Sudder to airport

nitya108 · Oct 10th, 2007, 14:55

Need to pick up friends from the airport - plane arriving 10.30pm - is it possible to take the train or local bus to arrive around 10pm? Or is it better to take a prepaid taxi - but is the taxi heaps more expensive? where do you get taxi from, staying in sudder str area, and roughly how much? thanks

atala · Oct 10th, 2007, 15:37

You need to take a taxi, esp. since it's night-time. You cannot take a prepaid taxi from Sudder Street (that is only available from Howrah Railway Station). That means you have to pick one from the street, let's say at 9:30-10 pm to be on the safe side timewise. Your 10:30 arrival will take another 30-45 minutes to get the bags.

You have the option of making arrangements with a driver for a round-trip, which may cause a problem because of the waiting charges, in case the flight is late, or even without it. The other option is to go one-way, and then take a prepaid taxi from the airport back.

A third option that I would check out is to ask the hotel where you are staying for a car. They would get you a private driver, but would likely try to overcharge you. So you should know the going rate. Ask some drivers on the road how much it is to the airport. I think it should not be more than RS 200 one way. (But remember that prepaid back, in case you go that way, is a bit more than the regular rate, if their is any

)

As for public transportation: The metro is going to Dum Dum, but it is a distance from the airport, and I would not go that way. North Kolkata is not a safe place at night, especially not around the airport. Because of the gathering of "wealthy" people at the airport, robbers are attracted to that area, and robbers are most active at night.

Also in case you are not experienced with getting a prepaid taxi, beware of going to the wrong booth. Normally at airports there is a luxury car rental company right next to the prepaid stand which also may call itself "prepaid" to attract more business. Just pay attention and you will be fine.

nitya108 · Oct 10th, 2007, 15:47

thanks for the info...do you live in calcutta?

I only ask, cause i get there on diwali 9/11...and am keen to see and join in some of the puja...can you tell me where is a good and safe place to see some of the puja...pls give directions....om

sandeepbwn · Oct 13th, 2007, 21:33

u may check out the kalipuja at Kalighat or Dakshineswar any day of the year. As far as Diwali (celebrated as Kalipuja amongst the Bengali) is concerned, u may visit numbers of mandaps in the city. But let me remind u that, Durgapuja is celebrated with more grandly.

The most fastest & ofcourse economic way to travel to airport from Sudder St. is take the Metro (underground rail) from PArk St. station to Sovabazar. Come up & catch shared autorickshaw to Ultadanga. Catch a cab from Ultadanga more & reach airport. Time (approx.) taken is as below,

Park St.-- Shovabazar(Metro) 12minutes
Shovabazar--Ultadanga(Auto) 10-15minutes
Ultadanga--Airport (Taxi) 15minutes
Total: 35-45minutes total. Taxi from Suddar St. to airport will be aorund Rs. 250-300 & will take atleast 45-50minutes even at the night (1-1.5hrs during rush hours).

I myself hv not found North Kolkata or airport area full of snitchers/robbers. I hv travelled out of airport even at 11:30 at the night (my flight was delayed by around 30mins) & didnt faced any problem. Although i'm a local, i feel this will not be a problem even with forigners. Pls take a pre-paid taxi (service counter available at the airport) on the wayback.

Hope this helps u out. Have a nice time in Kolkata

wonderwomanusa · Oct 14th, 2007, 07:34

Don't take the taxi from Fairlawn -- the one driven by what must be the only Sikh taxi driver left in Kolkata. He is very expensive and not very nice about it.

tasuray · Oct 14th, 2007, 23:48

Dear Nitya,
Don't try to go and watch Kalipuja in Kalighat or Dakshineswar of 9th night.It'll be over crowded. Even you cannot imagine the rush.Take a hired car (Maruti van)for 6 hours.(it is min.)and will cost Rs.60/- to 65/= per hour i.e. total Rs.360/= to Rs.390/= from private operator.It will take you to airport, wait and then return.Flight may be delayed so it'll be better option than to make so many changes.Local bus is available from Esplanade crossing e.g.30B,Airport Minibus etc.It will take 2to2-1/2hrs.In airport you will get pre-paid taxi booth.

