Choosing a date
Rain is the main thing to plan around: both Siliguri and Kolkata have heavy monsoons from about June to September, and the long drive between them crosses rivers that run high. A rainy-season move needs plastic over every mattress, sofa and wooden piece. Durga Puja, usually in September or October, is the week to avoid at both ends.
November to February is usually the most reliable window, though winter mornings can be foggy in north Bengal.
Leaving Siliguri
Homes near Hill Cart Road, Bidhan Market or the stations are in Siliguri's busiest traffic, so ask for an early start. Flats towards Matigara and Champasari usually have room but need a lift slot. If you're leaving cantonment housing, fix the vacating notice, handover and passes with the unit office first.
South through north Bengal
From Siliguri the highway runs south-west to Islampur and Dalkhola, then south through Raiganj to Malda, and on across the Farakka barrage over the Ganga. From there it continues south through Murshidabad district, Berhampore and Krishnanagar towards Kolkata. Long stretches pass through small towns, and the barrage crossing and town traffic are the slowest parts.
At about 549 km, the truck will often stop overnight, so ask where it will park and how it's secured.
Arriving from the north
The truck comes into Kolkata from the north, through Barasat and towards Dum Dum, which makes moves to the northern suburbs, the airport side, New Town and Salt Lake quicker than to south Kolkata. North and central Kolkata have old houses on narrow lanes where a truck may need to stop away from the door. Most apartment buildings ask for notice, permitted hours and a lift booking.
Tell the mover the exact address and floor, and share the building's rules before loading day.
Packing for two days and the damp
Two days of road and Bengal's humidity are hard on cartons and wood. Ask for furniture to be wrapped in blankets with corner protection, mattresses and sofas in plastic, and books and clothes in sealed cartons. In Kolkata, open cartons early, keep fans running and use silica gel in drawers.
Work, study and postings
Many households on this route are moving for jobs, colleges or hospitals in Kolkata, or on Army and government postings. If your employer is paying, ask what documents they need, such as an itemised quote and a GST invoice. Every mover we work with provides a GST invoice.
Bengali is spoken at both ends, and Hindi and English are widely understood in Kolkata.
Settling in
Register with your building or society for parking and visitors on the first day, and find out how water and power backup work. Book internet as soon as you have the address. Update your bank, employer and delivery apps with the new address; our guide to moving in the monsoon covers protecting goods from rain and damp.