Singapore to Kolkata Flights

  About Singapore

One of the most expensive cities to go on a vacation, Singapore has a rich culture, amazing food and also a great place to go cruising. Not to mention, the marvellous architecture. The city is also known for hosting grand festivals and for its lavish nightlife. You can plan a trip with your family or with your friends. You can also plan a solo backpacking trip to Singapore. The city also has quite a few hostels for young travellers. One of the most popular highlights of the city is Universal Studios. Not only will you get to be a part of your favourite comic universes but you can also try all of the theme-based rides here. Singapore has quite a lot of amusement parks and places for you to explore your adventurous side. It is also the perfect place for you to flaunt your most stylish self or shop till you drop.

Best Time to Visit Singapore

Singapore is ideal for visiting any time of the year because of its climate. It is warm and tropical all year round, which is one of the reasons why the prices barely go down. December is one of the most happening months, and prices are skyrocketing this month, thanks to the lavish New Year's Eve parties. The expensive hotel prices, however, do not drop and only increase during Christmas and New Year's Eve. You might also want to steer clear of Chinese New Year to avoid the high prices of flight tickets to Singapore and accommodations. While the temperature ranges between 29 to 31 degree Celsius throughout the year, you might also experience mild showers every now and then. You can book a hotel in Singapore either closer to all the tourist attractions or go for a hostel, in case you are on a solo trip or with your friends.

November to June is when the city experiences winter, and there is also a boost in the number of tourists. This period also sees a lot of festivals being hosted in Singapore. November to January is when Singapore receives rainfall and witnesses the highest precipitation. You can be a part of the Chinese New Year celebrations in February or the Dragon Boat Festival in June and the Great Singapore Sale from June to August. The best part about planning your travel during these months is that you can get cheap flight tickets to Singapore from India.

A lesser popular time to visit is from July to October when the number of tourists is comparatively lesser. If you reach right before the Great Singapore Sale ends, you might even get your favourite designer items at a reasonable price. Though you might receive rainfall between June and September, it only affects the North-eastern part of Singapore more. If you are planning your vacation to Singapore in July and August, you can attend the Singapore Food Festival and the Hungry Ghost Festival. You can also catch the Grand Prix Singapore in September along with the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Places to Visit in Singapore

Singapore has a lot of tourist attractions that are perfect for every kind of vacation. The Underwater World is the best place to visit in Singapore with your family. Not only will you see over 2500 marine animals, but you can also dive with the sharks and swim with the dolphins. The Singapore Zoo houses a lot of zebras, mole rats, parakeets, white tigers, a komodo dragon and other creatures. You will have to pay a certain fee to enter, just like at the Underwater World. You can also head to the River Safari that is home to red pandas and 6000 other animals. The best part is that safari is river-themed. Singapore also has a lot of beaches like the Changi Beach, Tanjong Beach and Sentosa Island that you can visit. Universal Studios is one of the major attractions of Singapore. It is a theme park that has Transformers, Shrek, Madagascar-based rides and a lot of your other favourite characters, other than Harry Potter. You can go with your kids or friends.

The Smith Street Hawker Centre in Chinatown is where you go to try delicious Chinese, Malay and Indian street food. You will not even have to worry about hygiene. You can also go to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum to be amazed at wax statues of celebrities like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Queen Elizabeth II, and others. Marina Bay Sands is one of the most popular and luxe hotels in Singapore. It also boasts of the world's biggest infinity pools and staying here even for a night will be the experience of a lifetime. You will definitely come across this when you are booking a hotel in Singapore online. The Coney Island is one of the most romantic places in Singapore and an ideal place to plan a date, too.

Things to do in Singapore

Singapore is one of those places where you can fulfil your lavish holiday dreams. You can party till wee hours and treat your hangover by just lying near the pool at your hotel to soak in the view. The city has a lot of places for you to go sightseeing or indulge in adventurous activities. Marina Bay district in Singapore has the best tourist attractions in the city. You can experience the nightlife here and visit some of the popular nightclubs. You can also book your accommodation at the Marina Bay Sands resort, and you won't even have to go anywhere. The complex has an amazing casino, a lot of nightclubs, shops, Sands SkyPark and performance halls. You can also head to Chinatown to enjoy a night out in the town. Try out the street food, go clubbing or shopping. You can go shopping at Pagoda Street, grab a bite at New Bridge Road or Smith Street and head over to Tanjong Pagar district to experience the nightlife. The Sentosa is an island resort that is basically for all age groups. You can go with your family, with your friends or on your solo trip, too. Little India is where you go to if you want to stray from the main city. It's 2 miles from Marina Bay.

