How to Reach Kolkata
I would advise any traveller to Kolkata a few tips how to travel in Kolkata.
1 Except if you're travelling to Kolkata in November December, PLEASE
FOR GODS SAKE DON'T CARRY ANY WOOLENS .
In case you're from North India, kindly bring light woolens only, western wear & ethnic wear not traditional wear, if you're an Indian please do not bring any Sarees, but buy them from Kolkata, from M.G.Road Basak near M.G.Road Metro/Mahajati Sadan, or from Rash Behari Avenue between priya cinema to Gariahat Bridge. Or from Any shop at Dakshinapan (ask for Dakkhinapan) at Dhakuria overbridge you may ask for Madhusudan Manch.
Buy a few Cotton Tantuja/Or Tant Saree (as known in North India) Buy at least one, especially with Cream/Off White base & Red Motif/Border. Also buy in dark Earth contrasting shades, for details look on Google Images search Rituparna Sengupta, Swastika Mukherjee, Raima Sen, Riya Sen, Roopa Ganguli, Suchitra Sen(in colour please)
Parno Mitra, and kindly wear the off white/red one, whenever you visit Kalighat Temple.
If you did not visit Kalighat Temple, Drink Bhaad Chai(in earthen clay cup), leebu(lemon) chai, Lal Chai, Eat Puchka(Gol Gappa/Pani Puri) for non indians a hollow ball made of flour, filled with fierry hot spicy cold water, & boiled mashed potato, for the brave I suggest say 'Jhaal Tez" (make it more spicy)!! Jhaal(spicy) Muri(puffed rice) with mustard oil, raw mango, sliced fresh coconut, groundnut, sliced diced onion, kaacha longka(green chilly)
And green coriander lraves, lemon juice. Rosogolla, Sandesh, Mishti Doi(Sweet Curd not yoghurt ok!) Especially Nolen Gur(Liquid Palm Jaggery) Rosogalla, Sandesh & Mishti Doi.
If you don't do the above, better avoid Kolkata. (except the Saree part if you're a Western Wear Nazi) You'd be surprised to see loads of Americans & Europeans, moving around south Kolkata in Saree/Eastern Wear.
If you're a South Indian, play safe carry a "Baader Tupi"(Monkey Cap) Maaflaar(Muffler) you could pass on like A Ghosh Babu or Chatter/Banner/Mukher jee Chatto/Bandho/Mukho padhyaya.
For Europeans & Americans, anyone coming from Cold Climate, the minimum temperature is 12 °C (10° a couple of days at max that too near Christmas)
Travel light. Travel Light. TRAVEL LIGHT!!!
At Howrah, Sealdah & Dum Dum Airport,
The Famous Yellow Amby Cab Driver is the worst Brand Ambassador of Kolkata, after Aveek Sarkar & Arnab Goswami of Course.
They're more of Shylocks cum bouncers cum Thughs.
Except a seasoned Jhalla(Smart Alec) like me, its Taxi Driver 1 Tourist/Even Bhadralok 0!!
Even at Prepaid counter, you gotta queue a long one at thag.
Carry an Umbrella!!! It rains 11 months in a year, suddenly pours cats & dogs.
Carry Odomos(Mosquito repellant)
Carry Tortoise Brand Mosquito repellant coils as well as electric mosquito repellant like Good Night.
Carry comfortable walking Sandals & Shoes.
IF YOU WALK IN KOLKATA YOU ENJOY KOLKATA TO THE MAX.
If you're an "AC Cab types" Avoid Kolkata. You won't even see 50% of what's to be seen.
Why?
A walk from Eden Gardens to Office "Para" (Locality) Binoy Badal Dinesh Baag or BBD Bag(Also known by Cab Drivers as Dalhousie Square) you seesee
I have made Video of BBD Bag Architecture HERE
And Someone else too. Here.
Eden Gardens
St John's Church
Town Hall/ Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
Bidhaan Sabha(Legislature)
GPO.
RBI (Reserve Bank of India) Building.
Balmer Laurie
U -Turn
Gillander House,
Bengal Chambers of Commerce & Industry, 6, N.S.Road(Netaji Subhash Road)
The above is a heritage building built in 1857, from where, British Ruled India!
So all the above are on your left when you walk.
Writer's Building, Stephen House, LIC Building, Grand Hotel, each is an Architectural beauty to be admired on foot.
