Kolkata Traveler Essentials
- Safety rating
- 6.5/10
- Best time to visit
- October to February offers cool, dry weather, and the Durga Puja festival in autumn is a spectacular time to visit.
- Population
- 4.5M
Overview
Kolkata, the cultural capital of India and former colonial seat, is a city of grand crumbling architecture, literary cafes, and fervent intellectual life. Trams rattle past Victorian-era buildings, while festivals and art animate its streets. It pairs faded British grandeur with warm, soulful Bengali culture.
Getting around
An efficient metro, historic trams, yellow Ambassador taxis, and app cabs make the city easy to traverse.
Local etiquette
Engage in the local love of conversation and the arts, dress modestly at temples, and use your right hand when eating.
Safety
Often cited as one of India's safest big cities, with friendly locals; still mind pickpockets in dense markets and on transit.