Howrah Junction is one of the busiest and most iconic railway stations in India. Located on the western bank of the Hooghly River in West Bengal, it serves as the primary railway gateway to Kolkata and is among the country’s largest railway terminals. The station provides direct rail connectivity to major cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Patna, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Varanasi, and Ahmedabad. Every day, lakhs of passengers travel through Howrah Junction, making it one of the busiest railway stations in Asia.

Managed by the Eastern Railway (ER) under the Howrah Division, the station is famous for its historic architecture, extensive railway network, and proximity to the iconic Howrah Bridge. Whether you’re a tourist, business traveler, or daily commuter, this guide covers everything you need to know about Howrah Junction Railway Station.

Howrah Junction at a Glance

Details	Information
Station Name	Howrah Junction
Station Code	HWH
Railway Zone	Eastern Railway (ER)
Railway Division	Howrah Division
Location	Howrah, West Bengal
Station Category	NSG-1
Type	Railway Junction / Terminus
Number of Platforms	23
Tracks	Multiple Electric Lines
Parking Facility	Available
Waiting Hall	Available
Retiring Room	Available
Cloak Room	Available
Free Wi-Fi	Available
Escalators & Lifts	Available
Food Plaza	Available
Wheelchair Assistance	Available

Howrah Junction Station Code

The official station code of Howrah Junction is HWH.

Passengers use this code while:

• Booking train tickets on IRCTC
• Checking live train status
• Viewing train schedules
• Tracking PNR status
• Finding platform information
• Railway reservations

While booking tickets, make sure you select HWH, as Kolkata is also served by nearby stations such as Sealdah (SDAH), Kolkata (KOAA), Shalimar (SHM), and Santragachi Junction (SRC).

Howrah Junction Platform Information

Howrah Junction has 23 operational platforms, making it one of the largest railway stations in India. The station is divided into Terminal 1 (Platforms 1–15) and Terminal 2 (Platforms 17–23), serving trains operated by both Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railway. Expansion work is also underway to further increase platform capacity.

Platform numbers may occasionally change depending on railway operations. Passengers should always verify the latest platform information through digital display boards, railway announcements, or the NTES app before boarding.

Platform Overview

Platform	Common Usage
Platform 1–15	Eastern Railway long-distance and suburban trains
Platform 17–23	South Eastern Railway long-distance trains

All platforms are connected through foot overbridges, escalators, lifts, and subways, allowing smooth passenger movement.

Major Trains from Howrah Junction

Howrah Junction is the originating or terminating station for many of India’s most prestigious trains.

Train Name	Destination
Howrah Rajdhani Express	New Delhi
Howrah Duronto Express	New Delhi
Gitanjali Express	Mumbai CSMT
Coromandel Express	Chennai
Poorva Express	New Delhi
Himgiri Express	Jammu Tawi
Howrah–Puri Vande Bharat Express	Puri
Shatabdi Express	New Jalpaiguri
Amaravati Express	Pune
Falaknuma Express	Secunderabad

The station also handles numerous weekly, seasonal, and festival special trains throughout the year.

Popular Routes from Howrah Junction

Passengers can directly travel to several major destinations across India.

Popular routes include:

• Howrah to New Delhi
• Howrah to Mumbai
• Howrah to Chennai
• Howrah to Bengaluru
• Howrah to Patna
• Howrah to Guwahati
• Howrah to Bhubaneswar
• Howrah to Ranchi
• Howrah to Puri
• Howrah to Varanasi
• Howrah to Ahmedabad
• Howrah to Dhanbad

Passenger Services

Howrah Junction provides several passenger-friendly services for a comfortable journey.

Waiting Hall

Separate waiting halls are available for reserved and general passengers with ample seating arrangements.

Retiring Room

Passengers with valid train tickets can book retiring rooms and dormitories for short stays.

Cloak Room

A cloak room facility is available where passengers can safely store luggage before exploring Kolkata or waiting for connecting trains.

Free Wi-Fi

Free public Wi-Fi is available throughout the station.