Walk from Eastern Railway Headquarters to Fairlie Place, go to Babughat Railway Station, then to Babughat ferry, take a ferry to Belur Math(from under Howrah Bridge known as Rabindra Setu), Dakshineshwar Temple or Howrah Railway station, at Rs2-5 at this moment, and enjoy a boat cruise on Hooghly too! On deturn, enter Millenium Park. Sit on bench, watch life pass through on River Hooghly especially between 7AM to 9 AM in the morning.
Walk to Princep Ghat, cross the railway station sit on Banks of Hooghly and watch new Howrah Bridge known as Vidyasagar Setu.
Walk from Fairlee Place to Phool Bagan or Flower Market early in the morning say 5 AM.
Walk from Esplanade(Dharmatolla) to Sir Stuart Hogg Market( S S Hogg Market) also known as New Market.
Eat Cakes, Marzipans at the cities oldest Bakery Shop Nahoum & Sons.
Eat Crushed Ice Candy/Baraf Ka Gola, Kulfi Falooda, drink Kala Khatta/Badam Sharbat, Eat Biryani at Shiraaz/Aminia(Haleem during Ramzan) Kathi Rolls at Nizam's. Shop.
Walk from Grand Hotel towards Park Street
Have Beer Rum or Whisky at SomeplaceElse The Park Hotel
Or Olys Pub
Or Magnolias
Or Trincas listening to Music
Eat Ice Cream at Magnolias
Dinner at Moulin Rouge, Mocambo, Kewpies, Trincas, Kwality.
Eat Pastry, Chocolate Balls, Patties at Flurrys.
Bagels & Pesto Sauce or Croissants or Sandwiches at Au Bon Pain
Walk out to Park Street Metro
Go to Sudder Street talk to a tourist,
Walk ahead to Indian Museum,
Victoria Memorial
Elliot Park
Birla Planetarium.
Walk to Ballygunge Phari
Towards Birla Temple
Drink Sattu
Eat Hot Singhada(Samosa)
Enter Birla Temple pray
Come out.
Enter Birla Tecnology Museum
Come out
Enter The Dhaba eat Parantha & Dahi
Or Chole Bhature
Cross Street Drink Bsdam Shake at Ralli Singh.
Who.needs a Cab?!!!
Pro Tip
Rail plus Ferry.
Auto plus Metro
Or Auto plus Bus
Or Auto plus circular local rail is
The best way to navigate faster in Kolkata.
Here are Some of extensive Videos on Kolkata
1 Kolkata though with a Europran POV
2 Flavours of Kolkata HEREHERE Food Trail by Aneesha Baig.
3 By Rocky & Mayur Food in Kolkata
4 Rocky & Mayur at Presidency
5 Foodie Kunal Vijaykar in Kolkata
6 Balram Mullick Radharaman Mullick Jadu Bazaar by VenuG
Avoid Cabs
Kolkata Taxi Driver is the rudest anywhere on earth. Their could be a flash taxi strike, during rains they create tantrums.
Calcutta Transport Corporation, Calcutta Tramways Company, Kolkata Metro, Indian Railways, Blue rickety(but convenient) buses, Shared Auto Rickshaw(TukTuks) Red(The last Red left) Minibus(slightly inconvenient) in that order is the preferable mode of transport, if you're a seasoned traveller. In Case you are a fussy traveller
Take a private Taxi
They operate at the following rates as on Date.
80kms or 8 hours whichever is earlier Rs130/hour
After 80kms/8hours Rs12 AC Indigo/Rs13 Maruti Swift dzire
Garage to Garage)Garage to pickup point is on you.
So chose a closer guy & do the pickup /drop point at the Garage.
So if on above you travel 100kms in 8,hours 130*8+13*20 =1040+260=1300
Or
Wbtdc bus 8:30 to 5:30 @ Rs450/pax
Following route.
Which are also the most important places to visit.
" The itinerary is as follows :
Places Not Covered in above.
Marble Palace, Jorsanko Thakur Bari(Tagore's home) Kalighat temple, Birla Technology Museum, Botanical Garden, Nicco Park, Science City. Eco Park Rajarhat.(LATEST ADDITION Thanks to Mamata Didi), Rabindra Sadan Adda, College Street & Indian Coffee House, College Street.
Rabindra Sarovar or Lakes Dhakuria.
Millenium Park.
Mamata Didi's gift to Kolkata the new riverfront between Princep Ghat to Race Course.
