India · Asia
Kolkata, India: cost, safety and best time to visit (2026)
Population: 4.6MCurrency: INRTime zone: Asia/Kolkata
US travel advisory
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Best months to visit
Jan, Feb, Nov and Dec
highest visit score, Open-Meteo climate record
About Kolkata
Kolkata, in India's Asia region, is home to about 4.6 million people. It is not the country's capital. For visitors budgeting a trip, daily costs run from $25 for a budget traveler to $55 for a mid-range stay and $115 for a luxury visit, which add up to $175, $385 and $805 respectively over a full week. The city's weather is most pleasant in January, February, November and December, when rainfall stays low and skies are often clear. Outside those months, the monsoon brings heavy rain, particularly in June and July. Kolkata carries a country-level US State Department advisory of Level 2, and the UK Foreign Office highlights risks such as petty crime, scams, and periodic protests that travelers should watch for. The local currency is the Indian rupee, and overall prices tend to be affordable for international visitors. Understanding when to visit and what a realistic daily budget looks like can help travelers plan a trip that fits both comfort and cost expectations.
Weather through the year
Average high in °C and monthly rainfall in mm, from the Open-Meteo archive.
Jan
25°
23mm
Feb
29°
27mm
Mar
33°
66mm
Apr
37°
48mm
May
35°
175mm
Jun
34°
238mm
Jul
32°
380mm
Aug
32°
441mm
Sep
32°
339mm
Oct
32°
189mm
Nov
30°
14mm
Dec
26°
15mm
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a week in Kolkata cost?
For one person, a week costs about $175 on a budget, $385 mid-range, or $805 for luxury. These figures cover typical daily spending on lodging, food, and local transport.
When is the best time to visit Kolkata?
January, February, November, and December are the top-rated months, with low rainfall and comfortable temperatures. January's high averages 25.4C and its low 14.5C, while December stays similarly mild with only 15mm of rain.
Is Kolkata safe to visit?
The US State Department places India under a Level 2 advisory, 'Exercise Increased Caution,' which applies country-wide rather than to Kolkata specifically. The UK Foreign Office notes risks including petty crime, scams, and occasional protests, so travelers should stay alert.
Can I visit Kolkata on a tight budget?
Yes, the budget daily estimate of $25 covers basic lodging, meals, and transport for one person. Traveling during the off-season months of May, June, or July can also help keep costs down, though the weather turns hot and wet then.
What is the cheapest time to visit?
May, June, and July are listed as the off-season, when travel tends to be quieter and cheaper. However, these months bring heavy rain, with June averaging 238mm and July 380mm.
What about food and getting around?
Local transport and street food are inexpensive contributors to the $25 budget tier, while mid-range dining fits within the $55 daily estimate. Trains, buses, and rideshares are common ways to move around the city.
Keep reading
More on Kolkata
Where it ranks
Country
Sources
- GeoNames city database — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 14, 2026
- Open-Meteo climate archive — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 21, 2026
- World Bank price level and exchange rate — CC BY 4.0, data year 2025
- US State Department travel advisories — public domain, fetched September 21, 2026
- UK FCDO foreign travel advice — Open Government Licence v3, fetched September 21, 2026
AI-written interpretation reviewed against the data above — claude-sonnet-5, generated September 21, 2026. Every number on this page comes from a dataset named here; the formulas are public.