Flight tickets from Varanasi to Kolkata

Kolkata Information Guide

Kolkata has plenty of names to its credit – 'The City of Joy', 'City of Palaces' and the 'Eternal City.' It was established a long time ago, in 1690, by Job Charnock who was an agent of the British East India Company. He bought three villages, Gobindapur, Sutanati and Kalikata and put them together to build a city what was then known as 'London of the East.' It was a vital hub to the British and remained as the capital of British India till 1911.

At present, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal and is India's second-biggest city. It is also considered the intellectual, artistic and cultural capital. Colonial-era architecture stands together with urban residences here, and this is just one of the instances where its history and treasured culture come together. On your trip to Kolkata, you will definitely come across a lot more.

Climate

Kolkata experiences a tropical wet and dry climate. Summers are hot and humid with temperatures in the low 30s and during dry spells the maximum temperatures exceed 40 °C in May and June. Winter usually lasts for about two and a half months, with seasonal lows dipping to 9 °C – 11 °C between December and January.

A great time to visit if you are planning a trip from Varanasi to Kolkata is starting from November to February as it is pleasant and cool during that time.

Culture

Considered a cultural capital, Kolkata is perhaps the most important cultural centre of India. It is where modern Indian literature, artistic thought and Indian nationalism was born. Did you know that it was also the birthplace of Satyajit Ray, Rabindranath Tagore and Sri Aurobindo, as well as sheltered 5 Indian Nobel laureates? Yes, the city was once known as the city of intellectuals and has played a huge part in preserving Indian traditional arts and crafts. Festivals here are celebrated with pomp, theatre and plays as well as dances and music are an integral part of daily life, so you're sure to have a wonderful time in the city.

Shopping

Park Street which has been renamed as Mother Teresa Sarani is Kolkata's busiest street and a popular shopping arcade. Situated in one of the posh localities of Kolkata, it boasts of a great night life and has many restaurants. In close proximity is Chowringhee, another major shopping centre. You can shop for wedding jewellery from Bowbazar as it is a hub of branded jewellery showrooms. If you are looking for a wholesale market, do visit the Bata Bazaar, from where you can shop for sarees and other apparels. If you are a book-lover and like hoarding books, College Street is a must-visit.

Sightseeing

When travelling from Varanasi to Kolkata, do not forget to explore the gems of Kolkata.

Victoria Memorial Hall is one of the most-visited monuments in Kolkata. Dedicated to Queen Victoria, it is converted into a museum, offering a glimpse into the British period through sculptures, paintings, maps, stamps and coins. The garden outside the building is a great place to relax in the evenings with family and friends.

How can you miss the Howrah Bridge when in Kolkata? Also known as Rabindra Setu, the Howrah Bridge on Hooghly River is a regular passage to vehicles and pedestrians. Built in 1943, it connects Kolkata to Howrah.

Kolkata is home to Mother House, which is the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity that was founded by Mother Teresa, whose tomb is on site.

Other must-visit places in Kolkata include Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden. It is considered the largest and oldest in South-east Asia and was previously called the 'Company Bagaan' or Company's Garden. Built in the year 1787, the garden was created by Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kyd. Sprawling across 273 acres, it has more than 12,000 trees and shrubs which are of about 1,400 species. The main attraction of the garden is a 200 year old banyan tree, one of the largest in the world.

Kalighat Temple is a 19th century marble structure and is one of the 51 shaktipeeths of India. It houses a thakur dalan (family temple) near the patio, a restaurant, a lake, zoo and a rock garden.

Food

Kolkata is a haven for foodies, particularly for those with a sweet tooth. The sweets of Bengal need no introduction. You are absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to sweets. Apart from roshogulla, sondesh, mishti doi, raj bhog, there is mohan bhog, lobongo latika, malai chom chom, nolen gurer payesh, to name a few! Kolkata has a spicy Bengali cuisine to offer, in addition to the traditional Chinese and Tibetan food that is available.

Airport Information from Varanasi to Kolkata

Departure

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS)
Varanasi District, Babatpur, Uttar Pradesh 221006

Arrival

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU)
Jessore Rd, Dum Dum, Kolkata, West Bengal 700052

Getting to Varanasi Airport

• You can travel by a local bus or a private vehicle to reach Varanasi airport
• The nearest bus stand is a 10 minute walk away
• You can also hire a local taxi at the airport

Travelling from Kolkata Airport

• Kolkata airport is 17 kms away from the heart of the city
• It is well-connected with buses, taxis and trains, making the commute easy
• Hail a yellow cab – it's relatively cheap, but be sure of the fare before leaving the airport
• You can also book a prepaid cab from the airport, run by the Bengal Taxi Association
• State-run buses, private buses and air-conditioned Volvo buses travel all through the city
• Hail a cab to Dum Dum Railway Station, 5 minutes away from the airport