Travel Budget for Kolkata (Calcutta) Visit Kolkata (Calcutta) on a Budget or Travel in Style

Kolkata (Calcutta), State of West Bengal, India

How much does it cost to travel to Kolkata (Calcutta)?

You should plan to spend around $38 (₨3,110) per day on your vacation in Kolkata (Calcutta). This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $14 (₨1,187) on meals
  • $5.16 (₨427) on local transportation
  • $34 (₨2,786) on hotels

A one week trip to Kolkata (Calcutta) for two people costs, on average, $526 (₨43,546). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $38
    3,110
  • One Week Per person
    $263
    21,773
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $526
    43,546
  • One Month Per person
    $1,126
    93,314
  • One Week For a couple
    $526
    43,546
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $1,051
    87,093
  • One Month For a couple
    $2,253
    186,627
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Kolkata (Calcutta) cost?

A one week trip to Kolkata (Calcutta) usually costs around $263 (₨21,773) for one person and $526 (₨43,546) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Kolkata (Calcutta) on average costs around $526 (₨43,546) for one person and $1,051 (₨87,093) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Kolkata (Calcutta) will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Kolkata (Calcutta) on average costs around $1,126 (₨93,314) for one person and $2,253 (₨186,627) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Kolkata (Calcutta) has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is Kolkata (Calcutta) expensive to visit?

Kolkata (Calcutta) is a very affordable place to visit. Located in India, which is a very affordable country, visitors will appreciate the lower prices of this destination. It falls in the average range in the country for its prices. Budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring Kolkata (Calcutta) in depth.

Within Asia, Kolkata (Calcutta) is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Luang Prabang, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Taipei.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Kolkata (Calcutta)?

The average Kolkata (Calcutta) trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Kolkata (Calcutta) travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) 2,786 ($34)
Local Transportation 1 427 ($5)
Food 2 1,187 ($14)
Entertainment 1 1,250 ($15)
Alcohol 2 346 - 1,037 ($4 - 13)
Accommodation Budget in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $17 (₨1,393). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $34 (₨2,786). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $17
    1,393
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $34
    2,786

Hotel Prices in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Looking for a hotel in Kolkata (Calcutta)? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

 

Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Kolkata (Calcutta) based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $34. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Kolkata (Calcutta) is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $5.16 (₨427) per person, per day, on local transportation in Kolkata (Calcutta).


  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $5.16
    427

Recommended Services


Flights to Kolkata (Calcutta)
How much does it cost to go to Kolkata (Calcutta)? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Kolkata (Calcutta)
The price of renting a car in Kolkata (Calcutta) will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.



Food Budget in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Kolkata (Calcutta) can vary, the average cost of food in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $14 (₨1,187) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Kolkata (Calcutta) should cost around $5.73 (₨475) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Kolkata (Calcutta) is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $14
    1,187

Recommended


Entertainment Budget in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Kolkata (Calcutta) typically cost an average of $15 (₨1,250) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $15
    1,250

Recommended Activities


Alcohol Budget in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $8.34 (₨691) on alcoholic beverages in Kolkata (Calcutta) per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $8.34
    691

Recommended


Last Updated: Mar 15, 2023
Kolkata (Calcutta) On a Budget
Kolkata (Calcutta) Kolkata, India
Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.
Sights
As far as sights go, the city of Kolkata is a mix of colonial roots with local heritage. Some odes to the British colony include the impressive Fort William citadel built in 1773 and the imposing Victoria Memorial fashioned in white marble, which houses a collection of artifacts related to the British Raj and other periods of Indian history. For more insight into the city's past, visit the Indian Museum to see galleries devoted to showcasing a collection of archaeology and art as well as items under the fields of geology, zoology, and botany.

Speaking to local heritage are the temples situated in Kolkata. One such place is the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess of destruction, Kali. There are also twelve smaller temples in the courtyard dedicated to Shiva, Radha, and Krishna. Though fairly recent in construction, the Birla Temple is also an impressive sight to admire.

Other attractions include the Eden Gardens (located in the Maidan District), South Park Street Cemetery (first opened in 1767), St Paul's Cathedral (constructed between 1839 and 1847), and Mother House (headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa, whose tomb is on site).
Neighborhoods
Some of the more frequented districts of Kolkata include South Kolkata, the Colonial District, Maidan, North Kolkata, East Kolkata, as well as Howrah and Hooghly. South Kolkata is mostly residential with classier neighborhoods and many of the city's big malls like South City, Quest, Acropolis, and Forum. The Colonial District is where all the heritage buildings of that era remain, including structures like Raj Bhavan (Governor's House), Bidhan Sabha (State Assembly Building), Kolkata Municipal Corporation Building, and St John's Church(oldest in Kolkata). This area is also a hub for rickshaws, street food vendors, and shops. Maidan, at the heart of the city, consists mainly of lush open parkland, home to gardens, monuments, and other historic structures. Park Street is the major attraction here which hosts a number of upmarket lounges, restaurants, bars, shops, and colonial buildings. North Kolkata makes up the older part of the city with narrow lanes and century-old architecture, while East Kolkata encompasses a developed area of malls, hotels, theme parks, and housing estates. Howrah and the urban part of Hooghly, though technically separate from Kolkata, are also examples of city life thriving with history and culture.

Activities
In addition to exploring the sights above, there are plenty of sightseeing tours available for those seeking a more guided experience. Other activities include scoping the city out on foot, taking a boat cruise on the Hooghly River, going to the cinema, or enjoying a festival, amongst other things. Shopping, too, is common with a number of popular malls and markets throughout the city. Chowringee is the main marketplace of Kolkata, and a favorite with locals. Others include Maidan Market for cheap sports items, Chandni Market for all small electronical gadgets and parts, and New Market for all kinds of clothing, toys, and collectibles.
Food and Dining
While the cuisine of Kolkata is as diverse as its population, native dishes of the area are a result of Bengali cooking. Traditionally, Bengali meals are composed of multiple courses which consist of a starter (small portion made from bitter vegetables or herbs), shak (leafy vegetables), dal (more substantial dish, usually with potatoes or rice), main course (fish), additional main course (meat), chutney (usually tangy and sweet, made from items like tomatoes, mangos, pineapple, tamarind, papaya, etc.), and dessert (usually doi, a kind of yogurt). Mughali Paratha (a kind of flatbread stuffed with minced meat) is a Kolkata specialty, as are snack foods like 'chops,' a sort of deep fried ball stuffed with beets and vegetables. Bengali sweets like rasagolla (cheese balls dipped in sugary syrup) and mishti doi (sweetened yogurt) are also renowned. Throughout the city there are plenty of restaurants serving Indian cuisine as well as vendors selling tasty street food. Kolkata is also home to Indian Chinese food, in addition to many great options for Thai, Indonesian, and Japanese flavors.

Transportation
By plane, Kolkata is served by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, located about 17 kilometers from the city center. This airport connects the city with Southeast Asia and some of Europe, with flights towards the Western hemisphere handled by Emirates and Qatar Airways.

By train, the two major stations serving Kolkata are Howrah and Sealdah, which connect the city to most other major stations in India.

Bus, taxi, and boat options are also available.


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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.