Quick and Dirty in Kolkata?

GerardKelly · Apr 24th, 2008, 00:22

I am using Kolkata as a gateway into the North East, probably looking at Singapore Airlines. I will looking at trying to get out of Kolkata the same day or next day into either Jorhat or Guwahati in Assam. If I am not able to make the connection (permits already acquired ahead of time) that day, is travel to and from the city centre to the airport a large hassle? I also here that there is metro from the airport to the downtown. Does it get one into Sutter Street or other guesthouse areas, or is it too dangerous to use? Sorry for the naive questions.

machadinha · Apr 24th, 2008, 02:58

The Kolkata subway, with routes and timings: http://www.kolmetro.com/

I remember it as being über-clean if anything, not dangerous at all. But don't know how it is today. Note it stops running quite early, and only starts in the afternoon on Sundays.

No advice on your other questions.

If that plan of theirs is up-to-date, it looks like the subway departs some way out of the airport (the rest of the line would then be under construction), don't know how convenient this is. Goes to Sudder St. alright, I think you want to get off at Park Street, which is just around the corner. For a quick dash into town I reckon BBD Bagh & the Maidan would be much more interesting btw, Sudder St. is just a tourist ghetto if you don't mind me saying so, although one can walk around from there of course, to both of these even. Luckily, regular city life commences pretty much to any side of it, if it still does.

Check also
http://www.airportsindia.org.in/kolkata/index.jsp (open during business hours);
http://www.toandfromtheairport.com/westbengal.html#CCU

tasuray · Apr 25th, 2008, 11:40

It is not at all tough to get at airport from Sudder Street.Metro does not ply from airport.It is not risky to use metro in Kolkata.Dum Dum metro station is 4-5 kms.(approx)away from N.S.C.B. airport though it is also known as Dum Dum airport.You can avail metro upto Dum Dum and then get a taxi to reach airport.Metro service starts from 7.00 hrs.and last metro from both sides starts at21.40 hrs. On Sundays and holidays it is from 15.00 hrs.

Gametotravel · Apr 25th, 2008, 11:50

"Quick and Dirty in Kolkata? "

You mean to say "Quick and thrifty?"

brishti · Apr 25th, 2008, 12:24

nope - he means quick n dirty

:brishti

machadinha · Apr 25th, 2008, 12:48

I suppose there is always the red light area... But then why worry about safety on subways, right

brishti · Apr 25th, 2008, 12:51

:brishti

Gametotravel · Apr 25th, 2008, 12:55

The Cal Subway(Metro) take inspiration (though minute) from the Moscow Subways and no way there to get dirty unless one falls on the tracks(which are also maintained)!

brishti · Apr 25th, 2008, 13:06

thats the quick part

:brishti

somnath · Apr 25th, 2008, 13:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

I suppose there is always the red light area... But then why worry about safety on subways, right

chief61 · Apr 25th, 2008, 14:30

There are lot of Guest House near Airport, if you
are not keen to visit the city , I suggest you to
pick up the ones which are near to the Airport,
Since sudder street is quite far away from Airport
and presently dug up in several places for underground
sewarage lines, whole area is in a mess.

Cheers

atala · Apr 25th, 2008, 22:54

Too bad you are not seeing Kolkata. It is one of the nicer cities in India, not at all what its common image suggests. In case you do want to go downtown, take a taxi, do not take the subway. The subway is okay, but for the hassle to get to Dum Dum metro station by taxi, you might as well head into the city right away.

GerardKelly · May 6th, 2008, 11:42

Many thanks for the excellent leads and off-colour commentary. I knew it would grab some attention to the question. See you on the next thread.

brishti · May 6th, 2008, 13:49

so - how quick n dirty did you get in kolkata gerard

spit it out - we need your off colour feedback too

:brishti

Gametotravel · May 6th, 2008, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by brishti

so - how quick n dirty did you get in kolkata gerard

spit it out - we need your off colour feedback too

:brishti

I think next thread(feedback).

Okay I got a question for the Kol Da's and Dee's-I am planning on coming to Cal on some work between 18th to 26th this month; I am new to IM and would like a informal/formal meetup; What are the possibilities?