Oct 10th, 2007, 14:55	#1
nitya108 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: AUSTRALIA Posts: 9	Sudder to airport Need to pick up friends from the airport - plane arriving 10.30pm - is it possible to take the train or local bus to arrive around 10pm? Or is it better to take a prepaid taxi - but is the taxi heaps more expensive? where do you get taxi from, staying in sudder str area, and roughly how much? thanks

Oct 10th, 2007, 15:37	#2
atala Senior Member, 8 yrs in India Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Switzerland, just back from India 2008 Posts: 691	You need to take a taxi, esp. since it's night-time. You cannot take a prepaid taxi from Sudder Street (that is only available from Howrah Railway Station). That means you have to pick one from the street, let's say at 9:30-10 pm to be on the safe side timewise. Your 10:30 arrival will take another 30-45 minutes to get the bags. You have the option of making arrangements with a driver for a round-trip, which may cause a problem because of the waiting charges, in case the flight is late, or even without it. The other option is to go one-way, and then take a prepaid taxi from the airport back. A third option that I would check out is to ask the hotel where you are staying for a car. They would get you a private driver, but would likely try to overcharge you. So you should know the going rate. Ask some drivers on the road how much it is to the airport. I think it should not be more than RS 200 one way. (But remember that prepaid back, in case you go that way, is a bit more than the regular rate, if their is any) As for public transportation: The metro is going to Dum Dum, but it is a distance from the airport, and I would not go that way. North Kolkata is not a safe place at night, especially not around the airport. Because of the gathering of "wealthy" people at the airport, robbers are attracted to that area, and robbers are most active at night. Also in case you are not experienced with getting a prepaid taxi, beware of going to the wrong booth. Normally at airports there is a luxury car rental company right next to the prepaid stand which also may call itself "prepaid" to attract more business. Just pay attention and you will be fine.

Oct 10th, 2007, 15:47	#3
nitya108 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: AUSTRALIA Posts: 9	thanks thanks for the info...do you live in calcutta? I only ask, cause i get there on diwali 9/11...and am keen to see and join in some of the puja...can you tell me where is a good and safe place to see some of the puja...pls give directions....om

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Oct 13th, 2007, 21:33	#4
sandeepbwn Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Burdwan, West Bengal Posts: 73	u may check out the kalipuja at Kalighat or Dakshineswar any day of the year. As far as Diwali (celebrated as Kalipuja amongst the Bengali) is concerned, u may visit numbers of mandaps in the city. But let me remind u that, Durgapuja is celebrated with more grandly. The most fastest & ofcourse economic way to travel to airport from Sudder St. is take the Metro (underground rail) from PArk St. station to Sovabazar. Come up & catch shared autorickshaw to Ultadanga. Catch a cab from Ultadanga more & reach airport. Time (approx.) taken is as below, Park St.-- Shovabazar(Metro) 12minutes Shovabazar--Ultadanga(Auto) 10-15minutes Ultadanga--Airport (Taxi) 15minutes Total: 35-45minutes total. Taxi from Suddar St. to airport will be aorund Rs. 250-300 & will take atleast 45-50minutes even at the night (1-1.5hrs during rush hours). I myself hv not found North Kolkata or airport area full of snitchers/robbers. I hv travelled out of airport even at 11:30 at the night (my flight was delayed by around 30mins) & didnt faced any problem. Although i'm a local, i feel this will not be a problem even with forigners. Pls take a pre-paid taxi (service counter available at the airport) on the wayback. Hope this helps u out. Have a nice time in Kolkata

Oct 14th, 2007, 07:34	#5
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,534	Don't take the taxi from Fairlawn -- the one driven by what must be the only Sikh taxi driver left in Kolkata. He is very expensive and not very nice about it.

Oct 14th, 2007, 23:48	#6
tasuray Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 310	Dear Nitya, Don't try to go and watch Kalipuja in Kalighat or Dakshineswar of 9th night.It'll be over crowded. Even you cannot imagine the rush.Take a hired car (Maruti van)for 6 hours.(it is min.)and will cost Rs.60/- to 65/= per hour i.e. total Rs.360/= to Rs.390/= from private operator.It will take you to airport, wait and then return.Flight may be delayed so it'll be better option than to make so many changes.Local bus is available from Esplanade crossing e.g.30B,Airport Minibus etc.It will take 2to2-1/2hrs.In airport you will get pre-paid taxi booth.

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