Soon coming "Kolkata Eye" Like London Eye,!!
Imoortant places in Kolkata 175 via TripAdvisor
10 Most important places to visit in KolkataKolkata via travelwithsmiletravelwithsmile
Kolkata on Wikipedia
Kolkata on WikiTravel
WestBengalTourismSite
WestBengalTourism city tour booking link Rs450/pax
Calcutta Tramways Corporation site
AC Tram
Saturday Sunday 9 AM Rs150
From Esplanade Tram Depot to Shyam Bazaar
Covers BBD Bagh, Jorsankho Thakurbari(from outside) Srar Theatre, Nakoda Mosque, Back at Esplanade. Covers Lal Dighi, Writers Building but not St John's, GPO.
Saturday Sunday 5PM Esplanade to Kalighat Temple & Back
Rs 100
Wednesday 3PM Rs 150 Esplanade to Khidderpur
Covers Maidan, Victoria, on ths route
Extra
Snacks , Tea & Soft Drinks/Juices avalable on payment.
Tram is AC & very comfortable
Vivada River Cruise
Morning Millenium Ghat to Belur Math and Back 7:30-11:30 Rs1500/pax
Afternoon Baghbazaar to Both bridges & Lunch on Cruise. 12:30-2:30 Rs1000/pax
Evening 3:30-5:45 Millenium Ghat to Belur Sandhya Aarti 15:00-17:45 Rs1500/pax
Night 19:30-21:30 Drinks & Night Cruise from Bagh Bazaar to both bridges. Rs1000/pax
Bridge to Bridge 18:15-19:15 Fs100,
1 By Rail. Duronto From Mumbai & Delhi (Fare includes Food)
2 Rajdhani from New Delhi Railway Station to Howrah as Well as Sealdah. Two trains 7 days a week.
3
I would advise any traveller to Kolkata a few tips how to travel in Kolkata.
1 Except if you're travelling to Kolkata in November December, PLEASE
FOR GODS SAKE DON'T CARRY ANY WOOLENS .
In case you're from North India, kindly bring light woolens only, western wear & ethnic wear not traditional wear, if you're an Indian please do not bring any Sarees, but buy them from Kolkata, from M.G.Road Basak near M.G.Road Metro/Mahajati Sadan, or from Rash Behari Avenue between priya cinema to Gariahat Bridge. Or from Any shop at Dakshinapan (ask for Dakkhinapan) at Dhakuria overbridge you may ask for Madhusudan Manch.
Buy a few Cotton Tantuja/Or Tant Saree (as known in North India) Buy at least one, especially with Cream/Off White base & Red Motif/Border. Also buy in dark Earth contrasting shades, for details look on Google Images search Rituparna Sengupta, Swastika Mukherjee, Raima Sen, Riya Sen, Roopa Ganguli, Suchitra Sen(in colour please)
Parno Mitra, and kindly wear the off white/red one, whenever you visit Kalighat Temple.
If you did not visit Kalighat Temple, Drink Bhaad Chai(in earthen clay cup), leebu(lemon) chai, Lal Chai, Eat Puchka(Gol Gappa/Pani Puri) for non indians a hollow ball made of flour, filled with fierry hot spicy cold water, & boiled mashed potato, for the brave I suggest say 'Jhaal Tez" (make it more spicy)!! Jhaal(spicy) Muri(puffed rice) with mustard oil, raw mango, sliced fresh coconut, groundnut, sliced diced onion, kaacha longka(green chilly)
And green coriander lraves, lemon juice. Rosogolla, Sandesh, Mishti Doi(Sweet Curd not yoghurt ok!) Especially Nolen Gur(Liquid Palm Jaggery) Rosogalla, Sandesh & Mishti Doi.
If you don't do the above, better avoid Kolkata. (except the Saree part if you're a Western Wear Nazi) You'd be surprised to see loads of Americans & Europeans, moving around south Kolkata in Saree/Eastern Wear.
If you're a South Indian, play safe carry a "Baader Tupi"(Monkey Cap) Maaflaar(Muffler) you could pass on like A Ghosh Babu or Chatter/Banner/Mukher jee Chatto/Bandho/Mukho padhyaya.
For Europeans & Americans, anyone coming from Cold Climate, the minimum temperature is 12 °C (10° a couple of days at max that too near Christmas)
Travel light. Travel Light. TRAVEL LIGHT!!!
