Howrah Railway Station Guide: Platforms, Hotels AndTravel Tips

Last updated: 29 October 2026 · Independent guide, not affiliated with IRCTC or Indian Railways.

Howrah railway station (Howrah Junction, code HWH) is the main terminus of Kolkata on the west bank of the Hooghly river, run mainly by Eastern Railway. It has roughly 23 platforms split between an old and a new complex, one of the highest platform counts in India. It connects to the Kolkata Metro Green Line, a ferry ghat and the Howrah Bridge. It is also searched as Howrah Jn, Howrah station and Howrah Terminal.

Best tip: know your complex. Walking between the old and new platforms can take 10 to 15 minutes at busy times, so confirm your platform before you head in.

Illustration of a cantilever-style bridge with a train crossing at dusk beside a red station building, titled Howrah Railway Station guide

In this guide

Howrah railway station at a glance
How to reach Howrah station
Station facilities
Platforms and layout
Key and popular trains
Howrah or Sealdah?
Where to stay near Howrah
Shopping nearby
Places to visit nearby
Food nearby
Safety, scams and tips
For international travellers
Accessibility
Frequently asked questions

Howrah is the station most people picture when they think of Kolkata: a vast red terminus beside the Hooghly, with the Howrah Bridge at its doorstep and trains leaving for almost every part of the country. It is old, crowded and full of character, and it has recently gained a very modern neighbour in the deep Green Line metro station beneath it. This guide shows you how to get in, how to find your train, where to sleep and what to do with a few spare hours.

Howrah railway station at a glance

Detail	What to know
Official name and code	Howrah Junction (Howrah railway station), HWH
Zone	Eastern Railway (Howrah division); some trains from the newer complex are South Eastern Railway services
Location	Howrah, on the west bank of the Hooghly river, opposite central Kolkata
Platforms	About 23 to 24 depending on the source; reportedly about 22 in use. Old complex and new complex.
Opened	The first public train ran on 15 August 1854. The present building dates from 1905 and was designed by Halsey Ricardo, according to Wikipedia.
Passengers	Sources give figures from "more than a million" to about 1.8 million a day, so treat it as well over a million.
Metro	Howrah metro station, Green Line (opened March 2024), beneath the railway station
Other links	Howrah ferry ghat, bus terminus and Howrah Bridge
Nearest airport	Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, across the city. Allow plenty of time for the road trip.
Best for	Long-distance trains to Delhi, Mumbai, Odisha, north Bengal and beyond

How to reach Howrah station

By metro

The Howrah station on the Green Line sits beneath the railway station, connected by a subway to both the old and new complexes. It is reported to be about 34 m deep, and one side of the line runs in a tunnel under the Hooghly river towards Mahakaran. For fares and timings use the Kolkata Metro's official channels.

By taxi, app cab or bus

Taxis and app cabs cross the Howrah Bridge to reach the station. The bridge can be very slow at peak hours, so allow extra time. The Howrah bus terminus is beside the station.

By ferry

Ferries run between the Howrah ghat and ghats on the Kolkata side. They are cheap and avoid bridge traffic, but check services and timings first.

From the airport

The airport is on the far side of the city, so use an app cab or prepaid taxi and allow generous time, particularly in the evening. Do not plan a tight connection on a rush-hour road trip.

Station facilities at Howrah

Facilities are being upgraded, so confirm on arrival.

Facility	What to know
Retiring rooms and dormitory	Eastern Railway suspended these services on 28 February 2025 for renovation, "until further notice". We could not confirm that they have reopened, so check IRCTC or the station before you rely on them.
Lounges and waiting halls	Covered waiting areas, an air-conditioned first-class waiting area and an executive lounge in the old complex are reported. Rules and prices vary.
Cloakroom	A cloakroom is available; one guide places it on Platform 1. Check hours and charges at the counter.
Wi-Fi	Free Wi-Fi is listed. Signal is weaker in busy areas.
Ticketing	Reservation counters, unreserved counters and ticket machines. Online booking: see our IRCTC booking guide.
ATMs, first aid, pharmacy	Reported near the main areas, but check on arrival.
Rail museum	The Regional Rail Museum is listed at the station.
Security	RPF and police presence, with CCTV. Stay alert for touts.

If you need a bed

Because the retiring rooms were suspended, a hotel is the safer plan for a long layover. See the hotels section below, and if you do find a room available through IRCTC, our customer care page can help with queries.

Platforms and layout

Old complex: the lower-numbered platforms, mainly Eastern Railway trains including long-distance mail and express services and suburban trains.
New complex: the higher-numbered platforms, used for many long-distance trains from South Eastern Railway.

Platform numbers are not always consistent between sources, so ignore any guide that promises a fixed platform for a train. Use the display boards, announcements, NTES, or our coach position and platform guide. For chart and seat status see the online reservation chart and PNR status guides.

Allow walking time: platforms at opposite ends of the station can be 10 to 15 minutes apart on foot at busy times, and the subways and overbridges get crowded in the evening.

