Lucknow — A Full Travel Guide with a 2-Day Plan
Lucknow has been a center of culture in northern India for many years. Whether you like history, food, or shopping, there’s something for everyone here. We visited for 2 days during our 11-day trip through central India and quickly fell in love with the city’s charm and tasty food. We found a comfortable hourly hotels in Lucknow that suited our needs perfectly. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it too.
In this detailed travel guide about Lucknow, I’ve covered everything you need to plan your trip, including places to visit and tasty foods like Biryani and Kababs. You’ll get tips on how to reach Lucknow, a suggested 2-day plan with maps, and ideas for a quick day trip. I’ve also included prices to give you an idea of how much you’ll need to spend while visiting the city.
A brief tale about Lucknow
Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh in northern India, well-known for its historical rulers called Nawabs and delicious kababs.It used to be the capital of the Awadh dynasty until the British took over. The Awadhi Nawabs, the rulers of that time, built many monuments and made the city a center for music, dance, art, poetry, embroidery, education, and food. They were well-known for their love of food, especially which led to the creation of Awadhi cuisine. Lucknow’s Biryani is highly praised. Some of its old buildings were damaged during conflicts with the British, but the city prospered during the colonial era as a place for education, social change, and urban growth. Despite challenges after independence, Lucknow has grown quickly as a well-planned city while still keeping its rich cultural heritage.
How to travel to Lucknow
You can reach Lucknow by flying into Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, located within the city. Flights from big cities in India such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore take about 1 to 3 hours. There are also flights from Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Lucknow has two primary train stations, Lucknow Junction (LJN) and Charbagh (LKO), located across from each otherIf you’re traveling by train, you’ll need to stop at one of these stations. They are linked to other parts of the city and the airport using the red line of the Lucknow metro.
Lucknow Junction is the second most significant railway junction in northern India, following Delhi.When you’re leaving, aim to be there at least 30 minutes before your train is supposed to depart.
Charbagh Station, built over a century ago, combines Mughal, Rajput, and Awadhi architectural styles and is admired as one of India’s most beautiful railway buildings. If you’re traveling by train, take a moment to appreciate its beauty — it can be seen from the metro as it passes through the area.
In Lucknow, a large city, the attractions are located in various parts of town.
By Taxi
You can easily find cab services like Uber and Ola all over the city. Use them to travel to and from the airport, train stations, and places outside the downtown area of the old city. Streets in the old city, like Chowk and Aminabad, are busy, which makes finding parking difficult.
By Metro
If you want to save money, use the metro.The metro operates frequently from early morning until late evening, serving various destinations such as the airport, train stations, and ISBT. Each metro station features stone artwork and paintings.But there isn’t a metro system in the old city center.
When we visited Lucknow in December 2020, we used the metro during the day. The stations are large and not very crowded. Even though we saw lots of security cameras and guards, it’s important to be careful if you’re traveling late at night.
Places to see in Lucknow
Rumi Darwaza
You can start exploring Lucknow at ‘Rumi Darwaza’, originally constructed in the 18th century to mark the city’s entrance. As Lucknow grew, it ceased to be the main gate and later served as an entryway to the Nawab’s palace. Even though the British destroyed the palace after the Nawab refused to surrender, several monuments within its grounds, such as Rumi Darwaza, managed to survive.Named in honor of the renowned Persian poet Rumi, this gate has endured over time, much like Rumi and his poetry, and is now a widely recognized symbol of Lucknow.
The location is accessible around the clock without any restrictions on timing.You don’t need to pay anything to enter, so visitors can freely access it.Typically, a visit here would take between 15 to 30 minutes to explore and enjoy.
Close to Bada Imambara, there is Chhota Imambara, which features a royal bath and a tomb of a princess. The imambara’s outer wall is white with intricate blue designs. Inside, it’s decorated with expensive lamps and chandeliers brought from around the world, earning it the nickname “palace of lights.”
The Shahi Hamam, a royal bath, resembles Turkish baths but is simpler in design.The courtyard is filled with many flower plants, fountains, and features a gentle pink gateway.
When we arrived, they informed us at the entrance that we must have a guide to go inside. Unlike Bada Imambara, there wasn’t any information on the tourism board’s website or displays. The guide told us about the history of the place and helped us take a few photos for a fee of 100 INR (less than 2 USD) for both of us. He didn’t come with us inside the main imambara building. Inside, someone else offered to show us around for a small tip of 50 INR (less than 1 USD), which we thought was worth it.
This place is open from 6 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.. Admission for Indians costs 50 INR, which includes entry to Bada Imambara, Picture Gallery, and Shahi Hamam. Foreign visitors can purchase a ticket for 500 INR (approximately 7 USD).Plan to spend at least one hour exploring these places. If you’d like a guided tour, it’s available for 150 INR, which includes tips for two people.
Nimbu Park
There wasn’t anything special about it.We discovered it accidentally while heading to Bada Imambara. Even the ticket seller appeared surprised. We were tired after walking for a long time, so we took a break and watched squirrels playing nearby. We also enjoyed a lovely view of the Aasifi mosque from that place.
This place is open daily from 8 am to 8 pm, and there’s an entry fee of 10 INR.It only takes around 10 to 15 minutes to visit and see everything there.
