City in West Bengal, India
Kolkata for solo travelers
Is Kolkata good for solo travel?
India's most literary city offers colonial buildings, tram rides, cheap food and Durga Puja. It is slower and less touristy than Delhi, but humid, crowded and polluted in winter.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Very friendly |
| English | Widely spoken |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Considered one of India's easier cities for solo women, though staring occurs in crowds. Use the women-only metro coach and app cabs at night. |
How to meet people in Kolkata
Hostels in Park Street area, food and heritage walking tours, adda in coffee houses, book fairs, photography walks and art-gallery openings.
Good things to do alone
- Ride the tram through Esplanade
- Walk Kumartuli at dusk where idols are made
- Drink chai at College Street's Coffee House
- See Victoria Memorial gardens at sunrise
- Eat kathi rolls and phuchka on Park Street
Where to stay in Kolkata
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Park Street and Camac Street | Restaurants, bars, hotels and the easiest first base |
| Ballygunge and Gariahat | Residential, local food and shops; good for long stays |
| Salt Lake (Bidhannagar) | Quiet, planned suburb with offices and cafés |
| Kumartuli and North Kolkata | Old mansions, craft districts and street photography |
Solo travel across India
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Dharamshala | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Goa | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Mumbai | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Jaipur | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Varanasi | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Bangalore | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Udaipur | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Kochi | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Kolkata | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Hyderabad | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Manali | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Leh | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Pondicherry | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Varkala | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Hampi | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Amritsar | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Jodhpur | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Pushkar | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Palolem | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Anjuna | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Darjeeling | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Munnar | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Alleppey | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Andaman Islands | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Shimla | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Delhi | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Agra | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Chennai | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Jaisalmer | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
Quick answers
Is Kolkata good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). India's most literary city offers colonial buildings, tram rides, cheap food and Durga Puja.
How do you meet people in Kolkata?
Hostels in Park Street area, food and heritage walking tours, adda in coffee houses, book fairs, photography walks and art-gallery openings. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Kolkata?
Widely spoken.
Is Kolkata safe for solo female travelers?
Considered one of India's easier cities for solo women, though staring occurs in crowds. Use the women-only metro coach and app cabs at night.
More about Kolkata
Going to Kolkata solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Kolkata meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.