Unnao Travel Guide

City City in Uttar Pradesh with historical temples

Between Lucknow and Kanpur, Unnao attracts pilgrims and passersby with old temples, narrow bazaars, and boat rides along the Ganga’s canals; sample street chaat and clay-pottery workshops that keep small-town Uttar Pradesh humming.

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Costs
$15-$30 per day
Very inexpensive - cheap street food, basic hotels and local transport keep budgets low.
Safety
Moderate; take standard precautions
Typical small-city safety in Uttar Pradesh; avoid isolated areas at night and monitor local news.
Best Time
October-March
Pleasant winter weather; summers are hot and humid.
Time
Weather
Population
161,671
Infrastructure & Convenience
Rail and road links to larger cities; local transport is buses, autos and taxis, minimal English signage.
Popularity
Rarely a tourist destination; visited mainly for business, family or pilgrimage.
Known For
leather goods, small-scale industry, agriculture, local temples, weekly markets, riverfront villages, regional cuisine, commuting to Lucknow and Kanpur
Unnao lies on the historic Lucknow-Kanpur corridor and developed as a trade and transport link between two major cities.

Why Visit Unnao? #

Located between Lucknow and Kanpur, Unnao appeals as a quieter doorway into Awadhi culture and cuisine - kebabs, biryani and delicate sweets are local hallmarks. The town’s river ghats and rural bazaars offer a slower, more intimate contrast to nearby urban centers, and its proximity to Lucknow’s monuments makes it a sensible stop for travelers wanting local markets and traditional food without the city crowds. Short day trips reveal plainland landscapes and village life.

Top Things to Do in Unnao

All Attractions ›
Don't Miss
  • Unnao Market Road - Busy commercial street with shops, eateries and daily necessities popular with locals.
  • Kali Temple (Unnao) - Prominent local temple visited during festivals and daily worship, central to city life.
  • Confluence ghats on the Ganges - Riverside steps used for ritual bathing, quiet observation and local ceremonies.
Hidden Gems
  • Local sweet shops (pedas and balushahi) - Family bakeries making traditional Uttar Pradesh sweets using long-held recipes.
  • Small-scale handloom workshops - Neighborhood workshops producing handwoven cloth and traditional textiles for local markets.
  • Village pottery clusters nearby - Groups of potters making everyday earthenware using traditional techniques just outside town.
Day Trips
  • Lucknow (Bara Imambara) - Historic Nawabi complex with the famous labyrinth and heritage architecture, about an hour away.
  • Kanpur (Allen Forest Zoo) - Large urban zoo and riverfront attractions across the Ganges, reachable in under two hours.

Best Time to Visit Unnao #

Unnao is best from December to February when winters are mild and dry for sightseeing. Summers bring extreme heat and the monsoon delivers heavy rain and humidity, limiting outdoor plans.

Summer
April - June · 25-45°C (77-113°F)
Very hot and often oppressive by afternoon; best to schedule outdoor plans early or late and seek shade and hydration constantly.
Monsoon
July - September · 24-35°C (75-95°F)
Warm, humid, and rainy - landscapes turn green but streets can flood and travel slows; not ideal for lengthy outdoor sightseeing.
Winter
December - February · 5-22°C (41-72°F)
Mild, dry days and cool nights make for comfortable exploring and market walks; mornings are especially pleasant for outdoor plans.

Best Time to Visit Unnao #

Climate

Unnao's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with very hot summers (peaking in May) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 41°C. Moderate rainfall (921 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
MarchNovemberFebruary
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
49°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
23°
46%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

23 mm
Rainfall
1.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.6h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
11° 27°
41%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

10 mm
Rainfall
1.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.1
UV Index
High
11.1h daylight

March

March is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
16° 33°
30%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

8 mm
Rainfall
1.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.9h daylight

April

April is hot with highs of 39°C and lows of 22°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

89 Excellent

Comfort

30°
Feels Like Hot
30°C
Temperature
22° 39°
21%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

4 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
12.7h daylight

May

May is the hottest month with highs of 41°C and lows of 26°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

87 Excellent

Comfort

34°
Feels Like Hot
34°C
Temperature
26° 41°
23%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

11 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
13.3h daylight

June

June is hot, feeling like 35°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

35°
Feels Like Hot
34°C
Temperature
28° 40°
40%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
13.6h daylight

July

July is hot, feeling like 36°C due to high humidity. Heavy rain (260 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

36°
Feels Like Hot
30°C
Temperature
26° 34°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

260 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
13.5h daylight

August

August is hot, feeling like 35°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (303 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

35°
Feels Like Hot
29°C
Temperature
26° 33°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

303 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.9h daylight

September

September is hot, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (160 mm).

69 Good

Comfort

34°
Feels Like Hot
29°C
Temperature
25° 33°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

160 mm
Rainfall
1.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

October

October is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and clear sunny skies.

91 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
20° 32°
63%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
1.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
11.4h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 12°C. The driest month with just 2 mm and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
13° 29°
53%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
0.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
24°
49%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

11 mm
Rainfall
1.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.4h daylight

How to Get to Unnao

Unnao sits between Lucknow and Kanpur and is most easily reached via either city's airport or by frequent trains on the Lucknow-Kanpur corridor. Local buses, autos and taxis handle short trips inside town.

By Air

Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Lucknow (LKO): Lucknow airport is the main airport serving Unnao and is about 45-60 km away; taxis from LKO to Unnao take roughly 45-70 minutes and cost around ₹800-1,800 depending on vehicle.

Kanpur Airport (KNU) / Kanpur Chakeri (KNU): Kanpur has an airport with limited services; road transfer to Unnao is short (30-50 minutes) if flights match your schedule and are available.

By Train & Bus

Train: Unnao Junction (code: ONJ / commonly referred to as Unnao Railway Station) is on the Lucknow-Kanpur trunk and has frequent regional and some long-distance services. Travel times to Kanpur or Lucknow are typically 20-60 minutes depending on train type.

Bus: Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport (UPSRTC) and private buses connect Unnao with Lucknow, Kanpur and nearby towns; journey times are short and fares low (local buses are the cheapest option).

How to Get Around Unnao #

Unnao is best navigated by auto-rickshaw, cycle rickshaw or local buses for trips within town; many zones around the station are walkable for short distances. Frequent buses and trains connect Unnao with Kanpur and Lucknow for longer travel. Local fares are low and bargaining is typical for rickshaws. If you’re arriving by train, plan onward transport in advance during peak times as autos fill quickly.

Where to Stay in Unnao #

Budget
Unnao central - $6-25/night
Unnao has a few low-cost lodges and guesthouses; facilities are basic and options are limited.
Mid-Range
Near NH27 - $25-55/night
Some comfortable family-run hotels and business lodges; modest selection but serviceable rooms.
Luxury
Lucknow (~40 km) - $80+/night
No full-service luxury hotels in Unnao; Lucknow is the closest city for premium options.

Where to Eat in Unnao #

Nightlife in Unnao #

Unnao has limited nightlife; evenings mainly involve local eateries, tea stalls and family restaurants rather than bars or nightclubs. Most businesses close earlier than in larger cities, and entertainment is low-key. Visitors seeking a more active evening scene typically head to nearby Lucknow or Kanpur.

Shopping in Unnao #

Shopping is centred on traditional market streets and small shops selling textiles, household goods and regional foodstuffs. For more variety-modern malls, branded stores or extensive handicraft shopping-Lucknow and Kanpur are the nearest major centres. Markets are convenient for everyday needs and local specialties rather than tourist-focused souvenirs.

Nearby Cities #