How to Get Around Kolkata: A Simple Guide to Metro, Trams & Taxis
Welcome to Kolkata! Our city is a sprawling, vibrant metropolis with a story waiting around every corner. But for a first-time visitor, a common question we hear is, “What’s the best way to get around?” Navigating a new city’s transport system can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
At Hotel Sun Prime, we believe a great trip is a stress-free one. That’s why we’ve put together this simple, expert guide based on the questions our guests ask us every day. We’ll break down the pros and cons of each transport option so you can travel through the City of Joy with confidence, just like a local.
The Kolkata Metro: The City's Lifeline (Highly Recommended)
For any tourist, the Kolkata Metro is your best friend. It is the fastest, cleanest, most efficient, and most affordable way to travel long distances across the city, completely bypassing the unpredictable road traffic.
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How to Use It: You can buy single-journey tokens for specific trips or get a rechargeable Metro Smart Card for ultimate convenience. The North-South line (Blue Line) is the oldest and most useful route for tourists, connecting the heart of South Kolkata to the North.
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Key Tourist Stations:
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Kalighat / Jatin Das Park: For Kalighat Temple and our hotel area.
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Maidan / Park Street: For Victoria Memorial, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Park Street’s restaurants.
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Esplanade: For New Market and the Indian Museum.
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Girish Park / Shobhabazar Sutanuti: For the traditional homes and lanes of North Kolkata.
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The Sun Prime Advantage: Our guests love that the Kalighat and Jatin Das Park Metro stations are just a short and pleasant walk from Hotel Sun Prime. This prime location puts the entire city within your easy and affordable reach.
App-Based Cabs (Uber & Ola): Modern Comfort
For door-to-door convenience and air-conditioned comfort, app-based services are a traveler’s best friend in Kolkata. While Uber and Ola are the most established players, the city offers more choices, giving you the power to find the best ride. Services like inDrive, which allows you to negotiate the fare with the driver before booking, and Rapido, excellent for booking quick auto-rickshaw and bike taxi rides, are also widely used.
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How to Use Them: Simply download your preferred app on your smartphone. The biggest advantages remain the upfront pricing (on Uber/Ola), GPS tracking for safety, and the comfort of a private, air-conditioned vehicle.
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Expert Tip: It’s a good idea to have at least two different ride-hailing apps on your phone. If you’re finding high surge pricing or long wait times on one platform, you can quickly check another for a better option.
Auto-rickshaws: The Kings of Short Distances
The green and yellow three-wheeled auto-rickshaws are perfect for short trips of 1-4 kilometres, especially for journeys where the Metro doesn’t go directly.
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How to Use Them: On most main roads, autos run on fixed, shared routes. However, you can also hire one for a private trip to a specific destination. It’s important to agree on the fare with the driver before you start your journey.
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The Sun Prime Advantage: For quick trips from our hotel to nearby hotspots like the Gariahat shopping market or the beautiful Birla Mandir, an auto-rickshaw is a fast and very economical choice.
The Kolkata Tram: A Journey Through Time
The Kolkata Tram is the oldest operating electric tram network in Asia and a true city icon. We must be honest: it is not a fast mode of transport. Instead, think of it as a heritage experience.
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Why You Should Ride It: A tram ride is a wonderfully unique way to sightsee. It moves at a gentle pace, allowing you to soak in the city’s stunning colonial architecture and daily life without the rush. It’s charming, eco-friendly, and very inexpensive.
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Expert Tip: We recommend taking a tram ride through the Maidan area, the city’s vast green lung. The views are beautiful, and it feels like stepping back in time.
Yellow Ambassador Taxis: The Classic Ride
Kolkata’s taxi experience has evolved significantly, offering both nostalgia and modern convenience.
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The Classic Yellow Ambassador: The iconic yellow taxi is a symbol of Kolkata. While their numbers are dwindling, you can still hail one on the street. If you do, it’s a memorable experience, but always politely insist the driver uses the meter (“Meter se chaliye, please”) for a fair fare.
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Modern White & Blue AC Taxis: Alongside the yellow cabs, you will see a large fleet of modern, more comfortable air-conditioned sedans (typically white with a blue stripe). The best way to book these is through the government-backed mobile app.
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Highly Recommended App – Yatri Sathi: We strongly recommend our guests download the Yatri Sathi app. This is the official taxi app of the West Bengal government, and it offers huge advantages for tourists:
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No Surge Pricing: Unlike other apps, Yatri Sathi charges fixed, government-approved rates. You won’t face unexpectedly high fares during peak hours or rain.
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Reliability: The app is designed to significantly reduce ride cancellations by drivers, which is a common issue on other platforms.
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Fair to Drivers: It’s a no-commission platform, meaning the entire fare goes to the driver. This creates a more positive and fair ecosystem.
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By using Yatri Sathi, you get the convenience of an app with the reliability and fair pricing of a traditional taxi. It’s a win-win for both passengers and drivers.
Conclusion: Travel Kolkata Like a Pro
Navigating Kolkata is an adventure, and choosing the right transport makes all the difference. Remember this simple mantra: Metro for distance, autos for convenience, cabs for comfort, and trams for experience.
More importantly, choosing a strategically located hotel like Hotel Sun Prime—especially one near a Metro station—is the single best decision for an easy travel experience. It will save you time, money, and unnecessary stress.
Have more questions? Our front desk is always available 24/7 to help you navigate our beautiful city.
Book your convenient stay with us and explore Kolkata with confidence!