Kolkata, India 🇮🇳
#1981
22.572645, 88.363895
Nomad Score:
62%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal and known for its cultural heritage, history, and vibrant art scene. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 14 million residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 40 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is Indian Rupee (INR). 1 USD ≈ 83 INR. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/D sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Popular providers include Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone-Idea. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International cards widely accepted, local banks like HDFC and ICICI available. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, OYO Rooms, and local guesthouses. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards and mobile payments (Paytm, Google Pay) are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and OYO are the go-to platforms for short stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options include Zostel and Backpacker Panda. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Grove Coworking and 91springboard are popular for remote work. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters provides a conducive environment for working. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups are organized regularly through platforms like Meetup.com. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Groups like Kolkata Expats host regular gatherings and events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Ola are the main ride-sharing services. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bounce and Yulu have electric bike rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Digha Beach, approximately 180 km away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | IndiGo and SpiceJet operate regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Emirates and Qatar Airways are major international carriers. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | NH16 connects Kolkata to major cities like Chennai and Delhi. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Howrah Junction is the main railway station. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Kolkata Metro has a daily and monthly pass available. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains (Eastern Railway) and buses are available for nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Apollo Gleneagles Hospital is one of the top healthcare facilities. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga House Kolkata offers various yoga classes and wellness programs. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Gold's Gym and Talwalkars are popular fitness centers. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Quickclean and UrbanClap offer reliable laundry and cleaning services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Swiggy and Zomato dominate the food delivery market. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Must try 'Macher Jhol' (fish curry) and 'Rosogolla' (sweets). |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like Veggies and KC Das offer a variety of vegetarian dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick is famous for traditional sweets. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | New Market is a popular spot for bargain shopping. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and Flipkart are widely used for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | BigBasket and Grofers offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Park Street is the main nightlife hub with various pubs and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | White Owl Brewery is popular for craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine Rack is a cozy wine bar in the city. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Try Pani Puri and Kathi Rolls from local street vendors. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Peter Cat offer a mix of Indian and continental dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Victoria Memorial and Howrah Bridge are must-visit attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Indian Museum and Birla Academy of Art & Culture host cultural exhibitions. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Writers' Building and Marble Palace showcase Kolkata's history. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Dakshineswar Kali Temple and the Victoria Memorial Chapel are notable. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Durga Puja is the most famous festival celebrated with grandeur. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Kolkata has vibrant neighborhoods like Kumartuli and Kumartuli. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Nandan is an iconic theatre complex featuring multiple screens. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Burrabazar is one of the largest wholesale markets in India. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Venues like The Someplace Else host live music performances. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Explore the walls of Park Street decorated with vibrant street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Bengali cooking classes are offered by various local chefs. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Gallery Kolkata showcases works from local and international artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Raj Bhavan is a historic building worth seeing. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Kolkata carries a rich literary tradition with references in countless works. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Eco Park in New Town offers a variety of recreational activities. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Sundarbans National Park is about 100 km away, known for its tiger reserve. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Maidan area is popular for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The rooftop of Victoria Memorial offers a panoramic view of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Bitye Vihar and East Kolkata Wetlands are great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Eco Park allows bonfires in designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and India Post provide reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops in Chandni Chowk offer mobile repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers and clubs have tables for public use. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Institutes like the British Council offer English language classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The National Library of India is a quiet place for reading and studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Places like Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute offer community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Geekopolis offers a venue for gaming and community events. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Royale in the city offers gambling opportunities. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₹10,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₹4,000,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₹7,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₹3,000,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₹9,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₹5,700,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₹6,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₹3,900,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₹8,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₹6,400,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₹5,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₹4,400,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% on net income. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 20% for foreign entities. |
| 🏦 Tax System | India has a residency-based taxation system. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 30% for income above ₹15 lakh per annum. |
| 🧾 VAT | Goods and Services Tax (GST) is 18%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No stringent CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, property tax is based on the rental value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 7% on property transactions. |