Kolkata Private Tour: Half & Full Day with Local Guide

Land in Kolkata and See It on Your Own Terms

You get hotel pickup and drop-off, a private vehicle with your own guide, and the freedom to customize your route through Kolkata's colonial landmarks, markets, and intellectual quarters. Choose 5 hours for the main highlights or 8 hours for a deeper dive that includes Mother House and the potter's quarter. The guide meets you in your hotel lobby and adapts the pace to what you want to see.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity30m
2. Howrah Bridge15m
3. College Street20m
4. Victoria Memorial45m · entry included
5. St Paul's Cathedral15m · entry included
6. Pareshnath Jain Temple30m · entry included

Explore Kolkata's heritage and culture

• Visit Mother House and museum
• Walk or drive through Dalhousie Square
• Tour St. John’s Church
• Explore flower market near Howrah Bridge
• Walk on Howrah Bridge
• Visit Kumartoli potter's quarter
• Browse College Street book market
• Have coffee and snacks at Indian Coffee House
• Admire Victoria Memorial and gardens
• Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral
• Walk through 18th-century cemetery
• Relax at Prinsep Ghat riverside promenade

The experience

You've just checked into your hotel. The city is right outside, but navigating Kolkata alone (figuring out which streets matter, where to stop, how long to linger) takes time you don't have. A private Kolkata tour solves that. Your guide meets you in the lobby 10 minutes before your start time, and from there you move through the city at your own pace in an air-conditioned vehicle, stopping where you want to spend time and skipping what doesn't interest you. The tour is fully customizable, so if you'd rather skip the cemetery and spend an extra hour at College Street's book stalls, that's what happens.

The half-day option (5 hours) hits the main landmarks: the Victoria Memorial's marble grandeur, St. Paul's Cathedral with its stained-glass windows, the Howrah Bridge, and the flower market that sprawls under it in a chaos of color and sound. The full-day tour (8 hours) goes deeper, adding Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity, where you spend about an hour at Mother Teresa's tomb and the small museum documenting her life (note: closed Thursdays), plus Kumartoli's potter's quarter where clay idols are made for festivals, and the Indian Coffee House on College Street. A real intellectual hub where generations of artists and students have gathered. Your guide brings the stories of each place to life, and you're never rushed through a colonial building or a crowded market because you're not on a schedule with twelve other people.

Walking is moderate but real. You'll move through local markets, historic lanes, and artisan quarters to actually feel the city rather than just see it from a window. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a hat and sunscreen, and dress respectfully for the spiritual and historical sites (shoulders and knees covered). The guide carries bottled water, coffee, tea, and snacks, so you're not hunting for refreshment between stops. If heavy rain hits, the itinerary shifts to indoor heritage buildings and museums without losing the day's shape.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within the city, an air-conditioned private vehicle, an expert local guide, bottled water, coffee or tea, and snacks. The guide customizes the route based on your interests and adapts the schedule if weather requires a shift to indoor attractions.

Options for this experience

2 options

Half-day private tour of KolkataGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 13:00The tour takes in Mother House, the Flower Market, Howrah Bridge, Jain Temple, Kumartuli, College Street Book Market, Coffee House, Victoria Memorial and St. Paul's Cathedral, and runs for 6 hours. Snacks, bottled water and tea or coffee are provided. Along the way you drive past the Maidan, Eden Gardens, Governor House, St. John's Church, the GPO, Writers' Building and Dalhousie Square. Travel is by a private air-conditioned sedan or SUV, and the price covers the tour guide, parking and toll fees. Pickup is included.

Full-day tour of Kolkata, privateGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 13:00The tour covers all the locations listed in the itinerary and lasts 8 hours. Snacks, bottled water and tea or coffee are provided. Along the way you drive past the Maidan, Eden Gardens, Governor House, the GPO, Writers' Building, Dalhousie Square and Old Kolkata. Travel is by a private air-conditioned sedan or SUV, and the price includes the tour guide, entry fees, and parking and toll fees. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 13:00

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tour de Kolkata

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Kolkata's colonial landmarks and local life without arranging transport, timing stops yourself, or sharing your guide with other groups: the private vehicle and customizable route let you move at your own pace through the city's markets, heritage buildings, and intellectual quarters.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the half-day and full-day Kolkata tour?

The half-day (5 hours) covers Victoria Memorial, St. Paul's Cathedral, Howrah Bridge, and the flower market. The full-day (8 hours) adds Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity, Kumartoli's potter's quarter, College Street's book market, and the Indian Coffee House.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The historic streets have uneven pavements, and the itinerary is not fully wheelchair accessible or suitable for severe mobility restrictions.

What happens if it rains?

The tour runs rain or shine. In heavy downpours, your guide adapts the schedule to focus on indoor heritage buildings and museums instead.

Can I customize the tour?

Yes. The tour is fully customizable. Let the operator know if you want to skip certain stops or spend more time at specific attractions.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned vehicle, expert local guide, bottled water, coffee or tea, and snacks.

When does the tour start?

Your guide meets you in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before your scheduled start time.

Are College Street and Mother House open every day?

College Street (the book market) is closed on Sundays. Mother House is closed on Thursdays (the Mother's Room specifically). St. John's Church is closed on Sundays. Victoria Memorial's museum is closed on Mondays.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen. For cultural sites, dress respectfully with shoulders and knees covered. Slip-on shoes or sandals are recommended since you'll remove footwear at certain monuments.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and small children can sit on an adult's lap. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels.

Is this tour private to my group only?

Yes. This is a private tour, so only your group participates with your dedicated guide.