Food and Restaurants in Singapore

Singapore is one tourist destination where you will find an eclectic blend of cuisines from all over the world. Be it continental, Chinese, Indian, Mexican, or Malay cuisine, and it's easy to find a restaurant that will satiate your hunger pangs and food cravings. Maxwell Food Centre is a popular place that has about 100 stalls of different kinds of food. It would be best if you also tried the fine dining scenes, the bars and lounges in the city. Le Noir Bar & Lounge in Marina Bay Sands is one of the best places to go to in the area. If you are craving European or French cuisine, you can head to Entre-Nous Creperie at Seah Street. Cure at Keong Saik Road is one of the best places to go to if you want to try some Irish or European food. You can also try Colony for some Singaporean food. Positano Risto is another fine restaurant that serves the best pizza and other Italian food. If you want to have Chinese food at a fancy restaurant instead of a local food joint, you can visit the Summer Pavilion at The Ritz-Carlton. Paulaner Brauhaus Singapore is popular for serving German food and drinks. It is also a Brew Pub that you can't miss. You can just chill with a couple of beers here. You will find a lot of good Indian restaurants in the Little India area in Singapore. If it is French, European or Caucasian food that you want to try, head over to Chef's Table by Chef Stephan Zoisl. You can also try the Japanese food at Akira Back.

How to reach Singapore (Transportation)

Singapore has its own airport called Changi Airport. The flight connectivity to Singapore from India is excellent. Not only do you get direct flights to Singapore from here, you even get connecting ones, depending on the availability. Indigo, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Spicejet run flights to Singapore quite frequently. You'll get cheap flight tickets to Singapore quite easily, but in any case, book your tickets in advance. If you take a direct flight to Singapore, it will take about 5 to 6 hours to land in the city. Getting a taxi from Changi Airport is also not very difficult since the city sees a lot of tourists throughout the year. Changi Airport has quite a lot of facilities like art activities for kids, baby care rooms, lounges, entertainment decks and rest areas that are free to use. In fact, you can also get a temporary local SIM card to use within the city at the airport itself. The airport also has movie theatres, in case you have to wait for a long time for your flight. You'll also find showers, spa facilities, prayer rooms, shopping areas and prayer rooms in the airport.

  About Kolkata

The capital of the Indian state of West Bengal, Kolkata, is famed to be one of the best metropolitan cities in the country. Known as one of the busiest cities, the rich and illustrious history is a testament to the Kolkata's culture. The cuisine does not just reflect this that they are famously known for but also the city's pristine architecture. There are a plethora of sites and important institutions that must be visited to understand the history and the magnitude of the British influence on the city. From mishti dois to doi potol to rasgullas, the elaborate list of dishes from the Bengali culture can be found in every nook and corner of Kolkata.

Best time to visit Kolkata

The months from October to March is considered the best to visit Kolkata. The temperatures see a pleasant drop while the air is cool and comfortable. The December and January months see temperatures ranging between 9 degree Celsius and 11 degree Celsius, making it cold but beautiful. The winter season also sees various important festivals observed by the Bengalis such as Durga Puja, Laxmi Puja and Kali Puja. As it is a peak season, the flight tickets to Kolkata might soar a little.

Just like most of India, the months of April to May sees a tremendous surge in the temperatures, making the atmosphere too hot. In Kolkata, summers range between 30 degree Celsius to 40 degree Celsius, which is quite a lot to bear. It automatically affects the plans to sightsee, especially if you are a tourist. If you are unfazed by the harsh sun during the summer, then you should visit the city. The flight tickets to Kolkata are cheap and affordable. As the accommodations are so low-priced, you can reach the city and book a hotel too.

