College Street Book Market

College Street Book Market – Academic & Second-Hand Books in Kolkata
KOLKATA · ACADEMIC BOOK MARKET

College Street Book Market

The world’s largest second-hand book market and the academic backbone of Kolkata.

Market TypeBook & Academic Market
Best ForTextbooks & reference books
Buyer ProfileStudents & researchers
BargainingHigh (used books)
Peak Hours11 AM – 5 PM

Overview

College Street Book Market stretches along College Street and its surrounding lanes, hosting hundreds of pavement sellers and bookshops. It serves generations of students from schools, colleges, and universities.

The market thrives on circulation — books are bought, sold, resold, exchanged, and discovered. Patience matters more than speed here.

What You’ll Find Here

Academic Textbooks

School, college, and competitive exam books.

Second-Hand Books

Used textbooks, notes, older editions.

Rare & Out-of-Print

Old publications, discontinued academic titles.

Stationery & Notes

Guides, photocopies, exam-focused material.

Price Reality

New TextbooksMRP or slight discount
Second-Hand Books30% – 70% cheaper
Rare EditionsCondition-based
Exam Guides₹50 – ₹400

Pricing depends on edition, demand, and seller familiarity. Returning customers often get better deals.

How Regular Buyers Shop

  • Check multiple stalls before purchasing
  • Ask for older editions for lower prices
  • Bundle purchases to negotiate better
  • Inspect condition carefully
Student Insight

College Street rewards patience. Rushing usually costs money.

Final Verdict

College Street Book Market is slow, dense, and deeply intellectual. For students and readers, it remains irreplaceable.