5 Best Backpacker Hostels In Kolkata, India - Updated 2024

Aarti
Aarti 
Updated
| 3 min read
Sreeparna Chaudhury
Endorsed by a Kolkata Local Expert
|
Sreeparna Chaudhury
Rituparna Pal
Endorsed by a Kolkata Local Expert
|
Rituparna Pal

A city in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, was founded as an East India Company trading post. This vibrant city served as India’s capital under the rule of the British Raj. Today, the city acts as a cultural, commercial, and educational hub. It is home to art galleries, religious festivals, and old architecture from colonial times. Along with this, there’s Mother House which is headquartered here, founded by Mother Teresa, where visitors can find the tomb on site. Other attractions that are worth visiting here include the Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, Indian Museum, and Science City Kolkata. With so many exceptional things to see and do, Kolkata is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in India. To make the most of your stay in India’s City of Joy, check out our list of the best backpacker hostels in Kolkata, India.

We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 11, 2024.

1. Bubble Beds

From Kalighat Kali Temple, Bubble Beds is just a few minutes’ walk away. The facilities in the hostel include free wireless internet access, free parking on the premises, a 24-hour front desk, a sun terrace, a communal kitchen, lockers, a vending machine, a shared lounge with a TV, and a designated smoking room. Guests can choose between private rooms and dormitory-style rooms that come with comfortable furnishings and amenities. Some of the activities you could take while here include a cooking class, cultural tours, and walking tours.

Tip from Trip101 local expert

Rituparna

Rituparna
Kolkata

This hostel is near several popular Durga Puja sites, such as Badamtala Ashar Sangha, 66 Pally Durga Puja, Mudiali. Each year, these Puja pandals capture visitors' hearts with their innovative themes, creative installations, and mesmerizing lighting. 

Moreover, Kalighat Metro Station is just a five-minute walk from here, so you can easily travel through the city without facing the cumbersome traffic. But, do keep in mind that the trains can get pretty crowded during rush hours. If you plan to stay for a while and explore the city extensively, I recommend getting a smart card at the metro station which is more economical than buying a ticket every time you are traveling. 

Tip from Trip101 local expert

The hostel is minutes away from the famous Kalighat Kali Temple. Like every other Bengali, I also make sure I visit the holy place on my birthdays to pay homage, make offerings to the deity, and seek blessings. This tourist spot is a must-visit, especially if you are visiting the city for the first time. If you are booking Bubble Beds for accommodation, make sure you visit Bachan's Dhaba, which is only four minutes away. Known for its Mughlai and North Indian delicacies, the eatery serves a delicious platter of yellow dal tadka, mutton keema masala, kebabs, rotis, and naan. The pocket pinch for two people is approximately 700 INR.

Stayed at this property?

Bubble Beds

Wifi Available

Address: 11A, Pratapaditya Road, Kolkata- 700026
497 meters (0.4 ft) from Kalighat

Restaurant 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Garden Terrace Non-smoking rooms Laundry Games room Ironing service

2. Bombay Backpackers kolkata (from USD 8)

Situated about 50 minutes away from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, this hostel is ideal for backpackers who have an early morning flight. It is located in the Park Street district of Kolkata and is a short drive away from entertainment options and local attractions, including the Victoria Memorial, Nandan Theatre, and Indian Museum.

The property features dormitory rooms that come with all the modern amenities that you’d need during your stay here. Some of the hostel facilities include a communal kitchen, a game room, a shared lounge with a TV, and evening entertainment.

Tip from Trip101 local expert

Rituparna

Rituparna
Kolkata

The obelisks at the cemetery South Park Street Cemetery
One of my favorite haunts in this area is South Park Street Cemetery, about a 20-minute walk from this hostel. If history and urban legends interest you, make sure to visit this place. Walking through the rows of old graves belonging to British administrators and their families in this cemetery and reading the inscriptions on the gravestones take me back to the days when this bustling road full of eateries, pubs, and nightclubs used to be known as Burial Ground Road. Some of the graves here date back to the late 18th century! The most well-known tombs here are those of orientalist scholar William Jones and poet-teacher Henry Louis Vivian Derozio.
Stayed at this property?

Bombay Backpackers kolkata

Wifi Available

Address: Russel street, park street 14th floor, Kanchana building, Russell street
3.39 km (2.2 mi) from Kalighat

24-HOUR FRONT DESK Games room Internet services Lift WiFi Available Free WiFi Designated smoking area Shared kitchen

3. Hotel Bengal (from USD 6)

Situated in the famous Park Circus neighborhood, Hotel Bengal is a great and comfortable accommodation option for easy-going tourists. When you stay here, you can enjoy facilities like a shared lounge with a TV, vending machines, room service, a 24-hour front desk, free WiFi, and airport shuttle service.

