A few hours’ drive from Kolkata, in the South 24 Parganas, lies Sagar Island or Sagardwip. Locally called Gangasagar, this is one of the largest islands on the Ganges delta, where the Hooghly River meets the Bay of Bengal.
The town of Gangasagar is known for its religious significance as well as breathtaking beauty, with blue waters of the Bay of Bengal lining the golden sandy shores, dotted with dense marshlands.
Table of Contents
- Why travel from Kolkata to Gangasagar?
- Travelling from Kolkata to Gangasagar by car
- Best Time To Visit
- Popular Routes from Kolkata to Gangasagar
- Kolkata to Gangasagar Best Route
- How to Reach Gangasagar By Train
- How to Reach Gangasagar By Flight
- Attractions in Gangasagar for Sightseeing
- Savaari Recommends – Popular Places to Eat in Gangasagar
- Hotels and resorts – Accommodation in Gangasagar
Why travel from Kolkata to Gangasagar?
Gangasagar is known for hosting the Gangasagar Mela, an annual religious festival that resulted in the name of the town. The festival is considered to be the biggest religious gathering in India, after Kumbh Mela. Whether it’s nature, culture or religion, Gangasagar is a place to definitely explore from Kolkata. You can easily do a quick road trip to this delta island by booking a car rental service in Kolkata.
The journey involves a drive and a ferry ride. When you book a cab from Kolkata to Gangasagar with savaari car rentals, you can avail of a customizable trip, make an itinerary that fits your travel needs and budget. Read on to discover the best way to travel from Kolkata to Gangasagar.
Travelling from Kolkata to Gangasagar by Car
The road passes from the suburbs of greater Kolkata and through small towns and villages of West Bengal in the remote districts of South 24 Parganas. Along your way, you may pass industrial hubs, riverside settlements, or harbor areas, like Bishnupur, Diamond Harbor, Kulpi, Nischintapur, and Kakdwip, depending on your route.
With your Savaari tour packages from Kolkata to Gangasagar, you can make a stop at any of these places for a quick tour, grab a bite, or just to take a break from the drive.
Important Highway Information about Kolkata to Gangasagar
| Highway Name | Kolkata to Gangasagar Highway |
| Alternate Name | National Highway 12 |
| Highway Number | NH-12 |
| Distance | 132.2 Km |
| Starting Point | Kolkata |
| End Point | Gangasagar |
| Highway Quality | Good |
Best Time to Visit
Like all coastal towns in Bengal (or any other region), Gangasagar experiences tropical marine weather. Summers are extremely hot and humid while winters are cool and pleasant. The monsoon period is also comfortable but could be unpredictable as the rains cause floods around the marshlands and the tides on the sea are high, making it difficult to explore.
Hence, the winter months, between October to February are best for visiting Gangasagar. Also, if you want to experience the Gangasagar Mela, then January is the ideal time, since this is the month for the annual festival when pilgrims from all over come to take a dip in the Ganges and pray at the local temples.
Quick Facts about Kolkata to Gangasagar
| Road Distance from Kolkata to Gangasagar | 132.2 Km |
| Aerial Distance from Kolkata to Gangasagar | 129 km |
| Travel Time for Kolkata to Gangasagar | 4 hours 37 minutes |
| Travel Time for Kolkata to Gangasagar by Train | 4 hours and 1 minutes |
| Travel Time for Kolkata to Gangasagar by Flight | 2 hours and 23 minutes |
| Best Routes | Kolkata to Gangasagar Via NH12 |
| Best time to visit | June and September |
Popular Routes from Kolkata to Gangasagar
Route 1: Distance and Time Taken from Kolkata to Gangasagar via NH 12
This is the shortest and the best route to travel from Kolkata to Gangasagar. This is also the fastest route and you can avoid road closures on Bankura-Rudrapur road and other state/city roads. The distance between Kolkata and Gangasagar on this route is somewhere around 120 KM and takes roughly 4 and half hours. Always check live maps to instant traffic updates and check for the latest information on the road conditions.
