Planning a solo trip to Kolkata, India (formerly Calcutta)? Here’s everything you need to know for your visit:
QUICK FACTS
- Capital of the Indian state of West Bengal, with a population of about 15.1 million.
- During the times of the Colonial Rule, under the East India Company and later the British Raj, Kolkata served as the capital of India.
- Located on the east bank of river Hooghly, the Port of Kolkata is the oldest operating port of India. It served as a key military port during World War II.
- The nucleus of the 19th and 20th century Bengal Renaissance, Kolkata is now the principal cultural and educational Centre of East India.
- Nicknames: City of Joy.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)
- Spoken languages: Official language is Bengali. Hindi and English are also used extensively.
- Best time to visit: from October to February. (Perhaps the most interesting time is during the five-day long Durgotsava, an annual South Asian Hindu festival).
- Summers should be avoided, as the temperature gets as high as 45°C (113 F).
- Arriving via airport: the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) is located in Dum Dum, 16 km northeast of the city.
– The best way to get to the city center is to take a pre–paid taxi from the Bengal Taxi Association Centre at the Airport. Prepaid airport taxis cost ₹350–₹400. - Indian Airports commonly have a yellow pre-paid taxi booth at the exit and the rates are fixed by the Government – cheaper than hailing a random taxi outside the airport.
- WBSTC buses are available to the city center from the domestic terminal. They are air-conditioned and a very convenient and cheap way to get to central Kolkata.
- Airtel and Jio are the best providers of pre-paid local SIM cards
- Emergency phone numbers: police 100, ambulance 102
WHERE TO STAY
- The best hostel for solo travelers in Kolkata: City Central Hostel. Friendly staff, big rooms, and comfortable beds.
– Great location, and basic breakfast included daily (toast, tea, banana).
– Located right in the old city – for the other attractions, the metro is a short 10 minute walk away. - Park Street and Sudder Street are the central locations to stay at for exploring the city.
GETTING AROUND
- Underground metro is the fastest and the cheapest mode of transport for getting from the North to the South.
– Ticket prices: Up to 2 km: ₹5 | 2–5 km: ₹10 | 5–10 km: ₹15 | 10–20 km: ₹20 | 20+ km: ₹25
– A metro pass can be purchased for Rs.200 (Rs.100 is a refundable deposit).
– Metro QR Tickets: Use the Metro Ride Kolkata app. Fares: ₹5–35. - Recently, air-conditioned buses have been introduced by WBSTC – these are slightly more expensive but much more comfortable. There are several Private/Mini buses covering the vast road network.
- New CNG taxis: 150 eco-friendly yellow Ambassador taxis (classic design) now available via Yatri Sathi app.
– Pink taxis: women-only cabs introduced for safer travel. - Uber and Ola are widely used in the city and can be more convenient than hailing taxis on the streets, especially for solo travelers. Base fare ₹63–₹105, plus ₹8.4–₹19.4/km depending on vehicle type
KOLKATA NIGHTLIFE
- Drinking age is 18, last call is 11.30 PM.
- Hip/local scene: Most of the bars, cafes and restaurants in Central Kolkata are on and around Park Street. There are quite a few upmarket clubs scattered all over the city. In any case, most of the tourists visiting the city prefer to experience the nightlife on Park Street.
- Trendy scene: Someplace Else ($$$) and Tantra ($$$) at the Park Hotel on Park Street. Underground in Hotel Hindustan International (HHI).
- College crowd: check out Olypub, a small pub on Park Street popular with the university crowd.
- Great bars for solo travelers: The GRID (brewpub), Olterra, and Saz – American Brasserie.
- Looking for a sports bar? Head to The Dugout.
- Safety tip: Avoid unlicensed bars in Burrabazar; stick to Park Street/Salt Lake venues.
UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT
- Victoria Memorial – located on 1 Queen’s Way, this magnificent building is a symbol of the city and must-see. Built during the Colonial times, it houses a museum of memorabilia from the time of Queen Victoria and British Raj.
– Light & sound show: ₹100 (Indians), ₹200 (foreigners). Timings vary seasonally (Oct–Feb: 6:15 PM; Mar–Jun: 6:45 PM)
– Closed Mondays
– Combine with a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral (5-minute walk), which features Gothic Revival architecture and stained-glass windows. - St. Paul’s Cathedral – built in a Gothic Revival style (with stained glass windows), this Anglican Cathedral is a short walk from the Victoria Memorial.
- The Mother Teresa Mission and House, located on Chowringhee Road, is a frequently visited place in Kolkata. Visitors come to pay their respects at the tomb of Mother Teresa – some stay to volunteer at the Teresa House.
- The Birla Temple – this beautiful temple is located in Ballygunge, and houses the spectacular statues of deities Krishna and Radha.
