Kanpur and Lucknow are 80 km apart — barely 2 hours by road via NH-27 — yet this corridor sees some of the heaviest commercial and administrative traffic in Uttar Pradesh. Kanpur is UP's industrial capital; Lucknow is its political and administrative one. Thousands of businesspeople, government officials, lawyers, and students travel between the two cities every single day.
For regular travellers on this route, a cab beats the alternatives on almost every metric. This guide explains why — and how to book the best one.
Route Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Distance | 80 km |
| Drive time | 1.5–2.5 hours (traffic-dependent) |
| Route | NH-27 via Unnao |
| Toll cost (approx.) | ₹80–₹110 |
| Best departure | Weekday mornings 7–9 AM |
Cab vs Train vs State Roadways: A Comparison
| Mode | Cost | Time (door-to-door) | Comfort | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cab (Sedan) | ₹1,099 (split = ₹275/person for 4) | 2–3 hrs | High | Full |
| Train (intercity) | ₹60–₹200 | 2.5–3.5 hrs + station time | Moderate | Fixed schedule |
| UP State Roadways bus | ₹80–₹130 | 3–4 hrs | Low | Fixed stops |
| Ola/Uber app | ₹1,200–₹2,000 (surge) | 2–3 hrs | Moderate | App-dependent |
For 2–4 people travelling together, the cab is the clear winner on cost, comfort, and door-to-door time. For solo travellers on a tight budget, the train is a reasonable option — if you can deal with station-to-station logistics.
Cab Fare: Kanpur to Lucknow
| Vehicle | One-Way Fare |
|---|---|
| Sedan (Dzire / Etios) | ₹1,099 |
| SUV (Ertiga / XL6) | ₹1,699 |
| Premium SUV (Innova Crysta) | ₹2,599 |
Book your Kanpur to Lucknow cab — door-to-door, fixed fare, no hidden charges.
Book Kanpur → Lucknow CabThe NH-27 Route: What to Expect
NH-27 between Kanpur and Lucknow is a 4-lane divided national highway in good condition. The Unnao bypass (roughly halfway) is the only potential slowdown — it has significant industrial traffic on weekdays.
- ✓Kanpur exit (0–15 km): Heavy city traffic near Kanpur Central and Civil Lines until you reach the GT Road junction. Factor 20–30 minutes for this alone during peak hours.
- ✓Unnao bypass (35–50 km): Industrial city with moderate traffic. Dhabas and petrol stations here if needed.
- ✓Lucknow entry (65–80 km): Choose your entry based on your destination — Amausi side for the airport and western Lucknow; Charbagh side for the railway station and old city.
Business Travel Tips for This Route
- ✓Book the night before for early morning departures: The 6–7 AM slot is the busiest for business travellers on this corridor. Drivers get booked quickly.
- ✓Share the cab with colleagues: At ₹1,099 split between 4 people, the per-person cost is ₹275 — cheaper than an auto each way and far more comfortable.
- ✓Specify your Lucknow destination precisely: Gomti Nagar, Hazratganj, and Alambagh are in different directions from the highway exit. The right entry point can save 20 minutes.
- ✓Early court / government office visits: Kanpur–Lucknow is heavily used by lawyers appearing in the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court. For 10 AM hearings, depart by 7 AM.
- ✓Evening return trips: Lucknow government offices close at 5 PM. The 5–7 PM window is the most congested for Lucknow–Kanpur. If possible, depart at 4 PM or after 7 PM.
Lucknow: Key Business and Government Hubs
- ✓Gomti Nagar: IT companies, corporate offices, Vibhuti Khand. Ask driver to use the Gomti Nagar exit from the expressway.
- ✓Hazratganj: Commercial hub, UP Secretariat, courts. Route via Amausi → Lucknow bypass → Hazratganj.
- ✓Charbagh: Railway station area, wholesale markets.
- ✓Lucknow Airport (LKO): Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport at Amausi. 15–20 km from Hazratganj. Factor 30–40 min from Kanpur highway exit.
Kumbh Mela Season: Special Advisory
During the Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela periods at Prayagraj (which attract pilgrims through both Kanpur and Lucknow), the NH-27 sees significantly higher traffic. Book your cab 48–72 hours in advance and plan for 30–60 minutes of extra travel time on snan (bathing) dates.
Return: Lucknow to Kanpur
The Lucknow to Kanpur cab is available at the same fare of ₹1,099. The same traffic advisory applies in reverse.
Other UP Routes
- ✓Kanpur to Prayagraj cab — 200 km, from ₹2,699
- ✓Lucknow to Prayagraj cab — 200 km, from ₹2,699
- ✓Prayagraj to Kanpur cab — 200 km, from ₹2,699