Key and popular trains from Howrah

These are well-known services listed for Howrah. Timings, frequencies and platforms change, so check them on NTES, the IRCTC app or our live train status guide.

Type	Examples	Destination
Vande Bharat	22895/22896; 22301/22302	Puri; New Jalpaiguri (Siliguri region)
Rajdhani	12301 and 12305 (Howrah Rajdhani Express)	New Delhi
Shatabdi	12277/12278	Puri
Duronto	12273	New Delhi
Mail and express	Poorva Express 12303 and 12381; Howrah Mail 12810 and Gitanjali Express 12860 (towards Mumbai CSMT); Netaji Express 13051	New Delhi, Mumbai, Kalka
Amrit Bharat	13065	Anand Vihar Terminal, Delhi

Number pairs run in opposite directions, so use the number printed on your ticket.

Popular destinations from Howrah

Destination	Example trains	Approximate journey
Puri	Shatabdi 12277; Vande Bharat 22895	About 6 to 8 hours (Vande Bharat around 6 hours 20 minutes)
New Jalpaiguri	Vande Bharat 22301	Around 7.5 hours
New Delhi	Rajdhani 12301 and 12305; Duronto 12273	Roughly 17 to 22 hours
Mumbai	Gitanjali, Howrah Mail	Long journey of well over a day

For exact schedules use the train schedule and seat availability guide. Reservations open 60 days ahead, so check dates with our booking date checker, and read the Tatkal booking guide for last-minute tickets.

Redevelopment note: in October 2026 Eastern Railway invited bids for a feasibility study on redeveloping the station area, which could bring a multi-storey complex, a skywalk and improved subways. Platform extension work for longer trains has also been reported. Nothing here is final, so expect changes in signage and walking routes over the next few years.

A little history

Howrah's first public train ran on 15 August 1854, and the red-brick building you see today dates from 1905. The terminus has grown in stages, with a newer complex added later and extended again, which is why it feels like two stations in one. Knowing that helps when you are trying to work out which side your train will use.

Howrah or Sealdah? Which Kolkata station is your train from?

Station	Where	Notes
Howrah (HWH)	West bank of the Hooghly	Main terminus: Howrah Rajdhani, Duronto, Shatabdi, Vande Bharat and many express trains.
Sealdah (SDAH)	Kolkata side	The Sealdah Rajdhani 12313, the Sampark Kranti 12329 and the Jallianwala Bagh Express are listed from Sealdah.
Santragachi (SRC) and Chitpur	Outer Howrah and north Kolkata	Some trains start from these stations, for example 22857 from Santragachi.

Quick check: if the boarding station on your ticket says HWH, this guide is for you.

Where to stay near Howrah railway station

These hotels are listed by booking sites near the station. Distances are approximate and converted from the listing, so check the map, current rates and recent reviews before you book.

Budget (around the station)

The Ashoka Hotel Howrah: about 0.4 km away, roughly a 9-minute walk.
The Urban Deo GH: around 1 km.
Hotel O Howrah Railway Station: around 1.1 km.

Mid-range (across the river)

Polo Floatel Kolkata: listed about 1.9 km away.
Collection O Dalhousie Square (formerly G.N Palace): about 1.9 km, in the Dalhousie area.

Upscale

The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata: listed about 1.9 km away, near Dalhousie.

Booking tips: stay on the Howrah side for early trains, or across the river if you want to sightsee. Carry your passport and visa or other photo ID. If your train is cancelled, see our cancellation and refund guide.

Shopping near Howrah station

Central Kolkata is a market city. New Market, on the Kolkata side, is a historic covered market that includes the old Nahoum & Sons bakery. Bengali sweets and sarees are common buys. I could not verify specific malls near the station, so search for current ones before you travel and plan them as a separate trip.

Places to visit near Howrah station

Place	Approx. distance	Why go
Howrah Bridge	At the main entrance	The famous bridge over the Hooghly, lovely at night
Esplanade and Park Street	About 3 km	City centre, cafes and restaurants
Belur Math	About 6 km north, per one guide	Riverside temple complex
Botanical Gardens and the Great Banyan Tree	About 3 km south, per one guide	Famous large banyan canopy in Shibpur
Vidyasagar Setu	Nearby	Cable-stayed bridge over the Hooghly

If you have 6 hours between trains

Leave your bags at the cloakroom, walk to the Howrah Bridge for views, then cross by metro or taxi to the Esplanade and Park Street for lunch. Return by metro or ferry, collect your bags and be at your platform 45 to 60 minutes before departure. Add extra buffer for the bridge traffic.

Food near Howrah station

Nizam's (Hogg Street, near New Market): credited with inventing the kati roll.
Flury's (Park Street): a Swiss-style tearoom serving since 1927.
Peter Cat (Park Street): known for chelo kebab.
Kewpie's Kitchen: Bengali thali dining.
Ganguram: a well-known sweetshop with several branches, for rosogulla and mishti doi.

The station has a food court and platform stalls. Opening hours change, so check before you go.

