London to Kolkata

The historical city of London was built from the ground up by the Romans, going on to become a cultural, financial, and entertainment hub over the years. In the present day, London is regarded as one of the world’s cultural capitals. There is a list of things to love about London, including some of the world’s most interesting architecture, fashion, and nightlife. London is a true cosmopolitan city. The city and its population are well renowned for their resilience, for withstanding plagues, fires, and wars. The spirit of the city’s inhabitants has remained strong, making it a rich, historical site and a visit to the city is a cultural experience. The city had been given a lot of names before being called London; the Anglo-Saxon names include Londonium, Ludenwic, and Ludenburg. It has been ranked as the sixth most expensive city in the world to live in; most people come here to explore the city through their travels, and vicariously live off in the city’s energetic bustle.

How to reach London

By Air – The main airport in London is the Heathrow Airport. National carriers and other airlines operate flights to London from major international cities. The following airlines operate direct flights to London: American Airlines, Air France, Air Canada, Etihad Airways, British Midland International Airways, China Southern Airlines, Air China, and Jet Airways. There are six international airports in London.

By Train – The British Rail Network connects London to other cities in the country. The city also has linkages by train to other cities in Europe, such as Paris, Brussels, Berlin, and Amsterdam. The Eurostar Service connects London to Paris and Brussels, its terminus and operational point being the St. Pancras International Station, the exteriors of which was portrayed as the station in the Harry Potter series where Harry and his schoolmates board the train to Hogwarts.

By Road – One can drive to London by crossing international borders from anywhere in Europe. The English Channel can be crossed via the Euro Tunnel, which connects France to the UK with an underwater train link. Even cars and buses can get on board the train. It takes 35 minutes to go across the channel. Internally, all cities in the UK are well connected to London through a series of highways. The roads make up for beautiful, picturesque views of the English countryside.

What to do in London

London is a city that is rich in culture, history, and heritage. According to statistics, about 16 million people visited London in 2014, making it the most-visited city in the world.

London has something to offer to everyone. There is easy connectivity to other cities in Europe as well as within the UK. The Euro Tunnel is one of its kinds, and should be a must-do on your list of places to visit. If you’re a budget traveller, you may also go about London by means of the efficient train system in the city, the Underground. Here are the top things, among many, to see in London:

Hyde Park

Westminster

Camden

London Eye

SoHo

Shoreditch: Trapeze Bar

Hampstead Heath

BFI (The British Film Institute)

Thames (on a Cruise)

Baker Street

Brixton Academy

The O2

Brick Lane, London Street art

Chinatown

Electric Avenue

Piccadilly Circus

Oxford Street

Leicester Square

The National Gallery on Trafalgar square

Harrods

Platform 9 ¾, King’s Cross, London

Natural History Museum, London

Bond Street

The Buckingham Palace

The Waterloo Bridge

Major Airports in and near London

There are six main airports in London: London City, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Luton, London Southend, and London Stansted. Among these, Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted are the busier ones, with more than 100 airlines from the Heathrow Airport alone, operating flight to London and from the city. London houses a few of the world’s busiest airports and hence has air-rail links to them by means of express trains, the Heathrow Express, Stansted Express, and Gatwick Express. All international flights to London land here.

MakeMyTrip offers a wide range of flights to London, over 900 flights to London on a daily basis from all over the world. From India, flights operate from cities like Udaipur, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. One can easily use the MakeMyTrip website to book a flight to London or from London, with the major airport being a hub to domestic and international airlines. MakeMyTrip flights to London can be availed at highly discounted rates during festivals and off seasons.

Kolkata is one of the oldest cities in India which is known for its deep rooted culture and rich historical backdrops. Placed on the banks of Hooghly River, this ancient city was earlier called as 'Calcutta'. Due to its historical past, the city is awarded as ‘Cultural Capital of India’, 'the City of Processions' and 'City of Joy'. Kolkata is the capital city of Indian state of West Bengal and has also served as the capital of the country until 1911. The metropolis is known for two major things, one is 'Communist stronghold' and other is the madness for cricket. Kolkata is famous as the birthplace of many famous personalities like Rabindranath Tagore (the noblest) and Satyajit Ray (the Bharat Ratan). The city also has deep values for Catholics and other communities as Mother Teresa took her last breath here. Moving in and around the city, you will get a glimpse of India's past and present through its architectural buildings. To add more memorable moments in your life, Kolkata has many beautiful and breathtaking places in the way of Fort William, Victoria Memorial, Eden Gardens (Stadium), Birla Planetarium, Howrah Bridge, Marble Palace, Writer's Building, Nicco Park, Saheed Minar and National Library. Beside its attractions, Kolkata is also famous for its variety of lip smacking foods and warm hospitality. If you are a shopping freak, then, you can find number of markets to buy some traditional things. The fish market near the beautiful Hooghly River is quite famous not just in India but also throughout the world. A visit to the city during Durga Puja will enhance your enjoyment. The months from October to March are considered as the best period to visit the city as during this time, the climate remains pleasant. Being one of the largest cities in India, Kolkata is well connected to different parts of world. You can book your flight tickets to Kolkata from any corner of the world via MakeMyTrip.com which is a leading travel portal. Here on this dedicated portal, you can also enjoy some heavy discounts on your bookings.