How to get around Kolkata

The oldest metro in India

The Blue Line has been the city's spine since 1984; the Green Line now runs all the way from Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake through the country's first under-river tunnel. Trains run ~06:55–22:40.

~₹5–30

Ferries across the Hooghly

Howrah to Babughat and Fairlie, every few minutes through the day. At rush hour this is simply the quickest way from the station into the centre, and the cheapest river view in the city.

~₹6–10

Cabs and the state app

Yatri Sathi charges no commission and never surges, which usually makes it the cheapest of the four; Uber, Ola and Rapido all work as well.

Autos run fixed routes

Unlike the rest of India, Kolkata autos work like shared minibuses along set corridors: you get in with four others and pay a flat fare for the leg. Toto e-rickshaws do the same on the outskirts.

~₹10–30

The heritage tram

The 150-year-old network has been wound down: one heritage run between Esplanade and Maidan is what remains. Ride it for the ride itself, not to get anywhere.