The city does witness tremendous rainfall from June to September, come monsoon. However, of all the months, August is the wettest for Kolkata during rains. The best part about rains is how the city is filled with hawkers selling munchies while chai becomes the partner in crime.

Places to visit in Kolkata

Ensure to add the Victoria Memorial to your itinerary of places to visit in Kolkata. The structure looks like it has been picked out of a fairytale with its exquisite Victorian architecture and the well-kept gardens. Discover more about the English influence by visiting Fort Williams. The enormous white structure has been an important part of British rule and continues to play a vital role in today's Kolkata as well. This 19th-century palatial estate located in the North of Kolkata once belonged to the royal families of Kolkata.

It would be a sin to miss the Howrah Bridge, when in Kolkata. The Harbour Bridge of India is the oldest and the busiest roads you will find in the city. The bridge has been built over the Hoogly river and plays a vital role in connecting two big cities, Kolkata and Howrah. The Tagore House is also one of the famous tourist attractions. The former house of the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, the Tagore House has photo galleries, paintings and literary works of the poet. Kolkata's biggest attraction, though, is the Sunderbans. Listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Site and being called the largest tiger reserve in India, the Sunderbans have a reputation for bringing forth a surreal for travellers.

The city also has various temples, churches and mosques that can be added to your list of places to visit in Kolkata. St Paul's Cathedral is famed for its stature as the largest church in Kolkata. As for temples, since the Bengalis have extreme faith in Goddess Durga and her various forms, there are several Devi temples and shrines that you will see in the city. The Kalighat Kali Temple, Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Birla Mandir, to name a few are beautiful temples with interesting architecture that should be explored. Do not miss the Nakhoda Mosque, which is located in Rabindra Sarani.

Things to do in Kolkata

There are several fun things to do within the city of Kolkata. You can take a book and sit by the Rabindra Sarovar to savour in the literature as well as the peaceful ambience of the place. Or you can always opt to go a little bonkers at the Aquatica, a water amusement park, touted to be the largest in the Eastern parts of India. If you think there is a lot more you need to know about the city, then the Indian Museum is your place to be.

The city has a few ghats such as Princey Ghat, located close to the Hoogly river and you should check them out. No trip can be signed off as complete with a little shopping indulgence. Head to the Park Street and haggle for some pretty accessories, Dokra and paper mâché masks when you're in Kolkata. You can further indulge in some street food binge too.

Food and Restaurants in Kolkata

The Mughals and British heavily influence Kolkata's food culture. It is believed that the Mughals played a catalyst to bring forth the famed Bengali sweets. The idea to use dry fruits in food was a Persian thing that they practised and have been doing to this day. While the enthusiasm for art and literature is very Western, the cuisine has a blend of Chinese, Portuguese and Armenian.

Flurry's, Mocambo, Fire and Ice Pizzeria, Mrs Magpie, to name a few, have the best Continental and English spread that one can ask for in Kolkata. The quaint restaurants don't just offer their lip-smacking food but also a piece of their soul when they interact with their customers. From cute cupcakes to a delicious English breakfast, these places would give you the best food in the city.

For the sweet tooth in you, visit Balaram Mullick and Radharam Mullick to taste their legendary flavours as they constantly work on improving and innovating new sweets to keep the customers engaged. The sweets shop is actually run by the Scion of the Mullick Dynasty that was prevalent in Bengal 150 years ago.

Kewpie's Kitchen, Koshe Kosha, Indian Coffee House, Paris Cafe and Kusum Rolls are some joints which offer amazing cafe and fast food. These places do add more intrigue to the food culture of Kolkata.

How to reach Kolkata

By Air

As one of the top cities of India, Kolkata has a domestic as well as an international airport. Touted to be one of the busiest airports in the country, The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, better known as Kolkata International Airport, has excellent connectivity with domestic as well as international cities. The flight connectivity to and from Kolkata is brilliant as the city has flights coming in from major Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, etc. In fact, the airport also sees flights from Kolkata reaching other top international cities.