Apr 24th, 2008, 00:22	#1
GerardKelly Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mauna Loa Caldera Posts: 19	Quick and Dirty in Kolkata? I am using Kolkata as a gateway into the North East, probably looking at Singapore Airlines. I will looking at trying to get out of Kolkata the same day or next day into either Jorhat or Guwahati in Assam. If I am not able to make the connection (permits already acquired ahead of time) that day, is travel to and from the city centre to the airport a large hassle? I also here that there is metro from the airport to the downtown. Does it get one into Sutter Street or other guesthouse areas, or is it too dangerous to use? Sorry for the naive questions.

Apr 24th, 2008, 02:58	#2
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 9,179	The Kolkata subway, with routes and timings: http://www.kolmetro.com/ I remember it as being über-clean if anything, not dangerous at all. But don't know how it is today. Note it stops running quite early, and only starts in the afternoon on Sundays. No advice on your other questions. If that plan of theirs is up-to-date, it looks like the subway departs some way out of the airport (the rest of the line would then be under construction), don't know how convenient this is. Goes to Sudder St. alright, I think you want to get off at Park Street, which is just around the corner. For a quick dash into town I reckon BBD Bagh & the Maidan would be much more interesting btw, Sudder St. is just a tourist ghetto if you don't mind me saying so, although one can walk around from there of course, to both of these even. Luckily, regular city life commences pretty much to any side of it, if it still does. Check also http://www.airportsindia.org.in/kolkata/index.jsp (open during business hours); http://www.toandfromtheairport.com/westbengal.html#CCU __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links Last edited by machadinha : Apr 24th, 2008 at 04:52.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Manali and Auli, A quick tour, is it too quick?	purevision	India Travel Itinerary Advice	2	Apr 22nd, 2008 14:35
Dirty Bed	noflylist	Lodging and Hotels in India	60	Sep 28th, 2007 20:51
Two quick quick questions.....	aires69	Chai and Chat	15	Apr 7th, 2006 01:37
cheap and dirty	wanderbug	Delhi	2	May 10th, 2005 02:45
dirty money	abraxus	Health and Well Being in India	5	Aug 7th, 2002 07:09

Apr 25th, 2008, 11:40	#3
tasuray Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 290	It is not at all tough to get at airport from Sudder Street.Metro does not ply from airport.It is not risky to use metro in Kolkata.Dum Dum metro station is 4-5 kms.(approx)away from N.S.C.B. airport though it is also known as Dum Dum airport.You can avail metro upto Dum Dum and then get a taxi to reach airport.Metro service starts from 7.00 hrs.and last metro from both sides starts at21.40 hrs. On Sundays and holidays it is from 15.00 hrs.

Apr 25th, 2008, 11:50	#4
Gametotravel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 185	"Quick and Dirty in Kolkata? " You mean to say "Quick and thrifty?"

Apr 25th, 2008, 12:24	#5
brishti Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: india Posts: 1,070	nope - he means quick n dirty :brishti

Apr 25th, 2008, 12:48	#6
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 9,179	I suppose there is always the red light area... But then why worry about safety on subways, right

Apr 25th, 2008, 12:51	#7
brishti Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: india Posts: 1,070	:brishti

Apr 25th, 2008, 12:55	#8
Gametotravel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 185	The Cal Subway(Metro) take inspiration (though minute) from the Moscow Subways and no way there to get dirty unless one falls on the tracks(which are also maintained)!

Apr 25th, 2008, 13:06	#9
brishti Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: india Posts: 1,070	thats the quick part :brishti

Apr 25th, 2008, 14:30	#11
chief61 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Kolkata, India Posts: 84	There are lot of Guest House near Airport, if you are not keen to visit the city , I suggest you to pick up the ones which are near to the Airport, Since sudder street is quite far away from Airport and presently dug up in several places for underground sewarage lines, whole area is in a mess. Cheers

Apr 25th, 2008, 22:54	#12
atala Senior Member, 8 yrs in India Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Switzerland, just back from India 2008 Posts: 691	Too bad you are not seeing Kolkata. It is one of the nicer cities in India, not at all what its common image suggests. In case you do want to go downtown, take a taxi, do not take the subway. The subway is okay, but for the hassle to get to Dum Dum metro station by taxi, you might as well head into the city right away.

May 6th, 2008, 11:42	#13
GerardKelly Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mauna Loa Caldera Posts: 19	Many thanks for the excellent leads and off-colour commentary. I knew it would grab some attention to the question. See you on the next thread.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password

May 6th, 2008, 13:49	#14
brishti Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: india Posts: 1,070	so - how quick n dirty did you get in kolkata gerard spit it out - we need your off colour feedback too :brishti