Kolkata Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Kolkata.
Kolkata runs a three-layer health network: top-tier private hospitals, solid government centers, and corner clinics for everyday needs. Private wings meet global benchmarks. Public wards serve the masses.
Apollo Gleneagles (58 Canal Circular Road), AMRI Dhakuria (230 Barakhola), Fortis Anandapur (730 Anandapur) keep emergency doors open around the clock and bill insurers direct.
Frank Ross and Dey's Medical stay lit 24 hours on Park Street, Gariahat, and other corners. They stock common antibiotics, antimalarials, and rehydration salts over the counter.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for private hospital access. Cash deposits required upfront at emergency rooms without coverage.
- ✓ Carry prescription medications in original packaging with doctor's letter
- ✓ Download Practo app for booking doctor appointments at private hospitals
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpockets operate in crowded areas targeting wallets, phones, and cameras
Aggressive driving, mixed traffic of cars, buses, rickshaws and pedestrians
Contaminated water or street food causing stomach issues
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Friendly stranger claims to export gems, offers to share profits if you carry package abroad
Drivers claim meter broken or take longer routes from airport/railway stations
Unofficial offices near Sudder Street claiming to book tours at inflated prices
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
- • Use yellow taxis with working meters. Avoid unmarked vehicles
- • Book Ola/Uber for transparent pricing and GPS tracking
- • Use ATMs inside bank branches rather than standalone machines
- • Keep small denominations for street shopping and tipping
- • Stick to well-lit areas like Park Street and Camac Street after dark
- • Avoid walking alone through railway stations post 11 PM
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Kolkata generally treats women travelers respectfully. But solo women should exercise standard big-city precautions, during evening hours
- → Choose women's compartments on Metro trains and suburban trains
- → Sit near families on buses and trams rather than alone
- → Pre-book reliable taxi services when returning to hotels after 9 PM
Homosexuality decriminalized in 2018, same-sex relationships legal but same-sex marriage not recognized
- → Avoid public displays of affection in traditional areas like Kalighat
- → Connect with local LGBTQ+ groups through social media for safe nightlife recommendations
Travel Insurance
Protect yourself before you travel.
Private hospitals in Kolkata require upfront payment or verified insurance before treatment. Evacuation to Singapore for serious conditions is expensive
Ready to plan your trip to Kolkata?
Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.