Key hubs
Kolkata airport and railway station
- Airport
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) at Dum Dum, north-east of the city; roughly 30–45 minutes by road to the city centre, traffic dependent
- Railway station
- Kolkata has several major stations. Howrah Station (HWH) is the largest and most central; Sealdah (SDAH) serves eastern destinations. Direct trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and most major cities.
- Getting around
- Metro (subway) is efficient, clean and affordable for north-south travel. Buses, trams and app cabs work well in the city. A private car and driver is helpful for forts and distant temples.
How to reach Kolkata by air
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) at Dum Dum is roughly 30–45 minutes by road to the city centre, traffic dependent.
How to reach Kolkata by train
Howrah Station (HWH) is the largest and most central hub; Sealdah (SDAH) serves eastern destinations, with direct trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and most major cities.
How to reach Kolkata by road
National highways link Kolkata to the rest of eastern India, though most visitors arrive by air or rail.
Getting around Kolkata
The Metro is efficient and affordable for north-south travel; buses, trams and app cabs cover the rest of the city, and a private car and driver is useful for temples and sights further out.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Kolkata
- Hire a car and driver for the whole day. Taxis and autos are plentiful, but a private car gives you a cool, private space and avoids the stress of navigating markets.
- The metro is efficient and not crowded, but staircases can be steep. Howrah and Sealdah stations are the busiest; travel mid-day rather than rush hours.
- Carry water, a hat, sunscreen and an umbrella (sun + monsoon). Temple floors and heritage marble can be very hot underfoot; wear socks or slip-ons that are easy to remove.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.