Kolkata to Murshidabad Cab: Hazarduari Day Trip Guide

A Kolkata to Murshidabad cab covers roughly 200 km one way and takes about 4.5 to 5.5 hours depending on which route you take and the traffic out of the city. Murshidabad, the old capital of the Nawabs of Bengal, sits on the banks of the Bhagirathi river and is best known for the grand Hazarduari Palace with its “thousand doors” — a comfortable full-day round trip from Kolkata if you start early.

Because Murshidabad is too far for a relaxed return the same evening if you leave late, most travellers book a private cab, leave Kolkata by 6 to 7 AM, spend the middle of the day exploring the monuments around Lalbagh, and drive back by nightfall. Below you will find the realistic distances, route choices, indicative fares, a sample itinerary and the specific sights worth your time.

Distance, drive time and routes from Kolkata

There are two practical road routes from Kolkata to Murshidabad (the monuments cluster around Lalbagh and Berhampore):

• Via NH12 (the old NH34) through Krishnanagar and Berhampore — about 200 km, 4.5 to 5.5 hours. This is the most direct and commonly used route, passing Bethuadahari and Plassey (Palashi), the historic 1757 battlefield.
• Via Bardhaman and Katwa — slightly longer at around 215 to 225 km but sometimes smoother in stretches; useful if NH12 is congested near Krishnanagar.

Most drivers take NH12. The road is largely four-lane with single-lane town stretches through Berhampore, so the last 20 to 25 km into Lalbagh can be slow. Plan a tea-and-toilet break around Krishnanagar (famous for clay dolls and sarbhaja sweets), roughly the halfway mark.

Indicative cab fares (2026)

For Murshidabad most people choose a full-day outstation round trip rather than a one-way drop, since you need the car waiting while you sightsee. Fares depend on car type, the number of days, and whether you stay overnight. The ranges below are indicative for a same-day return covering roughly 420 to 450 km of running.

These typically include fuel and driver. Toll, parking, any state taxes and driver night-halt (if you stay over) are usually extra. A one-night, two-day package costs more because of an additional day’s running and the halt charge. Fares vary by season, traffic, fuel rates and the exact car, so confirm the final quote before you travel. For a precise figure on your dates, see our outstation cab rates or simply book your Murshidabad cab now.

What to see in Murshidabad

Hazarduari Palace and Nizamat Kila

The headline attraction is Hazarduari Palace, built in the 1830s for Nawab Nazim Humayun Jah and designed by Colonel Duncan McLeod in the Italianate style. Its name means “thousand doors” — many of them false, designed to confuse intruders. Today it is a museum run by the Archaeological Survey of India, with around 20 galleries of armoury, paintings, palanquins, ivory and the famous chandeliers. It usually stays open from morning to around 5 PM and is closed on Fridays, so avoid planning your trip on a Friday. Right beside it stand the towering Nizamat Imambara (one of the largest in India) and the Bacchawali Tope, a massive old cannon.

Katra Masjid, Kathgola and the gardens

• Katra Masjid — the brick mosque and tomb of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan, the founder of Murshidabad, with its distinctive corner towers.
• Kathgola Palace and Gardens — a Jain temple complex and Adinath temple set in pleasant grounds, popular for its serene atmosphere.
• Hazarduari clock tower and the river ghats — the Bhagirathi riverfront near the palace is lovely in the late afternoon.

Jahankosha, Khoshbagh and Motijheel

• Jahan Kosha Cannon — a colossal 17th-century cannon, one of the heaviest of its kind.
• Khoshbagh — across the river, the quiet garden cemetery where Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah is buried; reached by a short boat crossing.
• Motijheel (Pearl Lake) — an oxbow lake with a small palace site, good for an evening stroll.

Sample one-day itinerary

A realistic same-day plan if you leave Kolkata by 6 AM:

If this feels rushed — and Murshidabad genuinely rewards a slower pace — consider an overnight stay in Berhampore or Lalbagh and turn it into a two-day trip. A guided multi-day version is also available through our Kolkata tour packages.

Best time to visit

October to March is the ideal window, with pleasant daytime temperatures of about 18 to 28 degrees Celsius for walking around open monuments and gardens. Avoid the peak summer months of April to June, when temperatures cross 38 degrees and the open palace grounds become uncomfortable. The monsoon (July to September) makes the riverfront green but the boat crossing to Khoshbagh can be affected by high water. The Bera Festival, around the end of the rainy season, lights up the river with floating rafts and is a memorable time to be there.

Local tips for the drive

• Start by 6 to 7 AM to beat Kolkata’s morning traffic and reach Lalbagh before midday heat.
• Hazarduari is closed on Fridays — plan any other day.
• Carry cash for museum tickets, boat fares and parking; small towns have limited card acceptance.
• Murshidabad silk and Baluchari sarees are famous — Islampur and the local weavers are worth a stop if shopping interests you.
• Hire a local guide near the palace gate for context on the Nawabi history; it greatly improves the visit.
• If you also want airport pickup the same day, arrange it in advance through our Kolkata airport taxi service.

A private cab is by far the most comfortable way to do Murshidabad — the public train and bus options exist but eat into your limited sightseeing hours and leave you dependent on local autos between the scattered monuments. With a dedicated car, the driver waits while you explore at your own pace. Ready to go? Book your Kolkata to Murshidabad cab and pick your preferred car type and travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Murshidabad from Kolkata by road?

Murshidabad (the monuments are near Lalbagh and Berhampore) is about 200 km from Kolkata via NH12 through Krishnanagar and Berhampore. The drive takes roughly 4.5 to 5.5 hours one way depending on traffic out of the city and through Berhampore town.

How much does a Kolkata to Murshidabad cab cost?

For a same-day round trip, indicative 2026 fares are about Rs 5,500 to 7,000 for a hatchback, Rs 6,500 to 8,500 for a sedan and Rs 8,500 to 12,000 for an SUV, usually including fuel and driver. Toll, parking and any taxes are extra. Fares vary by season, traffic and car type.

Can Murshidabad be done as a day trip from Kolkata?

Yes, if you leave Kolkata by 6 to 7 AM you can comfortably see Hazarduari Palace, the Imambara, Katra Masjid and a few other sights and return the same night by around 10 to 10:30 PM. For a relaxed pace, an overnight stay turns it into a more enjoyable two-day trip.

Is Hazarduari Palace open every day?

No. Hazarduari Palace museum is closed on Fridays and typically stays open from morning until around 5 PM on other days. Plan your trip on any day except Friday, and carry cash for the entry tickets.

What is the best time to visit Murshidabad?

October to March is best, with pleasant 18 to 28 degree weather for walking around the open monuments. Avoid the hot summer months of April to June. The Bera Festival around the close of the monsoon is a special time on the river.