Here’s a basic Kolkata to Gangasagar roadmap for this route:
| Kolkata — Amtala — Baneshwarpur — Ushti — Hatugange — Kulpi — Nishchintapur — Kashinagar — Bamankhali — Rudranagar — Gangasagar |
|---|
Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:
- Neeldeep Garden Picnic Spot, Rajpur Sonarpur – A local park with picnicking options and children’s play area, good for food stops or just to take a refreshing break.
- Kulpi River Side, Kulpi – Popular riverbank area overlooking the Hooghly River, good for tea breaks and photo ops, boat rides also available seasonally.
- Dishari Point, Bamankhali – A popular viewing spot on the Hooghly River, best for views of sunrise and sunsets.
- New Bakkhali River Beach, Kakdwip – Riverside promenade with views of the Hooghly River, surrounded by wooded areas and marshlands, good for a short trek/tour.
Places to eat along this route:
- Spice O Life, Joka – Fine dining restaurant in an upscale hotel serving multi-cuisine meals and beverages, good for families, kid friendly.
- Friends Restaurant & Café, Rajarhat – Local café serving quick meals, and beverages, good for a short stop.
- Panther Restaurant cum Bar, Kanpur – Standard highway side restaurant serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes and bar menu, good for big groups, late nights.
- Diya Restaurant and Hotel, Kulpi – Family-run diner serving small meals, snacks, and beverages, good for families with kids.
- Rupsa Biriyani House, Bamankhali – Small local eatery serving biryani and meat dishes, good for quick stops, late nights.
Kolkata to Gangasagar Road Condition via route 1:
The road conditions from Kolkata to Gangasagar on route 1 are good. It is the fastest route with light traffic, despite some tolls on the way, but there are no road closures.
Route 2: Distance and Time Taken from Kolkata to Gangasagar via NH12 & Rudranagar -Jibantala Road
This is an alternative route for travelling to Gangasagar. But this route is much longer and takes more time to travel than the previous route. There are also tolls on this route. The distance from Kolkata to Gangasagar on this route is about 135 KM and takes a little less than 5 hours. Check for road closures or road work on this route before traveling on this route.
Here’s the basic route map from Kolkata to Gangasagar along this route:
| Kolkata — Julpia — Chakdah — Sankarpur — Hatugange — Kulpi — Nishchintapur — Kashinagar — Bamankhali — Rudranagar — Gangasagar |
|---|
Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:
- Magrahat Lal Pool, Dhanpota – A local riverside with old bridge and views of fields and meadows, good for a quick stop to unwind or take photos.
- Diamond Harbor – A popular harbor town off the highway known for riverside lodging and food options, public parks, and promenade, good for meal breaks or rest stops.
- Kulpi River Side, Kulpi – Popular riverbank area overlooking the Hooghly River, good for tea breaks and photo ops, boat rides also available seasonally.
- Dishari Point, Bamankhali – A popular viewing spot on the Hooghly River, best for views of sunrise and sunsets.
- New Bakkhali River Beach, Kakdwip – Riverside promenade with views of the Hooghly River, surrounded by wooded areas and marshlands, good for a short trek/tour.
Places to eat along this route:
- Spice O Life, Joka – Fine dining restaurant in an upscale hotel serving multi-cuisine meals and beverages, good for families, kid friendly.
- Friends Restaurant & Café, Rajarhat – Local café serving quick meals, and beverages, good for a short stop.
- Debur Hotel, Diamond Harbor – Standard highway side dhaba-style eatery serving multi cuisine meals in a casual setting, good for families, kid-friendly.
- Diya Restaurant and Hotel, Kulpi – Family-run diner serving small meals, snacks, and beverages, good for families with kids.
- Rupsa Biriyani House, Bamankhali – Small local eatery serving biryani and meat dishes, good for quick stops, late nights.
Kolkata to Gangasagar Road Condition via route 2:
The road conditions from Kolkata to Gangasagar on route 2 are also good. It is a slightly longer route with possibly heavy traffic on the state highways and service roads, has some tolls on the way, and there may be some occasional roadwork.
Kolkata to Gangasagar Best Route
Both the above routes seem good for traveling from Kolkata to Gangasagar, each with scenic sightseeing and interesting food options. However, the first route is shorter, faster and is used by most travelers, while the second route, though takes almost the same time, could have road closures and heavy local traffic. Hence, Route 1 seems to be the best option for traveling. You can opt for a taxi service in Kolkata to reach Gangasagar.
