Alipore Zoological Garden is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city of joy Kolkata. The Kolkata zoo or the Alipore Zoo as it’s called locally is well connected through road and metro rail. Besides, there are many other popular attractions that you may like to visit with your family including Birla Planetarium, Victoria memorial and Kolkata Museum. If you are planning to visit the Zoo, consider checking the zoo timing, ticket price and the complete itinerary hereunder.
The complete guide to visiting Alipore Zoo, Kolkata
The Alipore Zoological Garden is one of the oldest zoos in India. It was established in the year 1875 by the Governor General of India at that time Mr. Richard Wellesley. Although, the Alipore zoo was initially established as a research spot for zoologists, it later became a major tourist attraction in Kolkata.
The zoo does not just serves as a popular tourist attraction but also acts as the perfect place to be visited by researchers or zoologists who study animal behavior. Apart from visiting and exploring the interesting aspects of the zoo, the Alipore Zoo Allows you to adopt an animal. Isn’t that interesting?
So, whether you are a tourist, a researcher or a wild life lover, if you are planing to visit the zoo then here’s everything you need to know. Consider this itinerary and have a great experience exploring the Alipore Zoo, Kolkata.
Alipore Zoo Kolkata Timing and Visiting Hours
The Alipore Zoo Kolkata is open from Monday to Sunday, except Thursday. The zoo normally remains closed on Thursdays. However, if a holiday falls on a Thursday then the zoo remains open on that particular day. But, it will remain closed the next day (Friday).
If you are planning to visit the zoo, then consider the zoo timing listed hereunder.
- Timings for ticket counters: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
- Zoological garden timing: from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Aquarium timings: 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Zoo Ticket Prices
- Up to 5 years: Rs. 10 per person
- Above 5 years: Rs. 30 per person
- Tickets price to visit aquarium: Rs. 5 per person
Besides, if you want to do video photography, then you have to pay Rs. 250 per hour for the same.
How to book tickets for Alipore Zoological Garden
Although the tickets are available at the booking counter, you can book the Kolkata zoo tickets online as well. Buying tickets online make more sense when you plan to visit on a holiday or during holiday season as it’ll help avoid the long queue.
Here’s the step by step guide to book Alipore zoo tickets online.
1. Visit the Alipore zoo official website Kolkatazoo.in and click on ‘E-Ticket’ option on top right, or directly visit eticketaliporezoo.com to book tickets online.
2. Once you are on the booking site, you have to fill-up a few details like booking date, number of adults, number of children (up to 5 years), your name, email ID and your mobile number.
3. If you want to do video shoot, then you can tick the video photography option and it will cost another Rs. 250. Or you can skip if you don’t want to do video photography.
4. On the next screen, it will show you the number of heads as you entered and the total amount excluding online booking charges and taxes. Alipore zoo ticket charges are Rs. 30 for anyone above 5 yrs and Rs. 10 for child up to 5 Years.
5. Once you have verified the details, and you are ready, select the check box, make payment and you will receive confirmation in your email.
How to Reach Alipore Zoo Kolkata
Alipore zoo is conveniently located in south Kolkata, near Rabindra Sadan area. It’s well connected through Metro and other means of transport like buses and taxis.
Among all the travel options I personally prefer metro and if you are like me, then get into the nearest metro station and reach Netaji Bhawan or Rabindra Sadan. From Netaji Bhawan metro station, you take auto-rickshaws or bus for zoo.
You can also take buses going towards Ekbalpur or khiddirpoe and get down at the zoo you can also book a cab to reach the zoo although the prices will vary depending on from where you are starting. Nevertheless, Alipore zoo is well connected and you can easily commute up to the zoo gate from almost any part of Kolkata or Howrah.
Security check and entering the zoo premises
You will not be allowed to enter the zoo premises while chewing intoxicating substances like gutka and pan masala or smoking cigarettes or in a drunken state. Once the guard have checked you, you have to pass through a medicated foot board.
Also note that you are not allowed to carry food items and plastic bags inside the zoological garden. However, water bottles are allowed and you can carry one.
You have to wear a face mask while entering the zoo and you must not touch the barricades while standing in the queue due to the strict regulations introduced by the zoo authorities for minimizing Covid-19 infections.
