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Budget Breakdown for Visiting Kolkata: A Guide for American Visitors

Updated on Jan 21, 2026 | Online Indian Visa

Kolkata is an extremely vibrant cultural destination. From music to paintings to the Indian theatre scene, this bustling city has everything. Also, the food scene in Kolkata is as diverse as it is flavourful.

The city also has an intense cross-cultural appeal due to the international influence of its literature and films. Thus, many Americans want to travel to this city. To experience Kolkata to the fullest, you do not need a massive budget. Just look into this guide as it shows you a budget breakdown for the best experience of the City of Joy.

Flights to Kolkata from the US

When traveling from the USA to India, the primary choice is air travel. And many US cities offer direct flights to Kolkata, or with just one stopover. These cities include New York City (JFK and Newark), Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami, and so on.

The average round-trip cost from New York City to Kolkata is US$868, with the US$ 750 on the lower end and the higher end prices going up to US$ 1,600 and more. Alternatively, from Los Angeles, this price range is between US$ 750 and 1,700.

To further understand the budget breakdown for flights to Kolkata, here is a comparative chart for different price ranges of flights from NYC and LA:

City of Departure: NYC (JFK & EWR)

  • Budget Airline: US$700–850
  • Mid-Range Airline: US$950–1100
  • Premium Class Airline: US$1300–1600

City of Departure: LA (LAX)

  • Budget Airline: US$750-900
  • Mid-Range Airline: US$1000-1200
  • Premium Class Airline: US$1350-1700

City of Departure: San Francisco (SFO)

  • Budget Airline: US$600-800
  • Mid-Range Airline: US$900-1200
  • Premium Class Airline: US$1300-1600

City of Departure: Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)

  • Budget Airline: US$500-700
  • Mid-Range Airline: US$800-1000
  • Premium Class Airline: US$1100-1400

City of Departure: Miami (MIA)

  • Budget Airline: US$650-800
  • Mid-Range Airline: US$900-1100
  • Premium Class Airline: US$1200-1500

If you are looking to save the most on the flight budget, there are many options that you can go for when booking the flight tickets. The first option here is to book ahead of time and with a flexible schedule.

Many airlines will release seats at lower prices and attract early buyers to fill up flights. If you purchase tickets then, you will save a lot on flight tickets. You will find these choices in major airlines such as Air India, United Airlines, Delta Air, and Emirates.

You can also consider purchasing tickets for the off-season. More people will want to visit Kolkata during the peak seasons, such as between October and February. If you purchase tickets for March to September, it is considered the off-season, and the tickets will be cheaper.

However, if you have an expensive Kolkata travel budget, you can visit the city in the peak season, enjoy the biggest festival of the city, Durga Puja, or participate in the vibrant Christmas celebrations.

Places to Stay

Kolkata has accommodation options for all types of travelers. From budget tourists to tourists looking for top-quality accommodations, there is an option for everyone.

Budget Stay Options in Kolkata

If your Kolkata travel budget is on the lower end, the city has a lot of budget options ideal for backpackers. The Social Safari Hostel, Bohemian Backpackers in Kolkata, Little While, and so on, are all options for shared living accommodations starting at under US$ 10 per night.

Medium Range (3-star) Hotels in Kolkata

If your budget is not limited enough to require the most budget options, and you want to stay in mid-range accommodations, there are plenty of options you can choose from. Many hotels fall under the 3-star category, which offer quality mid-range accommodations. Hotels such as the Hotel Emirates, Hotel Radiant, and The Lindsay are great semi-budget choices, ranging from US$30-70 per night.

Premium (5-star) Hotels in Kolkata

Kolkata has some of the most notable premium hotels in India, if you have the budget for it. The Park Hotel, Hyatt Regency, Taj Bengal, ITC Sonar, and the JW Marriott Hotel Kolkata are some of the luxurious living arrangements you can get in this city. The per-night rates in these hotels range from US$110 - US$200.

Best Locations to Stay

Now, moving on to the best locations. If you are aiming to stay close to the Airport, New Town and Salt Lake City are the ideal places for accommodation. However, if you want to experience a stay in the heart of the city, Park Street and Ballygunge are where you want to be.

What Can You Eat?

The Kolkata cuisine is a vibrant representation of colonization and the amalgamation of cultures over the centuries. The food scene in Kolkata is worth applying for an Indian tourist visa for. From cheap and flavorful street food to the most luxurious international dining experience, this city has got it all.

Budget and Street Food

Street foods in Kolkata start from small snacks, such as “phuchka”, a hollow flour shell filled with a spicy potato filling, to more filling meals, such as the famous kathi roll and the Kolkata biryani, which are all available at extremely affordable prices, going even as low as less than 50 US cents.

In North Kolkata, a famous street food option is Momos. Momos are practically an Indian and Nepalese take on dumplings. They come in steamed, pan-fried, and fried options, served with a spicy hot sauce.

“Jhalmuri” is another famous street food option in the city, which is puffed rice, vegetables, and spicy chilli sauce. You can also try out “Telebhaja”, which is deep-fried vegetables, available at most street corners.

Mid-Range Lunch and Dining

Kolkata has a significant mid-range restaurant scene. The classic Mughlai places such as Nizam’s, Arsalan, and Aminia are available at mid-range meal prices (often ranging from US$5-15 per meal).

