Unnao
Introduction
Unnao is a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, set on the eastern bank of the Ganges River. It is a satellite city of Kanpur and falls under the Kanpur Metropolitan Development Authority, so it sits within the orbit of its larger neighbour rather than standing apart from it.
Administratively, Unnao lies within Unnao district and serves as the headquarters of the Unnao Sadar subdivision. Use that position to orient yourself: the city is both a district seat and part of a wider metropolitan region anchored by Kanpur.
Before you go
Unnao is not a cosmopolitan city, and you won't find huge malls or big markets here. What you will find is a calm place where you can feel close to nature, and it is sometimes known by the nickname "City of Lakes". Set your expectations around that quieter character rather than around big-city shopping or nightlife.
Getting there
Unnao is easiest to reach by train, with the best connections running from Kanpur and Lucknow. From Kanpur the journey takes only about 25 minutes, while from Lucknow it takes around 1½ hours. Unnao Junction railway station is where you arrive.
You can also get in by a local tempo called a Vikram from Kanpur. It is very cheap, but travelling in these Vikrams is difficult for a newcomer, so the train is the better choice.
Getting around
Unnao is a satellite city of Kanpur on the eastern bank of the Ganges, and the most practical way to move around is to treat it as a place you reach by rail and then explore on foot or by short local rides. Unnao Junction railway station is the reliable entry point: the train from Kanpur takes only about 25 minutes, and from Lucknow roughly an hour and a half. If you are coming from further afield, reach Kanpur or Lucknow first and connect onward by train. Walking is a reasonable way to cover the central areas and reach the railway station, but for anything beyond the immediate centre expect to use a short shared ride or a train connection. Many trips you want to make will actually be between Unnao and Kanpur or Lucknow rather than within Unnao alone.
- Unnao is also reachable from Kanpur by a local tempo called a Vikram. It is the cheapest option, but the source warns these are very difficult for a newcomer to use — treat them as a fallback rather than a first choice, and only attempt one if you are comfortable with crowded, informal shared transport.
- For onward intercity road travel, Unnao has a long-distance bus presence, including daily direct overnight coaches toward other states such as Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh. A range of bus types is offered, from non-AC seater and semi-sleeper to AC sleeper and Volvo AC coaches. Book through a bus ticketing website or app, carry ID for boarding, and arrive at the boarding point about 15 minutes early; in Unnao the boarding point is listed simply as "Unnao".
- Do not count on a metro, tram, or app-based taxi network within Unnao itself. The source describes no taxi or ride-hailing service in the city, so arrange road transport through your accommodation or by asking locally.
- No airport serves Unnao in the source material, so there is no airport-to-city transfer to describe. Fly into the nearest major city in the region and continue by train to Unnao Junction.
Where to stay
Unnao has limited accommodation, and the Rangoli Lodge is the main option for travellers who want to stop overnight in the city. It sits in Avas Vikas Colony, near the Lucknow bypass, which makes it convenient if you are passing through on the highway rather than lingering in the centre.
- Rooms come in air-cooled and air-conditioned varieties, with attached or non-attached toilets, wall-to-wall carpet and a TV.
- There is a dormitory as well as private rooms, and the lodge has power backup from a generator and inverter.
- Vegetarian tiffin meals — breakfast, lunch and dinner — are prepared in a home-style kitchen and delivered at set times, so arrange your meal when you check in.
- A travel desk can be arranged on request to help with onward plans.
Because the choice is so narrow, book ahead if you are travelling in a group or need a specific room type, and confirm your requirements directly with the lodge before arriving.
Food & drink
Unnao takes real pride in its food, and eating well here means sticking to local Indian cooking rather than international menus. Awasthi and Manoranjan are the names to know for that kind of meal, while New Hotel Green Palace And Green Restaurant, opposite Sabji Mandi at Bada Chauraha, serves its own special cuisine.
- Awasthi — local Indian food
- Manoranjan — local Indian food
- New Hotel Green Palace And Green Restaurant (Opp. Sabji Mandi, Bada Chauraha) — special cuisine
- Suruchi (near the railway station) — fast food, known for egg rolls
If you want something quick, head to Suruchi near the railway station, a fast food spot that specialises in egg rolls — handy before or after a train. The source lists no drinking establishments, so plan your evening around the meal itself.
What to see and do
Unnao's temples anchor both its spiritual life and its festival calendar. In the heart of the city you'll find Kalyani Devi, a deeply spiritual temple, while at Bada Chauraha stands a Hanuman temple famous throughout the city. Further out, Gokul Baba Mandir in Magarwara Village, about six kilometres from the city on the Unnao-Kanpur Road, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and also houses Ram Janki Mandir and Durga Mandir; devotees gather here in numbers, and a very large Mela is held after Diwali. Other temples draw visitors to the surrounding areas. Kushehri Devi Mandir, also known as Kushehari Maata Mandir, sits near Kusumbhi Railway Station, reached by a link road running to its west side from Navwab Ganj. Near Shekhpur Nari village along the Sharda Nahar, Van Devi Mandir is a famous temple whose annual fair, conducted by the villagers, is well known and much enjoyed by children.Three days in Unnao
Day one: Arrive at Unnao Junction and get your bearings in the city, which sits in Uttar Pradesh on the Ganges River. Administratively the area falls under Unnao Sadar, and the city is close enough to Kanpur that the Kanpur Metropolitan Development Authority's reach is part of the wider picture. Settle into a room at Rangoli Lodge in Avas Vikas Colony, where rooms come with a TV and AC. Spend the rest of the day walking the streets and getting a feel for daily life.
Day two: Use the day to explore Unnao itself, including its lakes, and to eat your way through Indian cooking at local spots. If you want to range further, Lucknow and Kanpur are the obvious directions, and from Kanpur you can continue by road. For getting around, vikrams are a common way to travel short distances, and many visitors find walking the easiest way to see the city up close.
Day three: Book onward travel before you leave. Volvo AC buses are one option, and you will need your ID when you book. There is no need to fly for this stretch. If your plans point toward Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh, sort out the connection in advance so the day does not run away from you.