Every rupee you load onto a Kolkata Metro smart card comes back with a 10% bonus - a ₹100 recharge buys you ₹110 of travel, and that applies every single time you top up, not just on day one.
What it costs
Cards are sold in five denominations - ₹150, ₹200, ₹300, ₹500 and ₹1,000. A flat non-refundable ₹80 security deposit is built into the price, so the entry-level ₹150 card actually gives you ₹70 of travel value once the deposit is deducted; step up to a higher denomination and proportionally more of what you pay converts into ridable balance.
Prices moved from ₹120 to ₹150 for the base card from 1 June 2023, so if you're going by an old blog post, expect the higher figure at the counter.
The recharge bonus, explained
Kolkata Metro adds a 10% bonus to every recharge - load ₹100, ride with ₹110. It's not a one-time welcome offer; it compounds every time you top up, which matters if you commute daily.
Where to recharge
- Station counters - cash, UPI, or card
- Self-service machines - available at many but not all stations
- Aamar Kolkata Metro app - online recharge via UPI, debit/credit card, or net banking
Skip the card: QR tickets
The Aamar Kolkata Metro app also issues paperless QR tickets you scan straight at the gate - handy for a single trip. They're valid for up to 12 hours on the calendar date of purchase, so buy them the same day you plan to travel, not in advance.
Visiting for a few days? Get the Tourist Card
Kolkata Metro sells a separate Tourist Smart Card pitched at visitors doing a lot of hopping in a short window:
| Pass | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Type I | ₹250 | 1 day, unlimited rides |
| Type II | ₹550 | 3 days, unlimited rides |
Both need a refundable ₹60 security deposit on top. If you're doing station-to-station sightseeing and expect five or more rides in a day, the Type I pass beats paying per trip; for a single errand, a QR ticket or token is simpler.
One thing to know: no NCMC yet
Unlike several other Indian metro systems, Kolkata Metro hasn't rolled its own card onto the national NCMC network for travel yet - so an NCMC card from another city's bank won't tap in here. Stick to the dedicated smart card or the app.
Bottom line
Commuting regularly? The smart card's 10% recharge bonus adds up fast - get one. Here for a short trip with a packed sightseeing day? The Tourist Card or app QR tickets are the simpler call.