You can also enjoy classic Chinese delicacies at mid-range prices in Chinatown. A section of the city, run by Chinese Indians, this place has a plethora of Chinese restaurants, some of which are well-renowned among the citizens of Kolkata. Here, you can find quality meals at prices as low as US$20.

Gourmet and Fine Dining

However, if you are looking for luxury meals in Kolkata, there are multiple fine dining options for you. From the renowned Mocambo and Peter Cat in Park Street, to Yauatcha in Beck Bagan, Kolkata’s only Michelin star restaurant, to luxury buffets in the Waterside Cafe, you can enjoy a gourmet-quality meal at a gourmet-quality price.

Local Transport

If you ever see a picture of Kolkata on the internet, you will see pictures of the various public transportation options available in the city. You have rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, buses, trains, and metros.

The oldest underground railway system in India, the Kolkata metro, is generally extremely affordable and connects nearly all the main urban locales of the city. Its fares range from US$0.20 to 0.40 per ride. It is one of the things that everyone needs to experience, especially when traveling from the USA to India.

Other than the metro, the entire city is connected by buses. From the regular public buses to privately operated air-conditioned buses. If you want to travel all over the city cheaply, this is your go-to transport. However, be prepared to face a crowd.

If you are looking for a more private transportation experience, you can either go for the classic yellow taxis or the mobile app-operated cabs. The yellow taxis are the cheaper option; however, you are usually at the driver’s mercy. So, it is better to choose the app-controlled cabs, with Uber, Ola, and inDrive being the most popular among them.

Just download the smartphone app, pick your destination, select a price point, and visit wherever you want to go.

For short-distance options, you have the auto-rickshaw, the cycle-rickshaw, or even the Toto rickshaw. These will be your guides within locales. However, you have to be ready to heckle to avoid getting stuck with a ‘foreigner’s premium’ price.

This is something you have to be prepared for the moment you apply for an Indian visitor visa to visit Kolkata.

Or, you can just ignore all of these options and just rent a private car with a driver. If you are not on a tight budget, this is the safest option. These drivers work as excellent guides and will get you wherever you need to go. You will need an IDP (international driving permit) for this.

Sightseeing & Activities

Now, you cannot plan for a trip to Kolkata, apply for an Indian tourist visa, and not go sightseeing. There are plenty of sightseeing options in the city. Some of the major tourist attractions in the city require an entry fee; the famous Victoria Memorial, the Indian Museum, the Birla Planetarium, Science City, and the Marble Palace are some of the major examples of such.

Tourist Attraction Entry Fees

  • Victoria Memorial: US$6 (approx.)
  • The Indian Museum: US$6-7 (approx.)
  • Birla Planetarium: US$1-2 (approx.)
  • Science City: US$0.5-1 (approx.) + tickets per attraction
  • The Marble Palace: Free + tips to the guards
  • South Park Street Cemetery: Free (US$ 0.58 for guided tours)
  • Eco Park: USD 0.36 (approx.)
  • Biswa Bangla Gate: USD 1.16 (approx.)

You can also get different curated tours and experiences in Kolkata, none of which are unfairly priced. Planning to take a Bengali cooking course? You will require around US$15-30 to enroll. You can also apply for a guided city heritage tour package, ranging between US$10 and US$25.

Shopping in Kolkata

Kolkata has some great shopping options that you can look into depending on what you want to buy. Looking for local products to bring back to the States? Look no further than Gariahat Bazar or New Market, possibly the biggest flea markets in the city. Want to browse and purchase books? College Street is absolutely the place you would want to go to.

However, if you are looking for international brands and high-budget products, shopping malls such as South City Mall, City Centre Salt Lake, and Quest Mall will provide a plethora of brand stores to purchase from.

Daily Budget Scenarios

After having discussed the basic budgetary requirements for everything that you may need, having applied for an Indian visitor visa to Kolkata, here is a list of the probable daily budget for an American’s trip to this city.

Budget-Friendly

  • Daily Budget (US$): 30-50
  • End-of-Week Total (US$): 210-350
  • Experience: Hostels, street food, and public transport

Mid-Range

  • Daily Budget (US$): 60-100
  • End-of-Week Total (US$): 420-700
  • Experience: 3-star hotels, street food & restaurants, cabs, and tours

Luxury

  • Daily Budget (US$): 150+
  • End-of-Week Total (US$): 1050+
  • Experience: Luxury hotels, premium food, private car

Some additional costs might also be involved, such as travel insurance, which will depend on your chosen coverage, US$ 5-10 for local data plans, and set a budget for souvenir shopping based on your interests.

Also, make sure to keep an emergency buffer amount, just in case you need it.

Start Planning Your Trip Today!

Kolkata is an amazingly budget-friendly place to visit. You can experience this city for under $50 a day. But that does not mean that luxury options are not available for those who want them. So, it is a city worth experiencing at least once, and even if you are on a tight budget, you will not miss out on any of the crucial experiences.

Looking for a budget-friendly trip to Kolkata? Plan your budget, start applying for your visa, and let us know if you need any more help or information. Start planning now so there’s no delay later!

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