Kolkata: Ferry, metro, transportation?

Edor

While unlikely that train will meet its scheduled arrival time to Howrah at 04:00, I might be needing to get from there to several possible destinations at about 06:00.

Will want to go to either 1) area between Sudder Street and the New Market; or 2) Belur Math; or 3) Dakshineswar Kali Temple.

Travel would be on a Friday morning at end of January. What time do the ferries start running? The Metro? Also any advice on avoiding!! or dealing with rush-hour is appreciated. What time is rush-hour in morning and afternoon, and for getting to airport on a Saturday morning leaving New Market area around 8:30 or 9 about how long might it take to get to airport (I expect to take a taxi if that is simplest).

Thanks for any assistance.
Edward

machadinha

The metro is here: http://www.kolmetro.com/

Some googling might help on the rest. I remember the subways there being fairly manageable but it was newer then I think and this may not be at all times.

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atala

Most people in Kolkata use surface transportation. The Metro in Kolkata is comparable to BART in the SF Bay Area, with a certain touch of luxury, even though low cost, to it. Only a certain type of people use it. So you will not find much congestion in trains. Peak hours would be around 9:30 a.m. though, my guess.

To go to Sudder Street I would recommend a prepaid Taxi. Check into a (pre-reserved because of early morning time) hotel, take a shower, and then proceed to Kalighat by Metro or to the Ferry place by taxi. That would be my choice for the trip.

Britishraj

Getting to Newmarket / Sudder St. at approx 6 AM you can either get a mini bus to Esplanade and a 5 minute walk or a pre-paid taxi available outside the station, expect to pay around Rs.80 The nearest metro is Chandni Chowk. The metro opens at 7.30 AM. Getting to Belur / Dakshineshwar Kali Temple. At Howrah Stn. go to the local line platform and train to Belur Math. It's only one stop. Presumably your visiting the Ramakrishna Mission? Anyway, after your visit to Belur Math, go along and catch a small ferry to Dakshineshwar Temple nice boat ride of about 10 mins. You can see the temple from Belur.

Miles Of Smiles

Haemish

Btw. you can't take a backpack on the metro. I think the post by atala, has got her temples confused?

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atala

I am not sure nearest to what you mean... Nearest to Howrah Bridge? Newmarket/Sudder Street is between Park Street exit and Esplanade. Closer to Park Street, I think, isn't it?

Britishraj

I am just informing him that if he intended to take the metro [as he made enquiries] the nearest metro to him as he leaves Howrah Stn.[Rs.45 by taxi] is Chandni Chowk. from where he could take a metro to Esplanade, the first stop.

Edor

Thank you all, this helps alot with the transportation logistics and so can then actually enjoy the experiences that Kolkata offers in some of its wonderful temple areas.

nayan

chandni chowk to esplanade is just 1 stop in the metro. no sense taking metro from chandni chowk to esplanade.
better take a predai from howrah to esplanade/sudderstreet.