Introduction
The former capital of British India, the port of Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta), today forms the commercial and industrial hub of eastern India located on the eastern banks of the Hooghly River (about 150 km upstream from the Bay of Bengal), which is a tributary of the Ganges. Most travellers tend to visit the areas in Kolkata that are south of the Howrah Bridge, around BBD Bagh and Chowringhee.
During the British Raj Kolkata was known as the Jewel of the East and was the capital of the country till 1911. It still bears the Victorian imprint on its streets and structures. Today, it is still the most important city in the east, the nerve center of trade and industry of the State.
To the first time visitor, Kolkata is indeed overwhelming. It presents a unique blend of 19th century Europe and the throbbing vitality of a metropolis of teeming millions. Densely populated and polluted, Kolkata is often an ugly and desperate place, that to many, sums up the worst of India. Yet it's also one of the country's more fascinating centres producing some of India's finest literature, theatre, films, art and culture. It is also known as the "City of Joy".
Weather
Kolkata has a tropical climate with an annual average temperature of 26.8 °C. The monthly variations are generally between 19 °C and 30 °C, although in the winter temperatures can dip to 10 °C and summer often sees temperatures above 40 °C. Summers are hot and humid in Kolkata with the warmest months being May and June, whilst winter is a short two to three months (around December and January). Winters are generally considered the best time to visit, weatherwise.
Getting There
By Plane
Several international carriers, including British Airways, Singapore Airlines, KLM and Air India, fly on Kalkota and connect it with cities like London, Hong Kong, New York and Rome. Domestic carriers like Air India, Indian Airlines Sahara, Jet Airways and Alliance Airways connect Kolkata with other major cities of India, including Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi, amongst others. Located at Dum Dum, approximately 17 km north-east of the city centre, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) is quite small for a city this size. The international terminal is clean, though basic and it hasn't been refurbished since 1950. The domestic terminal is more modern and much busier than the international terminal and has been expanding rapidly in recent years with the explosion in domestic traffic and new airlines.
From the airport to get to the city the best bet is a Pre-paid Taxi. If taking a taxi there do mention which terminal you want. There are money changing facility at the airport and if you already do not have any you should get some changed.
The preferred option to get to the city from the airport is to take a prepaid taxi, which should cost around Rs. 150-250 depending on your destination. Alternatively, you can take the rail link to Dum Dum and board the metro from there.
By Train
Kolkata is well linked to other parts of the country by rail and also serves as the gateway to North Eastern India. Kolkata has one major railway station which is located at Sealdah, with a newer station 'Kolkata' opening in 2005 but still not accommodating many trains. Another major railway station is located in Howrah, which technically lies in the next city, but is often considered part of Kolkata. Among others, express trains like the Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express link Kolkata to Delhi and other nearby places.
There are computerised Railway Reservation Offices at several places in the city, though the one near Strand Road on Fairly Place is the most popular.
By Car
Travelling by car is not really recommended unless for shorter journeys. The Grand Trunk Road which was built in the 16th century by the Mughals leads into Howrah all the way from Pakistan and adventurous travellers journey into or out of Kolkata on this road.
By Bus
Esplanade Bus Station in the Chowringhee area is the city's main station for inter-state and inter-city buses, with bus services serving many places in West Bengal.
By Boat
With its location on the Hooghly River, it is possible to enter Kolkata by boat, especially from nearby towns and cities.
Getting Around
By Boat
Along the river bank there are several points (normally called ghats or jetties) where you can board regular ferry services. Travelling by river through the city allows you to get a view of the sometimes decadent river front and is a nice, hassle-free way to visit attractions near the river bank.
There are regular ferries (boats that simply ply across) from Babughat to Howrah which are pretty economic. Booking a boat personally for a ride is a bit costly. There are options to book a boat for a luxury river cruise along the Hooghly River. Short cruises are from Babughat, Floatel or Fairly Place jetties and takes you up to the famous Dakshineswar Temple and the Belur Monastery. Day long cruises are available from the same places and these touch all the important colonial towns along the riverbank. These towns are Bandel (Portuguese), Chinsura or Chu(n)chura (Dutch), Sreerampore (Danish), Chandan Nagar (French). Get in touch with the West Bengal Tourism office in BBD Bagh (Dalhousie Square) for details.
By Car
The percentage of street area is very low in Kolkata and therefore taking a car will ensure that you get stuck in traffic jams, and then find no parking place. Self-driven cars are usually not available on hire. You have to hire a car with a chauffeur. If you are planning for a city tour do not hire a car. Instead use cabs. Cabs are called Taxis here and they are yellow in colour. If your travel plan includes visiting places in the outskirts of the city you can book a car from a travel agent. The standard Amby or Ambassador (4 seater) comes at INR 55 per hour or 6 per kilometer whichever is higher. The sleeker and faster Indica (hatchback) comes at INR 65 per hour or 7 per kilometer. Tata Sumo (MUV) is at INR 75 per hour or 8 per kilometer (all rates for 2008 first quarter). Try to get a car that hails from a garage near to the pickup point because you will be charged for the garage in and garage out kilometers/hours as well.
By Public Transport
The most effective public transport here is the metro rail (subway or tube). It runs along the north-south direction without any branching. Multi ride tickets are available which are a bit cheaper than single ride ones.
Almost every metro rail station is also a terminus for the autorickshaws (three wheeled vehicles) as well. So, you can take a north-south run on a metro and then go east or west on an autorickshaw. Unlike other Indian cities, here in Kolkata autorickshaws can not be hired. You have to be a shared passenger, travelling with other three or four people and paying a fixed fare for a fixed distance.
Buses are numerous in Kolkata. There are cheaper regular or private buses, luxury air-conditioned buses and a whole range between these extremes. Buses ply along fixed routes.
By Foot
Travelling by foot is not advised in summer. In winter, autumn or spring you can walk along the main city center or Esplanade. Esplanade is also called Dharamtalla. A very nice walk could begin in the early morning at Tiretta Bazaar where you can savour the famous Chinese Breakfast of home made buns, momos, dimsums et al and then you can visit the synagogues and churches along Brabourne Road. You can then go down to College Street (the book alley) for a walk amidst books. You can return via the Central AVenue to Esplanade and walk to the impressive Indian Museum. Then you can continue along the same street and visit the Birla Planetarium, the St. Pauls Cathedral, and the Victoria Memorial Hall.
By Bike
Keep Connected
Internet
Internet cafés are called Cybercafes in Kolkata and they are usually available at street corners near important junctions.
Phone
Privately owned STD booths (from which you can make local and international calls) are also available on busy street corners. In these booths they have electronic counters so you can see your bills ticking and hang up. Avoid using hotel phones because they always overcharge you. STD and ISD rates vary, so get to know the reduced rate time slot (mostly after 10 pm).
Police -100
If you are staying in Kolkata for a long time it's better to take a pre-paid connection on a mobile phone (GSM cell phone). These phone are cheap nowadays and call charges are also low. To get a GSM cell phone connection you have to show/deposit your ID proof. A photocopied passport will serve this purpose.
Post
Post Offices are located in important places and not on every corners. The General Post Office or GPO is located near BBD Bagh (Dalhousie Square). From here you can send out large items for shipping to your country. Musical instruments are better sent this way than carrying them as baggage items on aeroplanes. The airport staff often do not handle delicate things carefully and they may get broken inside the parcel. There are people on the street, near the GPO, who will pack your parcel and seal it meticulously against a charge. Decide on the price before hand or you may get fleeced.
This is version 17. Last edited at 6:02 on May 15, 08 by GeoBot (+57). 4 articles link to this page.
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