Tourist and Travel Information of Kolkata

Getting to Kolkata

Kolkata also known as Calcutta (the official name until 2001) is the "cultural capital" of India and the capital of India until 1911 and now the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the third-most populous metropolitan area in India. The Port of Kolkata is India's oldest operating port and its sole major riverine port. The city, nicknamed the "City of Joy" is widely regarded for its educational and cultural heritage and six Nobel Laureates have been associated with the city.

For more details: https://www.wbtourism.gov.in/

Kolkata Airport, named as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, is located some 16 km (9.9 mi) north-east of the city center, operates domestic and international flights. The airport is a major center for flights to Northeast India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, and Southeast Asia. In 2014 and 2015, Kolkata Airport won the title of Best Improved Airport in the Asia-Pacific region awarded by the Airport Council International.

The ways to reach the Venue from the airport

Kolkata Airport is situated about 12 km from the Rajabazar Campus of the University of Calcutta, Salt Lake City in Kolkata. Approximate travel time from Kolkata Airport to the venue/nearby hotels is about 40 minutes. Please allow extra time during rush hour, inclement weather, and special events.

Climate

Kolkata is subject to a tropical wet-and-dry climate. The annual mean temperature is 26.8 C (80.2 F); monthly mean temperatures are 19-30 C (66-86 F). January, the coldest month, has temperatures varying from 12-23 C (54-73 F). The conference timing i.e. the winter is mild and very comfortable weather pertains over the city throughout this season.

Currency

The Indian rupee (currency code: INR) is the official currency of India. The rupee is subdivided into 100 paise (singular: paisa), though as of 2019, coin of denomination of 1 rupee is the lowest value in use. The issuance of the currency is controlled by the Reserve Bank of India. You can exchange money at authorized money exchange points at Kolkata Airport and many other money exchange points around Kolkata. The majority of establishments and ATMs will also accept credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners, etc.

Language

India is a vast and demographically varied country. There are 22 official languages of India. The people of Kolkata speaks in official language Bengali, sixth most spoken language in the world. The majority of habitants speak at least one other language like Hindi and English, therefor the English is widely spoken in Kolkata.

Time zone

Time zone in Kolkata, West Bengal is GMT+5:30.

Voltage

In India, the power sockets are of type C and D. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

Visitors from abroad

International Travel Information

CIEC24 welcomes visitors from around the world. We have compiled a list of resources to help make your travel and show experience as convenient and successful as possible.

Specific travel requirements for travelling to India can be found on the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs website.

For more information: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/

Letter of Invitation

A letter of invitation is provided only after you have completed registration for the conference and paid the conference registration fee. Such a letter may be needed to obtain a visa or permission to attend the meeting. If you require an invitation letter please contact the conference organizers via email: ciec2024@gmail.com. The letter will be provided by email.

The Conference cannot contact or intervene with any Embassy or Consulate office abroad on your behalf so please begin your visa application process as soon as you determine that you wish to attend CIEC24. Please provide as much information as possible to avoid delays in receiving your letter. You must register for the conference and pay in full before requesting an invitation letter.