Kolkata Airport India Information Guide

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU)

• (91)33 2511-8787

Website: www.airportsindia.org.in/kolkata

Dum Dum, 16 kilometers (10 miles) northeast of the city.

1-1.5 hours.

Kolkata airport is an international airport but over 75% of its passengers are domestic travelers. The airport is operated by the Indian government's Airports Authority of India. A much needed, new and modern terminal (known as Terminal 2) was recently constructed and opened in January 2013. It's expected to be fully functional by March 2013. It's hoped that the new terminal will attract more international airlines to service Kolkata.

Kolkata Airport Fees: Both outbound and inbound passengers will have to pay a User Development Fee from March 1, 2013, to fund the cost of the new airport terminal. The fee is 400 rupees for domestic passengers and 1,000 rupees for international passengers.

The new terminal is an "L shaped" terminal that integrates both international and domestic departures. Passengers can disembark from any point and proceed to either the international or domestic sections of the terminal as necessary.

The new terminal has separate levels for departures and arrivals, and can handle 25 million passengers annually, up from the 5 million capacity of the old terminal. When it becomes fully operational, it will have 128 check-in counters, VIP lounge, and inline baggage handling facilities. A 25 room hotel on the second floor of the new terminal's arrival lounge is also planned.

The best way to get to the city center is to take a prepaid taxi from the Bengal Taxi Association counter. It operates 24 hours and is located at the exit of the arrivals area. A fare to Sudder Street is around 350 rupees ($8).

Dense fog hangs over Kolkata airport from late December to early January, between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. This causes regular flight delays during these times. Travelers should take this into consideration when making plans.

The old Kolkata airport terminal has retiring rooms. Both private rooms and dormitories are available. Ph: (91)33 2552-9547. However, demand is high and it's hard to get a vacancy.

Alternatively, if you'd rather stay in a hotel close to the airport there are a few decent enough options to suit all budgets. This guide to Kolkata airport hotels will help point you in the right direction.