- The Dakshineshwar Kali Temple – built in 1847 on the banks of River Hooghly.
– Boat rides (₹20–50) across the Hooghly River to Belur Math (Ramakrishna Mission HQ) offer scenic views. Accessible via metro (Dakshineswar station on the Yellow Line). - Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture (Golpark South Kolkata). Free entry. Check schedules for cultural discourses (often in English) and exhibitions on Bengali philosophy.
- The Kalighat Temple is a famous landmark of the city. Rebuilt in 1809, this is an important shrine of Shakti worship for the Hindus.
– One of India’s 52 Shakti Peethas. Arrive early (6:00–7:00 AM) to avoid crowds. - Biswa Bangla Gate: Futuristic landmark in New Town with a ₹100 entry fee. Nighttime illumination highlights Bengali art.
- Indian Botanic Garden (Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden): 15-minute drive from Howrah Bridge. Home to a 250-year-old banyan tree. Entry: ₹20 (Indians), ₹100 (foreigners).
INTERESTING WALKS
- Stroll along the river, around Princep Ghat. The area is surrounded with old colonial buildings – it is truly a walk down memory lane.
- Walk down the sprawling promenade near the Eden Garden.
- Kumartuli, where artisans delicately craft the statues of the Goddesses. Best visited September–October to see artisans crafting Durga Puja idols. Workshops open to visitors (tips appreciated).
- Head to Howrah Bridge and walk along the river to Howrah Station. At the base of the bridge is the most colorful market of the city – the Flower Market.
– Tip: Opens at 4:00 AM. Photography-friendly; negotiate with vendors for portrait shots (₹50–100 tip). - Head to College Street (Metro Stop – MG Road) and walk around the “intellectual street” of Kolkata. This street was the heart of the social reform movement – the Bengal Renaissance.
6,000+ book stalls—one of the world’s largest secondhand book markets. Bargain for rare titles (40–60% off cover price). - Take a walk around the Dalhousie Square, exploring the European area from the Colonial times. The British used to refer to it as the “White Town.”
– Key colonial buildings: Writer’s Building, High Court, and Raj Bhavan. Free heritage walks available Saturdays (9:00–11:00 AM; register via Kolkata Tourism).
WHERE TO EAT
- Delicious local snacks to try:
– Phuchka (spicy water-filled crisps): ₹10–20 at Vivekananda Park.
– Kathi Rolls (egg/chicken wraps): ₹60–100 at Nizam’s (New Market).
– Kolkata Biryani (with potato): ₹150–300 at Arsalan (Park Circus).
– Rosogolla: ₹50/dozen at KC Das (multiple outlets). - Kolkata is known for its vegetarian cuisine – try traditional Bengali vegetarian dishes like Shukto and Chingri Malai Curry.
- Great restaurants to try in Kolkata: Zam Zam Restaurant, Sufia Restaurant (Zakaria Street), Mandala The Oriental Kitchen, Little Darjeeling (great burgers and dumplings), Sorano (Italian), Marbella’s ($$$), and Eddy’s (gastropub).
- Oh! Calcutta (Lake Mall): Authentic Bengali dishes like Chingri Malai Curry (₹850).
- Where to find good cheap eats: if you can stomach street food, the street vendors selling egg rolls/chicken rolls can be an interesting experience. Aquatica Food Court: Budget-friendly multicuisine (meals from ₹200).
- Street food crawl: Midnight Heritage Tour with kathi rolls at Nizam’s (₹200/meal).
- For Mughlai dishes, the Park Circus area is the best choice. Park Street area has several restaurants with Indian and international food in their menu.
- The shopping malls around the city also have food courts and restaurants.
LOCAL WISDOM
- Hindi is the national language of the country. Basic knowledge of Hindi is very useful when traveling around India. English, however, will work just fine in the hotels, resorts, restaurants, and clubs. Knowing some basic Hindi will come in handy when dealing with the locals.
- Shopping for souvenirs? Try New Market, Gariahat, and Dakshinapan for local handicrafts and textiles.
– New Market tip: Bargain for leather bags (₹800–2,000) and kantha-stitch sarees (₹1,500+) - Avoid drinking tap water – stick to bottled water. Ask for “no ice” when ordering drinks in restaurants.
- It’s courteous to cover shoulders and knees when visiting religious sites.
- Dangerous areas: avoid drug dealers on Sudder Street. Pickpockets on public transport are also quite common. Avoid lingering on the street in the late night hours.
- Keep a close eye on your personal belongings at all times, especially in crowded areas and on public transport.
- Avoid after dark: Park Circus, Khidirpore, and Posta Bazaar.
- Solo female traveler tips:
– Use “Coolcab” taxis (20% pricier but women-driven).
– Avoid isolated ghats after dark; stick to well-lit areas like Victoria Memorial grounds.
Recommended trip duration: 3-4 days