Where does the Ferry stop in Kolkata?

srinath108 · Oct 27th, 2009, 12:57

Hello, I have had a good search of the site and done a Google search but can not find the info I am after.
I think ferries could be an appealing and economic way to get around and I would like to see some of Kolkata from the water. I will be based at the Howrah Hotel for 4 days in December.
1-How comprehensive is the passenger ferry service in terms of places they go?
2-Can I go to Belur Math from Howrah by ferry?
3-Can I go to Ahiritola Launch Ghat from Howrah by ferry?
4-Is there a web site with ferry maps?

Thank You for any help

Sri Nath

capt_mahajan · Oct 27th, 2009, 13:12

This site seems to have some information. I would google the two companies they say ply ferries.

Howrah may be just the place for crossing to Calcutta.

http://www.ilovekolkata.in/index.php...y-Service.html

srinath108 · Oct 27th, 2009, 13:41

Aye Aye Captn,
I did manage to get to that sits before. When I googled the Co's you suggested there was map of the ferry service listed. However the map loaded as text and hyroglifics!
The words did say "an ideal way to see and travel along the Hooghly", and "stopping at most Ghats near Metro" so I am guessing I will be able to get to where I need to go, or close.
Thanks for your time
Sri Nath

capt_mahajan · Oct 27th, 2009, 14:11

I know that basic ferries cross across the river from Howrah. I have seen them. THey should drop you along the ghats of the Hooghly where the big 'maidan' is the only thing between you and Metro.

There will be many other ferries going down variable stretches of the Hoogly, I have seen them too.

brishti · Oct 27th, 2009, 14:21

have travelled in them ferries up/down the hooghly... and its fantastic - must avoid the rush hours.
howrah is the perfect site to board a ferry - its a 2 minute walk from the station - the ferry ghat.

there is a ferry to belur math, as far as i can remember.
to cross the river from belur math to dakhineshwar, its the motorised dinghy.
there's a number on this site - perhaps you can give it a try srinath.
went to the botanics too on the ferry.

yyam, if i remember correctly - did the most recent waterway travel.
she'll be along presently, and will give you all the info.

happy sailing!

:brishti
kee cap'n - jhaal muri time ?

theyyamdancer · Oct 27th, 2009, 14:36

Thanks for the shout to wake me up, Brishti, but I was rather hoping someone with more information than me would answer this query!

Yes, we travelled by small ferry-boat from Dakshineswar across to Belur Math, which took only about twenty minutes. The boat is very cheap to use, but only travels when it is full up. So in order not to wait too long, the three of us (myself, Mr. T, and Nayan) took the ferry for ourselves, paying extra. It was a great experience to see the waterside views and feel the cool breeze, as we approached Belur Math very slowly in order to enjoy the amazing architecture.

Originally I had wanted to do just as the OP mentions - travel the length of the river (from Howrah to Dakshineswar) on a boat - but I never managed to find out how to do it. Several people told me that there is a regular service only during pujas.

Hopefully someone else will be able to shed some light.

brishti · Oct 27th, 2009, 14:56

actually - once at the ferry ghat - the folks at the counter are more than helpful with information required.
but, like i said - avoid the office rush hour.

next time, you got to take one from babughat - right up the river yyam

you get to experience the wares on board, and if lucky, a street singer as well.
where is jyotida ?

:brishti

jyotirmoy · Oct 27th, 2009, 15:15

Well here I am dear Brishti.
I would take the ferry service from Howrah to Baghbazar and look at the ancient mansions on the right hand shore, the Nimtollah burning ghat and many ghats bearing the names of Babus who got them made, huge banyan tree leaning on the water....

brishti · Oct 27th, 2009, 15:20

alighting - just to have bhanr'er chaa, sitting on the shore.
then embarking another ferry - with no destination in mind

good to see you back, dada
:brishti

yyam - no no no ray plis - i am vaarn you!

theyyamdancer · Oct 27th, 2009, 15:22

So there is a regular ferry service from Howrah upstream, dada?

brishti · Oct 27th, 2009, 15:28

up, down and across

:brishti

srinath108 · Oct 27th, 2009, 15:30

Thanks for all those replies and information.
I will indeed be using the ferries as my main mode of transport. I did a Google on "Ahiritola Launch Ghat" and it is indeed seviced by ferry. Seems a good way to get to Nth Kolkata where I have 1 day of business.
When the advise is "avoid the ferry to the city during peak times" would it still not be easier and quicker than a Taxi over the bridge?
Thanks again
Sri Nath

jyotirmoy · Oct 27th, 2009, 15:34

On the Salkia side of the river you can see the ruins of defunct ship building yards.

brishti · Oct 27th, 2009, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by srinath108

When the advise is "avoid the ferry to the city during peak times" would it still not be easier and quicker than a Taxi over the bridge?

definitely.
crowded but positively faster. inspite of the crowd - a pleasant ride.
just be careful and watch your step when getting on and off... tad pushy during peak hours.

