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FAQ
When is the best time of year to visit Kolkata?
November to February is dry and comfortable, with December and January the coolest months and sometimes hazy mornings. March warms up, April and May are hot and humid with evening storms, and the monsoon runs roughly June to September, heaviest in July. October rain tails off. Check India Meteorological Department forecasts before booking.
How many days should a first visit to Kolkata allow?
Three full days cover the central sights around the Maidan, BBD Bagh and Park Street. Add a day for North Kolkata and another for a river crossing to Belur Math. Allow extra time for day trips such as the Sundarbans or Shantiniketan. Spread plans across neighbourhoods to limit travel in traffic.
How do you get from Kolkata airport to the city centre?
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) is about 17 km north-east of the centre. By road, Park Street is roughly 45 to 75 minutes depending on traffic, while Salt Lake and New Town take 20 to 40 minutes. App cabs and prepaid taxis are available. Jai Hind Bimanbandar metro station on the Yellow Line serves the airport, but services are expanding, so check Metro Railway Kolkata.
Is the Kolkata metro useful for sightseeing?
The Blue Line runs north to south via Dakshineswar, Shyambazar, Esplanade, Park Street, Maidan and Kalighat. The Green Line crosses under the Hooghly from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade, Sealdah and Salt Lake Sector V. Purple, Orange and Yellow lines are partly open and expanding. Check Metro Railway Kolkata for current stations and hours before planning journeys.
What should you know about visiting during Durga Puja?
Durga Puja usually falls in late September or October, with five main days from Shashthi to Dashami. It is UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Pandals appear across North and South Kolkata, and streets are busy, especially in the evenings. Book accommodation well ahead and check the current year's dates with West Bengal Tourism before fixing travel.
Where can you try Kolkata's Chinese food?
Tangra, in east Kolkata, is the home of the city's Chinese community and Indian-Chinese food. Tiretta Bazaar, the old Chinatown, has a Chinese breakfast market early in the morning. Go early and expect simple stalls rather than formal restaurants. Check locally for current stalls and opening days, as the area changes.
Do you need a permit for the Marble Palace?
The Marble Palace dates from 1835 in North Kolkata and is a private residence. Entry needs a free permit, so check current arrangements before travelling. Photography rules and accessible rooms may vary. Allow time to explore the surrounding streets, and confirm opening days locally, as the house is not a public museum.
How do you plan a day trip to the Sundarbans?
The Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage mangrove delta and tiger reserve. Entry permits come from the West Bengal Forest Department, usually arranged through operators. Access is by road plus boat, and two or three days are recommended. The best months are November to March. Check the forest department for current permits, routes and safety rules.
What is the quickest way to reach Shantiniketan?
Shantiniketan, Tagore's Visva-Bharati, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023. Trains from Howrah to Bolpur take roughly 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Check Indian Railways or IRCTC for current timetables and availability. Road travel takes longer. Allow a full day, or stay overnight to see the campus at a slower pace.
Photo credits: Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Ravi Dwivedi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Dassurojitsd, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.