Guests who choose to stay here will be glad to know that they can explore a plethora of the city’s attractions, such as Nehru Children’s Museum, Kalighat Kali Temple, Birla Industrial & Technological Museum, and New Market; all are located nearby. And for commuting, there’s a metro station about 3 km (1.86 mi) away from the property.

Tip from Trip101 local expert

Rituparna

Rituparna
Kolkata

This neighborhood is the biryani hub of South Kolkata, with names such as Arsalan, Zeeshan, Zam Zam, Haji Saheb vying for your attention. My favorite among these is Arsalan - my friends and I would always order their mutton biryani and kababs. But, if you are looking for more economical options without compromising on quality or quantity, do try Saiqa. I love their beef biryani and beef bhuna. Note that the bhuna is rich in spice and oil.

Stayed at this property?

Hotel Bengal

Wifi Available

Address: 88/4 Fazlul Haque Sarani, Park Circus 7 Point , Opp Honda Showroom/Christ The King
3.36 km (2.1 mi) from Kalighat

Parking Restaurant Room service 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Terrace Non-smoking rooms Airport shuttle Business centre

4. Dden Vennell 2

Situated in the city’s heart, Dden Vennell 2 offers fabulous accommodation with easy access to many attractions, thanks to its proximity to the metro station. Some of the attractions include Kalighat Kali temple, Indian Museum, Gurusaday Museum, and Rabindra Sarobar.

Each room here is simply decorated, with comfortable bedding and furnishings. Guests staying here can enjoy continental breakfast daily. The hostel also features a seating area, where guests can mingle and have fun. WiFi, an ATM facility, and a 24-hour front desk are just some of the other amenities on offer here.

Stayed at this property?

Dden Vennell 2-homestay close to Metro

Wifi Available

Address: Boral banerjee para,near santi sangha club,Kolkata-154
8.69 km (5.4 mi) from Kalighat

24-HOUR FRONT DESK Airport shuttle Laundry Family rooms Ironing service Internet services Safety deposit box Tour desk

Kolkata Tour Guide

Nibedita Sen

Nibedita Sen

A hearty WELCOME to our page Happiness Activist. We are here to solve the problems of foreigners who come to explore India. Firstly, we suggest them to stop visiting the wonders and mundanes of social media advertisements about overrated traveling. We provide them the basic needs and guidelines that the audience requires when they first step into an unknown land which we have already explored. ... Read more

Tours by Nibedita

5. Backpackers Park (from USD 7)

Located near the Asiatic Society, Backpackers Park offers comfortable rooms that are perfect for solo travelers or a group of friends. This adults-only accommodation has rooms that come with a shared bathroom and a safety deposit box, where you can store your valuables. The property also provides ticketing service, concierge service, free internet, a front desk that operates for 24/7, a shared kitchen, a terrace, a barbecue area, and more. Each morning, guests can enjoy a delicious buffet or continental breakfast. The area that the property is located is popular for cycling, fishing, horse riding, etc. Some of the attractions nearby include Indian Museum, Eden Gardens, and Marble Palace, to name a few.

Tip from Trip101 local expert

The place is seven minutes away from Russell Street, which is one of the most iconic places in the city. The roadside vendors selling yummy sandwiches and a piping hot cup of cha (tea) are a must-try, especially if you are on a budget. When it comes to me, because I dig Chinese food, I love to visit Waldorf for a quiet lunch with the family - this restaurant serves the best chili pork and the ambiance is filled with the old-world charm of Kolkata. If you would like to try North Indian fare, you can head to Russel Punjabi Dhaba and relish a scrumptious plate of butter naan and chholey bhaturey, which is my favorite here. 

Stayed at this property?

Backpackers Park

Wifi Available

Address: Park Street 37 & 39 Karnani Mansion 2nd floor 18 & 20
3.82 km (2.4 mi) from Kalighat

Parking 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Tennis court Golf course (within 3 km) Garden Terrace Non-smoking rooms Fishing

Explore the beauty of Kolkata

An eclectic city in India’s state of West Bengal, Kolkata is filled with vibrancy. It is home to diverse cultures, natural beauty, and cultural attractions. Explore the real beauty and warmth of the city by staying at any of these backpacker hostels in Kolkata, India for an unforgettable vacation.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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This article has been endorsed by Kolkata local expert Sreeparna Chaudhury and 1 other(s)

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Born in Mumbai and brought up in Bangalore, India, Aarti is a full-time freelance writer by profession. She is a lover of everything the ‘blue dot’ offers—world cultures, off-the-beaten tracks,...Read more

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