Kolkata Public Transport Tour: Ferries, Trams & Rickshaws

Seven hours crossing Kolkata by ferry, tram, rickshaw and metro

A full-day tour of Kolkata that moves through the city on its own public transport: ferries, trams, hand-pulled rickshaws and the metro, stopping at the Flower Market, Howrah Bridge, Kumartuli's potter colony, College Street and Victoria Memorial. A local guide leads the route. Hotel pickup, all transport fares and entrance fees are included. The tour runs on select days, excluding Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and holidays.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Howrah Bridge20m
2. College Street25m · entry included
3. Victoria Memorial45m · entry included
4. New Town Eco Park25m

Explore Kolkata's iconic landmarks and transport

• Visit the vibrant Flower Market
• Walk across Howrah Bridge
• See artisans at Kumartuli
• Enjoy ferry ride from Howrah to Sovabazar
• Experience local life at Shyambazar market
• Take tram ride through College Street
• Explore Victoria Memorial and gardens
• Ride hand-pulled rickshaw through narrow lanes
• Travel by metro from Central to Esplanade

The experience

The Flower Market opens the day: a sprawl of vendors selling blooms in every color, the air thick with fragrance. From there you walk onto the Howrah Bridge, Kolkata's iconic span across the Hooghly River, where you can stop and watch the water traffic and the city skyline. The bridge connects you to Kumartuli, the Potter's Colony, where artisans shape clay idols for Durga Puja and other festivals. You'll see them working in their studios. A ferry ride from Howrah to Sovabazar follows, a quiet stretch across the river with views of the riverside landscape and the city rising beyond it.

The route then moves through Shyambazar, a busy market area where locals shop for traditional goods, before a tram carries you down College Street: a nostalgic ride past historical landmarks and the bookstalls the street is known for. Victoria Memorial, the white marble building with its gardens and museum, comes next. You have time to walk the grounds and step inside. A hand-pulled rickshaw ride through narrow lanes gives you a sense of how the city moves at street level, and a short metro trip between Central and Esplanade stations rounds out the transport modes. Your guide is with you throughout, and the private vehicle handles transfers to and from your hotel.

Packaged water is provided, and entrance fees to all the sites are covered. Meals are not included, so you'll want to eat before the tour starts or bring money for lunch along the way. The full day is built around walking between stops and riding each mode of transport, so a moderate level of fitness helps. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns or pregnancy, and works best for participants aged 15 and above.

What’s included

• A local guide in English.
• private vehicle pickup and drop-off from your hotel.
• ferry, tram, rickshaw and metro rides.
• entrance fees to the Flower Market, Howrah Bridge, Kumartuli, College Street and Victoria Memorial.
• packaged drinking water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Under 10: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Clubside Tours and Travels

Is this one for you?The tour involves seven to eight hours of walking and riding multiple modes of public transport, so it suits travelers comfortable with a full day on their feet and moving between vehicles. It's built for participants aged 15 and above with moderate fitness. It's not recommended for those with spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns or pregnancy.

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Top questions

What is the Flower Market like when we arrive?

The Flower Market is a vibrant open-air bazaar where local vendors sell a variety of fresh blooms. The fragrance and colors fill the space, and it's an experience in itself. You'll see how the market operates and the scale of flowers moving through Kolkata each day.

Can I walk across the Howrah Bridge, or do we just view it from a distance?

You walk across the Howrah Bridge itself, experiencing the hustle and bustle of the crossing. The bridge offers stunning views of the Hooghly River and the city skyline, and you'll have time to take in the scene from the span.

What do I see in Kumartuli, and will artisans be working when we visit?

Kumartuli is Kolkata's Potter's Colony, where clay idols for festivals like Durga Puja are made. You'll see artisans at work in their studios, creating the intricate idols by hand. It's an active workspace, not a museum.

How many different types of transport do we use during the tour?

You'll ride five modes: a ferry from Howrah to Sovabazar, a tram down College Street, a hand-pulled rickshaw through narrow lanes, the metro between Central and Esplanade stations, and a private vehicle for hotel transfers. Each one is part of how Kolkata moves.

Is Victoria Memorial included, and what can we do there?

Victoria Memorial is included with entrance fees covered. The white marble building sits in beautiful gardens, and you can explore the museum inside and walk the grounds to take in the structure's grandeur.

What should I bring or know before booking?

The tour runs seven to eight hours and involves walking between stops and using various public transport modes, so wear comfortable shoes and bring money for meals, which are not included. The tour operates on select days, excluding Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and holidays. It's ideal for participants aged 15 and above and requires at least moderate physical fitness.