Practical tips

  • If you are flying to Kolkata from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airportNetaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport HYD, located approximately 17 km (10.5 miles) northeast of the city center. The Kolkata Airport has one passenger terminal, which operates both domestic and international flights.

    There are several transportation options for arriving passengers, including taxis, Kolkata Metro, public buses, and rental cars. The journey to the city center by car takes around 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

    These are also the best (and cheapest) airports to fly into Kolkata. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce, and airfare decreases as a result.
Best airports to fly into Kolkata: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU)
Kolkata has one international airport – Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport CCU, also known as Dum Dum Airport, located approximately 17 km (10.5 miles) northeast of the city center of Kolkata. The airport is situated in the Dum Dum area, close to the suburb of Salt Lake City.
  • Once in Kolkata, take advantage of frequent intercity flights operated by domestic airlines such as Air IndiaIndiGoVistara, SpiceJetGo First, and AirAsia India. Those in-country carriers typically offer lower fares, operate from smaller airports located closer to city centers (you save on ground transportation) and provide flexible schedules – with a wide range of departure times.
  • Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near Kolkata can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of Air Asia India, Batik Air, FlyDubai, FlexFlight, and Thai Smile. If you have a layover in Kolkata and plan to fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries, these budget airlines are an excellent way to save money.

Flights to Kolkata
from United States and Canada

  • There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Kolkata. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Kolkata, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. The most convenient layovers for connecting flights from the US/Canada to Kolkata are Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Singapore, London, Paris, and Frankfurt.
  • Kolkata is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Kolkata with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta ATL, Dallas DFW, Denver DEN, Chicago ORD, Los Angeles LAX, Las Vegas DFW, Miami MIA, Seattle SEA, Houston IAH, New York JFK, and San Francisco SFO in the United States and Toronto YYZ, Vancouver YVR, Calgary LAS, and Montreal YUL in Canada.
  • The best airlines to fly to Kolkata from the US and Canada are: Air India, Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Singapore Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.

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Flights to Kolkata from Europe

  • There are no direct flights from Europe to Kolkata — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia.
  • Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Kolkata include Air India, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air France, British Airways, KLM, and Lufthansa.
  • Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Kolkata from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Leverage frequent promotions from European budget carriers like RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to reach a major hub; from there, take a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination, potentially saving hundreds of euros.

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Things to know before flying to Kolkata
Airlines flying to KolkataAir France, Air India, Air India Express, Air Mauritius, AirAsia India, Alliance Air, Batik Air, Bhutan Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, British Airways, DrukAir, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, FlexFlight, Flyadeal, FlyBig, FlyDubai, Go First, IndiGo, Japan Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Myanmar Airlines, Oman Air, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, SpiceJet, SWISS, Thai AirAsia, Thai Airways, Thai Smile, Turkish Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Vistara
Indian airlinesAir IndiaAir India ExpressIndiGoVistara, SpiceJetGo First, AirAsia India, Jet Airways, Akasa Air, Alliance Air, Star Air, FlyBig, IndiaOne Air
Airports in KolkataNetaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport CCU (CCU)
Regular price (roundtrip)✈ €550 – €700 (from Europe)
✈ $600 – $800 (from USA)

Low-cost flights from Kolkata

Stay ahead of the game. Fly to popular destinations at a fraction of the regular fare.

The cheapest time to fly to Kolkata

The cheapest time to fly to Kolkata is during the off-peak months: from May to September. The low demand from tourists during this summer/monsoon period compels airlines to offer substantial discounts to fill their vacant seats. Between May and September, several popular routes to Kolkata are priced 20-40% lower than during the high season.

However, the cheapest fares come with some drawbacks. The summer months of May to June can be extremely hot, with temperatures reaching almost unbearable levels. Meanwhile, the monsoon months of July to September bring abundant rainfall to Kolkata.

If you can bear the heat and rain, traveling Kolkata between May to September is a great way to avoid crowds and save money. Besides the cheapest flights, you will also enjoy great discounts on accommodation, tours, and ground transportation.

