• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Calcutta, India travel tips?

C

Czesia

Senior member
Anyone know of any links to sites about Calcutta, India that might help plan for travel there? I plan to go in June or July and stay for a few months... Any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
 
make sure when you get off the train / get out of the train.. dont let ppl run off with your luggage.. ppl will grab your luggage and try to take it to their car or try to help you and then charge an exhorbant amount to move 15 feet.

If you use the train, use a luggage porter, they are either red clothed or blue clothed..

In the airport, esp the dum dum domestic terminal be careful of ppl trying to help you with yoru luggage while your outside.. The international terminal is a joke (from what i remmeber). I suggest disembarking in Delhi or Bombay and fly to Calcutta... unless you cant do that.. Calcutta international is a room that feels like its going to fall down. Also when you get out of the airport be careful noone runes off with your luggage... this is true for both domestic and international. If your going to use taxi (both railway and airport) use pre paid taxi and NOT the ppl who try to get you into their car. In the car, your going to be scared, calcutta is a relatively lawless land. I hate the place.

In calcutta if you get stuck in a traffic you cant do much..esp if there is an accident or an protest or a religious procession. however if you are in a hurry and your in a taxi then pay the guy a bit more (tell him) and act sick, he will stick a red cloth outside and try to run as an ambulance (indian road rules allows this.. a waving red flag = emergency vehicle). I paid 350 bucks to get to the airport from Jothpur Park area.. usually about 175 to get to the airport (back when i went to india last - winter 2000/2001) but i knew i wouldnt make it if the guy didnt bypass the traffic jams.. so i told him i will pay him 350 and he drove on teh wrong side of a 2 lane to get me to the airport with 10 mintues before flight take off... I paid him 300+ 50 tip.. so about 350..

Anyway.. take some nasal decongestant.. and a mask for your face / nose .. air pollution in calcutta is really bad, i cant visit teh place, but its my antesterial home and i got to visit but i still make it a short visit.

If you take the bus, remember they ask will come to you and you can purchase your ticket, so go find a seat.. make sure on a bus you got your money hidden.. pick pocketting is very very common... I usually keep 5 - 20 rupees in my wallet (with nothing else) and everything in my undies or in my sock.

You can try taking the tram system, its a marvel, travel across town for under a rupee.. (well from what i remember back in teh day.. maybe 2 bucks now).. The best way to travel fast is to take the under ground.. That is probably the cleanest part of calcutta.. its a pride and joy and its been kept like i remember it when it was first inaugrated in the mid 1980's.

If you are a golf buff try Royal Victoria Golf Course in Tollygunge (i think) there is the tollygunge golf club accros it too.. Royal Victoria Golf Course is the world's 2nd oldest golf course.. when ever i get to go to calcutta i go there.. its such a relief to get out of calcutta to be in greenery. You can also visit Calcutta Club (however there is a strict dress code for men and not women). There used to be a time when it was an exclusive club, we are members @ the club but its because of my dad, my uncle and my grandfather.. However i hear they allow more ppl in these days. You can try visiting the Botanical Gardens in North Calcutta. I rememebr the place was cool.. so green considering this is calcutta..

If you want food, I suggest try out the Egg / Chicken / Mutton rolls sold on road side shops.. however after pepto (just in case). I love them.. sorta like a burrito.. but its egg, a flour tortia and onions and meat.. If you want some good biriyani .. go to Nizams in Esplanade.. If you want Indian, try "Dhaba" (now only if i could remember where - think goriahat). You can try visiting Dhakshinapan, a mall.. (well from what i remember it was decent when it opened its gotten a bit lower standard these days). You can visit Goriahat for shopping (jewellery). You can try Park Street for the fancy stuff..

I am not saying im a native of Calcutta, its just that i hav ebeen there enough to know what's where.

Anything else.. i will ask my Brother in Law & sister for advice, tehy were just there last month.

 
Originally posted by: The_good_guy
make sure when you get off the train / get out of the train.. dont let ppl run off with your luggage.. ppl will grab your luggage and try to take it to their car or try to help you and then charge an exhorbant amount to move 15 feet.

If you use the train, use a luggage porter, they are either red clothed or blue clothed..

In the airport, esp the dum dum domestic terminal be careful of ppl trying to help you with yoru luggage while your outside..

