Travel MEL-CCU (Kolkata) and return

[tuapekastar]

I've had a quick look and I'll research further, but just a quick question re:

My mother is considering a trip to Kolkata for a wedding in November. So far the options seem to be via SIN, with lengthy connection times both ways.

Like I said, I'll delve further, but if anyone has any experience of MEL-CCU, any assistance/ideas would be appreciated.

Cheers

PS. would be Y travel, and given my mum is a septuagenerian, minimal hassle would be her preferred option...SCs or FF points are not a major consideration.

 

[Flashback]

I've had a quick look and I'll research further, but just a quick question re:

My mother is considering a trip to Kolkata for a wedding in November. So far the options seem to be via SIN, with lengthy connection times both ways.

Like I said, I'll delve further, but if anyone has any experience of MEL-CCU, any assistance/ideas would be appreciated.

Cheers

PS. would be Y travel, and given my mum is a septuagenerian, minimal hassle would be her preferred option...SCs or FF points are not a major consideration.

I assume you've tried things like Expedia, Webjet, etc. to see what airline combos they give?

I wonder if the best option is a return fare to SIN then a separate return fare SIN-CCU? Just thinking out loud here..:!:

 

[The Beast]

I've done this with SQ, and it wasn't a hassle. SQ517 dep CCU 2350 arr SIN 0630, and then connects quite well to SQ217 dep SIN 0955 arr MEL 1915. Coming home SQ238 dep MEL 1010 arr SIN 1605 connecting to SQ516 dep SIN 2100 arr CCU 2235. A slightly longer stop in SIN on the way home, but still probably OK, even for a septuagenarian (good job using that term, by the way, opportunities are limited so seize every chance!).

SQ are one of the better carriers, IMHO.

 

[Flashback]

I've done this with SQ, and it wasn't a hassle. SQ517 dep CCU 2350 arr SIN 0630, and then connects quite well to SQ217 dep SIN 0955 arr MEL 1915. Coming home SQ238 dep MEL 1010 arr SIN 1605 connecting to SQ516 dep SIN 2100 arr CCU 2235. A slightly longer stop in SIN on the way home, but still probably OK, even for a septuagenarian (good job using that term, by the way, opportunities are limited so seize every chance!).

SQ are one of the better carriers, IMHO.

Welcome to AFF The Beast, a great first post. IMO 5 hours transit in SIN still isn't too bad; there's worse places to be stuck at than SIN airport.

 

[vowgs]

TG offer the following connections daily (just over two hours in BKK in each direction). Tiems into/out of into CCU aren't ideal, but connections work.

TG 466 10NOV MELBKK 1625 2135
TG 313 10NOV BKKCCU 2325 #0030
TG 314 20NOV CCUBKK 0155 0550
TG 461 20NOV BKKMEL 0810 2120

 

[fortymilliondaggers]

I've done this with SQ, and it wasn't a hassle. SQ517 dep CCU 2350 arr SIN 0630, and then connects quite well to SQ217 dep SIN 0955 arr MEL 1915. Coming home SQ238 dep MEL 1010 arr SIN 1605 connecting to SQ516 dep SIN 2100 arr CCU 2235. A slightly longer stop in SIN on the way home, but still probably OK, even for a septuagenarian (good job using that term, by the way, opportunities are limited so seize every chance!).

SQ are one of the better carriers, IMHO.

Flights between Bangkok and Calcutta can be had for $250 return with Kingfisher.

 

[Flashback]

Flights between Bangkok and Calcutta can be had for $250 return with Kingfisher.

Should be a decent flight, too. From what I've seen on FT even their LCC division is very good; so good that the trip report I read made it out to be offering a similar service to a full-service carrier.

 

[vowgs]

Kingfisher are wonderful (5 star rating on Skytrax). Do keep in mind thought that their flights depart BKK for CCU at 1615, and arrive back into BKK at 1500. Not great if you're wanting smooth connections to/from MEL.

 

[The Beast]

I agree that the Kingfisher option is a good one. However, for an elderly person I imagine that being able to check self and bags in at one end and then not have to faff about at SIN or BKK on the way through would be pretty attractive. I'm not sure how it works when booking from the CCU end, but from Australia the additional cost of the 'extra' leg beyond SIN is not huge when flying with SQ.
I guess it depends on how much of an intrepid traveller your mother is, and whether any cost saving justifies the change of carrier part way....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have done MEL-CCU and have taken Jetstar *class to BKK and then connected with JetAirways biz class from there. I was happy to overnight in BKK but otherwise it is not convenient (however it was good for cheap
SCs).

I have also done the QF to SIN connecting with 9W - but that was to Delhi. That was fine as well but 6 hours SIN-DEL in a packed 737 is not fun.

Given the above I would highly recommend I highly recommend the SQ option - one stop check-in, you know it'll be fantastic service on board and good flight times. And if the four or five hours in Singapore is a concern there is a good 'pay-in' lounge for USD25 or something which would be ideal.

Agree Kingfisher is a good carrier for the route but for a septuagenerian?

mel-t

 

[tuapekastar]

Thanks very much all for your suggestions...they are much appreciated.

I think, to keep things uncomplicated, I'll put the SQ via SIN, and the TG via BKK options to to my mum.

There are little variations (price, connection times, depart and arrival times) and she can decide which she wants, but both are reasonably priced.

SIN, as stated, is not the worst place to have a longish connection.

 

[penegal]

I flew this exact routing in 2007 on SQ in whY. It was a fairly pleasant experience. CCU is serviced by an older 772, but it’s a short flight, so I didn’t really notice the older equipment that much.

Back then it was a choice between SQ (via SIN) and TG (via BKK). Both had longish connections. SQ worked out slightly cheaper and IMHO SIN is a better airport to transit in, so it was an easy choice for me.

Fast forward to today and the choice is largely the same (SQ and TG still offer the same flights). Additionally ~5 airlines offer direct BKK-CCU services using A320 or equivalent equipment. Given your mother’s age I would suggest using TG or SQ on a single ticket would be the best solution. Both airlines have sales sporadically, including right now.

Current SQ sale fare is $1179
Current TG sale fare is $1163

Naturally these are date and availability restricted, but should be valid in Nov.

 

[penegal]

As a side note: flights in and out of northern India are largely scheduled in the evening. At this time of the year the north is subject to a lot of fog, so morning flights are often cancelled or delayed significantly, hence once-daily international services are generally in the evening.

--

I’ve flown Kingfisher Airlines (IT) domestically within India and I’d say they are probably the best Indian airline.