Manchester to Kolkata flights, plus Glasgow and Edinburgh

The quick answer

No airline flies non-stop between Britain and Kolkata, so every journey has a change. The good news for the North of England and Scotland is that the main Gulf airlines fly from your local airport and on to Kolkata themselves, so you do not need to travel to London first.

On a one-ticket Gulf route, you check your bags in at Manchester, Glasgow or Edinburgh and collect them at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata.

Routes by airport

The usual one-stop options from each airport.

Our tip: The connection time varies a lot by day. A smooth two-hour change on one date can be an overnight wait on another, so look at the full timings, not just the fare.

Via Delhi, if you prefer

From London, Air India flies to Delhi with a connection on to Kolkata, which keeps the change inside India. From Manchester or Scotland, that route usually means getting to Heathrow first, so the Gulf routes tend to be simpler.

If you do connect in Delhi, remember that you clear immigration and customs there and usually collect your bags. Our guide to changing planes in Delhi and Mumbai explains how it works and how much time to allow.

Arriving in Kolkata

You land at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, code CCU, at Dum Dum in the north-east of the city. International and domestic flights share the main terminal, which helps if you are flying on to Bagdogra for Darjeeling and Sikkim, or to Guwahati and the North East.

Most families are met by relatives. Prepaid taxis and app cabs run from the airport, and traffic into central and south Kolkata can be slow at busy times, so allow plenty of time if you have plans on the day you land.

Durga Puja and the busy seasons

Durga Puja is the biggest event of the year in Kolkata, listed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, and it brings Bengali families home from all over the world. Flights in the days before Puja fill fast, so book months ahead if you want to be there for the pandals.

Diwali and Kali Puja follow soon after, then Christmas and the winter wedding season. October to February is the most comfortable weather, while April to June is hot and humid and the monsoon runs from about June to September.

Going on to Darjeeling, Sikkim or Bangladesh

Kolkata is the gateway to the east. Bagdogra, the airport for Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Gangtok, is a short domestic flight away, and it is often easier to fly Kolkata to Bagdogra than to drive.

Some families also visit relatives across the border in Bangladesh. If that is part of your trip, check the visa and entry rules for both countries before you book, and ask us to price the whole journey as one itinerary.

Travelling with older parents

Bengali families often travel with older parents who find a long Gulf layover tiring. We look for the shortest sensible connection, ask for wheelchair help at every airport, and choose seats near the front so getting off is quicker.

For parents flying on their own, see our page on assisted travel for elderly passengers. Our team can also talk to them directly if that helps.

Baggage and gifts

Saris, sweets and gifts for relatives add up quickly. Check the baggage allowance on your exact fare before you book, as the cheapest fares on some airlines carry less. If you are flying on from Kolkata on a separate domestic ticket, the allowance there is usually lower.

See our baggage guide for what to check, and tell us what you are carrying so we can price the right fare.

Exploring Kolkata

If you have a few spare days, Kolkata rewards them. The Victoria Memorial, the Howrah Bridge over the Hooghly, the old trams, College Street’s bookstalls and the food of the city, from kathi rolls to mishti doi, are all worth the time.

Further afield, the Sundarbans mangrove forest is a long day trip or an overnight stay, and Santiniketan, linked to Rabindranath Tagore, is a few hours by train. Many families combine a stay with relatives with a short trip to Darjeeling in the cooler months.

Kolkata traffic can be heavy, so plan sightseeing around the rush hours, and use the Metro, which is quick, cheap and easy for getting across the city.

Booking for students and young travellers

Kolkata is also a common route for students heading home for the holidays or coming to UK universities. Flexible fares that allow date changes can be worth the extra, because exam and term dates often move, and a larger baggage allowance helps at the start and end of the academic year.

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