The main scam at CCU
Only use Uber/Ola or the official Prepaid Taxi Booth. Kolkata airport taxi scams target foreign arrivals.
Do
- Use the OFFICIAL prepaid taxi counter inside arrivals
- Use Uber / Grab / Bolt / Careem / DiDi if available (app-based, fixed price)
- Insist on the meter or agreed fixed rate BEFORE entering the vehicle
- Verify the driver's license plate matches your receipt
- Pre-book a transfer for zero scam risk (see below)
Don't
- Never accept rides from drivers approaching you inside arrivals
- Never enter a taxi without confirming meter/price first
- Avoid taxi ranks OUTSIDE the official signposted zone
- Do not pay in cash without seeing the meter reading
- Never hand over your passport or luggage to hold as "security"
Official safe options at CCU
Uber / Ola
ride share
Cost: INR 300-500 ($3.60-6)
Time: 45-90 min (heavy traffic)
Both widely available. Traffic can be extreme in Kolkata.
Prepaid taxi (yellow Ambassador)
taxi
Cost: INR 400-700 ($5-8)
Time: 45-90 min
Only use the government prepaid kiosk. Yellow Ambassadors are the classic Kolkata cab.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer — zero scam risk
The safest option for first-time visitors to Kolkata: driver meets you inside arrivals with your name, price locked before you fly, no queues, no negotiation.
Getting out of Kolkata (CCU)
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
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Full Kolkata airport transport guide
All transport options compared: metro, bus, taxi, ride-share, shuttle.
See full transport guide →Frequently asked
How do I avoid taxi scams at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport?
Only use Uber/Ola or the official Prepaid Taxi Booth. Kolkata airport taxi scams target foreign arrivals.
What is the official taxi rank at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport?
The official Kolkata airport taxi options are: Uber / Ola (INR 300-500 ($3.60-6), 45-90 min (heavy traffic)); Prepaid taxi (yellow Ambassador) (INR 400-700 ($5-8), 45-90 min).
Is Uber safer than a taxi at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport?
App-based ride-share (Uber, Grab, Careem, Bolt or similar depending on region) is generally the safest option for tourists at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport — pricing is locked before pickup, no negotiation, driver + vehicle details are recorded. If ride-share is unavailable, use the OFFICIAL prepaid taxi counter inside arrivals (not lobby touts).
Should I pre-book a transfer from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport?
Pre-booking a fixed-price airport transfer eliminates all scam risk: no queues, no negotiation, driver meets you inside arrivals with your name. Price is locked before you fly. This is the most tourist-friendly option, especially for first-time visitors to Kolkata.