At Howrah, Sealdah & Dum Dum Airport,
The Famous Yellow Amby Cab Driver is the worst Brand Ambassador of Kolkata, after Aveek Sarkar & Arnab Goswami of Course.
They're more of Shylocks cum bouncers cum Thughs.
Except a seasoned Jhalla(Smart Alec) like me, its Taxi Driver 1 Tourist/Even Bhadralok 0!!
Even at Prepaid counter, you gotta queue a long one at thag.
Carry an Umbrella!!! It rains 11 months in a year, suddenly pours cats & dogs.
Carry Odomos(Mosquito repellant)
Carry Tortoise Brand Mosquito repellant coils as well as electric mosquito repellant like Good Night.
Carry comfortable walking Sandals & Shoes.
IF YOU WALK IN KOLKATA YOU ENJOY KOLKATA TO THE MAX.
If you're an "AC Cab types" Avoid Kolkata. You won't even see 50% of what's to be seen.
Why?
A walk from Eden Gardens to Office "Para" (Locality) Binoy Badal Dinesh Baag or BBD Bag(Also known by Cab Drivers as Dalhousie Square) you seesee
I have made Video of BBD Bag Architecture HERE
And Someone else too. Here.
Eden Gardens
St John's Church
Town Hall/ Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
Bidhaan Sabha(Legislature)
GPO.
RBI (Reserve Bank of India) Building.
Balmer Laurie
U -Turn
Gillander House,
Bengal Chambers of Commerce & Industry, 6, N.S.Road(Netaji Subhash Road)
The above is a heritage building built in 1857, from where, British Ruled India!
So all the above are on your left when you walk.
Writer's Building, Stephen House, LIC Building, Grand Hotel, each is an Architectural beauty to be admired on foot.
Walk from Eastern Railway Headquarters to Fairlie Place, go to Babughat Railway Station, then to Babughat ferry, take a ferry to Belur Math(from under Howrah Bridge known as Rabindra Setu), Dakshineshwar Temple or Howrah Railway station, at Rs2-5 at this moment, and enjoy a boat cruise on Hooghly too! On deturn, enter Millenium Park. Sit on bench, watch life pass through on River Hooghly especially between 7AM to 9 AM in the morning.
Walk to Princep Ghat, cross the railway station sit on Banks of Hooghly and watch new Howrah Bridge known as Vidyasagar Setu.
Walk from Fairlee Place to Phool Bagan or Flower Market early in the morning say 5 AM.
Walk from Esplanade(Dharmatolla) to Sir Stuart Hogg Market( S S Hogg Market) also known as New Market.
Eat Cakes, Marzipans at the cities oldest Bakery Shop Nahoum & Sons.
Eat Crushed Ice Candy/Baraf Ka Gola, Kulfi Falooda, drink Kala Khatta/Badam Sharbat, Eat Biryani at Shiraaz/Aminia(Haleem during Ramzan) Kathi Rolls at Nizam's. Shop.
Walk from Grand Hotel towards Park Street
Have Beer Rum or Whisky at SomeplaceElse The Park Hotel
Or Olys Pub
Or Magnolias
Or Trincas listening to Music
Eat Ice Cream at Magnolias
Dinner at Moulin Rouge, Mocambo, Kewpies, Trincas, Kwality.
Eat Pastry, Chocolate Balls, Patties at Flurrys.
Bagels & Pesto Sauce or Croissants or Sandwiches at Au Bon Pain
Walk out to Park Street Metro
Go to Sudder Street talk to a tourist,
Walk ahead to Indian Museum,
Victoria Memorial
Elliot Park
Birla Planetarium.
Walk to Ballygunge Phari
Towards Birla Temple
Drink Sattu
Eat Hot Singhada(Samosa)
Enter Birla Temple pray
Come out.
Enter Birla Tecnology Museum
Come out
Enter The Dhaba eat Parantha & Dahi
Or Chole Bhature
Cross Street Drink Bsdam Shake at Ralli Singh.
Who.needs a Cab?!!!
Pro Tip
Rail plus Ferry.
Auto plus Metro
Or Auto plus Bus
Or Auto plus circular local rail is
The best way to navigate faster in Kolkata.