Foods to try in Lucknow
Lucknow is famous for its tasty food. The Awadhi Nawabs were fond of food, and Awadhi cuisine, which originated here, has a distinct flavor compared to Mughal and other Indian cuisines.Two well-known dishes from Lucknow are Biriyani and Galauti Kabab. The food in Lucknow is full of flavor but not heavy.Sample local favorites such as Kulcha Nihari and various kinds of Kababs. You can find these dishes at popular places like Idrees, Tunday Kababi, and Dashtarkhan. Vegetarians can enjoy various chaats, kulfi, and sweets too.
Places to lodge in Lucknow
In Lucknow, accommodations are divided by the Gomti River. To the west, you’ll find the old city, railway stations, the airport, and bus terminals.This area is busy and lacks many good accommodations in the city center. However, Hussainganj offers some budget-friendly choices where you can expect to spend approximately 1500–2000 INR (around 14–28 USD) for basic amenities. Staying here means you’ll be nearer to important places to visit. If you have more money to spend, you could think about staying at places like Lebua or La Place Sarovar Portico.
In recent years, the eastern side has grown into a busy area for businesses and commerce. Gomti Nagar offers plenty of accommodation options at reasonable rates, though it’s farther from major attractions. But it’s well connected by the metro, and cabs are easy to find.Good hotels in this area include Vivanta by Taj, Novotel, Fairfield by Marriott, Hyatt Regency, and Hilton Garden Inn, among others.
For the best mix of cost, amenities, and access to public transport, staying near a metro station in Gomti Nagar is a great choice. For more affordable options, you can look on Bag2Bag.in
shopping in Lucknow
A must-buy in Lucknow is Chikankari products, a special embroidery style that originated there. You can find a variety of clothing such as sarees, kurtis, and dresses decorated with Chikankari designs, suitable for both men and women.
When shopping for Chikankari and other items in Lucknow, watch out for tourist traps. Guides, auto-rickshaw drivers, and hotel owners may offer to take you to recommended shops, but they often lead you to places that charge higher prices to earn commissions. It’s better to shop at local markets in areas like Chowk or Aminabad. Remember to bargain when negotiating prices. These markets also offer spices used in Lucknowi cuisine.
Ideal time to visit Lucknow
Lucknow gets very hot in summer. The ideal time to visit is from October to March. It’s better not to visit during Islamic festivals because some attractions may be closed for religious reasons.
Is Lucknow a safe place for tourists?
During my two days in Lucknow, I used different types of public transportation like a shared tempo, ate at local restaurants, and explored the narrow and busy streets of the old city.During my visit, I felt secure and at ease. The locals were kind and supportive.
Uttar Pradesh has had a high crime rate for many years, regardless of its political situation. So, both men and women should focus on staying safe while in Lucknow. Some areas openly sell guns with questionable permits, so it’s best to avoid those places. Don’t wander outside well-known tourist areas late at night, and always respect local customs and traditions.
Lucknow is a place where women and solo travelers can feel safe.
Plan your trip to Lucknow
Now, let’s address a key question: How long should you stay in Lucknow? Lucknow is a big city with lots of things to see and tasty food to try. It’s best to stay for at least two full days to explore and enjoy everything Lucknow has to offer.
A two-day or 48-hour plan for visiting Lucknow
First Day you can do :
If you’re spending two days in Lucknow, you can use the following schedule. It’s expected that you’ll arrive in Lucknow and settle into your hotel the night before or early on day 1.
Begin your morning in Lucknow with a classic breakfast at Sharma Ji’s Tea Stall. Enjoy tea accompanied by Gol Samosa and Bun Makkhan.
Next, take an auto-rickshaw to Rumi Darwaza and explore the nearby Bara Imambara Complex.
For lunch, taste the renowned Lucknow biriyani at Idrees, celebrated as one of the top spots for biriyani in the city. Take your food to Nibu Park for a picnic lunch, and remember to clean up before you leave.
Visit Chhota Imambara afterward.
Afterward, take a taxi to the opposite side of the city and enjoy watching the sunset at Ambedkar Memorial Park.
Have dinner at Tunday Kababi and savor the renowned Galauti Kabab, a specialty of Lucknow. Have a delightful meal with different types of kababs and korma dishes.
End your day with a delicious kulfi from Prakash Kulfi Shop.
Second day you can do
On your second day in Lucknow, start your morning with another traditional breakfast at Rahim’s, where you can enjoy Kulcha Nihari.
Then, go to the Chowk area for shopping and more food tasting. Local stores sell Chikankari clothes and spicesMake sure you try Makkhan Malai, a winter delicacy crafted from milk cream, and Malai Pan in the old city.
For lunch, visit Open Air Restaurant, a historic place known for its chicken dishes.
Then, unwind and enjoy some leisure time at Dilkusha Kothi.
Lastly, make your way to the airport, railway station, or bus terminal for your onward journey.
Cost of visiting Lucknow
The cost of a trip depends on what you like and can afford. You can travel cheaply by hitchhiking or couchsurfing, or you can go all out and stay in a fancy palace. The estimated expenses below give you an idea of how much you might spend for a two-day trip to Lucknow.
I think you’ll stay in a budget hotel, eat at regular restaurants, and use public transportation. All costs are for two people sharing expenses like accommodation and taxis.
Approximate cost for a 2-day trip to Lucknow:
It will cost around 7000 to 8500 INR, which is about 103 to 124 USD for two people sharing expenses.
