Cheap flights to Pune
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Quick summary
Country
India
Continent
Asia
Airport
PNQ
Currency
Indian rupee
Time zone
UTC+5:30
Deals already spotted to Pune
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The Oxford of the East
Things to do in Pune, from Peshwa palaces to student cafés
Most lists of things to do in Pune start with its history, and rightly so: this was the capital of the Peshwas, the Maratha rulers, in the 18th century. Yet the second city of Maharashtra, after Mumbai, is just as much a city of students and start-ups. Nicknamed the Oxford of the East, it is home to Savitribai Phule Pune University, Symbiosis, Fergusson College and the Film and Television Institute of India.
Pune is also one of India's largest IT hubs and one of its three major automotive centers, home to Bajaj Auto, Tata Motors and the world's largest vaccine maker. Add Osho's ashram, a British-era cantonment and hill forts within a morning's drive, and you have a city that rewards a few days.
Pune through time
From Maratha capital to Poona and back
| When | What remains |
|---|---|
| 8th-9th century | The Pataleshwar cave temple is carved from the rock under the Rashtrakutas |
| 18th century | Pune is the capital of the Peshwas, the Maratha rulers |
| 1730-1732 | Peshwa Baji Rao I builds Shaniwar Wada |
| 1817-1818 | The British defeat the Peshwas near Pune and take the city |
| 1892 | Aga Khan Palace built; Ganesh Chaturthi becomes a public festival in the 1890s |
| 1942-1944 | Gandhi is detained in the Aga Khan Palace |
| 1978 | The official name changes from Poona to Pune |
Shaniwar Wada
The Peshwas' fortified palace
Spikes for elephants and a ghost story
Peshwa Baji Rao I laid the foundations of Shaniwar Wada on a Saturday in 1730, and the palace was completed in 1732, with five gates and nine bastions. In 1828 a fire broke out that burned for seven days. The main Delhi Darwaza faces north, unusual for an Indian fort, and was studded with 72 steel spikes against war elephants. Locals still tell of Narayanrao, killed here in 1773, whose cries are said to echo on full-moon nights. Come in the evening for the light-and-sound show.
Aga Khan Palace
Where Gandhi was detained
Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III built this arcaded palace in 1892. From 1942 to 1944 it served as a place of detention for Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai, and both Kasturba and Desai died here. Donated in 1969, it now houses a museum of six galleries.
Temples and museums
Pataleshwar, Ganesha and folk-art collections
The Pataleshwar cave temple, dedicated to Shiva, was carved from the rock in the 8th or 9th century; it has an unusual circular Nandi shrine in the middle of its courtyard. Pune's devotion to Ganesha shows at Kasba Ganapati and the busy Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple, and the Peshwas also left the temples of Parvati Hill.
Museums
The Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum shows the craft objects the poet Kelkar collected across India, and the city also has a cricket museum and a small miniature-railway museum.
Places for meditation
In Koregaon Park, the Osho International Meditation Resort has drawn visitors from around the world since 1974, and the district is also where Pune's cafes and restaurants cluster.
Forts and hill stations
Day trips to the forts and hills
| Excursion | Good to know |
|---|---|
| Sinhagad | About 28 km southwest, at 1,317 meters; the site of the 1670 battle. A 2.7 km path climbs about 600 meters |
| Shivneri, Lohagad, Rajgad | Three forts of Pune district inscribed with the Maratha Military Landscapes of India on the UNESCO list |
| Karla, Bhaja and Bedsa caves | Rock-cut caves within reach of the city |
| Lonavala, Khandala, Lavasa, Mahabaleshwar | Classic hill stations; Lonavala is also on the suburban rail line |
Festivals and street food
Ganesh Chaturthi, misal pav and Camp bakeries
Ganesh Chaturthi is Pune's great festival, ten days of celebration that the city has staged in public since the 1890s. The Pune International Film Festival takes place in January and an Osho festival in December, and the city also hosts the Sawai Gandharva festival.
