Smaranika Tram Museum: All You Need To Know Before Visiting

An image of The Smaranika Tram Museum, seen from outside with its classic tram car arrangement.

The Smaranika Tram Museum in West Bengal offers visitors a different glimpse into Kolkata’s flourishing, rich heritage of trams. The somewhat different museum, housed in a renovated vintage tram car, tells through the exhibits displays of exciting images of history, the museum photos, historic uniforms, and ticket stubs about trams in Kolkata. Open to all ages; this quaint museum brings history to life by sharing stories of the past with its audience regarding how transportation has gone about in the evolution of Kolkata.

Location

An image of the location of the Smaranika Tram Museum in Esplanade, West Bengal.

Photo: Mithun Rozario / Unsplash

The museum is conveniently located at the Esplanade Tram Depot in Kolkata, West Bengal. This prime location, close to the museum address at Esplanade, allows easy access for locals and tourists. Strategically located just a little distance from other major attractions in Kolkata, this area offers the perfect harmony between history and modern times in a bustling, well-connected space.

How To Reach

 An image of a Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport near the Smaranika Tram Museum.

Photo: Pinakpani / Wikimedia Commons

By Road: The museum is in Esplanade, a central Kolkata place. It is easily accessible by local buses, taxis, or private cabs. Kolkata’s roads are well-constructed and smoothly connected with other places in the city.

By Air: The nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, 16 km from the museum address. There’s a taxi or a pre-booked cab from the airport, and it would take 40 to 50 minutes to get to Esplanade.

By Train: Sealdah is the nearest railway station to the museum, about 4 km away. Howrah Junction is the nearest railway station, about 6 km away. Both stations have frequent taxi and bus services to Esplanade.

Places To Visit In And Around Smaranika Tram Museum

1. Victoria Memorial

An image of the Victoria Memorial, a landmark nearer to it which is the Smaranika Tram Museum.

Photo: Sivakumar B / Pexels

The museum can be seen from the windows of the Victoria Memorial. It is an excellent marriage of both the British and Mughal architecture. The entire place was established under the name Queen Victoria. There are various galleries with colonial-era artefacts, paintings, and the Smaranika Tram Museum photos. Taking a walk amidst its lush gardens provides a serene escapade to the hustle-bustle of the city. This landmark allows visitors to explore the history and heritage of West Bengal.

Entry Fees: ₹20 for Indians, ₹200 for Foreigners
Location: Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal
Best Time To Visit: October to March

2. St. Paul’s Cathedral

An image of St Paul's Cathedral, which is located next to the Smaranika Tram Museum.

Photo: Subhrajyoti07 / Wikimedia Commons

St. Paul’s Cathedral is a stunning Gothic Revival architectural beauty. Considering its attractive stained-glass windows, it holds one of the most peaceful places inside. Constructed in the 19th century, it holds one of the most important landmarks of West Bengal, complementing a visit to the museum by adding a touch of historical and architectural elegance to your journey. A glimpse into Kolkata’s cultural journey on rails happens there.

Entry Fees: N/A
Location: Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal
Best Time To Visit: November to February

3. Eden Gardens

An image of the famous Eden Gardens stadiums located next to the Smaranika Tram Museum.

Photo: Chippu Abraham / Wikimedia Commons

Globally recognised as one of the most iconic cricket stadiums, Eden Gardens is just a few kilometres away from the museum. The stadium hosts international cricket tournaments, including international games, and thus is a compulsory visit for all sports lovers, even when no game is being played. One can still visit the grounds, which give an insight into Kolkata’s sporting heritage and history.

Entry Fees: ₹100 – 2000
Location: B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal
Best Time To Visit: October and March

Where To Stay

An image of the Oberoi Grand Hotel, a high-end hotel near the museum in Kolkata.

Photo: Pixabay / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

To fully appreciate your trip to the museum, think about staying in Esplanade, Kolkata. Of course, you must consider everything from luxury to budget, where such options would abound, with The Oberoi Grand, a heritage property, and The Peerless Inn, which are within the range of comfort and decent amenities for travellers. Another excellent, budget-friendly option is the Hotel Heera International, closer to the museum address. One can reach the museum and other places around Kolkata very easily.

Where To Eat

An image of Dinner at Peter Cat, one of the best restaurants near the museum in Kolkata.

Photo: Shameel mukkath / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Along the streets of West Bengal, at the museum, a diverse range of local eateries ensures that one can enjoy all of Kolkata’s culinary delights. Mocambo Restaurant and Bar offers renowned continental and Mughlai fare, and Peter Cat should be visited more for its famous Chelo Kebab. Those searching for traditional Bengali fare will go right with Kasturi, which offers the locals a favourite treat. Each restaurant is near the museum, so you can enjoy your delectable food after viewing the exhibits at the Smaranika Tram Museum photos.

Best Time To Visit

An image of the clear sky and the museum in Kolkata with such pleasantness in the winters.

Photo: Sumit Surai / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

The winter season, from October through February, is the ideal time to visit the museum, as the weather in Kolkata becomes mild and pleasant. Travelers can comfortably visit this museum during this season. The Museum West Bengal is best visited during the daytime. Since the winter season is the peak time for Kolkata’s cultural pageantry, tourists can enjoy visiting the museum and enjoying the festive atmosphere in the city. Do not visit during the rainy season, as Kolkata gets wet.

Other Things To Consider

An image of essential travel things necessary for your trip to the museum in West Bengal.

Photo: Rana Sawalha / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Average Cost Of The Trip

The cost of visiting the museum will be between ₹200 and 300, which includes entry tickets and auto rickshaw transportation.

Tips For Travellers

  • Check the museum’s opening and closing times beforehand. Save your time on your visit.
  • The museum is an excellent location for photography. Carry your camera or Smartphone.
  • As there is hardly any walking in the museum, comfortable footwear will suffice.
    Bring along a small bottle of water and sunscreen.

The Smaranika Tram Museum in Kolkata is an exciting trip into West Bengal’s past cultural memory, giving visitors a natural flavour of the city’s tramway legacy. Organised with a lot of care and attention to be visited at very convenient times, the museum is excellent for families, history lovers, and solo travellers. Plan a trip with TripXL and experience Kolkata’s rich tram heritage firsthand.

Cover Photo: juggadery / Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

Currently, the museum does not offer guided tours. Instead, visitors can visit the exhibits freely, which provides an immersive experience of the history of the trams in Kolkata.
People usually take 1 to 1.5 hours to see the exhibits of the museum because that much time is required to enjoy the exhibits and learn more about the history of Kolkata's trams.
Entry tickets to the museum can be purchased online. They are available at the cash counter in the museum itself.
No souvenir shops are present at the museum. However, many cultural souvenirs, such as Kolkata heritage-related souvenirs, are available at Esplanade local markets near the museum.
The museum proudly displays the original old photographs, uniforms, and other historical exhibits showing the changes in the Kolkata tram in recent years.

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