The international routes directly connected with Kolkata include Doha, Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore, Chittagong, Dhaka, Hong Kong, etc. You can easily book direct flights from Kolkata to these international destinations without having to compromise on the time duration as well as layover concerns. Major Indian, as well as international airlines, also have dedicated flights and parking stations in the city's airport.

One need to fret over flight tickets to Kolkata as the busy airport sees a lot of action with many travellers making their way in and out of the city. Interestingly, out of all the top metro cities in India, flight tickets to Kolkata are the cheapest. This means you can always opt for a cheap flight to Kolkata and get great deals on the same.

By Rail

There are two important railway stations that connect the city from the rest of the country. The Howrah Railway Station and the Sealdah Railway station see outstation trains arriving in and leaving Kolkata. However, they are not the only two stations which see trains connecting to other cities. Even the Chitpur railway station, Shalimar Railway station and Kharagpur railway station have express and intercity trains connecting Kolkata with various cities within West Bengal and other states.

Some of the most famous express trains to travel to Kolkata are Duronto Express, Rajdhani Express and Jan Shatabdi Express. There are special trains such as Garib Rath Express and Yuva Express that also travel to the city. The train connectivity of Kolkata is excellent as it manages to connect with various states from Jammu & Kashmir to Kanyakumari. If you are unable to get flight tickets to Kolkata, splurging on a train ticket, especially an express train, is a good travel option.

By Road

The city's roadway connectivity is just as immaculate as the train and flight connectivity. Some of the major national highways and state highways connect Kolkata to important metro cities. Taking a road trip seems like a good option, provided you are travelling from Andhra Pradesh or Orissa or Jharkhand or even Bihar. The neighbouring states of West Bengal have dedicated buses to and from Kolkata as the domestic routes are well-connected. You can further connect to the North-Eastern states with utmost ease from the city as the domestic routes from Kolkata connect perfectly with Guwahati and Siliguri.

  About Singapore Airport

Singapore Changi Airport or popularly known as Changi Airport services the city of Singapore and is a major civilian airport. It is easily one of the largest hubs for transportation in Asia. It has been rated by Skytrax as the World's Best Airport eight consecutive times since 2013. It is the world's first airport to reach such a milestone and earn a record. In terms of international passenger traffic and cargo, the Singapore Changi Airport stands as one of the busiest in the world. The airport is located in Changi, which is on the eastern side of Singapore. It is about 20 km away from Singapore's Downtown Core.

Singapore Changi Airport is the home base for a plethora of airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Scoot, BOC Aviation, Singapore Airlines Cargo, Jetstar Asia Airways and Silkair. The airport is recognised for its passenger traffic and stands at the 18th position on a global scale as the busiest airport. Just in 2019, Singapore Changi Airport accommodated over 68.3 million passengers. The airport serves close to 100 airlines with flights flying to 380 cities around the world. It has been recorded that the airport witnesses close to 7,400 flights that depart and arrive at Singapore Changi Airport every week. Over the years, Singapore Changi Airport has taken home over 620 awards ever since it has opened for business. Not to mention how it received 28 awards in one year alone, being 2019.

About Airport Terminals

As Singapore Changi Airport hosts more than 100 airlines with connections to over 380 cities in 100 countries worldwide, it witnesses an abundance of air traffic. It is the seventh busiest airport in terms of international passenger traffic. The Singapore Changi Airport has five passenger terminals and has been designed to hold a capacity of about 85 million passengers. Terminal 1's operations kicked off in 1981 and are located on the northern side of the airport. The terminal underwent renovation and opened for public use in 2019. Terminal 2 is situated on the eastern side. However, the operations as on May 1, 2020, have been suspended for 18 months. Terminal 3's location is by the western end and officially opened for business in 2008.

Meanwhile, Terminal 4 is the most recent terminal that came into existence in 2017 and is at the southern side. Besides the four functioning terminals for domestic and international flights, the airport also caters to a private run terminal named JetQuay CIP Terminal. The terminal sees a resemblance to the First Class Terminal built by Lufthansa at the Frankfurt Airport in Germany. With an access fee, the terminal is open to all travellers who are travelling in varied classes. Plans to construct Terminal 5 are also in works. If it goes according to schedule, the terminal should be ready by 2030 with an expected capacity of 50 million passengers in a year.

