Kanpur (कानपुरKānpur) is the largest city in the state ofUttar Pradesh,India. It was known asCawnpore in colonial times and is a major industrial centre of thePlains. The city is famous for its chemical (fertiliser, detergent), textile, and leather industries. The city was also an important British garrison during pre-independence era.
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Kanpur is a major industrial and commercial city on the banks of the River Ganges. It has an area of over 400 km² and had a population of around 2.7 million in the 2011 census. Kanpur is home to several educational institutions, including an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Kanpur), CSJM University, Harcourt Butler Technological University (HBTU), University Institute of Engineering and Technology, GSVM Medical College and Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology (AITH).
Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport (LKO IATA), about70 km (43 mi) from Kanpur and handles more flights, can also be used.
The flights to Kanpur and Lucknow are generally reliable and timely, but may get delayed or diverted during winter (Dec-Jan) when the region often experiences dense fog. Trains too get affected. Plan your travel accordingly and allow for possible delays.
Kanpur is well connected with the rest of India by rail services, e.g. Shatabdi express from Delhi to Kanpur. It also lies on the Kolkata-New Delhi rail link and hence is served by Rajdhani Express trains, like Howrah Rajdhani, Guwahati Rajdhani, Bhubaneswar Rajdhani, and so on.
(updated Jan 2026) (updated Jan 2026) (updated Jan 2026)Kanpur is well connected with Road, NH 2 and NH 25 passes nearby. The NHs which passes to Kanpur are NH 2, NH 25, NH 86 and NH 91. Kanpur has two major bus station. The very important bus station of Kanpur is Jhkarkati bus Station. Many Volvo buses especially Royal Cruiser which go to Delhi, Jaipur and Agra.
As of June 2025, theKanpur Metro[dead link] consists of one line with 14 stations, stretching from IIT Kanpur in the west via Motijheel (Pearl lake) to Kanpur Central railway station. Various extensions and a second line are under construction.
There are city buses run by UPSRTC under JNNURM. These buses offer cheaper rates than auto rickshaws. AC low floor city buses that are very comfortable cost the most to ride. Some other types of buses are non-AC low floor, minibuses and low floors which also offer low rates.
You can travel using an auto rickshaw or the tempo called Vikram. Vikram is the cheapest mode of transport but a pain to travel. However, Vikram drivers have a fixed rate for point-to-point travels and it's an experience in itself when 10 people (and driver) travel in one Vikram. The quality of auto rickshaws in Kanpur is also pathetic and there is not fixed rate or meter system. You have to bargain with the driver.
There is no standard or norm for the price of cycle rickshaws. They can be found on the main road and smaller roads.
Private taxis like vans and other cars are available from Canal Road Taxi Stand and from various hotels and travel agencies.
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Kanpur is famous for leather goods. The main shopping centres in the city are; The Mall, Birhana Road, Gumti No. 5, Parade, Naveen Market, Meston road and P.P.N. Market. The city centre also offers the shopper a delightful array of State Emporia, viz. UPICA, UP Handloom Emporium, The Mall; Phulkari, Punjab Emporium and Manjusha, Bengal Emporium, The Mall.
Kanpur is a great place for Chat lovers, the city is planked with chat shops serving pani puri, allu tikki, dahai chat, etc.
A popular food junction is the lane at Arya Nagar, with eateries serving everything from chat, South Indian, biryani, egg rolls, burgers, chats to ice creams.
For a range of multi cuisine restaurants visit The Mall, Naveen Market, Civil Lines, Sarvodaya Nagar (Moti Rave) and Swaroop Nagar, restaurants open to 11PM. Check out Aromas in Swaroop Nagar for some awesome burgers. Try the mushroom burger if you are the adventurous kind, you will not be disappointed.
No meal in Kanpur can be completed without eating paan, hence, if you are near Cantt, the mall road, near Phool Bagh gives you excellent paan options, or may just drive till Birhana road and grab a paan there. Around the other side however, the lane near Halet, is a haven of paan vendors. With alternating medicine and CT scan clinics, the paans here are the best in the city. The paan shops are open comfortably till 2AM. Perfect reason to go out on a drive.
Mufarra is a red drink which you can drink in summer for getting relief from the heat. This is easily available in shops.
There are pubs at Landmark Hotel and at the new malls.
There are a number of hotels on Mall Road and G.T Road.
(updated Feb 2016) (updated Feb 2016) (updated Feb 2016) | Thiscity travel guide toKanpuris ausable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but pleasefeel free to improve itby editing the page. |
