The Best Train between Nabadwip and Kolkata is the 'Malda Intercity Express'

Firsthand notes originally by Madhavananda Prabhu of USA,
updated 6 February 2008.


This train goes from Howrah (Kolkata's main station) to Malda, and the other way, daily except Sundays. It has recently been running on bank holidays.

(Howrah to Nabadwip) leaving Howrah at 3:10 p.m.
and:
(Nabadwip to Howrah) leaving Nabadwip at 10:25 a.m.

This is a reserved seat train. The seats are similar to airline seats with comfortable padding and fold-down food tables. Actual travel time on the train is about two hours. Fellow passengers are mostly well-to-do Indians. The coaches are clean and have toilets. Luggage space is limited: only an overhead rack and whatever you can keep at your feet.

2nd class non A/C costs 67 rupees each way (as of February 2008).
A/C is available. A/C is Rs. 215.

The 'up' train usually leaves from platform 3 or 4 in Howrah (ask 3 people). It arrives empty in Howrah early and should be at the platform by 3:00. Its scheduled departure time in 3:10 P.M.

The 'down' train stops in Nabadwip for only a minute or two so be ready to board quickly. The particular coach you want generally seems to stop just slightly to the left of the platform entrance gate but it is best to check with station master. It's good to know approximately where your coach will stop so you don't have to run the length of the train at the last minute.

The only downside of these trains is that you need a reserved ticket and it must be purchased in advance. If you purchase a regular Express Ticket from the regular counters you *may* be able to upgrade it on the train by paying the difference in fare -- or you may be shunted down to the general carriage where you have no guarantee of a seat or even much in the way of standing space....

If you don't have a ticket, from Nabadwip to Howrah it is best to arrive at Nabadwip station by 10:00 A.M. The Nabadwip reserved ticket window is way around on right side of ticket building. Get a reservation form, fill it up and stand in the queue.

For Howrah to Nabadwip, in our experience it can take 45 minutes or so in line to get tickets in Howrah for the up train. Showing up at Howrah by 2:00 might not be unreasonable, or even having someone go to Howrah in the morning to get tickets. Advance reservations a day or more before can be made at any computerised ticket office.

The correct ticket window in Howrah for the on-the-day ticket purchase is: from outside the old Howrah Station, face the station and go to the far left, to the entrance with a large blue sign above it: "Current Reservations." If you are inside the station, then face the front main exit (with the trains behind you). The booking office is off to the right, right in the corner beneath a sign that says "Medicine" where you enter another small room separate from the main station hall. There you will find a number of windows. Ask for a reservation form and try to fill it up before reaching the front of the line. If someone is getting tickets for a number of people they need all passengers' names and ages. They stop issuing tickets 15 minutes before the train departs.

Good luck, and please keep us informed if you find any of this information needs updating.

—Madhavananda Das and the Office Team
Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip

(Info updated 6 February 2008)


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Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip
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