How to Get Around Kolkata: Public Transport, Taxis and Costs
The easiest ways around Kolkata, ranked by time and cost
Kolkata splits itself across five modes that barely talk to each other — metro, buses, taxis, ferries and the last resort of route-locked autos. A visitor or commuter will need at least three. The metro reaches major landmarks and business districts on predictable schedules. Buses and night services fill the gaps the metro doesn't touch. Taxis and app-based cabs handle what the public system misses, though late-night options matter more here than in most Indian cities. Ferries remain cheap and scenic for river crossings.
This guide orders entries by the sequence a new arrival would use them: first, how to move from the airport. Then the metro system itself, its apps and passes. Then the other modes — buses, taxis, autos — that plug the gaps. Finally, late-night options for when the metro shuts down. The ordering assumes you'll start at the airport and move inward, then learn the city's depth of choice once you're settled.
Jai Hind Metro Station
Kolkata Airport, near Bagdogra Road · Airport-to-metro link · ₹5–₹30 (distance-based), 7:18 am–9:30 pm weekdays
The Yellow Line from Jai Hind station (which is the airport terminal) opened August 2025, with commercial operations beginning on 25 August 2025. The first train leaves Noapara at 7:18 am and the last departs the airport at 9:18 pm. You pay by distance using tokens, QR tickets from the Aamar Kolkata Metro app, or a Metro Smart Card (which gives a 10% bonus on value loaded). The metro skips the airport-ground transport chaos entirely — book your ticket while walking to the platform, skip the prepaid taxi counter queue, and arrive at any of five city stations in 25 minutes. Prepaid taxis from the airport cost ₹440 to ₹1,100 depending on destination.
Aamar Kolkata Metro App
Available on iOS and Android · Mobile QR tickets and smart card recharge · ₹5–₹30 per journey, free to download
The Aamar Kolkata Metro app (formerly Metro Ride Kolkata) lets you book QR-based tickets and top up your Kolkata Metro Smart Card with ease. Show your QR ticket at Automatic Fare Collection gates to access metro premises. The app was last updated 27 April 2026. Skip the token queues at ticket counters during rush hours (which pile up worst around 9–11:30 am and 5–8 pm). You book your trip and pay instantly from your phone, tapless at the gate. The app also tracks your card balance if you prefer the Smart Card route.
Kolkata Metro Smart Card
Available at all 58 metro stations · Rechargeable fare card · ₹100 issuance (₹50 refundable), 10% bonus on recharge
As of 2026 the card costs ₹100 to issue (₹50 of it a refundable deposit) with 10-year validity — up from just one year. Minimum recharge is ₹50, maximum balance ₹1,000. Smart card holders pay roughly 10–20% less than token prices plus a 10% bonus on every recharge. This is worth the upfront cost if you're staying more than a few days. Tap in and out; the fare reconciles to actual distance traveled. Bring an ID (Aadhaar, passport or photo ID) for registration, which protects your balance if the card is lost.
Kolkata Metro Blue Line
Dakshineswar to Kavi Subhash, 26 stations · Main north-south spine, busiest corridor · 6:50 am–10:40 pm weekdays (9 am Sundays), ₹5–₹30
The North-South Blue Line operates from 6:50 AM to 10:40 PM, with Sunday services starting at 9:00 AM. Peak hours from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM are extraordinarily tightly packed, particularly at crucial interchanges like Dum Dum, Esplanade, and Kalighat. Kolkata Metro offers the lowest starting fare in the country, ranging from ₹5 to ₹30. If traveling on the Blue Line, wait near the platform markings for the ladies' reserved section (two gates of the first compartment) if applicable, or aim for the end coaches to find some breathing room. Most visitors' first choice because it connects the airport, Howrah Station, the city center and south Kolkata in a straight line.
Green Line East-West Metro
Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V, 12 stations · Underwater tunnel under Hooghly River · 6:45 am–10:30 pm, ₹5–₹30
The Green Line travels through a 520-meter twin tunnel under the Hooghly River, connecting Howrah and Kolkata. Both Howrah and Sealdah railway stations are connected by the Green Line, serving as major interchanges for suburban railway commuters. The Green Line has India's first and biggest underwater metro tunnel, along with the deepest metro ventilation shaft. The Howrah metro station is the deepest metro station in India, at a depth of 33 m. Use this to cross the river without traffic if you're moving between Howrah's rail hub and the east-bank tech district (Salt Lake, New Town, the airport connector).