Safety, scams and tips

Verify announcements. Ignore anyone who says your train is cancelled or changed. Check boards, NTES or the IRCTC app.
Use licensed porters and prepaid taxis. Agree on the price first.
Avoid unofficial helpers who offer to get you a ticket or a berth.
Watch the crowds at the subways and overbridges, especially in the evening.
Keep valuables and ID close.

Never share OTPs or passwords. For account help use our IRCTC login guide or official channels.

For international travellers

Book before you arrive. See how to book IRCTC tickets from abroad and set up your account with the registration guide.
Carry your passport and visa for hotels and ID checks.
Use the metro or a cab app for a predictable ride.
Compare apps: see our IRCTC alternatives list.

Accessibility

Wikipedia marks the station as accessible, but I could not verify the current lifts, ramps and wheelchair arrangements, so check on arrival. For help call the Railways helpline 139 or ask station staff, and plan extra time for the long walks between complexes.

Frequently asked questions about Howrah railway station

What is the Howrah railway station code and which zone is it in?

Howrah Junction is coded HWH and is operated mainly by Eastern Railway, with some long-distance trains from the newer complex run by South Eastern Railway. It stands on the west bank of the Hooghly river, opposite central Kolkata. Do not confuse it with Sealdah (SDAH), which is a separate Kolkata station on the other side.

How many platforms does Howrah station have?

Sources differ. Wikipedia lists 24 platforms and some guides say 23, with Platform 16 reportedly not in use, so roughly 22 are operational. They are split between an old complex (low numbers) and a newer complex (higher numbers). Check your platform on the display boards or NTES, because numbers change at short notice.

What are the old and new complexes at Howrah?

Howrah has an old complex with the lower-numbered platforms and a newer complex with the higher numbers, linked by subways and overbridges. Guides say the old complex mainly handles Eastern Railway trains and the new complex handles many South Eastern Railway long-distance trains. Allow 10 to 15 minutes to walk between them at busy times.

Is there a metro at Howrah railway station?

Yes. Howrah metro station is on Kolkata Metro's Green Line and was opened in March 2024. It is built beneath the railway station, is reported to be about 34 m deep, and runs under the Hooghly river towards Mahakaran. A subway links it to the old and new rail complexes.

Are retiring rooms available at Howrah station?

Eastern Railway suspended retiring room and dormitory services at Howrah on 28 February 2025 for renovation, until further notice. We could not confirm whether they have reopened, so check IRCTC or the station before you rely on them. An IRCTC lounge with air-conditioned rooms was mentioned as an alternative at the time.

Is there a cloakroom at Howrah station?

Yes, the station has a cloakroom, and one guide places it on Platform 1. Opening hours and charges are revised from time to time, so confirm them at the counter. Carry a valid ticket and photo ID, keep your receipt safe, and expect bags to be checked before they are accepted.

What is the difference between Howrah and Sealdah stations?

Howrah (HWH) is on the west bank of the Hooghly and serves many long-distance trains, while Sealdah (SDAH) is on the Kolkata side and serves trains such as the Sealdah Rajdhani and others heading north and east. Always check the boarding station on your ticket before you leave for the station.

Do Delhi Rajdhani trains leave from Howrah?

Yes, some do. Rajdhani Express services 12301 and 12305 run from Howrah to New Delhi, while the Rajdhani 12313 runs from Sealdah. Journey times in public listings range from about 17 hours to 20 hours depending on the train. Confirm the origin station and timings on IRCTC before you book.

Which hotels are near Howrah railway station?

Booking sites list The Ashoka Hotel Howrah, The Urban Deo GH and Hotel O Howrah Railway Station within roughly a kilometre of the station. Polo Floatel, Collection O Dalhousie Square and The LaLiT Great Eastern lie across the river at a little under two kilometres. Check current rates and recent reviews.

How far is the Howrah Bridge from the station?

The Howrah Bridge is right beside the station, by the main entrance, and is a short walk. It links Howrah with central Kolkata and is especially photogenic when lit at night. Traffic over the bridge is heavy at peak hours, so consider the metro or a ferry for crossing the river.

Is Howrah station being redeveloped?

A redevelopment is being planned. In October 2026 Eastern Railway invited bids for a feasibility study that would look at a multi-storey complex, a skywalk and improved subways. Platform extension work for longer trains has also been reported. Expect changes in the coming years and check for announcements before big trips.

Final thoughts

Howrah rewards a little preparation. Know your complex, allow time for the bridge and the walking, and use the metro or ferry if you can. If you have spare hours, the Howrah Bridge and Park Street are an easy, memorable way to fill them.

More station guides: also read our New Delhi railway station guide and the Ahmedabad railway station guide.

Keep exploring on My IRCTC

Sources and further reading

Disclaimer: myIRCTC.co.in is an independent information portal and is not affiliated with IRCTC or Indian Railways. Facilities, timings, fares, hotel listings and train details change often. Confirm important details on the official IRCTC website, NTES or at the station before you travel.