About Airport Authority

Owned by the Government of Singapore, the airport is operated by a consortium of Changi Airport Group, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Republic of Singapore Air Force. Changi Airports International (CAI) is the consultant and investor in the airport venture. CAI is also recognised to be a leading company in the global aviation market. Over the years, the consortium has enabled extensive airport infrastructural development. The airport is currently being managed by CAI, who have worked to bring about a strong economic gain out of the developed project. They have further brought forth integrated solutions to enhance the airport's quality and for it to achieve world-class stature in the aviation industry. The airport is also associated with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore which is a statutory board that falls under the Ministry of Transport of the Government of Singapore. As part of the venture, the CAAS has enabled an air hub to help promote the safe practices and protocols for civilian air-service arrangements.

Top airlines flying from Singapore Changi Airport

Singapore Changi Airport serves as a home base for airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Silkair, BOC Aviation, Singapore Airlines Cargo, Scoot and Jetstar Asia Airways. The airport also witnesses some Indian airlines chartered for international travel. Air India, Air India Express, GoAir, IndiGo and Vistara are some of the Indian airlines that fly to Singapore Changi Airport. These flights have dedicated services to the airport and even have space for parking.

The airport caters extensively to international cities and is recognised as one of the best. The largest market for the Singapore Changi Airport is from cities such as Malaysia, India, Thailand, China, Tokyo, Sydney, Jakarta, Vietnam, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Denpasar, to name a few. The airlines seen by the Singapore Changi Airport include Air France, Air China, Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, AirAsia, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Bangkok Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Druk Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malindo Air, Saudia, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, Thai Airways, United Airlines and Vietnam Airlines, to name a few. There are also extensive cargo flights and airlines that fly from Singapore Changi Airport. Cargo airlines from Singapore Changi Airport include Air Hong Kong, Asiana Cargo, Cathay Pacific Cargo, China Airlines Cargo, Etihad Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, Korean Air Cargo, SF Airlines, UPS Airlines and more.

Facilities at the Singapore Changi Airport

The airport serves a slew of facilities that would be ideal and essential for passengers.

Airport lounges- Singapore Changi Airport has a handful of airline lounges at all the terminals. You can find from first-class and business-class lounges to VIP rooms and hotels, Singapore Changi Airport offers many beautiful and snazzy lounges. Even the regular boarding lounge area near the departure zones are very exquisite.

Baby care rooms - There are dedicated baby care rooms at several intervals of the airport. The rooms are kept perfectly well and hygienic. They also have baby products such as diapers and powders.

Baggage storage - The baggage services include porter services where professionals escort the passengers and take care of their luggage. You can also get plastic wrapping done for your baggage.

ATMs and foreign exchange - There are ATM kiosks and foreign exchange counters and booths at all terminals. You can find them at the departures and arrivals segments of all terminals.

Medical services - Some many clinics and pharmacies are available at all the terminals in the airport. Medical assistance can also be availed if you check at the information desk.

Entertainment deck - Since there are many layovers of flights that do take place, the Singapore Changi Airport has installed entertainment decks to keep the passengers engaged. From watching TV to recreational activities, the airport has facilities for the same.

WiFi and internet - You can avail the airport's WiFi services on the phone. The airport also has dedicated internet cafes in several spots of the Singapore Changi Airport. You will have to pay a fee to get access to the internet cafe.

Prayer rooms - The airport has dedicated multi-faith rooms to allow passengers to engage in their religious prayers. The rooms can also be used for meditation purposes in case required.

Smoking zones - To keep the atmosphere of the airport clean and fresh, the Singapore Changi Airport has installed several smoking lounges. You can find packs of cigarettes at the airport premise as well.

Spas and shower services - There are booths for shower and spa services that can be availed at the airport's lounge.

