Kolkata to Sundarban by Road

A road trip between Kolkata and Sundarbans is an adventure in itself to travelers who enjoy long drive and marvelous scenery. This is a trip through the busy little towns, the quiet villages and fields of green, just a couple of hours out of the city and then you come to the entrance to the most well-known mangrove forest in India. Travelling by road between Kolkata and Sundarban: here's all you need to know.

Distance and Route

There is no direct access to the Sundarbans via road since the center area is a water-bound delta. The driving distance, however, is that the last motorable point is Godkhali which is the main entrance to the forest area. Kolkata to Godkhali is approximately 100 kilometers and the trip takes about 3.5 to 4 hours based on road and traffic conditions.

The most common route is:

Kolkata-Baruipur-Canning-Godkhali.

This is a relatively easy path, and all through it, you will pass through suburban towns and rural scenic landscape, which will give you peek preview of the beauty of the countryside Bengal.

Driving Experience

A visit to Sundarbans is an invigorating adventure out of the city. As you move out of Kolkata, the highways slowly become village roads, paddle-fields, ponds, and a tea stall or two on the way. As you approach Godkhali, the more you feel the change in the urban noise to the rural calmness.

Travellers usually like to leave early in the morning to be able to avoid traffic and have a nice drive. These roads are generally well maintained with few bumps or narrow lanes along the way at some points, especially between Canning and the farther areas hence careful driving.

Transport Options

Personal Car or Self-Drive - Driving your own car or renting one is the best option in case you like being flexible. You have the opportunity of making tea breaks, visiting small towns and travelling at your own pace.

Cabbies / Taxi Services- In case you do not want to drive, having a cab picked in Kolkata to Godkhali is easy. Most tour operators offer Sundarban package tours on the use of private AC vehicles as well.

Bus Services - There are State and also privately operated bus services up to Canning, but beyond this point, a hired vehicle is normally necessary, to Godkhali.

To Sundarbans After Godkhali.

On reaching Godkhali, your journey on the road is over and the water adventure commences. Here you are ferried by motorboats and launches deep into the mangrove creeks and river channels. This is where the Sundarban tour package magic works out, in seeing some exotic birds, deer, crocodiles and hopefully the Royal Bengal Tiger.

Final Thoughts

One of the toughest ways to start with your journey is in Kolkata to Sundarban trip by road. The motivation itself is mood-inducing, providing you with hints of rural Bengal, then setting you on a boat which guides to the wilderness. Self-driving, employing a taxi, or joining a guided tour: road trip to Sundarbans can be considered an unforgettable experience that makes the whole adventure even more fulfilling.