Pick a city
Delhi
Mughal monuments, Old Delhi food and the gateway to Agra and Jaipur.
Mumbai
Seafront, the colonial Fort district, the film city and street food.
Bengaluru
Garden city, cafés and craft beer, and a base for Mysuru and Coorg.
Goa
Beaches, Portuguese-era churches and winter sunshine.
Chennai
Marina Beach, Mylapore temples and the road to Mahabalipuram.
Darjeeling via Bagdogra
Tea gardens, the toy train and Kanchenjunga views.
Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram)
Andaman beaches, diving and Havelock (Swaraj Dweep).
Hyderabad
Charminar, Golconda Fort and the famous biryani.
Journey times are approximate; Darjeeling adds 3–4 hours by road from Bagdogra. Check airline schedules.
Travelling around India from Kolkata
Kolkata is well connected to the rest of India. Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru have many non-stop flights a day from CCU, and there are regular services to Chennai, Hyderabad, Goa, Bagdogra (for Darjeeling and Sikkim) and Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) in the Andaman Islands. For many routes the train is a real alternative: Howrah and Sealdah stations have overnight expresses to Delhi, Puri, Varanasi and the north-east.
Fly or take the train?
- Fly for Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Goa and Port Blair — journeys of over 1,500 km where flights save a day or more.
- Take the train for Puri, Varanasi, Shantiniketan and New Jalpaiguri (for Darjeeling) — overnight trains save a hotel night and are comfortable in AC classes.
- Combine: fly to Bagdogra, then go by road to Darjeeling or Gangtok; return by the overnight train from New Jalpaiguri.
When to go
October to March suits most of India — cool in the north, dry on the coasts. Goa’s beach season runs roughly November to March. The hills around Darjeeling are best in spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November). Delhi is very hot from April to June and can have heavy smog in November and December; see the Delhi guide for details.
Booking tips for trips from Kolkata
- Fares jump around Durga Puja, Diwali, Christmas and the May–June school holidays — book 6–8 weeks ahead for those dates.
- Early-morning departures from CCU avoid the worst city traffic on the way to the airport.
- Carry a government photo ID for domestic flights and trains.
FAQ
Which Indian cities have the most flights from Kolkata?
Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, followed by Chennai and Hyderabad.
Is it better to fly or take the train from Kolkata to Delhi?
Flying takes about 2 hours 15 minutes; the fastest Rajdhani Express trains take around 17–19 hours overnight.
How far is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport from central Kolkata?
The airport sits near Dum Dum, about 17 km north-east of the centre. By road, allow roughly 45 to 75 minutes to Park Street depending on traffic, and 20 to 40 minutes to Salt Lake or New Town. Add a margin during office hours and after heavy rain.
Can you reach CCU airport by metro?
Jai Hind Bimanbandar station on the Yellow Line serves the airport. Lines and stations are still being added across the network, so check Metro Railway Kolkata for current services, first and last trains, and where to interchange from the Blue Line or the Green Line before setting out with luggage.
How early should you be at CCU before a domestic flight?
Check-in cut-offs are set by the airline rather than the airport, and security queues lengthen through the morning peak. Allow a generous buffer rather than the bare minimum, particularly when checking bags. Confirm the reporting time with your airline and add time for the road journey to Dum Dum.
How do you get to CCU for a departure before the metro starts running?
Book a metered yellow taxi or an app-based cab the evening before. Yellow taxis are metered, so insist that the meter is running. Give a pickup time with some slack, since the terminal approach can be slow even on quiet roads, and keep small notes ready for the fare.
Do monsoon rain and winter haze affect flights from Kolkata?
Heavy downpours between June and September can waterlog roads and slow the run to Dum Dum, and winter mornings are often hazy with poor air quality. Neither guarantees a delay, but both are reasons to leave a wider margin. Check your flight status with the airline before leaving.
When is the best time of year for a domestic trip from Kolkata?
November to February is the most comfortable stretch, dry and mild, which suits city breaks and the Sundarbans. March warms up, April and May are hot and humid with evening storms, and the monsoon runs roughly June to September. Festival dates move each year, so check the current year's calendar.
Can the Sundarbans be visited by air from Kolkata?
The Sundarbans is reached by road and then by boat, usually over two or three days, with entry permits from the West Bengal Forest Department arranged through operators. The best window is November to March. Treat the flight to Kolkata as the start of the journey and plan the delta separately.