Here are Some of extensive Videos on Kolkata
1 Kolkata though with a Europran POV
2 Flavours of Kolkata HEREHERE Food Trail by Aneesha Baig.
3 By Rocky & Mayur Food in Kolkata
4 Rocky & Mayur at Presidency
5 Foodie Kunal Vijaykar in Kolkata
6 Balram Mullick Radharaman Mullick Jadu Bazaar by VenuG
Avoid Cabs
Kolkata Taxi Driver is the rudest anywhere on earth. Their could be a flash taxi strike, during rains they create tantrums.
Calcutta Transport Corporation, Calcutta Tramways Company, Kolkata Metro, Indian Railways, Blue rickety(but convenient) buses, Shared Auto Rickshaw(TukTuks) Red(The last Red left) Minibus(slightly inconvenient) in that order is the preferable mode of transport, if you're a seasoned traveller. In Case you are a fussy traveller
Take a private Taxi
They operate at the following rates as on Date.
80kms or 8 hours whichever is earlier Rs130/hour
After 80kms/8hours Rs12 AC Indigo/Rs13 Maruti Swift dzire
Garage to Garage)Garage to pickup point is on you.
So chose a closer guy & do the pickup /drop point at the Garage.
So if on above you travel 100kms in 8,hours 130*8+13*20 =1040+260=1300
Or
Wbtdc bus 8:30 to 5:30 @ Rs450/pax
Following route.
Which are also the most important places to visit.
" The itinerary is as follows :
Starting and Ending point : WBTDC office at BBD Bag > Raj Bhavan-Akashvani Bhavan - Bidhan Sabha - High Court - Treasury Building - St. John's Church - GPO - Writers Building – Howrah Bridge - Belur Math(Be there at 11:30,for bhog.) - Dakshineswar Temple – Jain Temple – Museum – Lunch Break.
Saheed Minar-Town Hall-Eden Gardens-Prinsep Ghat- Netaji Bhavan- St Pauls Cathedral – Victoria Memorial.
Timings : 8.30AM – 5.30 PM"
How to go about the trip
Here is a helpful tip from TripAdvisod forum. Here
Important Places to visit in Kolkata are given above, Most Important Being Belur Math, Dakshineshwar Temple. Indian Museum(Biggest in Asia) & Victoria Memorial.Places Not Covered in above.
Marble Palace, Jorsanko Thakur Bari(Tagore's home) Kalighat temple, Birla Technology Museum, Botanical Garden, Nicco Park, Science City. Eco Park Rajarhat.(LATEST ADDITION Thanks to Mamata Didi), Rabindra Sadan Adda, College Street & Indian Coffee House, College Street.
Rabindra Sarovar or Lakes Dhakuria.
Millenium Park.
Mamata Didi's gift to Kolkata the new riverfront between Princep Ghat to Race Course.
Soon coming "Kolkata Eye" Like London Eye,!!
Imoortant places in Kolkata 175 via TripAdvisor
10 Most important places to visit in KolkataKolkata via travelwithsmiletravelwithsmile
Kolkata on Wikipedia
Kolkata on WikiTravel
WestBengalTourismSite
WestBengalTourism city tour booking link Rs450/pax
Calcutta Tramways Corporation site
AC Tram
Saturday Sunday 9 AM Rs150
From Esplanade Tram Depot to Shyam Bazaar
Covers BBD Bagh, Jorsankho Thakurbari(from outside) Srar Theatre, Nakoda Mosque, Back at Esplanade. Covers Lal Dighi, Writers Building but not St John's, GPO.
Saturday Sunday 5PM Esplanade to Kalighat Temple & Back
Rs 100
Wednesday 3PM Rs 150 Esplanade to Khidderpur
Covers Maidan, Victoria, on ths route
Extra
Snacks , Tea & Soft Drinks/Juices avalable on payment.
Tram is AC & very comfortable
Vivada River Cruise
Morning Millenium Ghat to Belur Math and Back 7:30-11:30 Rs1500/pax
Afternoon Baghbazaar to Both bridges & Lunch on Cruise. 12:30-2:30 Rs1000/pax
Evening 3:30-5:45 Millenium Ghat to Belur Sandhya Aarti 15:00-17:45 Rs1500/pax
Night 19:30-21:30 Drinks & Night Cruise from Bagh Bazaar to both bridges. Rs1000/pax
Bridge to Bridge 18:15-19:15 Fs100,
1 By Rail. Duronto From Mumbai & Delhi (Fare includes Food)
2 Rajdhani from New Delhi Railway Station to Howrah as Well as Sealdah. Two trains 7 days a week.
3
