🌟 Introduction of Smaranika Tram Museum
Located in the Esplanade area of Kolkata, Smaranika, which means ‘Smaranika’ in Bengali, meaning ‘memory’—is a museum built to commemorate the old tram journeys and history. It was inaugurated in 2014, where a vintage 1938 tram has been converted into a museum and cafe.
🏛 History and Collection of kolkata tram museum
Tram Conservation: The beginning of tram journeys—horse-drawn trams (1873), steam engine trams (1882), and electric trams (1902)—are all on display here.
Spectacular Collection: Old tram tickets and passes, caps and uniforms, coin exchanger machines, armlets, red lamps, gondola switches, multi-parts—all of these can be seen in the museum.
Special model: 1931 double-bogger tram (#567), which was revived in 2013 for the shoot of ‘Detective Bombesque Bakshi’.
🚋 Spectacular experience indian museum
Café and museum in one tram—meeting point for souvenirs!
The first section of the tram has an AC café, where tea, coffee and light snacks are available.
The rear section has a museum—a history tour at a glance with photos, documentaries, news clippings of events, tram models.
Tickets and services: Entry ticket is only ₹10–₹20 (depending on the site), time is paid per hour and guided tour assistance is available.
🗺 Timetable & Address
Address: 6, Sido Kanhu Dahar, Maidan (Esplanade), Kolkata – 700069
Time: 1 pm to 8 pm, closed daily except Thursday
Entry fee: ₹10–₹20 per person, usually allows up to 1 hour of travel
🧭 How to reach Smaranika Tram Museum
Metro: Nearest station – Esplanade Metro Gate No.2
Tram: Right next to Esplanade Tram Depot, next to KC Das-Misthi
Auto / Taxi: Easily accessible from anywhere in Kolkata
✅ Travel Tips
Photos and videos are allowed, but follow the general rules.
You can taste tea and coffee at the cafe and get information through a quick exhibition.
Time: About 45–60 minutes is enough for sightseeing; you can rest more at the cafe if you wish.
Holiday: Closed on Thursdays.
📌 Why are souvenirs important?
Smaranika Tram Museum is the only example of preserving this heritage, except for Kolkata, which is the only city in India that still has trams.
It tells the story of tram culture and the city’s history through a journey and scientific display.
Conclusion: It is an ideal experience for history buffs, tourists, and students.
☕ Smaranika Tram Museum Cafe: Food and Prices
🍽 Cafe Type:
A small, quiet cafe in a retro tram car
Light tea, snacks and refreshments available
Government-run, prices are very affordable
🧾 Food and Beverage List:
Hot Tea Price: ₹5 Usually red tea or milk tea Served in a cup Coffee Price: ₹10
Plain black coffee or milk coffee Traditional flavored coffee Biscuits / Cookies Price: ₹5–₹10
Packeted biscuits or locally packed Chips / Packeted snacks Price: ₹5–₹15
Lays, kurkure, chanachur etc. Bottled Water / Cold Water Price: ₹5–₹10
🎟 Ticket Price:
Entry Price: ₹20 (per person)
Time: Approximately 30–45 minutes
Museum + Cafe can be visited together
💡 Special Features:
Nostalgic atmosphere with old tram wooden seats and tram bells inside
Some trams are now used as cafes
Ideal place to write, take pictures, or spend some quiet time
If you want, I can use this information to write a part of your story — for example:
“Sitting on the wooden seats inside the tram, sipping on a ₹10 coffee and a ₹5 biscuit, it felt like I was back in old Kolkata. The sound of cars outside, and the silence inside carrying history, this tram is like a walking monument.”
Tell me, which part of the story should I help you with next? 😊
👥 Talk about trams and heritage
Reddit users have commented that Kolkata’s tram service is currently at a delicate stage, and they hope that it will be revived through renovations and transformations:
“Sadly they’re all being taken apart. Such a shame.”
“Modernise or perish – the hard truth…”
📝 Conclusion
Smaranika Tram Museum is not just a museum — it is a tangible memory of Kolkata’s tram culture and tram history. While sitting in a single wooden carriage, sipping tea, you feel like you are transported back to the era of trams and city life almost 150 years ago. Once you visit, you want to get lost in that old city of memories.
People also ask
What is the ticket price of Victoria Memorial?
What is the timing of light show in Victoria Memorial?
Which day is the Victoria Memorial closed?