Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) is the proud gateway to Eastern India — a historic airport (one of the country's oldest, with roots going back to the 1920s) that today welcomes travellers through a sleek, modern integrated terminal crowned by a roof inspired by the traditional Bengali hut. It's the main hub for Kolkata, and a key transit point for the Northeast, Bangladesh, and Southeast Asia. Whether you're arriving from abroad, transiting onward, or heading into the City of Joy, here's everything you need to know..
This Kolkata airport guide covers the layout of the Netaji Subhas airport terminal, the CCU international arrivals and immigration process, transit and connections, Kolkata airport to city transport, and the best lounges. And once Myflyyatra has sorted your flights, knowing your way around CCU makes the journey effortless.
A quick note: Airport facilities, transport, and the metro timeline change over time. Confirm current details with your airline or the airport before you travel.
The Airport at a Glance: One Integrated Terminal
CCU sits in Dum Dum, about 17 km north of central Kolkata (Esplanade). It's operated by the Airports Authority of India and named after the legendary Bengali freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. As the sixth-busiest airport in India, it's the primary aviation gateway for the whole eastern region.
- Domestic wing: IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India, and Akasa Air.
- International wing: Air India, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Thai Airways, Biman Bangladesh, and Druk Air, serving destinations like Dubai, Doha, Singapore, Bangkok, Dhaka, and Kunming.
The integrated design means connections are relatively straightforward — you don't shuttle between separate buildings — and the terminal is spacious, well-signed, and easy to move through.
CCU International Arrivals & Immigration
International flights arrive into the international wing of the integrated terminal. Here's the arrival flow:
- Follow the "Arrivals" signage toward immigration.
- Complete India's E-Arrival Card before you reach the counters (submit it online ahead of landing if required); all foreign nationals need this.
- Clear immigration, with your passport and visa, e-Visa, or OCI card ready — Kolkata is an e-Visa-designated airport, with dedicated counters.
- Collect your baggage at the belts.
- Pass through customs — the Green Channel if you're within your duty-free allowance, or the Red Channel if you have anything to declare.
- Enter the arrivals hall, where you'll find prepaid taxi booths, app-cab pickup, WBTC buses, forex counters, and ATMs.
The international wing has full facilities for arriving passengers — immigration, customs, arrivals duty-free, currency exchange, and prayer rooms.
Transit & Connecting Flights at CCU
Kolkata is a natural transit hub — a springboard to the Northeast Indian states, Bangladesh, and Southeast Asia. The single-terminal design helps, but there are still things to plan for:
- The integrated terminal keeps connections simple — no changing between separate buildings.
- International-to-domestic transfers still require the full landside process: you clear immigration and customs, collect your checked bags, and check in and clear security again for the onward domestic flight.
- Give yourself time. The airport recommends arriving 90 minutes ahead for domestic and 180 minutes (3 hours) for international departures — and a connection that switches between the two needs a comfortable buffer on top of the transfer.
Booking your whole journey on a single ticket keeps you protected if a delay threatens the connection.
Kolkata Airport to City Transport
CCU is about 17 km from central Kolkata, typically a 45–60 minute drive depending on traffic. From the arrivals area you have several options:
- Prepaid yellow taxis: Kolkata's iconic taxis, bookable at prepaid counters near the arrival gates for a fixed fare — around ₹350–500 to central Kolkata. A classic, hassle-free choice.
- App-based cabs: Ola and Uber operate from dedicated pickup zones, typically ₹450–700 to central Kolkata.
- Radio taxis: Round-the-clock services from the lower arrivals level.
- WBTC AC Volvo buses: The most economical option, connecting the airport to key city points with dedicated luggage space (roughly ₹250–600) — though less convenient with heavy bags.
- Metro (coming soon): A dedicated airport Metro station (Biman Bandar, on the Orange Line) is under construction, expected to be fully connected around late 2026, linking the airport with New Town, Salt Lake Sector V, and the EM Bypass. Until it opens, the nearest operational station is Dum Dum (Blue Line), reached by a short bus or auto ride from the terminal — so for now, a taxi or the Volvo bus is the simplest choice. Check the current metro status for your travel date.
Kolkata Airport Lounges
CCU has multiple lounges in the integrated terminal, across both the domestic and international departure zones. Access is typically via Priority Pass, DragonPass, and premium credit cards with bank-direct lounge partnerships (such as HDFC Infinia, SBI Card Elite, and Axis Magnus), or paid walk-in.
One current tip worth knowing: DreamFolks discontinued its domestic India lounge-access service in September 2025, and banks have since moved to direct lounge agreements or newer aggregators (such as Elite Assist and Adani LoungeOne). So check your specific card's lounge terms in its app before you travel, as coverage has shifted.
Facilities & Local Flavour
- Eat Bengali. The terminal's food court features local favourites alongside national chains — look out for spots serving Bengali snacks and mishti doi (sweet set yogurt), a lovely taste of the city before you even leave the airport, plus the usual coffee chains for a caffeine fix.
- Duty-free is available in the international departure zone.
- Digital ease: DigiYatra facial-recognition entry is active for eligible passengers.
- Assistance & comfort: wheelchair support, prayer rooms, baby-care facilities, and rest areas are available; free Wi-Fi is on offer (usually via a one-time code).
Practical Tips
- Arrive early — 3 hours before an international departure, 90 minutes for domestic.
- Complete your E-Arrival Card before you land to speed through immigration.
- Allow a buffer for international-to-domestic connections, even with the single terminal.
- Use official transport — prepaid taxis, app-cabs, or WBTC buses from the arrivals area.
- Book on a single ticket so you're protected on connections.
- Grab a SIM and forex/ATM cash at arrivals if you need them.
Quick FAQ
One — a single modern integrated terminal (T2) that handles all domestic and international flights, with separate wings for each.
About 17 km from central Kolkata (Esplanade), usually a 45–60 minute drive depending on traffic.
Prepaid yellow taxis (around ₹350–500) or app-cabs are the most convenient; WBTC AC buses are the cheapest. A dedicated airport Metro station is expected around late 2026.
Complete the E-Arrival Card, clear immigration with your passport and visa/e-Visa/OCI, collect baggage, and pass through the Green or Red customs channel.
Yes — it's the main transit hub for Eastern India, the Northeast, Bangladesh, and Southeast Asia, with a single integrated terminal that keeps connections simple (allow time for international-to-domestic re-check-in).
Final Word
Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport blends history and modern convenience — one well-designed terminal, efficient immigration, and quick access to the city by taxi or bus, with a Metro link on the way. Complete your E-Arrival Card before landing, leave a buffer if you're connecting onward, and grab some mishti doi before you go. Book your journey with Myflyyatra, and your arrival in the City of Joy will be as warm as its welcome.