:brishti

srinath108 · Oct 27th, 2009, 16:29

Thanks Brishti
I am looking forward to it as a great way to get my first visit to India started.
Will be an eye opener for sure!!
Regards SriNath

Oct 27th, 2009, 12:57	#1
srinath108 Am I that!!! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 37	Where does the Ferry stop in Kolkata? Hello, I have had a good search of the site and done a Google search but can not find the info I am after. I think ferries could be an appealing and economic way to get around and I would like to see some of Kolkata from the water. I will be based at the Howrah Hotel for 4 days in December. 1-How comprehensive is the passenger ferry service in terms of places they go? 2-Can I go to Belur Math from Howrah by ferry? 3-Can I go to Ahiritola Launch Ghat from Howrah by ferry? 4-Is there a web site with ferry maps? Thank You for any help Sri Nath __________________ There are 2 important days in your life. The day you are born, and the day you realise why you are born. Amma

Oct 27th, 2009, 13:12	#2
capt_mahajan Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx Posts: 13,600	This site seems to have some information. I would google the two companies they say ply ferries. Howrah may be just the place for crossing to Calcutta. http://www.ilovekolkata.in/index.php...y-Service.html __________________ . Outside the machine

Oct 27th, 2009, 14:36	#6
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,423	Thanks for the shout to wake me up, Brishti, but I was rather hoping someone with more information than me would answer this query! Yes, we travelled by small ferry-boat from Dakshineswar across to Belur Math, which took only about twenty minutes. The boat is very cheap to use, but only travels when it is full up. So in order not to wait too long, the three of us (myself, Mr. T, and Nayan) took the ferry for ourselves, paying extra. It was a great experience to see the waterside views and feel the cool breeze, as we approached Belur Math very slowly in order to enjoy the amazing architecture. Originally I had wanted to do just as the OP mentions - travel the length of the river (from Howrah to Dakshineswar) on a boat - but I never managed to find out how to do it. Several people told me that there is a regular service only during pujas. Hopefully someone else will be able to shed some light. __________________ "Wandering seemed no more than the happiness of an anxious man." - Albert Camus

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Oct 27th, 2009, 13:41	#3
srinath108 Am I that!!! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 37	Aye Aye Captn, I did manage to get to that sits before. When I googled the Co's you suggested there was map of the ferry service listed. However the map loaded as text and hyroglifics! The words did say "an ideal way to see and travel along the Hooghly", and "stopping at most Ghats near Metro" so I am guessing I will be able to get to where I need to go, or close. Thanks for your time Sri Nath

Oct 27th, 2009, 14:11	#4
capt_mahajan Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx Posts: 13,600	I know that basic ferries cross across the river from Howrah. I have seen them. THey should drop you along the ghats of the Hooghly where the big 'maidan' is the only thing between you and Metro. There will be many other ferries going down variable stretches of the Hoogly, I have seen them too.

Oct 27th, 2009, 14:21	#5
brishti disMember Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: india Posts: 3,687	have travelled in them ferries up/down the hooghly... and its fantastic - must avoid the rush hours. howrah is the perfect site to board a ferry - its a 2 minute walk from the station - the ferry ghat. there is a ferry to belur math, as far as i can remember. to cross the river from belur math to dakhineshwar, its the motorised dinghy. there's a number on this site - perhaps you can give it a try srinath. went to the botanics too on the ferry. yyam, if i remember correctly - did the most recent waterway travel. she'll be along presently, and will give you all the info. happy sailing! :brishti kee cap'n - jhaal muri time ?

Oct 27th, 2009, 14:56	#7
brishti disMember Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: india Posts: 3,687	actually - once at the ferry ghat - the folks at the counter are more than helpful with information required. but, like i said - avoid the office rush hour. next time, you got to take one from babughat - right up the river yyam you get to experience the wares on board, and if lucky, a street singer as well. where is jyotida ? :brishti

Oct 27th, 2009, 15:15	#8
jyotirmoy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 5,222	Well here I am dear Brishti. I would take the ferry service from Howrah to Baghbazar and look at the ancient mansions on the right hand shore, the Nimtollah burning ghat and many ghats bearing the names of Babus who got them made, huge banyan tree leaning on the water....

Oct 27th, 2009, 15:20	#9
brishti disMember Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: india Posts: 3,687	alighting - just to have bhanr'er chaa, sitting on the shore. then embarking another ferry - with no destination in mind good to see you back, dada :brishti yyam - no no no ray plis - i am vaarn you!

Oct 27th, 2009, 15:22	#10
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,423	So there is a regular ferry service from Howrah upstream, dada?

Oct 27th, 2009, 15:28	#11
brishti disMember Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: india Posts: 3,687	up, down and across :brishti

Oct 27th, 2009, 15:30	#12
srinath108 Am I that!!! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 37	Thanks for all those replies and information. I will indeed be using the ferries as my main mode of transport. I did a Google on "Ahiritola Launch Ghat" and it is indeed seviced by ferry. Seems a good way to get to Nth Kolkata where I have 1 day of business. When the advise is "avoid the ferry to the city during peak times" would it still not be easier and quicker than a Taxi over the bridge? Thanks again Sri Nath

Oct 27th, 2009, 15:34	#13
jyotirmoy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 5,222	On the Salkia side of the river you can see the ruins of defunct ship building yards.

Oct 27th, 2009, 16:29	#15
srinath108 Am I that!!! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 37	Thanks Brishti I am looking forward to it as a great way to get my first visit to India started. Will be an eye opener for sure!! Regards SriNath