Food & Refreshments

Passengers can enjoy meals, snacks, beverages, and regional delicacies from IRCTC food plazas, restaurants, and refreshment stalls located across both terminals.

Accessibility

Escalators, lifts, wheelchairs, accessible toilets, and passenger assistance services are available for senior citizens and differently-abled passengers.

Parking Facility

Paid parking facilities are available for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers near the station. Dedicated parking spaces make it convenient for passengers arriving by private vehicles.

Entry & Exit Gates

Howrah Junction has multiple entry and exit points with easy access to booking counters, waiting halls, platforms, taxi stands, ferry services, bus stops, and the Howrah Metro Station. Auto-rickshaws, prepaid taxis, app-based cabs, and local buses are readily available outside the station.

Nearby Railway Stations

Railway Station	Approx. Distance
Sealdah	4 km
Shalimar	6 km
Santragachi Junction	7 km
Liluah Junction	5 km
Tikiapara	2 km

How to Reach Howrah Junction

By Air

The nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, located approximately 15 km from the railway station. Taxis, app-based cab services, airport buses, and metro connectivity are available.

By Bus

Government and private buses regularly connect Howrah Junction with Esplanade, Salt Lake, New Town, Dum Dum, and other parts of Kolkata.

By Taxi or Ferry

Prepaid taxis, app-based cabs, ferries across the Hooghly River, and metro services provide convenient connectivity throughout the Kolkata metropolitan area.

Hotels Near Howrah Junction

Hotel	Approx. Distance	Category
The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata	3 km	Luxury
Polo Floatel Kolkata	3 km	Premium
Hotel Shivam	1 km	Budget
Fortune Park Panchwati	7 km	Premium
Peerless Inn Kolkata	5 km	Luxury

Places to Visit Near Howrah Junction

Tourist Attraction	Approx. Distance
Howrah Bridge	1 km
Dakshineswar Kali Temple	11 km
Victoria Memorial	6 km
Indian Museum	5 km
Prinsep Ghat	5 km
Eden Gardens	3 km
Belur Math	7 km

Travel Tips

• Reach the station at least 45 minutes before your train departs due to heavy passenger traffic.
• Keep your train ticket and valid photo ID ready.
• Verify your platform number through digital display boards or official announcements.
• Use prepaid taxi counters or app-based cabs for safe transportation.
• If visiting central Kolkata, consider using the metro or ferry service to avoid road congestion.
• Download the NTES or IRCTC Rail Connect app for real-time train updates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the station code of Howrah Junction?

The station code of Howrah Junction is HWH.

How many platforms are there at Howrah Junction?

Howrah Junction currently has 23 operational platforms, making it one of the largest railway stations in India.

Which railway zone manages Howrah Junction?

The station comes under the Eastern Railway (ER) and is managed by the Howrah Division.

Which is the nearest airport to Howrah Junction?

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is located approximately 15 km from the railway station.

Is free Wi-Fi available at Howrah Junction?

Yes, passengers can access free Wi-Fi throughout the station.

Which railway stations are located near Howrah Junction?

Nearby stations include Sealdah, Shalimar, Santragachi Junction, Liluah Junction, and Tikiapara.

Why is Howrah Junction famous?

Howrah Junction is famous for being one of India’s busiest railway stations, its iconic heritage building, its location beside the Howrah Bridge, and its extensive connectivity to almost every major region of the country.

Is Howrah Junction the same as Kolkata Railway Station?

No. Howrah Junction (HWH) and Kolkata Railway Station (KOAA) are different railway stations. Howrah Junction is the larger and busier station, while Kolkata Railway Station primarily serves trains on selected routes.

Conclusion

Howrah Junction is one of India’s most iconic railway stations, offering unmatched connectivity to destinations across the country. With world-class passenger amenities, extensive transport options, nearby hotels, and easy access to Kolkata’s famous attractions, the station provides a smooth travel experience for millions of passengers every year. Whether you’re beginning a long-distance journey or arriving to explore the City of Joy, planning ahead with the right station information can make your trip comfortable and hassle-free.