Flight Guide from Auckland to Kolkata
Compare Cheap Flights from Auckland to Kolkata
With a vibrant energy and interesting history, Kolkata is a city unlike anywhere else. Kolkata is located in the northeast of India, and is the capital of India’s West Bengal region. You may have also seen the city referred to as Calcutta, but its name officially changed to Kolkata in 2001. During India’s time as a British colony, Kolkata was the capital of British India and was also the headquarters of the major British East India Company. Throughout Kolkata, you can see architectural examples of its colonial era. Full of history and art, Kolkata is often considered to be the cultural capital of India. There are an abundance of beautiful monuments, temples, and museums throughout the city as well as markets where you can taste amazing local food. Head outside the hustle and bustle of the city, and you’ll get to experience some of the most beautiful nature in all of India.
With about 250 flights from AKL to CCU each week, it’s easy to find cheap airfares from Auckland to Kolkata. While there are currently no direct AKL to CCU flights, many flights include just one short stopover, getting you to Kolkata Airport in about 17 hours. Several airlines offer cheap airfares from Auckland to Kolkata, including Air New Zealand, Air India, Jet Airways India, SriLankan Airlines, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines. Some of the most common stopover cities for AKL to CCU flights include Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Delhi, and Dubai.
Are you curious to experience the hustle and bustle of Kolkata, India? Webjet compares cheap airfares from Auckland to Kolkata from across the web to help you find the best bargains. Use Webjet to book your AKL to CCU flights for your next holiday, and use Webjet’s guide to Kolkata to start planning your big adventure.
Best time to visit Kolkata
When should you book return flights from Auckland to Kolkata?
Kolkata experiences very different weather throughout the year. Weather is generally considered to be the best between October and March. During this time, temperatures are warm but not overbearing, there is little rainfall, and there are lots of exciting festivals and events in the city. If you choose to book return flights from Auckland to Kolkata in December or January, temperatures can cool down to about 10 degrees at night, so make sure to bring a jacket with you.
April and May are the hottest months in Kolkata. With temperatures ranging between 30 and 40 degrees, the heat and humidity can make it tough to do a lot of walking around the city. These months lead up to Kolkata’s monsoon season.
The monsoon season occurs from June to September and is not the ideal time to book cheap airfares from Auckland to Kolkata. Rain is heavy, and the humidity levels are high. August is the rainiest month, making it a tough time to experience Kolkata to the fullest. By September, rain and humidity levels start to calm down as autumn sets in.
Airports
Departing from Auckland
Auckland is home to one major airport that offers international flights to India. Airlines that offer cheap airfares from Auckland to Kolkata include Air New Zealand, Jet Airways India, Air India, and Emirates. Each day there are about 30-40 return flights from Auckland to Kolkata, which will get you to India in approximately 17 hours. While there are currently no direct cheap flights from Auckland to Kolkata, several options include just one short stopover. If you would prefer to break up the journey with a longer stopover, you could spend a few hours or a day exploring another city on your way to Kolkata. Popular stopover cities for cheap airfares from Auckland to Kolkata include Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Singapore, Delhi, and Dubai.
Getting to Auckland Airport (AKL)
The most cost-effective way to get from Auckland’s CBD to the airport is on the city’s SkyBus. The SkyBus runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Buses depart every 10 minutes from stops along Queen Street, Dominion Road, Symonds Street, and Mount Eden Road. One-way tickets are $18, and if you plan to take the SkyBus on your way home at the end of your trip, return tickets are $32. Tickets can either be purchased in advance or right on the bus for the same price. The SkyBus has complimentary Wifi and will get you to the airport in 40-60 minutes, depending on traffic.
A taxi to the airport from the city centre takes less than a half hour. Several taxi companies as well as Uber can pick up passengers from around the Auckland area and drop them off at Auckland Airport. A taxi to the airport costs about $60 from the CBD and central suburbs of Auckland.
