Cab ride in Kolkata

by - 4/09/2015

The long line up of cabs...

Whenever I hear Kolkata, I get nostalgic. I cannot call it my hometown as I am neither born there nor I have lived there! But being a Bengali, the city of joy holds a special corner in my heart. My parents have been brought up here and so are my relatives. I have lived in North India my entire life so far but whenever I visit Kolkata I strike an immediate connection.

Kolkata is a must visit city. For those who did not know it was the capital of British India till 1911. As a result it bears the old British charm. From pre independence classic British architecture to historical monuments to modern day wonders, this city has it all! And of course who can forget the Eden garden? Its the largest stadium of India!

Like every city, this one too has its unique features. Unlike Delhi ( which has the largest number of cars in India) private cars are not so rampant here. Maybe because of the narrow streets of the older parts of the city or maybe because there is the best cab service in Kolkata. You can never ignore the signature yellow coloured taxis! The way people in New York take a cab instead of driving, the situation is similar here. The public transport system is really more than efficient. 

Kolkata was the first city to get the underground metro transport in India ( around 20 years before Delhi had). From well network bus service to trams to metro to even water transport, there are different modes of public transport. To top it all the taxi service in Kolkata is very efficient. The cab drivers are friendly and the running rates are pretty reasonable too. This makes the Kolkata cab service one of the best modes of transport in this city.

Once you are in this wonderful place, there are a few things which you must try. First take a ferry ride across the river Hoogly. Not only you would be able to see the iconic Howrah bridge but also the new Hoogly Setu which is an architectural wonder. You would deboard at Howrah from where the Howrah station can be seen. Its the largest railway station in India with over 45 platforms! Then a tram ride is a must. Kolkata is the only city in India where trams operate. After shopping at Esplanade you must definitely try the street food. Though vegetarians have way lesser options but the taste is mindblowing nonetheless! In any ways, you can't find food this cheap and this delish anywhere else!

Even if you are not a history lover, you should definitely pay a visit to the picturesque Victoria Memorial and Shaheed Minar. I am sure you won't be disappointed and the friendly Kolkata cab service would be happy to take you everywhere!




The ferry ride starts here. The Hoogly Setu in the backdrop.

The largest railway station of India...the Howrah Station



The Birla Planetorium..one of the must visit sites

A joyride for a change in front of the Victoria Memorial!




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14 comments

  1. I need to visit you go to the most amazing places this I did not know about in India so thank you for sharing the beauty of your country.

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  2. Those cabs are so cute :) So different from the ones we have here in Portugal!

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  3. Great pictures!
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  4. Beautiful photos!!!

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  5. Beautiful photos!!!

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  6. I'd love to visit this place!! Have a great day!

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  7. Kolkata looks adorable. I would love to visit one day. The cabs are quite expensive over here and not all the drivers are friendly. Wish you a happy Saturday Mandira. Btw I prefer this layout. I had no idea which was your latest post with the other one :D

    xx

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  8. beautiful photos and wonderful description! I love reading about your travels. I just did a post about my vacation in Europe!

    outfitsandobservations.blogspot.com

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  9. Glad to see beautiful pictures of my city... :-)

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  10. Beautiful and inspiring post. I am yet to plan my trip to Kolkata.

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