Welcome to Kolkata
Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of West Bengal and one of India's most historic and culturally significant cities. Renowned for its literature, art, architecture, festivals, food traditions and intellectual heritage, Kolkata offers visitors a unique blend of colonial history and modern urban life.
Our Aim: We are from West Bengal, and Kolkata is our hometown. Through this project we share the history, daily life, culture and heritage of Kolkata as experienced by its people. We also collect and preserve old maps, photographs, newspaper articles, personal memoirs and historical references that help document the city's evolving story. Many of these memories and collections can be explored through our sections on Daily Life, Communities, Guided Tours and Historic Events. We hope you enjoy discovering Kolkata through our eyes.
by Barnali Dutta
Kolkata Guided Tour
Reaching Kolkata ⇅
Reaching Kolkata is easy. Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal and serves as the cultural and commercial gateway to eastern India.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, also known as Kolkata Airport, serves Kolkata and the surrounding region. It is located approximately 15 kilometres from the city centre and is a major aviation hub for eastern and northeastern India.
Kolkata is also home to Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, formerly Kolkata Port, India's only major riverine port and one of the oldest operating ports in the country.
The city is well connected by rail through Howrah Station HWH, Sealdah Station SDAH and Kolkata Station KOAA, linking Kolkata with every major region of India.
Visitors arriving by air or rail can choose from app-based cabs, prepaid taxis, metro services, buses, ferries and suburban railways for onward travel within the city.
While in Kolkata ⇅
Visitors generally wear whatever they are comfortable with in Kolkata. Lightweight and modest clothing can be practical when using public transport, visiting religious sites, or travelling during the hot and humid summer months. Comfortable walking shoes, a hat and drinking water are highly recommended for sightseeing.
Kolkata is generally considered one of the safer metropolitan cities in India for travellers. However, as in any large city, it is advisable to remain aware of your surroundings, especially late at night. If arriving after midnight, arranging transportation and accommodation in advance is recommended.
Kolkata is an old city with many historic street names, local nicknames and neighbourhood references. Visitors may occasionally receive different directions from different people, so digital maps and verified addresses are useful when navigating unfamiliar areas.
Keeping some cash available is still useful for small purchases, local transport and neighbourhood markets, although digital payment systems are widely accepted throughout the city.
Travel light whenever possible and avoid accepting unsolicited assistance from strangers. At railway stations and transport hubs, use only authorised personnel wearing proper identification and uniforms.
Kolkata is often considered one of the more affordable metropolitan cities in India for travellers, offering a wide range of experiences from heritage walks and museums to street food and cultural events.
Note: Transport fares, museum entry fees and restaurant prices change regularly. Visitors are advised to check official websites and current local information before travelling.
Top Places to Visit in Kolkata ⇅
- Victoria Memorial
- Indian Museum
- Howrah Bridge
- Dakshineswar Kali Temple
- Belur Math
- College Street Book Market
- Kumartuli Artisan Quarter
- Prinsep Ghat
- Marble Palace
- St. Paul's Cathedral
- South Park Street Cemetery
- Eco Park
Whether you are interested in history, architecture, literature, religion, food, photography or everyday urban life, Kolkata offers an unforgettable introduction to the cultural heritage of eastern India.
Important Kolkata Travel Links
Historical Kolkata Travel Costs (2020) ⇅
How much did a cup of tea, a tram ride or an airport taxi cost in Kolkata in 2020? This small price record preserves a snapshot of everyday life before inflation changed the city's economics.
One of the pleasures of reading old travel guides is seeing how cities change over time. The prices below were noted around 2020 and are preserved here for historical comparison. They offer a glimpse into the cost of transport, food, sightseeing and everyday expenses in Kolkata during that period. Visitors should treat them as archival information rather than current travel advice, as actual prices today may differ significantly.
