Capital of Uttar Pradesh, known for Nawabi monuments, kebabs and chikan embroidery.
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Lucknow was the seat of the Nawabs of Awadh and a centre of the 1857 uprising, and its imambaras, gateways and Residency ruins tell that story. It also has one of India's best-known food cultures. It suits history lovers, food travellers and families who want an easy city break with good rail and air links.
Trip planner
Plan from your city
Photos
Rumi Darwaza and the Bara ImambaraBara Imambara, LucknowRumi Darwaza gatewayRumi Darwaza, also called the Turkish Gate
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
Best time to go
When
What to expect
October to March
The recommended season, with pleasant days; winter evenings get cool, so carry woollens.
April to June
Hot summer weather; plan sightseeing for early morning and wear cottons.
July to September
Rainy and humid; travel guides suggest avoiding this period.
Sights and activities
1
Bara Imambara (Asafi Imambara)
Built in 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula, with a huge arched central hall, the Asafi Mosque and the Bhool Bhulaiya maze on the upper level.
Distance
About 5 km from Charbagh station
Entry
Rs 50 Indian adults, Rs 25 children, Rs 500 foreigners; camera extra
Lucknow sits on national highways from Kanpur (79 km), Ayodhya (135 km) and Prayagraj (210 km). Private and government buses from Delhi drop at Alambagh, Charbagh, Kaiserbagh and Gomti Nagar.
By train
Lucknow is a major junction; main stations are Charbagh (Lucknow NR), Lucknow Junction and Lucknow City. Charbagh is about 3 km from the city centre.
By air
Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO) is about 15 km from Hazratganj, with direct flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Gulf cities.
Where to base yourself
Stay around Hazratganj or near Charbagh station for easy access to the old city monuments, or in Gomti Nagar for newer hotels and parks.
Getting around
Lucknow Metro has stations at Charbagh, Hazratganj, Aminabad and Durgapuri; a single public transport ticket costs about Rs 26-40.
City buses run across town with fares from about Rs 15; a bus from the airport to the centre is about Rs 40.
Autos, e-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws serve the old city around the imambaras; agree the fare first.
A taxi from the airport to the city centre costs about Rs 200, and Ola or Uber cabs are widely used.
A car with a local driver for eight hours costs from about Rs 1,700.
Often combined with
Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.
Old-city lanes around Chowk and Aminabad and the Hazratganj area are known for kebabs, biryani and street snacks. A cheap meal costs about Rs 175-215, and a mid-range dinner for two about Rs 1,000.
Try these
Galouti and kakori kebabs (very soft minced-meat kebabs)
Vegetarian chaat, khasta, poori-sabzi, lassi and sweets are easy to find.
Daily costs
Budget level
Stay per room
Food per person
Local transport
Budget
₹1,400
₹550
₹100 per person
Mid-range
₹4,500
₹1,000
₹1,700 per vehicle
Luxury
₹12,500
₹2,500
₹2,500 per vehicle
Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.
Permits and documents
No permits are needed for Indian or foreign visitors. Carry photo ID for hotel check-in and train travel.
Safety
By day
Generally comfortable for visitors; watch belongings in crowded old-city markets.
At night
Hazratganj and the riverside parks stay busy in the evening; use app cabs late at night.
Solo women
Use usual city precautions and dress modestly at religious sites.
Roads
City traffic is heavy around Charbagh and the old city.
Emergency numbers
112 (all emergencies)
Practical
Mobile network
All the main networks (Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL) work in town.
ATMs and cash
ATMs are easy to find in town.
Fuel
There are several petrol pumps in and around town.
Medical
Hospitals are easy to find across the city. In an emergency dial 112, or 108 for an ambulance in most states. Lucknow is the state capital with large hospitals.
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