I'm going to Kolkata (India) next month. I'll be working as a volunteer with the Sisters of Charity (Mother Theresa). Any advice or recommendation? I'd like to know which is the "best" among the "horrible" hotels (hostels) in Sudder St. Also, about the train from Delhi to Kolkata and well... whatever I may need to know! THANKS!!
Question
Posted on Feb 23, 2012
3 Answers
We stayed here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g304558-d1581543-Reviews-Ashreen_Guest_House-Kolkata_Calcutta_West_Bengal.html
Clean, decent staff, good location, 24 hour guard at the front of the building. It was just a little more expensive but still cheap. Train from Delhi to Kolkata, yikes have fun with that. I have no exact info but that will be a long one. Get your train ticket days in advance as these are two popular destinations tickets will go quick. Our longest train trip was from Agra to Varanasi...HELL, something like 14 hours total. book in advance. Expect delays. always always get the highest class you can. If you have more questions about anything feel free. I even have a very kind photographer friend I met in Seoul, who lives in Kolkata so if you want someone local to hang out with also let me know.
If you're traveling solo cover up, lay low. Sudder street is a good area though tons of things to see and do.
Posted Feb 24, 2012
Add a commentThank you so much Colin!! Is that hotel close to the Mother House or Sudder St.? And, do you remember the exact price per night? I'm going with my boyfriend, but we'd love to mwwt some local people. Despite the volunteering, we are working on my final project (for college), and I'd love to talk with your friend, he could def give me good information! Thanks for everything, great answer!
Posted on Feb 26, 2012
It is very close to Sudder Street, it is closer to Lindsey Street but both are very close, follow the link i sent you if you zoom in close enough the directions from google maps are accurate. Just tell me when you are going and I will give your email to my friend. He is a grad. student in Korea but he is currently in India working on some stuff.
Posted on Feb 26, 2012
I didnt see any cockroaches at the ashreen just a lizard...
Posted on Feb 26, 2012
Ok Colin, thank you so much! I'll be there from March 8th till the 23rd. Is there anyway to send you my email by private message? (I haven't used this a lot...)
Posted on Feb 27, 2012
Posted on Feb 28, 2012
I would suggest a tour of the city because there is so much to see. The flower market by the river is amazing each morning. Also, the temples are breathtaking. I wouldn't miss seeing those. Don't miss the beautiful Kali Temple. The other great Temple complex worth seeing is the Jain Temple complex...gorgeous!
Posted Feb 24, 2012
Add a commentThank you so much David, I won't miss them! Thanks!!
Posted on Feb 26, 2012
Hi Rocio -
The best way to travel between Delhi and Kolkata (besides planes) are the Rajdhani or the Duronto Express.They are overnight trains which will stop at six or seven stations and you have the option of travelling second or third class AC, and the option of choosing from vegetarian and non veg platter - contrary to all the stories you hear - I have never fallen ill eating that and you can always depend on Tums. But do keep an eye out for small roaches on the ceilings - it is the humidity and they will be there. There are lesser chances of delays with these trains, almost none in the summer.
You can choose your accommodation from -
depends greatly on your budget. The Oberoi, The Park, ITC are super-comfortable, five star hotels. The rest will do if you are planning to see the city through the day, and just rest your back at night. Hotel Housez 43 (see previous link) has internet and is a boutique hotel at $54. Hotel Circular has a longish history, it is a fair deal for a good location.
Sights in Kolkata are, well not always in plain sight. You need to understand and perceive the people first. Then the city. Try walking around in the city for the first couple of days, then by public transport. Then move on to see the sights. If you live in the Sudder St. area, you will be living midst chaos. Which is good. That is how Kolkata normally is.
Marble Palace, Old Kolkata, can be seen together. Victoria Memorial, Maidan and the surrounding area another day. The bathing ghats, flower market (pre- noon)ride on Ganges and the sights around that another day. Local markets and malls stand side by side. And be forewarned - March is the beginning of sweaty summer.
If you are in Kolkata between March 8 and 26th, I will be happy to show you around. It is my city after all :)
Posted Feb 24, 2012
Add a commentHi D!
Thank you so much for your comment, it's great! And that's exactly the time I'll be there. I expect to arrive to Kolkata by March 8th or 9th (depending on the train and everything) and I'll stay till the 20th or so. Then I'll leave to visit the Taj Mahal, the Ganges, and some other places... I've heard about a Bengals' Tigers reserve in the North... I have to look for it. I'm going with my boyfriend and we'll be both delighted to meet you. Moreover I'm working on my final project (college) so I need local's information and opinion! Now, about the hotels, we're going in a very low budget, but still want something at least clean and without insects or animals around. I've always heard that hostels around Sudder St. are the ones chosen by volunteers, but they use to have cockroaches and rats and all that stuff. However, they say that there are some of them better than others, in the same area. For example, I heard about Hotel Maria, which seems to be a very famous one, plenty of volunteers but one of the "worst" in terms of cleanliness and animals/insects. Do you know anything about it? Also I have another question. Is it possible to plug in our cell-phone battery chargers in those hostels? And do you know the price per night (ballpark)? Thanks a lot!
Posted on Feb 26, 2012
Hi Rocio - Unless you are in a five-star hotel or living in someone's house - there is every possibility that there will be a few cockroaches. If there aren't any, you are lucky. If there are other creatures, leave the hotel. Go with safety. The rooms will be clean. You might want to look up the link I sent up in the conversation thread - look up lonely planet/trip advisor. You might like something now.
You have to carry a converter/adapter. Best to buy from New Delhi airport if that is your first port of entry.
There is a tiger reserve - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundarbans_National_Park -
Is this the one? It is in the south of Bengal.
Posted on Feb 26, 2012
Thank you D! Yes, is that one! Though I don't know if we're going to be able to make it, we have too much stuff to see and just a few weeks! But we're still planning, so we'll see.
Ok, I'll face cockroaches... hahaha, I hate insects, we're not very used to them here in Madrid (Spain), but I was expecting them though, as everybody told me about them (even rats and bedbugs...) but I was trying to know if there was any place without them. I already check the link, thank you!!
Posted on Feb 27, 2012