Kolkata to Gangasagar with friends & family
Plan your group journey with ease by booking a tempo traveller in Kolkata, perfect for trips to Gangasagar. Ideal for groups larger than 10, these spacious vehicles offer ample luggage space and extra leg room, ensuring comfort for all. Enjoy a memorable road trip with a top-notch audio system and comfortable seating, complemented by our reliable service with punctual, courteous drivers. Travel with peace of mind, thanks to our clean, verified vehicles and transparent, affordable billing.
Other means of traveling from Kolkata to Gangasagar
By Train
Though an island, Gangasagar is well connected to Kolkata by train. The nearest railway station is in Kirnahar, 6 KM away. The nearest major railhead is in Kakdwip, about 38 KM away. From either of these stations you can book a local taxi or auto to reach Gangasagar.
There are about 15 trains that ply between Kolkata and Gangasagar. The fastest train is GANGASAGAR EXPRESS (13185) which takes 15 hours to reach. For all your train bookings, you can visit any online travel portal or check the Indian Railways website to get the best deals. For the latest and most accurate information on train timings, always check the latest timetables of IRCTC before you book.
By Flight
There is no flight service between Kolkata and Gangasagar. The nearest airport is in Kolkata at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU), about 120 KM away. You can book an airport taxi in Kolkata once you reach the airport. The only way to reach Gangasagar from Kolkata is either by road or train.
Attractions in Gangasagar for Sightseeing
Gangasagar is a place of geographical, religious, and cultural significance.
- Sagar Beach – The most popular beach in the town, known for golden sands, mangroves, and casuarina trees. When the beach doesn’t host Gangasagar Mela, it is the most serene place to be and enjoy the sea views, or sunrises. Also try boating or other water rides available.
- Gangasagar Mela– The second largest religious festival in the country after Kumbh Mela, held every January.
- Kapil Muni temple – An old temple dedicated to the Kapil saint of Hindu mythology, also a popular pilgrimage destination in the town.
- ISKCON Temple of Gangasagar – A branch of ISKCON India, this temple is a major religious site to see in Gangasagar.
- Onkarnath Temple – Another old temple, popular among pilgrims and an important religious site.
- Sagar Lighthouse – A local lighthouse on the Sagar Beach, and a popular viewing spot, good for sunrise or sunset views.
- Tamarisk Woodlands – A forested area of mangrove trees running parallel to the Sagar Beach, good for touring, bird watching, and boat rides, visit during winters for best experience.
Hire a car rental in Gangasagar to visit these major tourist places.
Savaari Recommends – Popular Places to Eat in Gangasagar
Check out these popular places to eat in Gangasagar –
- Panchforon Restaurant and Cake, Chowrangi, Durga Mandir Jharna Telecom
- Dilkush Restaurant, Kali Bazaar,
- Sagar Food Court, Shankar Road
- Restaurant cum Food point, Rina Road
Book a cab in Gangasagar to visit these major eateries.
Hotels and Resorts – Accommodation in Gangasagar
| Hotel Name | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Balutot Tourism Property (WBTDCL) | National Highway 117 Post Laxmipur Prabartak, Bakkhali, West Bengal 743339 | 09732510150 |
| Sonar Tori Resort | Baliara, Mousuni Island, near Salt Gheri Manasa Mata Mandir, Namkhana, West Bengal 743357 | 08918819832 |
| Gangasagar Pantha Nibas | Gangasagar, West Bengal 743373 | NA |
| Golpogriha Camp | Mousuni Island, P.O- Baliara 24 Pgns(South, West Bengal 743357 | 09051956824 |
| Ganga Sagar Hotel | Bishalaxmipur Road, Dhablat, beside Bishalaxmi Tample, Prasadpur, Sagar, West Bengal 743373 | 07478484747 |
Download the Savaari car rental app today and enjoy seamless rides from all major transport hubs to your destination. Whether you’re in the mood for adventure or relaxation, this road trip guarantees an unforgettable experience.