- ₹300 – Pre-paid taxi from Kolkata Airport to the Esplanade area
- ₹200 – Foreigner entrance fee to Victoria Memorial
- ₹150 – Foreigner entrance fee to Indian Museum
- ₹150 – A meal in a cheap but decent restaurant
- ₹120–150 – Coffee at a cafΓ©
- ₹100 – Foreigner entrance fee to Indian Botanic Garden
- ₹80 – AC bus from Kolkata Airport to Esplanade
- ₹70 – Vegetarian thali at a local eatery
- ₹50 – A meal in a budget sit-down restaurant
- ₹50 – Foreigner entrance fee to Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral home
- ₹30–50 – Fresh fruit juice from a street stall
- ₹30–40 – Egg roll from a street food vendor
- ₹20 – Bottle of mineral water
- ₹20 – Single AC tram journey
- ₹10 – Ferry from Dakshineswar to Belur Math
- ₹10–15 – Single journey on Kolkata Circular Railway
- ₹5–10 – Single Metro Railway journey in central zones
- ₹7–10 – Regular city bus fare
- ₹25 – Minimum fare for an AC city bus journey
- ₹6–7 – Single non-AC tram journey
- ₹5–10 – Short suburban rail journey
- ₹5 – A roadside cup of chai (often slightly higher in central commercial areas)
Beyond the numbers, these prices reflect everyday Kolkata during the early 2020s—a city where trams still rolled through historic streets, ferries crossed the Hooghly River, and a simple cup of tea remained one of the most affordable pleasures of urban life.
Future readers may find this list useful not only as a travel reference but also as a small social and economic record of Kolkata during a period of rapid change. As the city continues to evolve, such snapshots help preserve the memory of how ordinary residents and visitors experienced Kolkata in their daily lives.
The 2020 prices below are preserved as a historical record. The 2026 prices are being updated gradually from official sources, current ticket pages and local verification. Some everyday street prices may vary by location and season.
| Item | 2020 Price | 2026 Price / Status |
|---|---|---|
| Single Metro Railway journey | ₹5–10 | ₹5–45 depending on route/distance |
| Victoria Memorial garden entry | ₹200 foreigner entry noted in old list | Garden ticket ₹30; museum/gallery ticket to verify separately |
| Airport to Esplanade taxi | ₹300 prepaid taxi | Current fare varies; verify before travel |
| Indian Museum entry | ₹150 foreigner entry | To be verified from official ticket page |
| Roadside chai | ₹5 | Varies by area; local update needed |
Useful official links:
Kolkata Airport - Airports Authority of India
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata
Metro Railway Kolkata
West Bengal National Highways
West Bengal State Highways
Kolkata Travel Costs: 2020 vs 2026 ⇅
Historical Travel Prices in Kolkata and the Post-Covid Period
How much did a cup of tea, a tram ride or an airport taxi cost in Kolkata in 2020, and how much does it cost today? This comparison preserves a small snapshot of everyday life before and after the post-Covid economic changes.
The 2020 prices below are preserved as a historical record. They reflect travel, food, sightseeing and everyday expenses noted around that time. The 2026 values are being updated gradually from official sources, current ticket pages and local verification. Some prices, especially street food and local transport, may vary by area, season and service provider.
| Item | 2020 Price | 2026 Price / Status |
|---|---|---|
| Single Metro Railway journey | ₹5–10 | ₹5–45 depending on route/distance |
| Victoria Memorial entry | ₹200 foreigner entry noted in old list | Garden ticket ₹30; museum/gallery ticket to verify separately |
| Airport to Esplanade taxi | ₹300 prepaid taxi | Current fare varies; verify before travel |
| Indian Museum entry | ₹150 foreigner entry | To be verified from official ticket page |
| Roadside chai | ₹5 | Varies by area; local update needed |
This comparison is not only a travel-cost note but also a small social record of Kolkata. The post-Covid years changed how people spent money, travelled, paid digitally and experienced the city. Preserving older prices helps future readers understand how everyday Kolkata has changed over time.
Bengal: A Short Journey ⇅
Beyond Kolkata lies the wider cultural landscape of Bengal. From the terracotta temples of Bishnupur and the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans to the tea gardens of North Bengal and the artisan villages scattered across the countryside, Bengal offers an extraordinary diversity of experiences.
Supporting local artisans through visits, purchases and cultural engagement helps sustain these traditions for future generations while providing visitors with a deeper understanding of Bengal's unique identity.
