Private Kolkata Day Tour: Customize Your Itinerary

Build your own Kolkata day around the sites that matter to you.

A private customized day tour of Kolkata with an English-speaking guide who tailors the itinerary to your tastes and pace. You choose from a range of stops (Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, College Street, the Ganges riverbank, Mother House, clay idol workshops, heritage mansions and more), and the guide crafts a route that fits what you want to see. The tour runs 6 to 8 hours and includes street chai. Entry fees and meals are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Howrah Bridge10m
2. Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity30m
3. Victoria Memorial1h
4. College Street1h

Customised private Kolkata city tour

• Visit vibrant flower market
• Marvel at Howrah Bridge
• Relax by the Hooghly River
• Pay respects at Mother House
• See clay idol wonders
• Tour Victoria Memorial
• Explore Jorasanko Thakurbari museum
• Visit historic cemetery
• Walk through College Street book market
• View British Raj building facades

The experience

Most Kolkata tours lock you into a fixed route. This one works backward: you tell the guide which sites interest you, and they build the day around that. The operator has won a Hall of Fame rating for six years running, which suggests they know how to listen. You might spend time at the Howrah Bridge watching the traffic of pedestrians, carts and buses that cross it daily, or walk College Street (the oldest book market in the east), and browse the stalls, then sit at the century-old India Coffee House. You could visit the Ganges riverbank (called the Hooghly here) to watch the rituals, bathing and daily life unfold, or tour the Victoria Memorial's lawns and colonial interiors. The Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity, the Jorasanko Thakurbari mansion where Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore lived, the flower market, heritage buildings from the British Raj era. All are on the table.

The guide meets you, takes you to the attractions you've chosen, and shares stories about each one. Because this is a private tour, not a group one, the pace and stops are yours to set. You can cut a location, add one, or swap it out based on what you find yourself drawn to once the day starts. The operator asks you to get in touch before booking so you can sketch out a plan together. They factor in commuting time, how long you'll spend at each place, and what's realistic to cover in a single day. Street chai is included. Meals and entry fees are on you.

A morning or afternoon slot works, depending on what else is on your Kolkata schedule. Children from age 5 are welcome. Public transportation options are nearby if you prefer not to use the private vehicle, though the private transport option (available on one of the two purchase options) keeps you moving without waiting for buses or taxis.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide for the full day.
• street chai.
• private AC transport (on the Private Tour with AC Transport option only).
• customized itinerary built around your chosen sites.

Options for this experience

2 options

Up to 15 per booking · Guide in EnglishNo fixed time

Up to 7 per booking · Guide in EnglishNo fixed time

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: 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 6 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Kolkata Story Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to design your own itinerary with a guide who knows Kolkata's stories and can adapt the route as you go, rather than follow a preset schedule.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (5 to 12 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

Can I pick which sites to visit, or is the itinerary set?

You choose the sites before the tour starts by consulting with the guide. Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, College Street, Mother House, the Ganges, heritage mansions, clay idol workshops and several others are all options. The guide then builds a custom route around your selections, so no two tours are the same.

What is College Street actually like?

College Street is the oldest book market in the east, lined with bookstalls and surrounded by colleges, universities and cultural institutions like the India Coffee House and the Calcutta University. You can browse for books and sit at the historic Paramount shop for traditional sherbets, or spend time at the famous coffee house soaking in the atmosphere.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs 6 to 8 hours depending on how many stops you choose and how long you spend at each one. Commuting time varies based on traffic and which sites you pick.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included, but street chai is. Entry fees to attractions are also separate, so you pay only for the sites you actually visit.

Do I need to arrange my own transport, or is it included?

One of the two purchase options includes private AC transport. The other requires you to arrange your own or use public transportation nearby. Choose the option that fits your preference at checkout.

What is the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity?

The Mother House is the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, the organization founded by Mother Teresa. It's a place to pay respects and learn about her life and work in Kolkata.