Welcome to the city of Kolkata, City where history, culture & the spirit among people dances every day! Kolkata, the City of Joy Kolkata is a city that is associated with old colonial structures, delicious street food and various types of markets. From scouring the last vestiges of British colonialism for the history buff, to indulging in a local theater city for the art connoisseur and putting together your spice scratch pad on some terrific Bengali foods — there is something for everyone in Kolkata. This magical city is waited for to welcome you, so let us go on a journey together to learn how we can reach this amazing land!
How to Travel: Options for Travelling to Kolkata
From Delhi
Kolkata is the fastest option if you are in the capital city. There are several flights throughout the day from Indira Gandhi International Airport and you can reach in a little over 2 hours and 30 minutes. IndiGo, Air India, and Vistara regularly ply this route, so getting on board a flight is easy peasy.
Prefer a more scenic route? It is a separate experience to travel from Delhi to Kolkata by train.
Out of these, the two best options are Howrah Rajdhani Express and Duronto Express which take 17-19 hours respectively. Nothing, and I truly believe this to be the case, can beat the thrill of watching the scenery change outside your window as you zip through India!
From Mumbai
Huge shout-out to My Personal Blog Travel from the ever-busy streets of Mumbai? You get both air and rail in this one. A 2-hour flight from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport will take you to Kolkata. Thanks to airlines such as SpiceJet and GoAir, you will now find a good number of options on sites like MakeMyTrip or ClearTrip.
The Konkan Kanya Express is an added bonus if you feel like taking a train ride as it will take approximately 27 hours. Just picture watching the sun go down in the Arabian Sea!
From Hyderabad
Flying is the quickest and most convenient mode of transport to travel Hyderabad to Kolkata, which is a frequently traveled path. The flight time takes approximately 2 hours, and there are a few airlines that will fly you out on this adventure. Be it through EaseMyTrip or others; grab your seat in just a few clicks.
If you want to get a little more scenic (and airdroppable), take the 16-hour train ride on the East Coast Express. Don- t forget to pick up a cup of hot chai and local snacks for the journey!
From Bangalore
Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka is another source location for Kolkata. It will take slightly more than 2 hours by air, as there are multiple airlines that cover this route. Thanks to the ease of booking online, it is easy for you to look up cheap options that fit into your travel plans.
Travelers of the adventurer kind should hop aboard and takes in all whiles en route. It may take around 30 hours on the Karnataka Express, but we can at least get an opportunity to greet co-passengers and a few stories.
From Chennai
This route is very well travelled by many of the travelers from Chennai. It takes an hour and a half in a plane to get there. There are frequent flights, so you can schedule your trip according to your convenience.
For those who want to hit the road, a good drive is just as rewarding. You’ll cover a distance of approximately 600 kilometers, passing through beautiful villages and verdant as you go. Just make sure you bring some munchies with ya!!
From Trivandrum
Coming from southernmost tip of India? You can take a flight from Trivandrum International Airport and it would take around 3 hours to reach Kolkata. The most convenient is the flight, but for an adventure you could take a long train journey with the Netravati Express which would take around 36 hours.
From Bhubaneswar
You read that right, if you are coming from Bhubaneswar this is like a double bonanza. It is only a distance of 440 kilometers. Take a flight –approximately 60 minutes, or take a train – which is where the experience itself may last a lovely 8-10 hours. The Jan Shatabdi Express is a well-liked option, providing decent seating and beautiful vistas.
Getting Around Locally In Kolkata
Once you arrive in Kolkata, the city is easy to get around. Kolkata Metro is a time-saver and travelling in iconic yellow taxis and auto-rickshaws are part of nostalgia. And by foot with all the cool stuff in the city, less than two steps away!
How to Get the Most Out of Your Kolkata Trip
- Discover Food Scene : Food in Kolkata is famous!!! Make sure to indulge in the street food scene ranging from puchka (pani puri) to mishti doi And don’t even get me started on the Bengali sweets, go to Bhim Nag and K.C Das.
- Explore the Cultural Hub – Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Marble Palace and more. Make time to visit them all, for that’s the only way you can unearth Kolkata’s trove of historical gems.
- Take a Walk by the waters of Hooghly River: A river cruise can be a new experience about the city. Get to take in views of the sunset and an iconic symbol like Howrah Bridge which is really a sight to behold!
- Shop Local: Buy Authentic Bengali Handicrafts, Textiles & Jewelry at New Market or Gariahat Market. Negotiation is actually half the fun!
- Talk To Locals: So, guys do not hesitate to talk with welcoming locals. Having their stories, insights and recommendations will take your experience a long way.
Kolkata is calling you not for just a holiday but to experience the history of this city, the culture and spirit that cannot be paralysed, Kolkata is now waiting for you. Regardless of if you hop on a flight, the train or take to the road and drive yourself over there first — getting to The City of Joy is only your rolling stone. Your visit to Kolkata will be nothing less than extraordinary and offer you a magnificent opportunity of experiences.
So, take your backpacks out, start booking your trip tickets on websites like MakeMyTrip, ClearTrip, and EaseMyTrip, and leave to create some memories of a lifetime!Here are some articles you can check out for more tips on planning your journey to Kolkata — TripAdvisor and Thrillophilia. Safe travels!
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