Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO) — complete Lucknow airport guide
Quick answer: Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO) in Amausi lies about 14-15 km southwest of central Lucknow, roughly a 30-45 minute drive. Operated by an Adani-led consortium, it opened the large integrated Terminal 3 in 2024; domestic flights shifted to T3 in April 2025, while the older T1 handles international operations. There is no T2 in regular scheduled use. Busiest routes are Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, with IndiGo a focus-city carrier. The key thing to know: most domestic flyers now use T3, but reconfirm your terminal, as international and domestic are split. Verify on the official site.
Last reviewed July 2026 by the FlightGPT flights desk · airport facts cross-checked against the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the airport operator · live Lucknow fares are found in the FlightGPT search above.
Lucknow airport (LKO) — quick facts
- IATA / ICAO code: LKO / VILK
- City served: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Distance to city: ≈ 14 km to central Lucknow
- Operator: Adani Airports
- Traffic: ~6 million passengers a year, a fast-growing North India hub.
Terminals at Lucknow airport
Lucknow's main facility is the new integrated Terminal 3, opened in 2024 and built to handle both domestic and international traffic. Domestic operations moved to T3 in April 2025, while the older Terminal 1 now serves international flights; the earlier T2 is not in regular scheduled use. Effectively, plan around T3 for domestic and T1 for international, and reconfirm because the setup has changed recently. IndiGo (a focus city) leads, alongside Air India, Air India Express, SpiceJet, Akasa Air and several international carriers. Always check your terminal on the official airport site.
How to get from Lucknow airport to the city
- App cabs (Ola, Uber): officially partnered and available from designated zones at T3 arrivals (Meet & Greet) and at the international departures area; book over airport wifi and expect surge at peaks.
- Prepaid taxi: prepaid taxi services operate from the airport with fixed fares and assigned drivers — a dependable choice for late-night arrivals or when app cabs are limited.
- Auto-rickshaws: available outside the terminals (typically parked to the left as you exit) for shorter, cheaper trips into the city; confirm the meter or fare first.
- Car rentals and chauffeur hire: counters/kiosks provide self-drive and with-driver cars for city travel or onward trips to Kanpur, Ayodhya and the wider region.
- City/UPSRTC buses: state and city bus services run along the airport road toward Charbagh/Alambagh and ISBT — the budget option, though slower with limited direct frequency.
- Pre-booked hotel cabs and outstation taxis: many Lucknow hotels arrange pickups, and outstation cabs at the airport cover destinations like Ayodhya, Kanpur and Varanasi.
- Note: Lucknow has a metro, but it does not directly serve the airport terminal — plan a taxi/auto/bus for the airport leg and verify any future extension officially.
Airlines flying from Lucknow (LKO)
IndiGo treats Lucknow as a focus city with a broad domestic network, joined by Air India, Air India Express, SpiceJet and Akasa Air. Busiest domestic routes include Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata. International service concentrates on the Gulf and nearby hubs — Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi are core, with additional destinations such as Jeddah operating subject to season; carriers include IndiGo, Air India Express, Emirates, flydubai and others. Routes are expanding but change frequently, so confirm current international flights on the airline or official airport site.
Lounges at LKO
Lucknow's lounge provision is concentrated in the new Terminal 3, with lounge facilities offering seating, food and beverages, and wifi for departing passengers. Access is typically via Priority Pass, eligible premium credit/debit cards, select airline tie-ups, or a paid walk-in fee. As T3 is recently commissioned, the lounge line-up and access rules are evolving — check your card's current lounge directory or the operator's website before you count on entry, and confirm whether your lounge serves domestic, international or both.
Popular flights from Lucknow
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Frequently asked questions
How early should I arrive at Lucknow airport?
Aim for about 2 hours ahead for domestic flights at T3 and roughly 3 hours for international at T1, covering check-in, security and queues. Add a buffer during festival peaks or busy early-morning departure banks. Check your airline's published cut-off times to be safe.
Which terminal do I use at Lucknow airport?
Since April 2025 domestic flights operate from the new integrated Terminal 3, while Terminal 1 handles international flights; the old T2 is not in regular scheduled use. The setup changed recently, so reconfirm your terminal on your ticket or the official airport site before travelling.
Is parking available at Lucknow airport?
Yes, paid parking is available at the terminal with short-term and longer-stay options and a pickup/drop zone. Tariffs are tiered by duration and revised periodically, so check current rates and any free grace period at the parking entry or on the official airport site.
Is there food and free wifi at the airport?
Terminal 3 has cafes, quick-service and sit-down dining airside and landside, at airport prices. Complimentary wifi is offered, usually via a one-time OTP to your mobile; visitors without an Indian SIM may need help-desk assistance. Drinking-water points are available after security.
Prepaid taxi or app cab from Lucknow airport?
App cabs (Ola/Uber) are convenient from the designated T3 zones and often cheaper off-peak, but can surge or be scarce late at night. A prepaid taxi gives a fixed fare and assigned driver and is the more reliable choice for red-eye arrivals or when apps are limited.
Are there hotels near Lucknow airport?
Yes, several hotels sit along the Amausi/Kanpur Road corridor near the airport, with far more choice in central Lucknow (Hazratganj/Gomti Nagar) about 30-45 minutes away. Many properties offer airport transfers — confirm pickup when booking, particularly for early or late flights.
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