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3 Days in Kolkata: Itinerary 2026
Start your morning at the Indian Museum (27 Jawaharlal Nehru Road, open 10 AM, 5 PM, closed Mondays), the oldest museum in India. Then walk to the nearby St. Paul's Catheβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1: Central Kolkata
Start your morning at the Indian Museum (27 Jawaharlal Nehru Road, open 10 AM, 5 PM, closed Mondays), the oldest museum in India. Then walk to the nearby St. Paul's Cathedral for its Gothic architecture. For lunch, head to Peter Cat (26A Park Street) for their famous Chelo Kebab, around βΉ600 per person. In the afternoon, explore the Maidan and Victoria Memorial (open 5:30 AM, 7 PM, museum 10 AM, 5 PM). End the day with a tram ride down Chowringhee Road.
π Getting Around
Kolkata Metro is the fastest way to cover long distances, with lines connecting Central, North, and South. Fares range from βΉ5 to βΉ25. For shorter hops, use app-based cabs like Uber or Ola, which cost around βΉ100, βΉ200 per ride within the city. Avoid auto-rickshaws for long distances as they can be slow in traffic. Plan for 30, 45 minutes between neighborhoods during peak hours.
π Day 2: North Kolkata
Begin at the Marble Palace (46 Muktaram Babu Street, free entry, but requires a permit from the West Bengal Tourism office). Then visit the Kumartuli potters' quarter to see idol-making. For lunch, try the iconic kathi rolls at Nizam's (23 Hogg Street, open 11 AM, 10 PM), around βΉ80 each. In the afternoon, explore the narrow lanes of Shobhabazar and the Rajbari (palace). Wrap up with a visit to the Dakshineswar Kali Temple (open 5 AM, 9 PM) across the Hooghly River.
π Evening Cultural Spots
For an authentic Bengali cultural evening, book tickets at the Rabindra Sadan (Cathedral Road) or Nandan complex for a play or dance performance, with tickets from βΉ100 to βΉ500. Alternatively, head to the Indian Coffee House (15 Bankim Chatterjee Street) for a nostalgic adda (chat) over coffee and snacks. For dinner, try 6 Ballygunge Place (6 Ballygunge Place) for a traditional Bengali thali, around βΉ800 per person.
ποΈ Day 3: South Kolkata
Start at the Kalighat Kali Temple (open 5 AM, 10 PM), one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Then visit the Birla Industrial & Technological Museum (19A Gurusaday Road, open 10 AM, 5:30 PM, closed Mondays). For lunch, head to Bhojohori Manna (multiple outlets, like 1/1A Dover Lane) for Bengali comfort food, around βΉ500 per person. Spend the afternoon at the Nicco Park (Jheel Meel, Sector IV, Salt Lake, open 10 AM, 7 PM) for some fun rides.
π‘ Local Tips & Prices
Carry small change for temple offerings and street food, as many places don't accept cards. A budget of βΉ1,500, βΉ2,000 per day covers meals, transport, and entry fees for a comfortable trip. Book metro rides via the 'Kolkata Metro' app for contactless payments. Avoid visiting temples on Mondays as they are often closed or less active. Always carry a bottle of water, especially in summer.
honestly this is a really solid itinerary, captures the city well. one thing i'd add is that on day 1, the tram ride is charming but slow af, so if you're in a rush just walk from victoria memorial to park street instead, it's a pleasant 15 minute stroll past some old buildings
for day 2, skip nizam's kathi rolls and try kusum roll on hidaram banerjee lane instead, it's less touristy and the paratha is way crispier. the queue moves fast and it's like βΉ60 a roll, absolute steal
day 3, if you're at kalighat temple, the flower market just outside is worth a quick wander, you'll see locals buying garlands for offerings and the whole lane smells like jasmine. also bhojohori manna gets packed at lunch so aim for 12:30 pm or you'll be waiting
The Indian Museum is worth the entry fee, but give yourself at least two hours there. I'd skip the audio guide and just wander the natural history section upstairs, it's the most interesting part.
For North Kolkata, if you're at Kumartuli around the Durga Puja season, the whole area is buzzing and you can see idols being painted right on the street. Getting a permit for Marble Palace can be a hassle, so try the tourism office on BBD Bag early in the morning to avoid the queue.
On Day 3, Nicco Park is more for kids and families, so if you're traveling solo or as a couple, consider the Science City instead. It has a great dinosaur park and an aquarium that's surprisingly well kept. The metro from Kalighat to Science City takes about 20 minutes and costs under βΉ15.
solid itinerary, captures the real kolkata vibe. for day 1, if you're at the indian museum, walk over to the asiatic society building on park street after, it's a five minute detour and the library inside has this incredible old book smell and a portrait gallery of bengali renaissance figures, free entry and usually empty
day 2 north kolkata tip, after kumartuli walk through the narrow lane to the old china town area around tiretta bazaar, it's a ten minute walk and you'll see the oldest chinese temple in the city, tucked behind a shoe market. the street food there has a different flavor, try the momos from a small stall near the temple gate, βΉ40 for eight and they make the sauce fresh
day 3, instead of nicco park, take the metro to dum dum and walk to the kolkata airport area for the sunset view from the rajarhat bridge, it's a bit out of the way but you get the whole city skyline and the planes coming in low overhead. locals fish off the bridge in the evening and it's dead quiet compared to the tourist spots
Kolkata on a Budget: Tips 2026
Budget travelers can find dorm beds in hostels like Zostel Kolkata (near Park Street) for around 600-800 INR per night. Private rooms in budget hotels in areas like Sudβ¦ π Affordable Accommodation
Budget travelers can find dorm beds in hostels like Zostel Kolkata (near Park Street) for around 600-800 INR per night. Private rooms in budget hotels in areas like Sudder Street or near Howrah Station start at 1,200 INR. Booking a week in advance on platforms like Booking.com or Agoda often yields discounts.
