Pune International Airport

Pune International Airport (PNQ), officially Lohegaon Airport, serves Pune, India's ninth-largest city and the cultural capital of Maharashtra. Located 10 km northeast of the city center, it serves India's major IT hub and educational center.

The airport is a civil enclave at an Indian Air Force base with a single terminal handling domestic and limited international flights. Capacity constraints mean many international travelers connect through Mumbai (BOM).

Key airlines: IndiGo (largest), Air India, SpiceJet, Vistara, and limited international carriers.

PNQ is northeast of Pune city:

• To Pune city center (MG Road): 12 km, 30-45 minutes
• To Hinjewadi IT Park: 25 km, 45-60 minutes
• To Shivajinagar: 10 km, 25-40 minutes
• To Koregaon Park: 8 km, 20-30 minutes

Traffic in Pune can be heavy, especially during rush hours.

Uber and Ola operate at PNQ.

• To city center: ₹350-500 (~$4-6 USD)
• To Hinjewadi: ₹600-900
• To Koregaon Park: ₹300-450

Prepaid taxis from the counter:

• Fixed rates to various zones
• Pay at counter, receive voucher

PMPML Bus

PMPML buses connect to the city:

• Routes to various parts of Pune
• Cost: ₹15-30
• Limited frequency and comfort

Recommendation: Use app-based cabs for convenience.

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Open Parking	₹200/day	Terminal adjacent
Multi-level	₹300/day	Covered

PNQ has basic dining:

Terminal:

• Quick service restaurants
• Indian snacks
• Coffee shops (Café Coffee Day)

Limited options; better food in Pune city.

Network: Pune Airport WiFi

• Cost: Free (limited)
• Speed: Variable
• Registration required

SIM cards from:

• Shops outside arrivals
• Jio, Airtel, Vi counters
• Documents required (passport, photo)
• Prices: ₹300-500 for prepaid with data

ATMs in the terminal.

Currency: Indian Rupee (₹/INR). Approximately 83 INR = 1 USD.

• Basic retail
• Souvenirs
• Convenience stores

Limited shopping due to terminal size.

Plaza Premium Lounge

• Access: Priority Pass, business class, or walk-in
• Amenities: Food, drinks, WiFi

Hotels are in Pune city. Koregaon Park and city center areas are popular for visitors.

Pune is Maharashtra's cultural heart—a student city with pleasant weather, historic forts, and a thriving IT industry:

Top attractions (with travel time from airport):

• Shaniwar Wada: 35 min—historic Peshwa palace, seat of Maratha Empire
• Aga Khan Palace: 15 min—Mahatma Gandhi memorial, beautiful gardens
• Sinhagad Fort: 1.5 hours—hilltop fortress with stunning views
• Osho International Meditation Resort: 25 min—famous ashram
• Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum: 30 min—eclectic collection of Indian artifacts

Hill stations nearby:

• Lonavala/Khandala: 1.5 hours—scenic hill stations, trekking
• Mahabaleshwar: 3 hours—strawberry farms, viewpoints
• Panchgani: 3 hours—table land plateau, colonial charm

Food & drink:

• Misal Pav: Spicy sprouted lentil curry with bread—Pune specialty
• Vada Pav: The original Indian burger
• Mastani: Thick milkshake named after a historical figure
• Bakeries: German Bakery, Kayani Bakery (famous shrewsbury biscuits)
• Koregaon Park: Trendy cafés, restaurants, nightlife

Local tips:

• IT hub: Major tech companies have offices; many expats
• Student city: Multiple universities, young population
• Pleasant weather: Cooler than Mumbai year-round
• Traffic: Can be intense; plan travel time accordingly
• Pune-Mumbai corridor: Expressway connects in 3 hours
• Ganesh Chaturthi: Huge celebrations (August/September)
• FC Road: University area, street food, youth hangout
• Oxford of the East: Pune's nickname for its educational institutions
• German Bakery was rebuilt after 2010 attack; now a peace memorial
• The Osho Ashram is controversial but architecturally interesting