Taxi & Transport Scams in Kolkata, India
Overcharging, meter tampering, fake taxis, and transport cons targeting tourists. Below are the taxi & transport scams reported in Kolkata — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like New Delhi, Jaipur, and Mumbai.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
2
Taxi & Transport Scams
10
Total in Kolkata
How it works
Kolkata's famous yellow Ambassador taxis are supposed to use meters, but drivers frequently refuse or claim the meter is broken, quoting flat rates well above the metered fare especially from the airport and for tourists heading to the Victoria Memorial or Sudder Street.
How it works
Kolkata is the last city in the world with traditional hand-pulled rickshaws, but rickshaw pullers near Sudder Street and New Market frequently quote tourists 3–5x the going rate, knowing visitors see the experience as a novelty and are likely to pay without negotiating.
See all scams in Kolkata
10 total warnings across all categories