Parking at Auckland Airport
Auckland Airport has several car parks that are close to the International Terminal. Car Park A offers the cheapest rates, and you can park here for a week for $75. The car park is uncovered and is just a 2-3 minute walk from the International Terminal. For the ultimate convenience, you can also opt for valet parking. Simply pull up to the terminal and pass on your keys to one of the parking attendants. This option will have you into the airport in less than a minute. The valet parking option offers both covered and uncovered parking spots. A covered spot costs $139 for a week, while an uncovered spot costs $130 for a week.
Arriving in Kolkata
There is one large airport in Kolkata that receives international flights from destinations around the world. Kolkata Airport is located 14 km north of the city centre, offering visitors a quick and easy journey into the city. It’s one of the busiest airports in India and has seen lots of modernisation in the past several years. It’s currently undergoing an expansion, so even more people will be able to book cheap airfares to Kolkata Airport.
Getting to the city centre from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport (CCU)
From Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport (CCU), the most affordable way to reach the city centre is by taking a public bus. Several buses depart from Kolkata Airport, heading to different areas around the city. To reach the city centre, catch bus VS1. This bus has air conditioning and costs about 100 rupees ($2 NZD) into the city. The bus typically takes a little more than an hour into the city. However, India is known for its bad traffic, so it could take a longer.
A taxi is the quickest and easiest way to reach Kolkata from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport (CCU). A taxi from the airport into the city typically takes about 45 minutes with the usual traffic. Outside the Arrivals area at the airport, you will find a rank of taxis. At about 240 rupees, a taxi is a very affordable option to get to your hotel with little stress.
Things to do
Marble Palace
This impressive palace is located right in the centre of Kolkata and was built using 26 different types of Italian marble. The palace was built in 1835 for a wealthy Bengali merchant who wanted a mansion where he could display his impressive art collection. Today, some of his descendants still live in the palace. On the outside, the palace looks traditionally Indian and includes large courtyards and gardens complete with lawns, a lake, a rock garden, and even a small zoo. Inside, the Marble Palace looks as if it could be in Victorian England, showing visitors how English culture has influenced the designs of Kolkata. It is free to visit the Marble Palace, but you will need to apply for a permit to visit at least 24 hours in advance. Permits can be obtained from the city’s tourism office.
Sundarban National Park
This area is about 100 km from Kolkata and is the largest mangrove belt in the world. On a visit to the Sundarbans, you’ll get to witness a huge variety of native plants and animals. You’ll see lots of colourful birds and reptiles, crocodiles, and white Bengal tigers. Several companies offer tours to Sundarban National Park from Kolkata. They take you through the mangroves on a boat where you’ll get great views of all the nature around you. Due to the dangerous animals that can be found in the national park, it is recommended that you visit with a knowledgeable guide rather than on your own.
Terreti Market
If you’re looking for some delicious and authentic Indian street food, this market is the place to go. The market is open from 6AM until 9PM and is full of local vendors serving up delicious food. The market is especially known for its great Chinese food, but be sure to try some Indian dishes as well. Some popular Indian foods to try during your time in Kolkata include samosas, parathas, phuchka, biryani, and all the curries.
Victoria Memorial
This impressive memorial was built in honour of Queen Victoria and was completed in 1921. The memorial is a large white marble building, and bears some similarity to the Taj Mahal. Inside the Victoria Memorial, there are 25 different galleries to explore. The Royal Gallery is made up of portraits of Victoria and other members of the royal family during her reign. The Kolkata Gallery was opened in the 1990s and displays the visual history of the city from the 1600s up until today.
Indian Museum
If you are interested in learning about India’s history and time as a British colony, be sure to visit this museum at the beginning of your visit to Kolkata. It is the oldest and largest museum in India and is full of interesting artifacts, including antiques, artwork, armour, fossils, and elements of natural history. Each month, the museum features a rotating exhibit that displays different elements of Indian history and culture.
Visit Local Temples
India is a spiritual nation, and the majority of people in India are Hindu. Kolkata has some beautiful temples that you can visit to learn more about Hinduism and the religious culture of India. The main temples to visit in Kolkata are Dakshineswar Temple and Kalighat Temple, which are both dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. Both temples are impressive to visit and are built in a beautiful style.