Weather in Kolkata

About Kolkata

The Howrah Bridge's steel lattice carries millions across the Hooghly River in a symphony of horns and bicycle bells—a Calcutta icon unchanged since 1943. The Maidan's 1,000 acres of green sprawl beneath colonial palaces and Victoria Memorial's white marble dome. Tea houses and bookshops overflow with intellectuals; left-wing poetry and contemporary art pulse through lanes where Nobel laureates once walked.

Country

India

Best months to visit

January, February, November, December

Currency

INR

Language

Bengali, Hindi, English

Things to do in Kolkata

Crossing the Howrah Bridge on foot during rush hour to feel the city Visiting Victoria Memorial's marble interior and manicured gardens Exploring the Indian Museum's Egyptian mummies and specimens Attending Durga Puja festival celebrations (September-October) Browsing College Street's legendary bookstalls for rare editions Eating puchka and Bengali fish curry from street vendors in old Kolkata

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

Recommended

January

25C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

February

29C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

March

33C

Hot and humid, with occasional showers.

April

36C

Very hot, with some rainy days.

May

35C

Very hot, with some rainy days.

June

33C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

July

31C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

August

31C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

September

31C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

October

31C

Hot and humid, with some rainy days.

Recommended

November

29C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

December

26C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Kolkata wears its history openly — crumbling colonial mansions and grand Raj-era buildings line streets shared with hand-pulled rickshaws, while the Howrah Bridge and the trams that still rattle through the centre give the city a texture unlike anywhere else in India. It's a city of poets, painters and political fervour, where College Street's secondhand bookstalls, the sweet shops of north Kolkata and the Victoria Memorial's marble grandeur all compete for attention.

Best areas to stay in Kolkata

Park Street & Camac Street

Kolkata's restaurant and nightlife strip, lit up with festive lights every December and lined with hotels of all budgets.

College Street & North Kolkata

The old intellectual heart of the city, with secondhand bookshops, historic mansions and traditional sweet shops.

BBD Bagh (Dalhousie Square)

The colonial-era business district, surrounded by grand Raj-period buildings and the General Post Office.

Salt Lake / New Town

A modern planned district on the city's edge, with newer hotels and easier airport access.

Getting to Kolkata

✈

Flights

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport connects Kolkata with major Indian cities and several international destinations across Asia and the Gulf.

⏱

From London

Around 2.5 hours from Delhi by air; domestic connections from most major Indian cities run frequently.

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Getting around

The Metro, trams, taxis and ride-hailing apps make getting around straightforward despite heavy traffic.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Kolkata?

October to March offers the most comfortable temperatures; Durga Puja in September/October is the city's biggest festival and a spectacular time to visit despite the crowds.

What's the best area to stay in?

Park Street and Camac Street are central for restaurants and nightlife; New Market area suits budget travellers near transport links.

How do I get around Kolkata?

The Metro is fast and cheap for north-south journeys; trams, taxis and the iconic yellow Ambassador cabs cover the rest, alongside ride-hailing apps.

What food should I try in Kolkata?

Bengali sweets like rasgulla and sandesh, kathi rolls, fish curries, and the city's distinctive Indo-Chinese food in areas like Tangra.

Is Kolkata safe and easy for first-time visitors to India?

Generally yes — it's a walkable, affordable city, though traffic and crowds in older areas can feel intense at first.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Came for Durga Puja and the pandals across the city were unbelievable — every neighbourhood had its own elaborate display. Sweets here are on another level.

Sourav B. · October 2024

★★★★☆

Park Street was lively and lit up for Christmas, but my favourite part was wandering College Street and the old north Kolkata lanes with their faded mansions.

Claire H. · December 2023

★★★★☆

Trams, the Victoria Memorial, and incredible street food made this one of the most atmospheric cities I've visited in India.

Pradeep M. · February 2024