Kolkata, the city of joy, is popular not just in India but all over the world for its rich culture and history. Tourists visit this city throughout the year to get a glimpse of this rich heritage. If you are planning a trip to Kolkata, we have five great tips for you to make sure that you enjoy the city at its best.
Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is rightly called the ‘City of Joy’. Right from the tradition, culture, to its history, the dynamic city constantly surprises the visitors. The reputation of the city is as such that it attracts several tourists, not just from India but all over the globe, who wish to get a glimpse of its magnificent heritage.
If you are planning a visit to this amazing city, we have a list of some handy tips that are sure to further enhance your joy of being here.
- Travelling To and From the Airport
Be it Bangalore to Kolkata flights or flights from other domestic airports in India, it is easy as a breeze to get here. When you get down at CCU (Netaji Subhas Chandra Airport), the first thing you need to figure out is how you’d reach your hotel. The best option is to pick a pre-paid cab from the airport for your hotel or destination.
If you want to experience the Kolkata metro, you can take the cab to the Dum Dum station ( which is around 5 km from the airport) and then reach your destination in a metro.
- Getting Around
Kolkata was the first city in India to have underground metro. However, there is still only one route which connects the south and north of Kolkata, i.e. Garia station to Dum Dum. But it is still a great way to travel across the city. Trains leave every 10 minutes or so, and the fare is pretty cheap.
Apart from the metro, another popular option is tuk-tuk rickshaws, which can be easily found all over the city and operate on fixed-routes. You can also pick a yellow share taxi which accommodates a total of 4 passengers.
- What to do here?
Once you have figured how you’ll travel, the next thing is what you’d like to do here. The city has so many different things to offer that every traveller is sure to find something of his/her liking. There are famous museums and memorials like Indian Museum, Shaheed Minar, and Victoria Memorial, which are surely worth a visit. If you like art, head over to Kumortoli, a neighbourhood where you can watch artists create idols from clay.
Some of the other most popular places in Kolkata include New Market, Sudder Street, Dakshineshwar Kali temple, Science City, Howrah Bridge, Blur Math, Birla Planetarium, Mother House, and Eden Gardens. Know the type of places you’d want to visit, and you are sure to find several great options.
- Accommodation in Kolkata
Depending on what type of accommodation you prefer, you’ll find plenty of options in Kolkata. There are cheap accommodations as well as 5-star hotels throughout the city. If you want to stay near the popular tourist spots, look for something Naskarhat, Bidhan Nagar, and areas close to Rabindra Sarobar.
If high-end hotels are what you prefer, you can look for options like the Park Hotel Kolkata, Swissotel, Oberoi Grand, and Hyatt Regency. Rather than reaching Kolkata and then booking a hotel, it is better to make the booking in advance before you travel to Kolkata.
Kolkata is one the most popular cities in India and a perfect tourist destination. If you want to make the best of your trip to this beautiful city, make sure that you do remember the tips mentioned above.
