How To Reach Murshidabad

Located on the eastern bank of River Hoogly, a tributary of River Ganges, is the small town of Murshidabad in the state of West Bengal. Murshidabad features prominently in the history of 18th century Bengal when it was the capital of Bengal Subah under the Mughal dynasty for over seventy years. It enjoyed a jurisdiction that stretched across West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and modern-day Bangladesh. Following the defeat of the last Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daullah, Murshidabad lost its place of glory and became a district in British Presidency. Today it enjoys its status as a place of historical importance and has become a favorite weekend haunt for people from Kolkata and neighboring areas. It is fairly easily accessible; here's how to reach Murshidabad.

Murshidabad district does not have an airport connectivity and has to depend on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Dum Dum, Kolkata for access by air. Kolkata airport is well connected with most cities in the country and some of the eastern and south-eastern countries of Asia as well. There are large number of flights operated by private and public carriers regularly in and out of Kolkata. From the airport, it is a four drive to Murshidabad. Tourists can take a cab or a bus to reach Murshidabad. Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport in Durgapur which is a newly inaugurated airport is now closest to Murshidabad but is yet to enjoy the kind of air connectivity which Kolkata airport enjoys.

Murshidabad however enjoys rail connectivity with Kolkata and the rest of the country. It has its own railway station, namely, the Murshidabad Railway Station. It lies on the Sealdah-Ranaghta-Krishnanagar-Berhampore-Lalgola line in West Bengal. Bhagirathi Express, Hazarduari Express, Dhanodhanya Express are some of the popular trains that operate in and out of Murshidabad. For those traveling to Murshidabad from outside the state can take a connecting train from Sealdah to reach Murshidabad. Local transports are available outside the station to ferry people to their respective destinations in Murshidabad.

Murshidabad also enjoys great road connectivity with important neighboring towns and the capital city of Kolkata owing to the famous Grand Trunk Road. Murshidabad is located about 200 km from Kolkata, 164 km from Durgapur, 177 km from Asansol and 39 km from Kandi. The West Bengal State Road Transport Corporation (WBSRTC) and private carrier have buses plying regularly between different towns, Kolkata and Murshidabad. It is a four drive from Kolkata to Murshidabad. Many people also prefer to drive down in their cars to reach Murshidabad.

Commuting within Murshidabad town is not tough. Intercity traveling is pretty easy as it is primarily state-run. Cars and cabs are easily available for sightseeing and for exploring the areas in and around Murshidabad. There are also buses to help people move around. In recent times with an increase in the number of tourists, there are more hotels in the town than there used to be previously. These hotels can also arrange transportation for you upon request at extra charge and also organize guided tours for the tourists. Local transport is, however, cheaper and available at regular intervals.