Transport in Kolkata

Kolkata is a good centre for competitive airfares to other parts of Asia, Europe and the USA's east coast. Air India is the national carrier, but state-owned Indian Airlines also has international flights from Kolkata to Bangkok, Dhaka, Kathmandu and Yangon. Private airlines Jet, Air Sahara and Kingfisher offer generally more reliable services around India. Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is 17km (10.5mi) northeast of BBD Bagh. It's often called Dum Dum, as it sits on the site where explosive dum-dum bullets were once made. A public minibus runs from BBD Bagh to Dum Dum, but you must take a rickshaw for the last 1km (0.6mi); a taxi is usually easier. The efficient Metro also stops short of the airport in Dum Dum, but a shuttle bus runs from the station to the airport terminal. If you're after a taxi from the airport, it's cheaper and more reliable to go to the prepaid taxi booth (after you clear customs), where you'll be assigned one.

Kolkata is a good centre for competitive airfares to other parts of Asia, Europe and the USA's east coast. Air India is the national carrier, but state-owned Indian Airlines also has international flights from Kolkata to Bangkok, Dhaka, Kathmandu and Yangon. Private airlines Jet, Air Sahara and Kingfisher offer generally more reliable services around India. Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is 17km (10.5mi) northeast of BBD Bagh. It's often called Dum Dum, as it sits on the site where explosive dum-dum bullets were once made. A public minibus runs from BBD Bagh to Dum Dum, but you must take a rickshaw for the last 1km (0.6mi); a taxi is usually easier. The efficient Metro also stops short of the airport in Dum Dum, but a shuttle bus runs from the station to the airport terminal. If you're after a taxi from the airport, it's cheaper and more reliable to go to the prepaid taxi booth (after you clear customs), where you'll be assigned one.