Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, is the heartland of the Ganges plain and home to the Taj Mahal in Agra, the ghats of Varanasi, the Buddhist site of Sarnath and the Nawabi culture of Lucknow. Its cities hold some of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world, Mughal-era monuments, major Hindu pilgrimage towns such as Ayodhya and Mathura, and a distinctive food tradition of kebabs, chaat and sweets.
- Public
- Trains and expressway buses are cheap and cover every major city; metros help in Lucknow and Kanpur
- Taxi
- App cabs are dependable in large cities; autos need fare negotiation
- Rental
- Car hire with driver is the practical way to reach Fatehpur Sikri, Sarnath, Dudhwa and other day-trip sites
- Walking
- Old Varanasi, Ayodhya and Mathura reward walking, though lanes are crowded and uneven
Transport at a glance
- Public
- 3/5
- Taxi
- 4/5
- Rental
- 3/5
- Walking
- 3/5
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- ₹350-1,200 (approx $4-12) depending on airport
- Taxi Info
- Prepaid taxi counters operate at Lucknow, Varanasi and Prayagraj airports; app cabs are usually cheaper
- Shuttle
- Limited
- Shuttle Info
- Shuttle services are rare outside Lucknow and Varanasi
- Bus
- ₹100-200 (approx $1-2)
- Bus Info
- UPSRTC airport buses serve Varanasi; Lucknow's metro station at the airport is the cheapest link
- Private
- ₹1,500-5,000 (approx $16-52)
- Private Info
- Pre-booked cars from licensed operators are the simplest option for late-night arrivals
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
City buses and electric buses run in Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra and Varanasi; Lucknow metro fares range from about ₹10 to ₹60
Alternatives
E-rickshaws, autos, cycle-rickshaws, Rapido bike-taxis, boats on the Ganga at Varanasi
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Autos ₹50-300 (approx $1-3) for city trips; cabs ₹12-18 (approx $0-0) per km
- Apps
- Uber, Ola, Rapido
- App Names
- Uber, Ola, Rapido
- Typical Fare
- ₹100-500 (approx $1-5) for a typical city ride
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
UPSRTC and private coaches ₹150-1,200 (approx $2-12) on most routes, such as Lucknow to Varanasi or Agra to Delhi
Shared
Shared taxis and Tempo Travellers run between nearby towns; confirm price first
Flights
Domestic flights link Lucknow, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj with Delhi and Mumbai; fares vary widely
Private
Car with driver ₹2,500-4,500 (approx $26-47) per day
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Uttar Pradesh is served by a dense rail network, an expanding expressway grid and several airports, including Lucknow, Varanasi, Ayodhya and the newly opened Noida International Airport. Trains are the backbone of intercity travel, with Vande Bharat, Gatimaan and Shatabdi services linking the main tourist cities. Three cities run metro systems: Lucknow, Kanpur and Agra, the last only partly open. Within cities, e-rickshaws, auto-rickshaws and app-based cabs handle most trips.
Airports
Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport
Agra Airport (Kheria Air Force Station civil enclave)
Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya
Prayagraj Airport (Bamrauli)
Gorakhpur Airport
Noida International Airport (Jewar)
Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
IRCTC Rail Connect
Official app for train booking and PNR status
Uber
Cabs and autos in major cities
Ola
Cab and auto booking in Lucknow, Agra and Varanasi
Rapido
Bike-taxi and auto booking, widely used in smaller cities
RedBus
Booking for UPSRTC and private buses
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Book Indian Railways tickets on IRCTC well ahead for Delhi-Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi routes, especially from October to March
Check the day's timetable for Gatimaan and Vande Bharat services before planning a same-day return
In Varanasi, motor vehicles cannot enter the ghat lanes; walk or take a boat
Fog from December to January regularly delays trains; leave buffer time for flights
Use app cabs or prepaid taxis at stations rather than touts
Carry small change for autos and e-rickshaws