How to reach Singapore Changi Airport

Mass Rapid Transit

Since the Singapore Changi Airport is massive with a slew of terminals sprawled across the expanse, the airport has provided a dedicated Mass Rapid Transit network which works as a perfect connection for Singapore Expo site as well as the Changi Airport. There are underground lines called the Changi Airport MRT station which links Terminal 2 and 3. A Downtown Line opened recently owing to the tremendous demand for the route connecting Pasir Ris and Tuas link. The dedicated shuttle service connects the Expo from Bukit Timah and Bukit Panjang to and from the city. The MRT is considered to be one of the most convenient ways to reach the Singapore Changi Airport. A plan to build Land Transport Masterplan is in the works that would be extended to Terminal 5 of Singapore Changi Airport. The plan is said to be concluded by 2040.

Bus

There are dedicated bus services to reach the Singapore Changi Airport. They are operated by SBS Transit, Go-Ahead Singapore and SMRT Buses. These buses have excellent stops which connect Terminal 3 to Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 as well. Another route that connects the first three terminals is from the basement busy bays. One of the best ways to reach Singapore Changi Airport also has coaches that traverse from Johor Bahru. They start coaches and stand at Terminals 1,2 and 3.

Taxi and rentals

Taxis and rentals are also available at the Singapore Changi Airport. You can find efficient taxis and rentals from the city centre to reach the Singapore Changi Airport. You can avail limousine services as well to reach the Singapore Changi Airport.

  About Kolkata Airport

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is located in Dum Dum, in the state of West Bengal. The airport serves the Kolkata metropolis and is about 17 km away from the city centre. It was earlier called the Dum Dum Airport but was later renamed as the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, in 1995. The airport is sprawled over 1,641 acres and is the largest hub for air traffic in the eastern locales of the country. It is also one of the two international airports in the eastern part, along with the Bagdogra Airport. The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport accommodates the 20 million passengers, making it the fifth busiest airport in the country apropos passenger traffic. The Kolkata Airport falls behind Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore airports in terms of passenger traffic. The Kolkata Airport is also known to be a major hub for flights to connect to the Northeast parts of India, Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, to name a few. Much recently, the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport received the honour as the Best Improved Airport in the Asia-Pacific region.

About Kolkata Airport Terminals

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport recently received the new integrated terminal called T2. It is spread over 2,510,000 sq ft and can accommodate about 25 million passengers yearly. This is massively better compared to the previous terminal, which could only hold a capacity of 5 million. The L-shaped structure has six levels, 128 check-in counters and about 78 immigration booths with 12 customs counters. The airport also has passenger lounges that are provided by Air India. T2 is well-equipped with 18 aerobridges and sees remote parking bays of 57. The airport authorities have further planned to erect an 18-foot statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at the T2 complex. The domestic terminals have been shut down for a good while the integrated terminal is in function. In the past, the airlines did see some setbacks as Lufthansa withdrew services to Frankfurt, leaving the airport with no nonstop and direct connections to countries beyond Asia. However, since the extended new terminal, the international operations have resumed and are attracting several airlines as well.

About airport authority

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is owned and served by the Airport Authority of India. The AAI has been catering to the extension, maintenance and development progression of the domestic and the international terminals of the Kolkata Airport. Over the years, the statutory body has been extending its development plans to make the airport more efficient. AAI was initially two separate boards namely, National Airports Authority and International Airports Authority of India, handling domestic and international flights respectively. In 1995 though, the two individual bodies were merged to form the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The present works to make the Kolkata Airport more accessible is in progress. There are talks of the airport receiving connectivity with a metro rail system to connect to the main city of Kolkata. Currently, buses and prepaid taxis are the only ways to reach the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Hence, the metro line would connect to the terminal directly.

Top airlines flying from Kolkata Airport

The Kolkata International Airport is the hub for airlines and flights flying to the North-Eastern parts of India. Many domestic and international airlines operate from the city. Kolkata is the hub of the East in India. The Kolkata Airport, one of the oldest in the country, has tremendously good connectivity to the North Eastern cities of India. Airlines such as Air Asia, AirAsia India, Air India, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Vistara, operate from the Kolkata International Airport. The futuristic airport manages to connect to cities such as Imphal, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Aizawl, Agartala, Shillong, Jharsuguda, Tezpur, Silchar, to name a few. These domestic airlines operating from the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, have dedicated flights to various other cities in India too, including the major ones such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.

