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Lucknow's imambaras and Awadhi kitchens sit at one end of this corridor, Delhi's Mughal ruins and glass towers at the other. You can fly in little more than an hour, or ride an overnight bus that rolls into the capital as the city wakes up.
The two cities are about 419 km apart by air.[1] Flying is the quickest way, buses are the cheapest, and both run around the clock.
Lucknow to Delhi by Flight
The Flight Experience
IndiGo flies from Lucknow (LKO) to Delhi (DEL). The flight takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, and the airline puts the usual time at around 1.5 hours. The lowest fare listed for 9 November 2026 is โน5,286. On almost all domestic flights IndiGo allows up to 15 kg of checked baggage.[1]
On booking platforms, flights from Lucknow to Delhi start at about $43 (November 2026), with departures spread from early morning to late at night.[2]
Lucknow's Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport lies about 14 km outside the city. In Delhi, Indira Gandhi International Airport is 16 km from the centre, and the Airport Express, app-based taxis and bus shuttles connect it to town.[1]
Lucknow to Delhi by Bus
Road traffic between the two cities can use the Agra-Lucknow Expressway, a six-lane, access-controlled road of about 302 km with wayside food courts, toilets and fuel stations at 75 km and 198 km from Lucknow.[3]
AC Seater and AC Sleeper Buses
Buses take from about 6 hours 40 minutes to 8 hours 40 minutes and cost about $8 to $25 (November 2026). AC seaters suit a daytime ride through the Uttar Pradesh countryside, while AC sleepers let you lie flat and save a night's hotel bill. Most buses leave Lucknow late in the evening or after midnight.[2]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Flight | From $43[2] | 1h 5m - 1h 30m |
| Bus (AC Seater or AC Sleeper) | $8 - $25[2] | 6h 40m - 8h 40m |
Tips for Traveling from Lucknow to Delhi
- Book Flights Early: Fares climb around festivals such as Diwali and Holi, so lock in your seat ahead of time.
- Choose Your Bus Drop-off Carefully: Delhi is huge. Ask the operator where the bus stops and pick the drop-off closest to your hotel; it can save an hour of local commuting.
- Pack a Light Jacket: Indian AC buses and planes are often set very cold, even in summer. A sweater or shawl keeps the ride comfortable.
- Expressway Stops: Carry bottled water and a few dry snacks for the road, so you are not tied to the rest stops.
- Airport Transit: Allow generous time to reach Lucknow's airport, as traffic in the city can be unpredictable.
Timetable
| Flight Lucknow - Delhi $ 42.72โ75.68 1h 5m โ 1h 30m | |
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| Bus Lucknow - Delhi $ 7.89โ24.53 6h 40m โ 8h 40m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Lucknow to Delhi, including current prices and schedules.
The bus is the cheapest option, with fares from about $8 on booking platforms (November 2026). Flights start at about $43.
Flying is the fastest option, at about 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes in the air. Even with airport time, it is much quicker than the road.
A flight takes about 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. A bus takes from about 6 hours 40 minutes to 8 hours 40 minutes.
Yes. AC seater and AC sleeper buses leave Lucknow late in the evening and after midnight and reach Delhi in the morning, which saves a night of hotel costs.
All flights from Lucknow land at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), 16 km from the city centre. The Airport Express, app-based taxis and bus shuttles connect it to town.
IndiGo allows up to 15 kg of checked baggage on almost all domestic flights.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] IndiGo: Lucknow to Delhi Flights. Retrieved November 4, 2026.
- [2] 12Go: 12Go timetable Lucknow - Delhi. Retrieved November 4, 2026.
- [3] Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority: Agra - Lucknow Expressway. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.