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A cycle is pretty much a necessity within campus, especially if you don't want to pay for toto everyday. Most days, you'd sped 6-7 km on a cycle as the classroom complex itself is about 3 km from Boys hostel, one way. Even the girls hostel isn't that close (1.5-2km one way).
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So where do you get a cycle? As I see it, you have 5 options :
Buy in Campus : The most convenient option. However prices will be more than the other options, and the quality of the cycle isn't as reliable. Make sure you buy after checking with some people about the quality there. That being said, maintenance & repair become the easiest with this option.
Buy nearby : There are also shops outside campus, which have slightly cheaper prices. Quality varies. But do note for major repairs/warranty, you might have to take your cycle there. (Not for smaller issues)
Order Online : You can order online on various websites, and these will usually be delivered to you within a week max. The cycle will be disassembled, and you will have to build it (or you can give it to cycle shop, who will assemble it for a few hundred rupees). Prices are obviously cheaper, and quality can be good if you buy from the right place.
Bring from Home : Of course, you can bring a cycle you bought at your place, or that you own. This is easy to do by railways, since you can put in the cargo for the whole ride to KGP.
Get from senior : 2nd hand cycles. These are often the cheapest option, for obvious reasons. Do realize that you'll be using this cycle for 4 years, so getting it 2nd hand, while cheaper, might not be the best option for maintenance or comfort.
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So what should you buy then?
If you're buying a normal cycle (non-electric), this would be my personal recommendation : Name brands, Gears if you want (Optional), Preferably disc brakes for easier maintenance, Thinner tyres - 25mm or so (most roads are paved, and thicker tyres have more resistance. That being said, on rainy days, these are a good option). Suspension optional. Anything above 10K is costly, and these usually come to 6-8K.
You can also buy an electric cycle, i.e. a cycle with a battery. These are mainly available online, and the cheapest ones start at 20-25K. These batteries can be recharged in your room, and good ones last for 30+ km, so you'd usually only need to do them weekly. And depending on the model, you also have the option of using it to boost your cycling, instead of completely providing the power.
If you're planning to use Toto daily (at say an estimate of 60-80 rs per day), electric cycles become worth it in 2-3 years itself. Of course, you wouldn't get the protection from the elements that a Toto provides, but if that matters is up to you (See Weather ).
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And what about maintenance?
Depending on the quality, you might have to do it every week for the first few months, to get all the kinks worked out. Common issues are loose steering, weak/no brakes, loose seats, chain-problems and such. More complicated issues are usually covered by warranty from the shop you bought, but this varies from place to place.
However for simpler repairs (Air, tightening stuff, etc.), ones without materials, are done for free in your hall (LBS) after registering your cycle. Maintenance, like cleaning & oiling might be charged there.
These are the campus cabs : Cute electric autos.
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How much?
They have a fixed price for anywhere, only inside campus :
20 rs per person, when multiple people; and 40 rs when individual. Might change in the future.
Multiple destination trips will usually be discounted by a bit.
For trips outside the campus, the price usually jumps a lot, to 60-100 for anything within a km of the campus. Do note that Railway (KGP) to IITKGP and vice versa are 250 Rs to 300 Rs.
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How long?
The speed of a toto varies by driver & type of toto, but usually, they are a bit slower than the fastest cycling speeds (so for emergencies, cycles are better). However they will reach everywhere in campus within 10 mins, usually 5 mins.
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When?
There are a couple of Toto stands throughout the campus (near BCRTH, Tikka, TechM, for example). However, most times, Totos will also stand near regular places (halls, Nalanda) - usually from 7AM to 7PM. Do note that during extremely busy times (exams, labs, after lunch), Totos might not be available nearby immediately.
Furthermore, many Toto drivers are interested in giving their number too, and you can call them like 10-15 mins ahead to have an assured toto. Most stay till 10pm within campus.
This is both a walking, and non-walking campus. Walking in that, you have a lot of facilities when you're interested in walking with friends, exploring, etc. Non-walking in that if you want to get somewhere in a reasonable time, without dying, you need a cycle/Toto.
There are pathways along main roads for walking, and side roads doesn't enough traffic to worry about walking there. That being said, the main issue here isn't the facilities, but the weather. Barring winters, it will be really uncomfortable to walk (high humidity, common rains, too much sun).
That being said, you can go for jogs and stuff early in the morning, when the weather isn't too bad, and the campus looks awesome.
There is the campus bus that runs on weekdays for transporting students from their halls to the main academic areas (Ramanujam Complex & Nalanda Classroom complex).
Your relevant route : Every hour, about 15-20 mins before classes start (so 7:40, 8:40, 2:40, etc.), the bus arrives at LBS. It picks up others along the way, and reaches SNVH about 15-10 mins before. It finally reaches Nalanda about 5-10 mins before (so 7:55, 8:55, 2:55, etc.).
The bus from Nalanda to hall usually arrives 5 mins after class, and leaves 10-15 mins after class (So say 9:10, 10:10, 4:10), etc.
There are plans of revamping this system, but as of June 22nd 2025, this is the system.
See This part of what to do before coming here page for more info.
The biggest large station near campus is the Kharagpur Railway station (4-5 KM from campus). Most cities in India (even small towns in south & west india) have atleast one train coming to / going from here weekly, so this is what is most often booked by students for their vacations (thus book your tickets well in advance).
There are hourly trains to/from Kolkata from KGP station, and costs anywhere between 40 Rs to 800 Rs depending on class. Totos to/from the KGP station to IITKGP are priced at 250-300 Rs usually.
There's also a closer station — Hijli station. This is not as well-connected as KGP, but certain cities have trains running here (& some only have trains running here), and this is just like a KMfrom campus.
Doesn't really exist. Buses are there within Kolkata, and one of the best option for travelling there, but nothing really exists for foing out of KGP, other than chartered buses.
Kolkata airport (CCU) is 3-4 hrs from the campus, and pretty much most cities are connected, though you might have to take a connecting flight. Prices are the costliest for this of course. You can either come via cab (see below) or by train to/from the Campus from/to the airport.
Cabs to/from kolkata airport have a fixed price of 2500 Rs for the classic 5 seater sedan. Be suspicious of anyone asking above 3.5K for any such ride, unless it's an SUV or something. You also have the option of cab-sharing, like most students do, bringing the price to sub-1k per person.
Chartered cabs are also available (Contact Nos & Posters in Campus often have this), but do check around if the prices are reasonable. I have experienced both extremely reasonable & extremely high prices for chartered cabs.