Lucknow to Delhi: Complete 2026 Guide -- Vande Bharat, Train and Flight
📅 Last updated: September 2026
✍️By PlanRouteAI Editorial Team — Researched, written and verified by our travel editors • About us
Lucknow to Delhi is one of Uttar Pradesh's most important intercity routes, connecting the state capital with the national capital across 499 km. The Vande Bharat Express (22425/22489) is the fastest option at just 6 hours 20-25 minutes, departing Lucknow at 17:15 and arriving at Delhi Anand Vihar Terminal at 23:40. Fares start from Rs 295 in Sleeper class on other trains, with 46+ daily train options including overnight services. This guide covers every transport option with verified September 2026 prices, IRCTC booking tips, and what to do in Delhi upon arrival.
All Ways to Travel Lucknow to Delhi
Transport
Duration
Cost
Best for
Vande Bharat Express (22425/22489)
6h 20-25m
Rs 1,200-1,855 (CC/EC)
Fastest, most comfortable daytime option
Swarna Shatabdi (12003)
6h 55m
Rs 700-1,500 (CC/EC)
Daily AC chair car service
Overnight express trains
7h 45m-9h+
Rs 295-1,400 (SL/3AC/2AC)
Budget overnight -- save a hotel night
Flight
1h 30m
Rs 3,500-9,000
Speed when time is critical
Bus
8-10 hours
Rs 400-1,200
Budget, flexible timing
The Vande Bharat Express: Fastest Train
The Vande Bharat Express (22425) is the fastest train on the Lucknow to Delhi route, departing Lucknow at 17:15 and arriving at Delhi Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT) at 23:40 -- covering the distance in just 6 hours 25 minutes. Key details:
Train number: 22425 (Lucknow to Delhi) / 22489 (alternate service)
Departure: Lucknow Junction (LKO) at 17:15
Arrival: Delhi Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT) at 23:40
Chair Car (CC) fare: Approximately Rs 1,200-1,500 including catering
Executive Chair Car (EC) fare: Approximately Rs 1,855 including catering
The Swarna Shatabdi Express (12003) departs Lucknow at 15:30 and reaches New Delhi at 22:25 -- a daily AC service running 7 days a week. This is a good alternative if the Vande Bharat is fully booked.
Important -- arrival station: The Vande Bharat arrives at Delhi Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT), not New Delhi (NDLS) station. ANVT is in east Delhi, well connected by Metro Blue Line (Anand Vihar Metro station is a 10-minute walk). If you need to reach central Delhi or catch an onward train from New Delhi station, the Metro takes approximately 35-45 minutes. Check your destination in Delhi before booking -- some travellers prefer trains arriving at New Delhi (NDLS) or Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM) for more central arrival.
Other Train Options
Train ticket prices from Lucknow to Delhi start at Rs 295 depending on the coach class selected. With 46+ trains operating on this route, there are options at every price point and timing. Key overnight and budget services:
Lucknow Mail / overnight expresses: Depart evening, arrive Delhi early morning. Sleeper class from Rs 295-400. 3AC from Rs 600-800. Good for saving a night's accommodation.
Amrit Bharat Express (14047): Departs Lucknow at 11:45, arrives New Delhi at 22:40 -- a daytime intercity option on Monday.
Neelachal SF Express (12875): Departs Lucknow at 13:35, arrives New Delhi at 21:20 -- runs Monday, Wednesday, Saturday.
How to Book Train Tickets
IRCTC (irctc.co.in): The official Indian Railways booking platform. Booking opens at 00:10 AM exactly 60 days before travel. Vande Bharat and Shatabdi seats fill fast -- book as soon as the window opens for popular travel dates.
Ixigo / MakeMyTrip / Redbus Rails: IRCTC-authorised agents showing the same inventory with a small service charge (Rs 15-35). Useful if IRCTC's website is slow during peak booking times.
Tatkal quota: Last-minute tickets available from 1 day before departure at a surcharge (~Rs 300-500 extra). Only use if you missed the 60-day window.
Flying Lucknow to Delhi
Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO) has multiple daily flights to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). The fastest way to reach Delhi from Lucknow is by flight, taking approximately 1 hour. IndiGo, Air India Express, and SpiceJet are the main operators. Fares from Rs 3,500-5,000 advance, rising to Rs 7,000-9,000+ last minute. With airport transfers at both ends (30-45 min each), total door-to-door time is typically 4-5 hours -- compared to 6.5 hours on the Vande Bharat. Flying makes sense if time is more critical than budget.
Bus from Lucknow to Delhi
UPSRTC state buses and private Volvo AC coaches operate Lucknow-Delhi services throughout the day and overnight. Journey time 8-10 hours depending on traffic on NH27 and NH9. Fares from Rs 400 (non-AC) to Rs 1,200 (Volvo AC sleeper). The overnight bus saves a hotel night. Departs from Lucknow's Alambagh or Kaiserbagh bus terminals. Book on Redbus or Goibibo for private operators.
Getting Around Delhi on Arrival
Delhi Metro: The most efficient way to navigate Delhi. ANVT station connects to Blue Line (Line 3). New Delhi station to ANVT by Blue Line: approximately 35-40 minutes. Airport Express from New Delhi station to IGI Airport: 18 minutes, Rs 110.
Ola/Uber: App-based taxis available citywide. Rs 150-400 for most central Delhi journeys from ANVT.
Auto-rickshaw: Pre-paid auto stands outside ANVT and New Delhi railway stations. Negotiate for destinations not covered by the prepaid system.
Top Things to Do in Delhi
Red Fort (Lal Qila): The magnificent 17th-century Mughal fortress on the banks of the Yamuna River -- UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admission Rs 600 foreign nationals, Rs 35 Indians. Sound and light show evenings.
Qutb Minar: A 72.5m sandstone minaret begun in 1193 -- India's tallest ancient tower and UNESCO Heritage Site. Admission Rs 600 foreign, Rs 40 Indians. The surrounding Qutb complex has extraordinary Sultanate-era ruins.
Humayun's Tomb: The magnificent Mughal garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal -- set in beautifully restored Persian char bagh gardens. Admission Rs 600 foreign. Near Nizamuddin Metro station.
Chandni Chowk: Old Delhi's famous bazaar street running from Red Fort -- chaotic, colourful, and extraordinary for street food (paranthe wali gali, jalebi, chaat).
India Gate and Kartavya Path: The 42m war memorial arch with the ceremonial boulevard -- free, best visited at dawn or in the evening when lit.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Vande Bharat Express (22489) is the fastest train from Lucknow to Delhi, taking 6 hours 20 minutes. It departs Lucknow at 17:15 and arrives at Delhi Anand Vihar Terminal at 23:40, running 6 days a week (not Wednesdays). Book on IRCTC 60 days in advance -- Chair Car approximately Rs 1,200-1,500.
Train fares from Lucknow to Delhi start at Rs 295 in Sleeper class. The cheapest options are overnight Sleeper class trains (Rs 295-400) and non-AC buses (from Rs 400). For a daytime journey, the Swarna Shatabdi Chair Car (Rs 700+) offers AC comfort at a moderate price. The Vande Bharat at Rs 1,200+ is the fastest but not the cheapest.
The Vande Bharat Express (22425) arrives at Delhi Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT) -- not New Delhi (NDLS) or Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM). ANVT is in east Delhi with Blue Line Metro connectivity. If your destination in Delhi is near Central or South Delhi, trains arriving at New Delhi or Nizamuddin may be more convenient -- check alternatives on IRCTC before booking.
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