Are you traveling to Kolkata soon? One of the major metropolitan cities of India and the city of joy is the most accessible tourist place for Bangladeshis. Two of the Bengals are divided by border, but also, with time, west Bengal has evolved into culture, food and lifestyle a little differently than Bengalis in Bangladesh.
You will find the perfect harmony of heritage, history, culture and experience the difference between two Bengals in this city. If you want to travel to Kolkata but don’t know how, this article ‘How to Travel to Kolkata from Bangladesh’ will walk you through the process step by step. There are a few ways you can arrive in Kolkata.
The best routes from Bangladesh to Kolkata:
1. Maitree Express:
This international express train has made travelling to Kolkata much more accessible than before and comfortable at an affordable price. Maitree Express runs from Dhaka Cantonment to Kolkata Station on Sundays and Fridays.
Bangladesh to Kolkata train journey takes about 34 hours to complete, and there is a base cost and a travel tax included in the fare.
Bangladesh to Kolkata train fare:
- AC chair car total price: 3435 takas per adult
- AC cabin total price: 2455 taka each seat
2. Dhaka to Kolkata Flight:
There are almost 38 flights a week from Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal International airport (HSIA) to Kolkata Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, including companies like Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Air India, Regent Airways, Spice Jet, US Bangladesh Airlines.
You can find flights in Skyscaner sites for booking tickets online. The duration of most of the flights is around 50 minutes to an hour.
Dhaka to Kolkata aeroplane Ticket price: The average prices of companies like Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Indigo flights are around 6,770 in economy class.
Top 10 Tourist Places to Visit In Kolkata
The connection of blood and history between two Bengals may have already given you some ideas about this city. As a Bengali, the historical site and the cultural sites Kolkata 10 Am10 Am 4:30 Pm February every day one very day will enthrall you.
Here is the list of the top 10 places to visit in Kolkata for a first-time traveller.
1. Exploring the Victoria Memorial Hall
Spread across and surrounded by 57 acres of garden, Victoria Memorial Hall is one of the oldest museum libraries in India. Beside Maidan, an open space made for a promenade, on 1 Queens Way street.
stablished in 1562, Victoria Memorial Hall has been decorated with valuable eastern and western paintings and hosts a beautiful light show in the evening.
Victoria Memorial entry fee: The entry fee for Bangladeshis or other SAARC countries’ citizens is 114 BDT per head for the garden and 228 BDT for the gallery inside.
Timings: 10AM to 5PM; closed on Mondays
2. Discover the Wonders of Science at Birla Planetarium
Just ahead of the Victoria Memorial Hall in the same street, you will find the Birla Planetar, a replica architect of Buddhist Sanchi Stupa. It is involved in academic and research activities of astronomy and astrophysics.
The Planetarium hosts a show which shows projected stars replicated from the universe, and the projection inside the dome using Carl Zeiss Hybrid Projection System makes you feel like floating in the universe.
M P Birla Planetorium Timings and fare: The sky theatre hosts the cosmic show in Bengali at 2:30 pm and 5:00 pm, and the show costs around 137 Bangladeshi Taka per head.
3. Marvelous Architecture of St. Cathedral Church
The Saint Cathedral Church is 800m from Victoria Memorial Hall, and it takes around 3 minutes on the bus and 12-15 minutes if you are walking. Saint Paul’s Cathedral Church is the first Anglican Church made by the British outside of Britain.
The 56m tall church is a gothic architectural distinction of brilliance, and this is also the first Asian Anglican church to be built. You can feel the quiet residing in the church wall, and the reflected sunlight from colourful glasses will make you feel the presence of God.
ST. Paul’s Cathedral Entry fee and timings: No entry fee is charged at regular times. But from time to time, it charges an entry fee of around 12 BDT. The church is open from 9:00 Am to 12Pm and 3Pm to 6 pm on weekdays and Saturdays and from 7:30 Am to 6:00 pm on Sundays for the different services.
