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CCU · 22.56° N · 88.36° E · India

Kolkata

The cultural capital of eastern India, known for its colonial buildings, its writers and its sweets.

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About Kolkata

In short

  • Victoria Memorial
  • Howrah Bridge
  • College Street book market
  • Dakshineswar Kali Temple
  • Kumartuli potters' quarter

At a glance

Country
India
Region
South Asia
Local time
GMT+5:30
Time difference
4.5 hours ahead of London5.5 hours ahead in January
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR)
Languages
English
Main airport
  • CCUNetaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport
Best time to visit
November to February
Deals
2 deals

Kolkata, once Calcutta, was the capital of British India until 1911, and its centre still has grand buildings from that time, led by the white marble Victoria Memorial. It is a city of books, music and film, and the home of the poet Rabindranath Tagore.

Cross the Howrah Bridge over the Hooghly river, browse the book stalls of College Street, and visit the flower market below the bridge in the early morning. Leave room for rosogolla and mishti doi.

Before you go

Entry and visas

Entry rules for India depend on your passport and the purpose of your trip, and they can change. Check the official sources below before you book and again shortly before you travel. If you need a visa, apply only through India's official visa portal, run by its Bureau of Immigration, and be wary of other sites that ask for extra payment.

Health

See TravelHealthPro's India page and book a travel health appointment several weeks before you go. Protect yourself from mosquito bites and take care with food and water hygiene. From March to June the weather is hot and humid, so drink plenty of water, rest in the shade and use sun protection.

Money

India's currency is the Indian rupee (INR). Carry some cash for markets, street food stalls and shared auto rickshaws, tell your bank before you travel, and check what your card charges for payments and withdrawals abroad.

General information only, not legal or medical advice. Rules change, so check the official source before you travel.

Checked on 14 October 2026

When to go

  1. JanuaryBest
  2. FebruaryBest
  3. March
  4. April
  5. May
  6. JuneNot ideal
  7. JulyNot ideal
  8. AugustNot ideal
  9. SeptemberNot ideal
  10. October
  11. NovemberBest
  12. DecemberBest

November to February is mild and mostly dry. March to June is hot and humid, with average highs around 35°C in April and May. The monsoon brings heavy rain from June to September, and some rain lingers into October. Durga Puja falls in September or October.

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  • Flight · Return

    Kolkata with Qatar Airways via Doha

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    Kolkata with Emirates via Dubai

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Pictures of Kolkata

  • The steel lattice of Howrah Bridge over the Hooghly River in Kolkata, with a small wooden boat on the water below
    Howrah Bridge, a cantilever bridge over the Hooghly River
  • A yellow taxi with a blue stripe in front of an old colonnaded building overgrown with hanging roots on a Kolkata street
    A yellow taxi on a Kolkata street lined with old buildings
  • Wooden boats with orange covers moored on the Hooghly River in Kolkata, below the cables of the Vidyasagar Setu bridge
    Boats moored on the Hooghly River, with Vidyasagar Setu above
  • A clay idol of the goddess Durga with many arms, draped in silver cloth under a pink canopy in Kumartuli, Kolkata
    A clay idol of Durga in Kumartuli, Kolkata

Questions about Kolkata

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How do I get around Kolkata?

The Kolkata Metro, running since 1984, is a simple way to cross the city, and an extensive bus network covers much of the rest. Ferries cross the Hooghly between Kolkata and Howrah, and auto rickshaws are usually shared and unmetered.

Which airport serves Kolkata?

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) serves Kolkata. If you arrive by rail, the city's two major stations are Howrah, across the river, and Sealdah.

Do I need a visa to visit India?

It depends on your passport and the purpose of your trip, so check the official sources on this page before you book, and again shortly before you travel, as rules can change. If you need a visa, apply only through India's official visa portal, which its Bureau of Immigration runs.

Checked on 14 October 2026

When is Durga Puja in Kolkata?

Durga Puja falls in the Hindu month of Ashvin, which corresponds to September or October, so the dates change from year to year. The festival lasts several days, and in 2021 UNESCO added Durga Puja in Kolkata to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

When is the best time to visit Kolkata?

November to February is usually the most comfortable time, with mild, mostly dry weather. March to June is hot and humid, and the monsoon brings heavy rain from June to September.

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