday from 9:45 AM)
• Trains every 5-10 minutes

Tips

• Air-conditioned relief in summer
• Avoid rush hours (9-11 AM, 5-8 PM)
• Seats reserved for women in every coach (no separate ladies' compartment here)

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Trams

The Experience

Kolkata is the last Indian city with trams, electric since 1902. The network is a fraction of what it was: the state moved to close it in 2024, the Calcutta High Court halted that in January 2025, and two routes still run, Route 5 between Shyambazar and Esplanade and Route 25 between Gariahat and Esplanade. It moves at walking pace, so ride it for the ride rather than to get anywhere.

Why Ride

• Heritage experience, feel old Kolkata
• Photography, beautiful vintage vehicles
• Slow touring, see the city roll by

Routes

Two routes survive, both terminating at Esplanade: Route 5 north to Shyambazar, and Route 25 south to Gariahat. The Kalighat services are gone, along with the old College Street routes 1, 2, 6 and 11, though Route 5 still runs the length of College Street. Cars are few, so check at the Esplanade terminus before planning around one.

Practical Info

• Fare: ₹6-8
• Speed: Walking pace
• Frequency: Limited and irregular, expect a wait at the stop

Best Tram Experience

Take Route 5 from Esplanade up to Shyambazar through North Kolkata. Allow an hour or more, and treat it as sightseeing rather than transport. The state announced a revival in June 2026, with a technical survey and new cars proposed, so the network may yet grow again.

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Taxis

Yellow Ambassador Taxis

The iconic yellow Ambassadors are fading but still exist. Metered, relatively honest.

How it works:

• Flag down taxi
• Confirm destination
• Meter runs (check it starts)
• Pay fare shown

Approximate fares:

• Minimum: ₹30
• Per km: ₹10-12

Uber and Ola

Widely available. Reliable, AC, GPS-tracked.

Typical fares:

• Within central Kolkata: ₹100-200
• Airport to Park Street: ₹400-600
• Across city: ₹200-400

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Auto Rickshaws

Green three-wheelers operate in outer areas. Less common in central Kolkata than in other cities.

Fares: Fixed per stage on each route, roughly ₹10 to ₹25. Kolkata autos have no meters and are shared, so you ride a set route between two fixed points rather than hiring the vehicle.

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Hand-Pulled Rickshaws

Kolkata is the last city with hand-pulled rickshaws. Controversial, some see exploitation, others see livelihoods.

Where: North Kolkata narrow lanes If you use: Tip generously. These are among Kolkata's poorest workers.

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Ferries

Hooghly River Ferries

Routes: Between various ghats (Howrah to BBD Bagh, etc.) Cost: ₹5-10 Best for: River views, Howrah Bridge perspective

Tips

• Runs during daytime
• Basic vessels, no frills
• Scenic, cheap, local experience

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Getting Between Areas

Park Street to Howrah Bridge

Metro: Park Street → Esplanade (Blue Line), then the Green Line under the river to Howrah; the bridge is a short walk from the station Taxi: 20-40 minutes (₹100-200)

Victoria Memorial to Kumartuli

Taxi/Uber: 30-45 minutes (₹150-250) Metro: Maidan to Sovabazar-Sutanuti on the Blue Line, then about ten minutes on foot to the potters' lanes. Usually quicker than the road.

Esplanade to Dakshineswar Temple

Metro: Blue Line straight through from Esplanade to Dakshineswar, the northern terminus, about 35 minutes. Best option. Taxi: 45-60 minutes (₹300-400)

Central Kolkata to Airport

Metro: Blue Line to Noapara, then Yellow Line to Jai Hind (Bimanbandar), the cheapest and most predictable Uber/taxi: 45-90 minutes (₹400-600) Bus: 1-1.5 hours (₹70)

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Day Trips

To Shantiniketan

Train: From Howrah Station (2.5-3 hours) Car: 3-4 hours

To Sundarbans

Organised tour recommended (8-10 hours driving + boat) Overnight tours available

To Darjeeling

Flight: To Bagdogra, then 3-hour drive Train: Overnight from Sealdah, then toy train

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During Durga Puja

Transport changes dramatically:

Metro: Operates late (until 1-2 AM) Roads: Gridlocked in many areas Walking: Often the only option Plan ahead: Pandal-hopping is mostly on foot

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Transport Costs Summary

Mode	Best For	Cost Range
Metro	North-south travel	₹5-25
Tram	Heritage experience	₹6-8
Yellow taxi	Short trips	₹30-150
Uber/Ola	Convenience	₹100-600
Ferry	River crossing	₹5-10
Airport bus	Budget option	₹70

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Tips

1. Download Uber/Ola before arriving
2. Get SIM at airport for app bookings
3. Metro is your friend, fast and cheap
4. Try the tram, at least once
5. Walk, central Kolkata is walkable
6. During Puja, accept transport chaos, walk more

For planning help, see our trip planning guide.