WBTC Airport Buses
Departs Kolkata Airport · Routes to Esplanade, Howrah, Tollygunge · ₹100–₹180, 45–90 minutes depending on traffic
WBTC (West Bengal Transport Corporation) runs AC and non-AC buses from the airport to various city points including Esplanade, Howrah, and Salt Lake. Journey time varies from 45 minutes to 90 minutes depending on traffic and route. The most commonly used are bus route V1 to Tollygunge (every 20 minutes, between 08:15 and 21:15 hours), bus route VS1 to Esplanade (every 30 minutes, between 08:15 and 20:00 hours) and bus route VS2 to Howrah (every 10 minutes, between 08:00 and 21:30 hours). Cheaper than a pre-paid taxi but slower and prone to traffic. Best if you're not in a hurry and traveling solo or on a budget.
Ola and Uber App-Based Cabs
Operate city-wide from any location · 24/7 service, upfront pricing · ₹240–₹800+ depending on destination and traffic
Ola and Uber both operate extensively here and are the most visitor-friendly options: upfront pricing, no negotiation, and familiar apps. These services operate round the clock and are a popular choice for safe, comfortable, and trackable rides after dark. However, during peak nightlife hours, expect longer wait times or occasional driver cancellations. Kolkata traffic, especially on VIP Road and EM Bypass, can be intense during rush hours (8–10 AM, 5–8 PM). During monsoon season (June–September), waterlogged roads can double journey times and trigger heavy surge pricing on app cabs. Avoids meter haggling and the unpredictability of hand-raised taxis, though pricing rises steeply in rain or congestion.
Howrah Station Jetty Ferries
Howrah Station to Fairlie Place/Chandpal Ghat/Babughat, Kolkata · Passenger ferry crossing · ₹5–₹7, 7:40 am–9 pm
The ferry service operates from 7:40 am to 9 pm, offering an affordable mode of transportation with tickets starting at Rs. 5.00. From Chandpal Ghat the ferry fare is 6 rupees. From Howrah to Bagbazar Ghat, the ferry fare is 7 rupees. The busiest crossing is between Howrah Station and central Kolkata's ghats (Fairlie Place, Chandpal Ghat, Babughat). Further north, ferries connect Baghbazar and Ahiritola to Belur Math and Dakshineswar. The journey takes minutes and cost is negligible, and you can enjoy views of iconic landmarks such as the Howrah Bridge and Vidyasagar Setu. Book tickets at the counter just before boarding; no advance booking needed.
WBTC Night Buses
City-wide night routes from major hubs · Routes: Howrah–Airport, Howrah–New Town, Howrah–Barasat, Belgachia–Esplanade · ₹20–₹100, after 10:40 pm
Yes, the WBTC does offer 24X7 public transportation service with the introduction of special night service buses. These are available on specific routes, including Howrah station to the airport, Howrah station to Barrackpore, Howrah station to Kamalgazi, Howrah station - Barasat, Dunlop to Ballygunge, Belgachia to Esplanade, Shyambazar to Barasat, and Howrah station to New Town. The West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) has reintroduced night bus services on key routes after a long hiatus. These buses cover important corridors and operate well past midnight, catering to late-night commuters, party-goers, and shift workers. Coverage includes major hubs such as Howrah, Airport, Joka, and Salt Lake.
Fixed-Route Auto-Rickshaws at Metro Stands
Auto stands near metro stations, bus terminals, major intersections · Shared, fixed routes only · ₹10–₹30 per person per route
Auto-rickshaws in Kolkata mostly don't work like autos in other Indian cities. Most autos run on fixed, permitted routes (typically short stretches of a few kilometres) and operate on a shared basis, picking up and dropping passengers along the way for a flat per-head fare. You'll find these at designated auto stands near Metro stations, bus terminals, and major intersections. This makes autos ideal for the 'last mile,' getting from a Metro station or main road to a specific neighbourhood or PG, rather than for long cross-city trips. Fares are typically small, fixed amounts per route rather than metered, so it's worth asking a local or checking with co-passengers what the going rate is if you're new to an area. They run on demand (typically filling before they depart), so expect waits of 10–30 minutes.
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