Fast-track your way through Kolkata airport with DigiYatra app

DigiYatra (DY) is a digital service that allows passengers to navigate through major airports in India (including Kolkata Airport) using facial recognition as their sole form of identification.

To use the service, passengers must be registered with DigiYatra and have their identity verified through biometric facial recognition technology (FRT). The passenger’s face is linked to their boarding pass, and they can quickly pass through all the airport’s checkpoints, including airport entry, security clearance and boarding gates, simply by showing their face.

India airport - using Digiyatra app
DigiYatra app: Faster movement to boarding gates with face recognition technology

To use it at Kolkata airport, you must download the DigiYatra app on your mobile device and create an account. When you arrive at the airport, scan your boarding pass or e-ticket to validate your passenger details. After validation, you can take advantage of paperless and contactless movement within the airport.

Currently, only Indian nationals can register and use the DigiYatra system.

Air India’s 25% discount for students and senior citizens

Air India makes it a bit easier for students and senior citizens to fly around India. Through its Concession Fares program, the airline offers a 25% discount on Economy Class fares for all domestic flights operated by Air India (including flights to and from Kolkata).

To qualify for this discount, students must be under the age of 26 and enrolled in a full-time course in India for at least one academic year. Senior Indian citizens must be 60 years of age or older.

To book a flight with a 25% discount, simply visit the Air India website, select a flight, and click the “Book Now” button. On the next page, select the “Student Discount” option and enter your student ID number. The discount will be automatically applied, and you can proceed to the payment page.

For seniors, the discount is applied during the booking process based on the date of birth provided.

Next tips

Trains beat flights for short trips

India has an extensive railway network that covers almost the entire country, and there are several train stations in Kolkata. Traveling by train is usually cheaper than flying for distances up to 500-600 kilometers (310-370 miles), which is considered a short distance in India. On average, train fares are priced at least 20-50% less than the cost of a one-way flight ticket.

However, it may not be a viable option if you’re in a rush. Even the fastest trains like the Rajdhani Express or Shatabdi Express will need 6-8 hours to cover a distance of around 500km – compared to just 1 hour and 30 minutes by air.

You can book a train ticket through the IRCTC website, at a local ITB (International Tourist Bureau) office, or in person at the Kolkata railway station. There are usually several classes with different levels of comfort to choose from: basic sleeper cars, open-plan carriages, air-conditioned coaches, executive class with larger seats, luxurious first class, etc.

Best airlines for domestic flights in India

India has a thriving airline industry, operating thousands of flights each week between a plethora of cities across the subcontinent. Kolkata is one of the major airports in India, and you’ll have no trouble finding local airlines offering domestic flights.

There are three full-service carriers (FSC) in India: Air India, Vistara, and Jet Airways. Additionally, there are more than 10 low-cost carriers (LCC), including IndiGo, GoFirst, SpiceJet, Air India Express, AirAsia India, Akasa Air, and Alliance Air.

For those seeking unparalleled comfort and high quality service at a reasonable price, Air India stands out as the best option. This government-owned carrier flies to all major airports in India. It offers roomy seats, delicious complimentary meals, and the greatest baggage capacity among all airlines (25 kg in Economy Class).

Flying in India. Low cost airline Akasa Air operate domestic Indian routes.
Akasa Air, new Indian LCC, promises sustainability, affordable prices, and great customer service

If you’re looking for cheap tickets, these are the four Indian LCCs we recommend:

  • IndiGo. The undisputed leader in the domestic market, offering flights to 76 domestic destinations. Despite low-cost pricing, it is renowned for punctuality, safety, and good customer support. However, it does not provide complimentary meals on domestic routes. IndiGo is the only Indian airline listed in World’s Best Low-Cost Airlines by Skytrax, securing an impressive 5th position.
  • SpiceJet. India’s second-largest low-cost carrier. They offer premium services such as extra legroom and priority baggage handling under their SpiceMax brand. The only drawbacks are a recent drop in on-time performance and limited access to their hotline.
  • GoFirst (formerly Go Air). Provides some of the cheapest domestic fares available in India. Additionally, they have a frequent flyer program known as Go Club with free upgrades to “Go Business” (front row with the middle seat left empty). Customer support is limited.
  • Akasa Air. A new airline, entered the Indian market in 2022. Currently, it flies to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Kochi, and Chennai. According to customers, it offers great value on airfares, punctuality, quieter cabins with comfortable seating, and great customer service.

