For some reason, Shantiniketan has been a place that we five have been revisiting several times now. Maybe because it is one of the cheapest destinations to chill and explore at the same time and us being completely broke, can afford this place. Maybe because it is a unique blend of natural beauty and history mixed with plentiful amount of cultural diversity amongst the people. Shantiniketan has been given several names by various people but the one I prefer the most is The Land of Tagore.
There are several ways to reach Shantiniketan from Kolkata out of which we always prefer Shantiniketan express from Howrah station which leaves at 10:10 A.M. and reaches Bolpur around 12:25 P.M. there are other trains that are suitable for reaching Bolpur from Howrah or Shealdah. For example, Kabiguru Express from Howrah and Maa Tara Express from Shealdah are some alternative options if you wanna travel by train. Bus services are also available from Esplanade. You can book air conditioned or non-air conditioned buses from redbus.com and the journey takes somewhere around four to four and half hours. There is always an option to travel by car and the journey will take somewhere around 4 hours and the distance is around 150 km.
I'm in Bolpur. Now, where do I stay?
You will get plenty of options to stay in Bolpur and you can choose according to your budget. Affordable guest houses like Manashi and Aashirbad offer a decent place to stay at a pretty reasonable rate while there are also places like Hotel Royal Bengal that offer I luxurious experience but don't come in cheap.
Another little secret, there are several residential houses in Prantik, that are looked after by caretakers as the owners live far away. These houses are often rented out as guest houses by the caretakers at affordable prices. If you are looking for a quiet and private stay, this option can definitely be your pick.
There are several places to visit keeping Bolpur at the centre. The first thing we always do is visit Sonajhuri Haat (mainly for clicking pics) and sit by the banks of Khoai which is a distance of two and a half km from Sonajhuri. Once the Covid restrictions are lifted, we hope the museum will be reopened again for tourists. 
It is wise to carry government ID proofs (and student ID proofs, if applicable). At a distance of 6 km from Bolpur and 4 km from Prantik, is Kankalitala, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, which we'll say, is a must visit.
Be it Bolpur or Prantik, the primary modes of communication is by electric autorickshaws (Toto) which generally have no fixed rate and therefore the expense depends upon the time of the year and your bargaining skills.
What's there for my tummy?
The five of us have a special affinity towards Rangamati Garden Resort and the Paneer Butter Masala of the place is a must try. Various other options include Khorimati, Ghare Baire, Ashirbaad and Manashi.
Again, some little secrets, momos and tea are fantastic just outside the University gate and Kalor Dokan is a famous place that I'm sure don't wanna miss.
Even if you have overlooked everything mentioned above, do not forget to have atleast one luch from Mahamaya hotel. Trust me you're gonna love that experience and it's really pocket friendly. Do try out their mutton thali and let us know in comments how you liked (for that's our favourite).
To return back to Kolkata, you can avail Shantiniketan Express at 13:10 leaving from Bolpur and reaching Howrah around 4 P.M. Other express trains and bus services are also available.
Time to bid farewell for now. Do let us know in comments if this information was helpful and suggestions are always welcome!
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Hope to see you soon, till then,
Stay safe!
Travel Safe!
Let the journey never stop!
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