In calcutta if you get stuck in a traffic you cant do much.. however if you are in a hurry and your in a taxi then pay the guy a bit more (tell him) and act sick, he will stick a red cloth outside and try to run as an ambulance (indian road rules allows this.. a waving red flag = emergency vehicle). I paid 350 bucks to get to the airport from Jothpur Park area.. usually about 175 to get to the airport (back when i went to india last - winter 2000/2001) but i knew i wouldnt make it if the guy didnt bypass the traffic jams.. so i told him i will pay him 350 and he drove on teh wrong side of a 2 lane to get me to the airport with 10 mintues before flight take off... I paid him 300+ 50 tip.. so about 350..

Anyway.. take some nasal decongestant.. and a mask for your face / nose .. air pollution in calcutta is really bad, i cant visit teh place, but its my antesterial home and i got to visit but i still make it a short visit.

If you take the bus, remember they ask will come to you and you can purchase your ticket, so go find a seat.. make sure on a bus you got your money hidden.. pick pocketting is very very common... I usually keep 5 - 20 rupees in my wallet (with nothing else) and everything in my undies or in my sock.

You can try taking the tram system, its a marvel, travel across town for under a rupee.. (well from what i remember back in teh day.. maybe 2 bucks now).. The best way to travel fast is to take the under ground.. That is probably the cleanest part of calcutta.. its a pride and joy and its been kept like i remember it when it was first inaugrated in the mid 1980's.

If you are a golf buff try Royal Victoria Golf Course in Tollygunge (i think) there is the tollygunge golf club accros it too.. Royal Victoria Golf Course is the world's 2nd oldest golf course.. when ever i get to go to calcutta i go there.. its such a relief to get out of calcutta to be in greenery. You can also visit Calcutta Club (however there is a strict dress code for men and not women). There used to be a time when it was an exclusive club, we are members @ the club but its because of my dad, my uncle and my grandfather.. However i hear they allow more ppl in these days.

If you want food, I suggest try out the Egg / Chicken / Mutton rolls sold on road side shops.. however after pepto (just in case). I love them.. sorta like a burrito.. but its egg, a flour tortia and onions and meat.. If you want some good biriyani .. go to Nizams in Esplanade.. If you want Indian, try "Dhaba" (now only if i could remember where - think goriahat). You can try visiting Dhakshinapan, a mall.. (well from what i remember it was decent when it opened its gotten a bit lower standard these days). You can visit Goriahat for shopping (jewellery). You can try Park Street for the fancy stuff..

I am not saying im a native of Calcutta, its just that i hav ebeen there enough to know what's where.

Anything else.. i will ask my Brother in Law & sister for advice, tehy were just there last month.
Click to expand...

you coulda pm'd that....
 
Good advice above from The Good Guy.

Basic Advice:
1.) Don't let ANYONE take your luggage. Be rude about it as these blokes (even the ones with "official" looking airport badges) are trying to get money from you at the end. And no matter how much you pay them, the ingrates will always roll their eyes at you as if you're a cheap bastard. 🙁

2.) At the airport, you need to get your luggage tagged thru their xray machine. Do it before you hit the check-in counter.

3.) Always carry small change. Get money broken-in at the hotel before you hit the streets every day. Keep money in separate zippered pockets. Always get the "going rate" for taxi rides from Point A to Point B from the Hotel staff. The taxis will try to fleece you every time you're negotuating the rate--especially the rickshaws that are wading in front of the hotel like sharks. 😉

4.) Get your money from an ATM as they have the best FX rates.

5.) Drink bottled water. Eat food from tourist restaurants. Check out the "Lets Go" guide.

6.) Go to the bathroom before you leave hotel. You'll regret it if you have to do #2 and you're in the middle of Calcutta. 😉


Going to Calcutta will be a new experience if you're a first-timer to India. So be prepared to be very patient and understanding. Calcutta, btw, is the poorest, most run-down major urban center in India. So don't get too depressed....take it all in stride. 🙂
 
Thanks for the great advice and links, I'll definitely take all of this into consideration. BTW, I realize that Calcutta is poor and rundown and I'm trying to eliminate any expectations I may have about it. I'm going there for 6 months for missionary work and will be on my own until I get to know some people out there, so anything I can find out about it is great!😀
 
I live in Calcutta....

Gimme a PM and i ll give you my phone number....

You can get in touch me for help/guidance.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top