Ride through Kolkata: Trams, ferries and more

The iconic yellow Ambassador taxi, a legacy of Kolkata's post-Independence era since the 1960s.

Now a customary sight on Kolkata streets, these iconic red-and-yellow mini buses were introduced in the 1980s to link narrow roads in residential areas of Garia and Jadavpur to BBD Bagh. 

Kolkata's ferry service has been a historic commuter route since the British era. It is also a tourist favourite for its sweeping river views.

The horse-drawn carriages near the Victoria Memorial/Maidan stretch offer tourists a charming, slow ride, reminiscent of 19th-century colonial-era transport.

Asia’s oldest tram system, operating since 1873, runs heritage routes like Esplanade–Shyambazar, offering a slow, historical glimpse of Kolkata’s neighbourhoods.

Scenic boat rides on the Hooghly river (near Prinsep Ghat) make for relaxing trips, perfect for enjoying the sunset and picturesque views of Kolkata's iconic riverside landmarks.

Traditional hand-pulled rickshaws, mostly found in north Kolkata’s narrow lanes and markets, offer cheap last-mile transport in areas inaccessible to other vehicles.

Crowded local trains from Howrah, Sealdah, and Kolkata stations carry millions daily across routes like Sealdah–Naihati, Howrah–Bandel and Kolkata–Diamond Harbour.

India's first underground Metro was inaugurated in 1984 in Calcutta. Today, it continues to provide air-conditioned relief along North-South (Dakshineswar-New Garia) and East-West (Howrah-Salt Lake) corridors.

Spread across multiple routes, Kolkata autorickshaws are the quickest and most frugal way to get to a destination within the city. 

From Sector V's IT hub to Chandni's bustling lanes, Kolkata's modern buses have been traversing 348 routes since 2014 (AC) and 2018 (electric), weaving comfort and sustainability into the city's fabric.