Here are the complete Do’s and Don’ts that have to be followed while you are inside the zoo premises.
Exploring the zoo
Once you have entered the zoo you can roam freely within the zoo premises and watch all kinds of animals Most of the animals are kept in cages or in small places which are surrounded by fences and barriers.
If you are a tourist or someone who just loves to see wild animals then you can see these animals and take their photos although you are not supposed to give them food or water or anything else.
If you are a researcher then you can visit each spot present in this place and observe the behavior of the animals closely while taking notes.
You can also observe the different species of plants that are present here along with the animals and take photos and videos of all these living specimens for further studies. You can also use the zoo map for keeping track of yourself within the zoo premises.
If you feel tired after walking on the zoo premises for a long time then you can take a rest by sitting in any of the rest sheds. You can also have a meal in the restaurant which is a part of the zoo.
Experience Species in the Zoo
If you’re visiting the Alipore Zoological Garden then get ready to see some of the rarely available wild animals and species. The zoo contains 108 species of animals and has 1,266 animals present here. These animals include mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
This includes several animals such as lions, tigers, leopards, elephants, rhinos, crocodiles and primates and many more. However, the zoo was popular mostly because of a giant tortoise that used to live here for more than 200 years before dying in 2006. The zoo still has several tortoises due to their popularity among tourists.
Major attractions at Alipore Zoo
The zoo has several attractions such as:
- Reptile house
- Primate house
- Elephant house
- Panther house
You can visit each of these spots and watch the animals. Mobile and cameras allowed inside the zoo.But, be very careful while taking photographs, selfies and making videos.
A section of the zoo also has many species of plants present here. Therefore, if you happen to be a botanist then you must consider visiting.
The aquarium is yet another attraction to explore in the Alipore zoo. The aquarium is well known for housing several species of marine animals that are normally found in seas.
Interesting places to visit near the Alipore Zoo
There are many other tourist attractions near Alipore Zoo which you may like to explore. One of the most notable destinations presents near the zoo has to be the M.P. Birla Planetarium which is an astronomical research institute that also has several models of celestial bodies. If you tend to have an interest in astronomy then you can visit this place after visiting the zoo.
Apart from this, there are other tourist destinations present near the zoo St. Paul’s Cathedral and Victoria Memorial both of which are historic spots which you can visit if you want to know more about the history of Kolkata. Also, Kalighat Kali Temple in south Kolkata is just a few kilometers away, and hence you may like to visit the temple.
Over to you
By judging all the facts given above you can clearly understand that the Alipore Zoo is a place that is worth visiting for everyone. Whether you are a tourist or a local, it’s worth visiting the Alipore Zoo Kolkata at least once to observe the marvels of Mother Nature that are found here in the form of exotic animals and plant species. And if you are a nature and wildlife enthusiast, you can’t afford to not check out Kolkata Zoo.
And by the way, you may like to note down the address of Kolkata Zoo (for navigation) and contact information listed hereunder:
Address: 2 no. Alipore Road, Kolkata- 700 027
Phone number: 033 2479 1150/ 2439 9391
If you are planning to visit the Alipore Zoo and have any other question, feel free to ask below. If you have been to the Kolkata Zoo, do share your hacks to explore the place and your overall experience of visiting this zoo.
Happy exploring!!
FAQ
Alipore zoo usually remains closed on Thursdays, unless it’s a holiday. In case there is a holiday on Thursday, then the zoo remains closed on next day, which is Friday.
You can ride a bus from Howrah station and reach Alipore Zoo in less than 30 minutes. Or you can book a cab, or use ferry to reach Babu Ghat, and then take a bus from Babughat. Alipore Zoo is well connected by Bus, Taxi and even Metro Rail.
The best way to reach Alipore Zoo from Sealdah railways station is by Bus. You can directly ride bus no 230 from Sealdah station and reach Alipore Zoo, which is the last stoppage of the bus. Or you can take any bus from Sealdah to Rabindra Sadan and then another bus to zoo.
The entry fee for anyone above 5 Years of age is Rs. 30, and for children up to 5, the entry fee is Rs. 10 only. However, if you book the zoo tickets online, transaction fees and taxes will be applicable to the total fees.