Getting Your Bearings
Howrah sits on the western bank of the Hooghly River, directly opposite its twin city, Kolkata, and the two are linked by bridges, a metro tunnel and a network of ferries. For a visitor, the practical upshot is that Howrah is easy to reach and easy to cross, but getting around within it usually means stitching together two or three different modes of transport. The city is dense, busy and, in the warmer months, hot and humid, so plan short hops rather than long walks.
One thing to prepare for: Bengali is the dominant language, and English is limited among bus conductors and rickshaw pullers. Having your destinations written out in Bengali script on your phone to show drivers is a small trick that saves a lot of confusion.
Rail: The Suburban Network
Howrah's identity as a transport hub rests on its railways. Howrah Station is the city's major railway station and one of the principal gateways to Kolkata and the surrounding districts, serving as a terminal for both the Eastern Railway and the South Eastern Railway and connecting to most major cities in India.
Beyond the main station, Howrah has several other stations within the city. Santragachi covers West Howrah and is also a stop for many long-distance trains, while Shalimar covers Shibpur and acts as a terminal for several express services. Smaller stations between these — including Dasnagar, Padmapukur, Ramrajatala and Tikiapara — serve specific neighbourhoods and are handy for avoiding the more crowded services.
For a visitor, the suburban trains are most useful for day trips out of the city rather than for getting around Howrah itself, since the stations are spread out. Lines fan out toward places like Burdwan, Bandel, Tarakeswar and Kharagpur. Buy tickets from the counters inside the station or from automated machines. The carriages are unreserved and get very packed at peak times, and there are ladies-only compartments. If you're heading to Serampore or Bandel, this is a cheap and straightforward option.
Metro
The Kolkata Metro's East–West Line connects Howrah Maidan with Esplanade on the Kolkata side, running in a tunnel beneath the Hooghly River — India's first underwater metro service. This is the fastest way to get between Howrah and central Kolkata, and it drops you at Esplanade in a matter of minutes. If your destination is on the Kolkata side of the river, check the metro first before committing to a road crossing.
Ferries Across the Hooghly
Ferries are one of the most pleasant and practical ways to cross between Howrah and Kolkata, and they sidestep the notorious traffic on the bridges entirely. Services are operated by the West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation and other operators, with jetties on the Howrah side at Howrah Station, Ramkrishnapur Ghat, Botanical Garden, Bandhaghat and Golabari, and on the Kolkata side at Bagbazar, Armenian Ghat, Fairlie, Chandpal Ghat and Babughat.
Fares are only a few rupees and a crossing takes roughly five to fifteen minutes. Boats generally run every fifteen to twenty minutes during the day but stop by mid-evening, so don't rely on them for a late return. Buy your ticket before boarding and keep it until you've crossed — you'll need to show it to the checker near the exit gate, and there's a penalty if you can't.
Buses
Buses cover Howrah Station, Shibpur, Santragachi, Bally and routes into Kolkata across the bridge. Both government-run WBTC services and private operators run here. Fares are paid in cash to the conductor, who issues a paper ticket.
The main bus termini are Howrah Bus Terminus, just west of Howrah Bridge and north of Howrah station, with services from across West Bengal; Kolkata Central Bus Terminus near Santragachi Junction railway station; and Nabanna Bus Terminus on Andul Road.
Be aware that route numbers and destinations are usually displayed in Bengali only, and there's no reliable digital mapping for many private routes. Buses often don't come to a full stop — you board and alight at walking pace. They're crowded and mostly non-air-conditioned, though some newer air-conditioned buses run on longer routes at a higher fare.
Auto Rickshaws and Cycle Rickshaws
Shared auto rickshaws run on fixed routes with a flat per-seat fare, carrying three or four passengers at a time. They only work if your destination lies along an established route, but drivers will usually point you to the correct line or change point. You can also hire a full vehicle privately by negotiation. They're open-sided, so luggage is awkward, and drivers rarely carry change.
Cycle rickshaws survive in pockets of the city, especially older residential areas, and are best for the last leg of a journey. Fares are negotiable, so agree the price before you board.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Yellow Ambassador taxis and newer white "no-refusal" cabs are available at Howrah Station and around the city, and there's a prepaid taxi booth outside the station's main entrance. Metered fares start low, but drivers near the station often refuse the meter and quote inflated flat rates — insist on the meter or agree a price before setting off. Walking a block or two away from the station usually gets you a fairer deal. Taxis are the best choice when you have heavy luggage or are travelling at night.
Uber and Ola both operate across Howrah and Kolkata, offering upfront pricing, no haggling and map tracking. Ola also offers app-booked auto rickshaws and bikes in many areas. You'll need a local SIM with data, so download the apps before you arrive. Pickups around Howrah Station can be slow because of crowds and restricted vehicle access, so agree a clear meeting point with your driver.
Walking
Walking is only realistic for short distances around the immediate station and bridge area. Pavements are crowded or missing altogether, traffic is relentless, and the heat and humidity are draining for much of the year. Treat walking as a way to cover the last few hundred metres, not as a way to tour the city.
Getting In from the Airport
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport lies on the Kolkata side, so the journey into Howrah means crossing the river. A prepaid taxi or an app cab is the most practical option — confirm the fare or insist on the meter for airport runs. If you're watching your budget, you can combine a suburban train with a bus, but it's slower and involves changes with your luggage.
Practical Tips
- Carry small notes and coins. Conductors, auto drivers and rickshaw pullers rarely have change.
- Rush hours run roughly 8–11am and 5–8pm, when Howrah Bridge and the station approaches clog badly. Plan around them or take the ferry or metro instead.
- At Howrah Station, ignore touts and use the prepaid taxi booth or an app booking.
- Agree taxi and rickshaw fares before the journey.
- Watch out for the common scam where a driver claims your hotel is closed, full or far away in order to steer you elsewhere for commission.
- Pickpocketing is a risk in dense crowds and packed trains — keep valuables in a front pocket or zipped bag.
- Women travellers can use the ladies-only compartments on trains, and app-based cabs are a good choice at night.
- Google Maps works reasonably for cab navigation but is patchy for bus routes.
Useful Connections
- Howrah to central Kolkata: the ferry is the fastest and cheapest option during the day; a cab or app ride across Howrah Bridge is slower and costlier in traffic, while the metro is the quickest of all.
- Indian Botanic Garden, Shibpur: easiest by app cab or shared auto from the station area.
- West Howrah and the Kona Expressway: the main link to NH-16 and Vidyasagar Setu, useful if you're heading onward by road.