π Eating Like a Local
Street food is your best friend: a plate of puchka (pani puri) costs 20-30 INR, and a kathi roll from Nizam's (23 Hogg Street) is around 60-80 INR. For a hearty Bengali thali, head to Bhojohori Manna (multiple locations) for 250-350 INR. Avoid touristy restaurants on Park Street if you're on a tight budget.
π Getting Around Cheaply
The Kolkata Metro is the fastest and cheapest way to travel, with fares from 5 to 25 INR depending on distance. For short trips, use the iconic yellow taxis (metered, starting at 25 INR) or app-based rides like Uber and Ola (often 100-200 INR for cross-city trips). Avoid auto-rickshaws that quote inflated rates.
ποΈ Free and Low-Cost Attractions
Many attractions are free or very cheap: the Indian Museum (20 INR for Indians, 500 INR for foreigners) is a must-see. Stroll through the Maidan and visit the Victoria Memorial grounds for free (entry to the museum is 30 INR for Indians). The Dakshineswar Kali Temple and Belur Math have no entry fee.
ποΈ Smart Shopping Tips
For souvenirs, head to New Market (Lindsay Street) where you can haggle for handicrafts, textiles, and spices. Avoid fixed-price shops in tourist areas. Local markets like Gariahat Market offer fresh produce and clothing at half the price of malls. Always bargain politely.
π‘ Money-Saving Hacks
Carry a reusable water bottle and refill at your hotel or free water stations at major temples. Use public buses (fares start at 5 INR) for very short distances, but be prepared for crowds. Download the Kolkata Metro app for real-time schedules and avoid peak hours (9-11 AM and 5-7 PM) to save time.
πΏ Free Cultural Experiences
Visit the College Street Coffee House (Bankim Chatterjee Street) for a cup of coffee at 30 INR and soak in the intellectual vibe. Attend a free classical music or dance performance at the Nandan complex or Rabindra Sadan (check their monthly schedule). Walk through the narrow lanes of North Kolkata to see traditional Bengali architecture.
yeah this is a great list, covers most things. one thing i'd throw in is the south kolkata morning walk route through jodhpur park, the lake behind the temple, and then down to the rabindra sarobar lake. totally free and you'll see the neighborhood waking up, old bengali houses with their gardens, people doing yoga on the grass. takes about an hour and you end up near the lake where the sunrise is really nice
for food, the guide mentions bhojohori manna which is solid but if you want a proper thali under 200 INR try kasturi on gariahat road. it's a small place, no ac, but the rice and dal refill is unlimited and they have this fish curry that changes daily. around 180 INR for the full meal and it's packed with locals at lunch, always a good sign
the museum tip is right but honestly if you're on a tight budget just go to the science city campus grounds for free. they have this huge model of a rocket and a butterfly garden, kids love it but even alone it's a nice place to sit on the grass for a bit. the inside exhibits cost money but the outdoor part is open to everyone
nice breakdown, really covers the ground well. one thing i'd flag is the princep ghat area at night, it's free and the lights on the bridge reflect off the water, locals just sit there for hours chatting. bring some chaat from the vendors near the ghat entrance, they have this aloo chop for like 10 INR that's way better than what u get in the tourist spots.
for the museum, if you're indian the 20 INR entry is a steal, but the foreigner price is rough. i'd skip the upper floors unless you're really into taxidermy, the ground floor with the fossils and the mummy is where the cool stuff is. the mummy room has a weird smell but it's worth it.
also the guide mentions booking.com for hotels, but if you're really pinching pennies check the local guesthouses near shyambazar directly. i walked into one called hotel surya on chittaranjan avenue and got a single room for 800 INR, no booking fee. just knock and ask, they're usually half empty on weekdays.
the tip about sudder street accom is solid but heads up the noise can be brutal at night from the traffic and hawkers. if u want quieter budget places try the guesthouses near kalighat metro, private rooms for like 900-1200 INR way less chaos. i stayed at one called hotel galaxy prime and it was basic but clean.
for the museum entry fee difference between indians and foreigners that 500 INR is steep but honestly the museum is huge and u can spend 3 hours there so it's worth it. bring a fan tho the ac is spotty in some galleries especially the upper floors.
one thing i'd add is the tram rides. they're like 5 INR for a short hop and super slow but great for seeing the city without walking. the route from esplanade to shibpur is my fav cause it goes over the bridge and u get the breeze. just don't count on them being on time lol.