The fastest way to get from Kolkata airport to the city is the Kolkata Metro Yellow Line, which now runs directly from Jai Hind station at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport to Noapara, where it connects to the Blue Line for Esplanade, Park Street and the rest of central Kolkata. On the roughly 16 to 17 km run into town, the metro beats road traffic on price and speed alike. If you land after metro hours (services wind down by around 9:15 to 9:30 PM), or you are travelling with heavy luggage, a prepaid taxi or an app cab such as Uber or Ola is the more practical option, typically costing somewhere in the range of Rs 300 to Rs 650 to central Kolkata depending on the exact drop point, traffic and vehicle type. Budget travellers with time to spare can also use the WBTC air-conditioned bus service. Here is a full breakdown of every option, current timings and how to choose between them.
Kolkata Airport to City: Your Options at a Glance
- Kolkata Metro (Yellow Line): fastest and cheapest rail option, but runs only during daytime and evening hours, not late at night
- Prepaid taxi: fixed fare booked at an airport counter, available around the clock, best if you want a set price with no app or surge pricing
- App cabs (Uber, Ola, inDrive): door to door convenience, price can rise sharply during peak hours or bad weather
- WBTC AC bus: cheapest option overall, slower because it uses the road network, limited operating hours
Kolkata Metro Yellow Line: The Newest and Fastest Link
The Yellow Line’s first stretch, connecting Noapara to Jai Hind station inside the airport, became operational on 22 August 2025 and is the first metro line in Kolkata to reach the airport directly. It currently has four stations: Noapara, Dum Dum Cantonment, Jessore Road and Jai Hind. At Noapara you can change onto the Blue Line (North-South line), which runs through Dum Dum, Esplanade, Park Street and on to Kavi Subhas, so most central Kolkata destinations are reachable with a single change of train.
Trains on the airport stretch start early morning and the last services run into the evening, well before midnight, so this is not a 24-hour option; it works well for daytime and evening flights but not for very early morning or late-night arrivals. For the exact first and last train timings on both the Yellow Line and the Blue Line before you plan a metro connection, check our Kolkata Metro first and last train timings guide, and see our full Kolkata Metro guide for how the lines connect across the city.
Prepaid Taxi from the Airport
Government-authorised prepaid taxi counters operate in the arrivals hall, and yellow prepaid taxis are available around the clock. You pay a fixed fare at the counter based on your destination zone before you get in, so there is no meter dispute at the other end. Fares vary by exact drop point, but a ride to central areas such as Esplanade, Park Street or Howrah typically runs into a few hundred rupees; confirm the current fare at the counter itself, since prepaid taxi rates are revised periodically. For a broader sense of how taxi and auto pricing works by zone across the city, see our auto and taxi fare guide by zone.
App Cabs: Uber, Ola and inDrive
App-based cabs pick up from a designated zone outside the terminal and offer door-to-door convenience without haggling. Typical fares to central Kolkata fall roughly between Rs 350 and Rs 650, but expect surge pricing during rush hour, heavy rain, or late at night when supply is thin. Booking a few minutes before you clear baggage claim usually shortens the wait. Our guide to the best apps for commuting in Kolkata covers which apps tend to have better availability and pricing in different parts of the city.
WBTC AC Bus: The Budget Option
The West Bengal Transport Corporation runs air-conditioned buses connecting the airport to Esplanade and other central points, generally operating from around 8 AM to roughly 9:30 PM. This is the cheapest of the four options by a wide margin, but it is also the slowest, since it shares the road with regular traffic and can take well over an hour during peak hours. It suits travellers on a tight budget with no early-morning or late-night arrival to plan around. Check current schedules and fares directly with WBTC before relying on this option for a time-sensitive connection.
Which Option Should You Choose?
- Fastest during operating hours: Kolkata Metro Yellow Line, changing to the Blue Line at Noapara
- Cheapest overall: WBTC AC bus, if your schedule fits its hours
- Best for late-night or early-morning flights: prepaid taxi, since it runs around the clock at a fixed fare
- Best for heavy luggage or groups: prepaid taxi or an app cab booked for a larger vehicle
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a taxi from Kolkata airport to the city cost?
A prepaid taxi to central Kolkata generally costs a few hundred rupees, with the exact fare fixed at the airport counter based on your destination zone. App cabs typically run somewhere between Rs 350 and Rs 650 depending on traffic and demand. Confirm current rates at the counter or in the app before booking, since prices are revised periodically.
Is the Kolkata Metro connected to the airport?
Yes. The Yellow Line’s Jai Hind station sits inside the airport and has been operational since August 2025, connecting to Noapara, where you can change onto the Blue Line for Esplanade, Park Street and other central destinations.
What is the fastest way to reach Park Street from Kolkata airport?
During metro operating hours, taking the Yellow Line from Jai Hind to Noapara and changing to the Blue Line toward Park Street is usually the fastest option, since it avoids road traffic entirely. Outside those hours, a prepaid taxi or app cab is the quickest alternative.
Are app cabs available 24/7 at Kolkata airport?
App cabs are generally available around the clock, though availability can thin out late at night, which pushes up wait times and surge pricing. A prepaid taxi is often more reliable for very early or very late flights.
How far is Kolkata airport from the city center?
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is roughly 16 to 17 km from central areas such as Dalhousie Square and Esplanade, a drive that can take anywhere from 30 minutes to well over an hour depending on traffic.
Sources: Airports Authority of India, Kolkata transport details and West Bengal Transport Corporation.
