Kolkata Journey During Durga Puja: Costly? Discover Budget-Friendly Travel Options to the City
If you're planning to attend Durga Puja in Kolkata, one of India's grandest festivals, here's a guide to help you navigate travel options from Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi.
By Train
Bookings for Durga Puja 2025 are open, and early booking is strongly advised due to high demand and waitlists.
- From Bengaluru to Kolkata, direct trains like the Yesvantpur-Howrah Express connect South India to Kolkata. The journey typically takes around 30-35 hours.
- From Mumbai to Kolkata, direct trains such as Howrah-Mumbai CSMT Mail and others connect the two cities, with travel times around 30-35 hours.
- From Delhi to Kolkata, several daily trains like Rajdhani Express and Howrah Shatabdi cover the route in about 16-18 hours.
Given the peak Durga Puja season, train tickets fill up quickly, and advance booking provides confirmed seats and better timing options.
By Road Trip
Road journeys from Bengaluru (~1,800 km), Mumbai (~2,000 km), and Delhi (~1,500 km) to Kolkata are long and usually take multiple days. Major highways to use include the NH16 and NH19. It is advisable to break the road trips into segments with overnight stops due to the long distances.
During Durga Puja, road traffic near Kolkata can be heavy. However, the Kolkata Metro has expanded services on multiple lines with more frequent trains and extended hours to accommodate festive crowds.
Additional Advice
Flights tend to be expensive during this period, and train berths fill early, making road transport and early train bookings more reliable choices. If traveling by road, plan well for breaks and avoid Delhi-Bengal routes during peak night hours for safety and rest. Once in Kolkata, use expanded metro services for city commuting during Durga Puja.
Recommended Routes
- The most recommended route passes through the Yamuna Expressway towards Aligarh and Kanpur, a stretch of about 8 hours.
- The route from Mumbai to Kolkata passes through Aurangabad, where the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, can be visited.
- The route also passes through Raipur, where travellers can take leisurely breaks at local towns or roadside eateries before settling in for the night.
Cost Considerations
- Several trains operate between Bengaluru (Bangalore) and Kolkata with fares starting from INR 760.
- Several trains operate between Mumbai and Kolkata with fares varying depending on the class of travel.
- The Duronto Express charges slightly higher rates, with fares for train 12274 at INR 5,635 for 1A, INR 4,525 for 2A, and INR 3,365 for 3A.
- The Howrah Rajdhani charges around INR 5,185 for 1A, INR 4,180 for 2A, and INR 3,065 for 3A.
- Rajdhani trains offer premium, fully air-conditioned services with fares ranging from INR 5,185 to INR 5,390 for 1A, Rs 4,180 to INR 4,340 for 2A, and INR 3,065 to INR 3,180 for 3A.
- Several trains run between Delhi and Kolkata, including the Rajdhani, Duronto, and other express services.
Scenic Stops Along the Way
A road trip from Bangalore to Kolkata offers scenic breaks like Hyderabad’s Charminar, Chitrakoot Falls, Bhubaneswar’s Lingaraj Temple, and Chilika Lake near Puri.
After an overnight stop in Varanasi, proceed to Gaya, roughly 265 kilometres away, taking another 6 hours. The final leg from Gaya to Kolkata is about 482 kilometres and takes approximately 9 hours.
Durga Puja is not just a religious event but a vibrant expression of Bengal's creativity and community. Many travellers are looking for affordable ways to reach Kolkata during Durga Puja due to soaring airfares.
During your road trip to Kolkata for Durga Puja, consider scenic stops like Charminar in Hyderabad, Chitrakoot Falls, Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, and Chilika Lake near Puri, as an affordable alternative to expensive airfares.
For those who prefer train travel, several trains like the Rajdhani, Duronto, and other express services operate between Delhi and Kolkata, providing premium and budget-friendly options, such as fares starting from INR 760 on certain trains from Bengaluru to Kolkata.