Know your time zone

When checking flights and airport transfer times, ensure you know the local time zones. The departure/arrival times on your plane ticket to Kolkata and on the boarding pass are based on the time zone of the departure/arrival airport – this also applies to the connecting (layover) airports.

India has only one time zone, despite being a large country that stretches almost 3000 kilometers and nearly 30 degrees longitude. It observes Indian Standard Time (IST) all year, which is UTC+05:30 time zone. As a result, clocks in Kolkata are 5 and half hours ahead of London and 9 hours and 30 minutes ahead of New York. IST does not have an associated daylight saving time.

Kolkata airport customs rules

Flying to Kolkata from overseas? Make sure you know the limits for bringing in certain items.

India is serious about the duty-free concession – alcoholic drinks such as spirits, wine, or beer cannot exceed 2 liters per person, and you can carry only 100 cigarettes (or 125g of tobacco). In addition to personal items, you may also carry items up to a value of ₹15,000–50,000 ($190–$620), depending on your origin. While there is no currency limit for foreign currencies, it does need to be declared if it is above the amount of $5,000.

If you exceed the mentioned limits on items, head to Red Lane at the Kolkata airport to declare your goods.

Next tips

Domestic flights from Kolkata

Most domestic routes in India are operated by local carriers. When traveling to popular tourist destinations such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Goa, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad from Kolkata Airport, you’ll likely fly with one of these domestic airlines: Air IndiaIndiGoVistara, SpiceJetGo First, and AirAsia India.

This is often the best transportation method, providing speed, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. Local airlines often offer multiple daily flights to key destinations, providing flexibility in scheduling and competitive pricing. They also serve smaller regional airports, enabling access to a wider range of Indian destinations.

Flights to Kolkata
from Australia and New Zealand

  • Australia and New Zealand are well-connected with popular Asian destinations, including Kolkata. In addition to domestic airlines – Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand – routes from Australasia to Asia are operated by large international carriers such as ANA, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways.

    Currently, there are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Kolkata. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia.


    There are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Kolkata.
  • Airfare costs can vary widely depending on the route and the airline’s pricing strategy. To find the cheapest flight to Kolkata, compare ticket prices from various international airports in Australia – Sydney SYD, Brisbane BNE, Melbourne MEL, Perth PER, Adelaide ADL, Cairns CNS, Gold Coast OOL, Canberra CBR, and in New Zealand – Auckland AKL, Wellington WLG, Christchurch CHC, Queenstown ZQN, and Dunedin DUD.
  • For optimal savings, consider flying from Australia or New Zealand to a key Asian hub, then connect to Kolkata via a regional low-cost carrier. Among budget airlines that fly to Kolkata are Air Asia India, Batik Air, FlyDubai, FlexFlight, and Thai Smile.

    For the first leg, use the budget carriers that fly out of Australian airports, leveraging sales and promotions they run frequently: AirAsia (connects with Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore), Cebu Pacific (Manila), Jetstar (Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo), Scoot (Singapore), VietJet Air (Ho Chi Minh City), Bamboo Airways (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Beijing), and Batik Air (Jakarta, Singapore).

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Flights to Kolkata
from major hubs in Asia

  • Many popular tourist destinations in Asia have convenient direct flights to/from Kolkata: Bangkok BKK/DMK, Hanoi HAN, Ho Chi Minh SGN, Kuala Lumpur KUL, Phuket HKT, Singapore SIN, Yangon RGN
  • Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Kolkata look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
  • Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Kolkata will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
  • Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting India and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsiaCebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet, and VietJet Air. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.

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Flights to Kolkata dataset