4. The Fascinating History Behind Kolkata’s Princep Ghat and Babughat
Princep Ghat is one of the most elaborate and panoramic places along the Ganga river. It was built in 1843 in memory of James Princep. Along the river, you will find places to take long strolls, and you will see manual boats for a ride on the river. Finally, you will see the memorial for James Princep and watching the setting sun from there will make you remember it as one of the memorable sunsets.
How to get to Princep ghat?
You can find numerous buses towards Babughat like 1b, 3C/1, 30A, 4B towards babughat and once you reach there, you have to walk in the opposite direction of the bus depot. And you will find the serene long parks and Princep Ghat.
5. Discovering the Cultural Treasures of Indian Museums
In the Jawaharlal Nehru Road near Dharmatala, the national museum of Kolkata was established in 1814 by the legendary Asiatic society. The main purpose of the establishment was to capture the socio-cultural and scientific progress of the society, and now it has expanded to cultivate and restore medieval antiques.
You will see a huge collection of antiques, armour, fossils, skeleton, mummies and Mughal paintings.
Indian museum Kolkata timings: 10 Am to 5 pm ( March to November) and 10 Am to 4:30 Pm from December to February every day except on Mondays.
Ticket price: 171 BDT per adult and additional charges for cameras.
6. Explore the Splendors of College Street Book Stores
Asia’s biggest collection of books, from publication houses to little magazines, College Street is the home to heaven for book lovers. The old bookstores of college Street will present to you the history and culture that has evolved throughout the years right in that place.
Some famous publications and bookstores to visit on college Street are Kotha o Kahini, Chakravertty Chatterjee & Co Ltd, Das Gupta & company, National Book Store, International Book Trust etc. If you come forward towards Presidency College from the book market, you will find the renowned Indian Coffee House, the hub of literature and music.
7. Take a Tour of the Spectacular Jorasanko Thakur Bari
The revolutionary writer, Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral home Jorasanko Thakur Bari in Singhi Bagan, is one of the main attractions for the Bengalis. The verandahs, libraries will bewitch you as you realize the masters of the Bengal revolution Mohorsi Devendranath Tagore, Gaganendranath Tagore, Abanindranath Tagore, Swarnakumari Devi, lived right there.
The history of Tagore’s is built in the history and making of Bengal’s culture, literature and revolution, and you will see that in the museums.
Jorasanko Thakur Bari timings and entry fee: The entry fee for students, including foreigners, are 12.80 takas, and for adults, it is 15.20 taka, and the opening hours are 10:30 am to 5:00 pm except on Mondays. Mondays are completely closed.
8. A Visit to Science City Will Make You Believe in Science!
One of the largest science facilities in Asia, Kolkata’s Science City in the South Kolkata should be on your list when you are visiting Kolkata. Since its inauguration in 1997, it has been the best spot in Kolkata to visit science and technology in the most stimulating and fun way.
From 3-D shows to digital panorama showing human evolution, space theatre, Dynamotion Hall, the explorations will ensure your knowledge with enjoyment. You can enjoy ropeway, time machine, cool 3-D shows, science on a sphere shows and rides as well.
If you are going on vacation with your teenage children, they will love it.
Opening Hours: 9:00 am to 8:00 Pm every day of the week
Ticket prices in Science City, Kolkata: You can buy two types of combo tickets when entering or buy tickets for each show or ride individually. The entry ticket is 69 taka per person. The space theatre 3D ticket is 114 taka each, and the 2D one is 92 taka each.
The Panorama show on Human Evolution will be 69 takas. The combo pack of entry tickets, panorama show and space theatre show is available at 194 takas and 217 takas per person, depending on if you get the 2-D or 3-D show ticket.
9. Historical Significance Of The Kolkata Town Hall
One of this metropolitan’s architectural splendour made in Roman Doric style of architecture is one of the best places to visit to know the history and culture of the city and Bengal. This is situated in Esplanade, BBD bagh near Chowringhee road.