What to eat
Order a misal pav or a vada pav, then head to the bakeries of the Camp district: Kayani Bakery is cash only.
Getting there
Pune Airport and the roads from Mumbai
Pune Airport (Lohegaon)
About 10 to 11 km northeast of the center, on the same site as an air force base. Domestic flights link it to the main Indian cities, and a few international flights serve Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bangkok.
Approximate distances and times based on Wikipedia and Wikivoyage; timetables and fares change, so check before you travel. We do not quote fares.
| Route | Approximate time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| PNQ to the center, taxi or prepaid rickshaw | about 30 min to 1 h | Prepaid taxi and rickshaw counters at arrivals; the time depends heavily on traffic |
| Mumbai to Pune, by road | a little over 2 h | The Mumbai-Pune Expressway covers about 150 km |
| Mumbai to Pune, long-distance bus | about 3 h from Mumbai airport | State (MSRTC) and private operators run frequent services |
| Train from Mumbai and other cities | duration to check | Pune Junction station lies north of the old center; express trains arrive daily |
Getting around
Metro, buses, rickshaws and budget in Pune
The Pune Metro has two lines, one from Pimpri-Chinchwad to Swargate and one from Vanaz to Ramwadi, interchanging at District Court. PMPML city buses reach almost the whole urban area, and a suburban train runs to Lonavala. Auto-rickshaws are everywhere: insist on the meter, and if the driver refuses, simply hail another.
Cost level
The cost level is moderate to low for a European traveler: accommodation weighs the most, while local meals and public transport stay affordable. We do not quote amounts.
Entry and caution
Most visitors need a visa for India, often an e-visa applied for online before departure; check the conditions on the Indian government's official site. Pune is generally a safe city: watch your belongings and jewelry in crowds, and take extra care on the road, as traffic is dense. In temples, remove your shoes and dress modestly.
When to go
When to visit Pune?
November to February
The best time: mild days around 28 to 30 degrees C and cool nights, sometimes under 12 degrees C.
March to May
The hot season, with highs of 35 to 42 degrees C and thunderstorms in May: best avoided if you dislike heat.
June to September
The monsoon brings most of the year's rain, with often gloomy skies and difficult roads.
October
A transition month: the last rains fade and temperatures become pleasant again.
By length of stay
How long to stay in Pune?
The city
Shaniwar Wada, the Aga Khan Palace, the old quarter, a temple and Koregaon Park.
With the surroundings
Add Sinhagad fort, the Karla and Bhaja caves or a trip to Lonavala.
A Maharashtra base
Pune as a starting point for the Maratha forts and, by expressway, for Mumbai.
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In pictures
Pune in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Pune
Which airport serves Pune?
Pune Airport (PNQ) at Lohegaon, about 10 to 11 km northeast of the center. It also has a few international flights, notably to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bangkok.
How long does it take to get from Pune Airport to the center?
About 30 minutes to 1 hour by taxi or prepaid rickshaw, depending on traffic. There is no direct rail link to the center.
When is the best time to visit Pune?
November to February, with mild days and cool nights. Avoid the March to May heat and the June to September monsoon.
What should I see first in Pune?
Shaniwar Wada, the Aga Khan Palace, the Pataleshwar cave temple and the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, then Sinhagad fort as a day trip.
How many days should I spend in Pune?
Two to three days for the city, four to five with one or two day trips to the Maratha forts or the Karla and Bhaja caves.
Is Pune expensive?
The cost level is moderate to low for a European traveler: accommodation weighs the most, while local meals and public transport stay affordable.
How do I get around Pune?
By metro (two lines), PMPML buses and metered auto-rickshaws. A suburban train reaches Lonavala.
What should I eat in Pune?
Misal pav, often sold out by mid-morning, vada pav and the specialties of the Camp district bakeries such as Kayani Bakery.
Can I combine Pune with Mumbai?
Yes. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway links the two cities in a little over 2 hours by road.
How much does a flight to Pune usually cost?
It mostly depends on your departure city, the season and how far ahead you book. The "deals" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
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