As the fifth busiest airport, Kolkata does offer good connectivity to the North East cities as well as countries like Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan and other countries in Southeast Asia. International airlines such as Bhutan Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Cathay Dragon, China Eastern Airlines, Druk Air, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Malindo Air, Myanmar Airways, NovoAir, Qatar Airways, Regent Airways, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Thai AirAsia, Thai Airways, Thai Smile and US-Bangla Airlines, operate from the Kolkata International Airport. The airport also has international airlines connecting cities such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bangkok, Hong Kong and more.

Facilities at Kolkata Airport

Airlines lounges - The airport accommodates a handful of airline lounges along with the airport's dedicated lounge. As an international airport, the Kolkata Airport does cater to world-class facilities at the lounge including spas, restaurants and relaxing seats to unwind.

Baggage - Some of the big perks of baggage at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport include the provision of baggage wrapping services. This is to avoid the bags from being mishandled or for the contents to be affected. A wrapping fee is charged at the airport, which can be paid by cash, online payments or with the use of a debit or credit card. Along with the wrapping service, the airline also provides a storage facility. You can keep your bags here if there is a long layover or you can ask for a porter service too, to take care of your luggage. The services can be availed for up to 30 days, but the airport would carry a thorough security check before allowing the baggage to be stored.

Child care centre - For travellers in-transit with infants, the airport has reserved special child care rooms. The facility has all the child care essentials, including a changing table for the baby. They can be found at the arrival as well as the departure section of all the terminals. The room is well-maintained and hygienic.

ATMs and forex - Foreign exchange services are also available at the airport for travellers who may need extra liquid cash. Money transfers and other such money-related services are also available at the airport. These are specifically reserved for international passengers or travellers flying out of the country. Dedicated local banks have also been made available at the airport to help the passengers.

Postal services - In case you need to share some important document via courier or other mailing options, the airline has reserved a postal service specifically for such situations. You can find the postal services within the premise of the airport. You can find out more about this at the information desk located at regular intervals in the airport.

WiFi - The airport also allows free WiFi services within the vicinity. You can directly connect to the airport's WiFi network with a valid Indian mobile number. The services are available at the domestic and international terminals, at the waiting areas. The high-speed connection can be availed for approximately 45 minutes. Following this, the passenger will have to pay a fee to get access to more internet.

Medical services - There are round the clock medical facilities available at Terminal 2 of the airport. The medical services are managed by the Airports Authority of India along with Medica Super Speciality Hospital. They have inspection rooms as well as emergency paramedic supplies as well.

Special assistance - Passengers who require special assistance with respect to being escorted in a wheelchair or help with the braille symbols, can request for the same. It would be best to inform the airline ahead of time so that the airport staff can be accommodated to cater to the same. A staff would accompany the traveller with mobility or other health conditions.

Smoking zone - Smoking in public has been prohibited by the government. Hence, special smoking lounges have been installed within the premise of the airport. You can find them at both the domestic and international terminals.

Retiring room - The airport has introduced a convenient retiring room for passengers who have layovers. There are retiring rooms and dormitories at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport that passengers can avail to rest and freshen up.

How to reach Kolkata Airport

By Rail and Metro

The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport was once well-connected to the main Kolkata Suburban Railway system. From the Dum Dum Cantonment railway station (now Kolkata Suburban Railway Station), the airport was connected at the Biman Bandar station. However, with the state's plan to work on a metro line that connects the airport to the railway, the station has been shut for construction. Presently, the metro rail is under construction with the Kolkata Suburban Railway system's connectivity shut down. The distance is 4km long and elevated which also passes through Jessore Road. Once the metro rail completes construction, it will be directly linked with the terminals of the Kolkata Airport.

By Road

Currently, the only way to reach the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is by hailing a taxi or getting a prepaid ride. The airport and the city have excellent prepaid taxi facilities and AC buses that do connect the city with the airport. The 2 km flyover built from Kestopur to Raghunathpur was specifically constructed to increase the efficiency of reaching the airport and to avoid the traffic. You can make bookings of a prepaid taxi can be made at the booths and counters at the domestic and international terminals of the airport. You can easily reach Kolkata International Airport by road.