The history of the town hall is mesmerizing. Though primarily made for British social gatherings with the first floor being open to the public, the town hall was dilated after independence and restoration with external support, and now it is an attraction for the history nerds and the architects for the artistic design. It also holds government events and special events like Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary over here.
Opening Hours: 11:00AM to 6:00 PM everyday
Ticket prices: The ticket price from Tuesday to Friday is 12 taka and at the weekends, including Friday is 18 taka.
10. Belur Math & Dakshineswar:
You can get plenty of buses from any side of Kolkata to Dakshineswar, the divine place where Shri Ramakrishna found his spiritual answers to life. Built by Rani Rashmoni in 1855, this Kali temple is situated on the east bank of river Ganga.
Except for the beautiful ghats and the Shiv and Vabatarini temples on Dakshineswar, the food stalls are very famous. You can see them while entering the temple from the skywalk outside the main gate. The kochuri and Dahi valle there are must-haves.
Opening hours: 6:30 Am to 12:30 pm in the morning and 3:00 pm to 8:30 Pm in the evening.
Belur, situated on the west bank of Ganga, is the headquarters of Ramakrishna Missions in India. The Vivekananda Museum there has the artefacts of Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi and Vivekananda. The evening prayer is one of the biggest attractions in Belur, and all religions are welcomed there.
You will also find libraries and staying quarters for the Hindu monks over there. You can get ferry services from Bagbazar Ghat and also Dakshineswar ghat as well.
Additional Places to visit in Kolkata:
While you are in Kolkata, if you want to explore more than the obvious, some places can give you a better experience level.
- Ma er Bari & ghat( In Bagbazar the living quarters of Ma Sarada is a place to visit.)
- Girish Ghosh er Bari & Nivedita School( Also in Bagbazar)
- Vivekanda’s Ancestral House in Maniktala
- Eco Park( One of the widespread and the best amusement and activity parks in Kolkata)
- China Town( A different culture surviving in this city for more than a century, and the foods there are highly recommended for a different palette.)
Must-try restaurants and Eateries In Kolkata
Places to eat & Popular restaurants in Kolkata are the best for a first time visitor, and all the listed food are halal completely.
- Flurys Bakery in Park Street Area( English breakfast, Viennese coffee, Macchiato, Beacon)
- Kareem’s( Afghani and Mughlai Cuisines such as Handi Gosht, Chicken Peshawari kebab, Lahori Chicken)
- Peter Cat( One of the best fine dining restaurants in Park Street, must-have: Chelo Kebab, Prawn Butter Masala)
- Oudh 1590 ( Best Kebab with the royal atmosphere; must-have: galouti kebab, Shahi Kebab, Badam Sherbet, Mughlai Kebab)
- China Town: In the Tangra Chinatown, you will find exquisite Chinese dishes and breakfast from street vendors if you go early in the morning. Big Boss, Kim Ling, are two of the best restaurants in the area.
The beauty of this metropolitan resides within its streets, its people and also the historical places. While you enjoy these places, you can visit the Hatibagan Market, Lake Market and many more places to explore this city of Joy more. Happy Travelling!
FAQ:
1. How to tour Kolkata in One day?
If you are not on vacation and just happen to be in the city, you can start from ParkStreet Cemetary and then come down to Victoria Memorial and visit Maidan, St. Cathedral on the way. You can either finish off at Princep Ghat with a sunset or head back to the new market area for some good foods. Lastly, if you have the evening, you can go to either lake market, Hatibagan market for shopping or head to Nandan for some movies.
2. What are the best flights from Bangladesh to Kolkata?
The best Flights from Dhaka to Kolkata are Biman Bangladesh, Spice Jet, US Bangladesh Airline, and most of the economy tickets cost around 6500 to 7500 taka.
3. What are trains available between Kolkata to Bangladesh?
Two International expresses run between Kolkata and Bangladesh: The Bandhan Express( Kolkata to Khulna) and Moitree Express( Kolkata to Dhaka ).
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