Major city · India
Ludhianaਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ
Give Ludhiana one night, or skip it: it is an industrial and shopping city, not a sightseeing stop. Go only for Punjabi food, hosiery and woolens.
Ludhiana is Punjab's largest city and its hosiery and woolen hub, on the old Grand Trunk Road about 100 km from Chandigarh and 140 km from Amritsar. There is almost no monument tourism here: the draw is food, malls, markets and the agricultural university campus. Most travellers pass through by train or use it as a half-day stop between Chandigarh and Amritsar.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Feb–Apr
- avoid May–Jun (extreme heat), Jul–Aug (monsoon)
- Airports
- LUH · IXC · ATQ
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Ludhiana112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ludhiana, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyLudhiana is busy, not dangerous: the real risks are traffic in Chaura Bazaar, summer heat, and unmarked auto-rickshaw fares.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All services (police, fire, ambulance) · 100 police · 108 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckLUH Ludhiana Airport (Sahnewal) (About 10 km (6.2 mi) from the centre; limited service — check current flights.).LUH Ludhiana Airport (Sahnewal) (About 6.2 mi (10 km) from the centre; limited service — check current flights.).
- Getting aroundTraffic in Chaura Bazaar is heavy and slow.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₹500–1,500 (≈ US$6–18)
- Budget bedBudget hotel or guesthouse room, a night, per room₹1,200 (≈ US$14)
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel or guesthouse room, a night, per room₹2,000 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedBudget hotel or guesthouse room, a night, per room₹3,500 (≈ US$40)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹2,000 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₹4,500 (≈ US$55) · High ₹9,000 (≈ US$110)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LUH Ludhiana Airport (Sahnewal) (About 10 km (6.2 mi) from the centre; limited service — check current flights.) · IXC Chandigarh airport (About 100 km (62 mi); the usual arrival airport for Ludhiana, with flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Jammu.) · ATQ Amritsar (Raja Sansi) airport (About 140 km (87 mi); the nearest international airport.)LUH Ludhiana Airport (Sahnewal) (About 6.2 mi (10 km) from the centre; limited service — check current flights.) · IXC Chandigarh airport (About 62 mi (100 km); the usual arrival airport for Ludhiana, with flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Jammu.) · ATQ Amritsar (Raja Sansi) airport (About 87 mi (140 km); the nearest international airport.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
Avoid
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Jun
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Feb–Apr. Avoid: May–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest May (39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)), coolest Jan (6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) low), wettest Jul (9 rain days), driest Nov (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ludhiana: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
3 rd
Feb
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
May
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
2 rd
Jun
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
9 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Traffic in Chaura Bazaar is heavy and slow. Auto-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws cover short hops; agree the fare before you get in. City buses run between the bus depot, the old courts and the bypasses. For malls and Ferozepur Road, an app cab is easier than haggling.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chandigarh
goDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
Train or bus, about 100 km (62 mi)Train or bus, about 62 mi (100 km)
Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake and a cleaner base; easy onward rail.
Amritsar
overnightDoor to door: 2.5–3.5 h
Train or bus, about 140 km (87 mi)Train or bus, about 87 mi (140 km)
The Golden Temple deserves a night of its own, not a day return.
Patiala
cautionDoor to door: 2–3 h
Train or bus via the GT Road corridor
Palaces and Qila Mubarak; check opening hours before going.
Machhiwara
cautionDoor to door: 1–1.5 h
Bus or taxi, about 40 km (25 mi)Bus or taxi, about 25 mi (40 km)
Gurdwara history stop; pair it with a half-day, not a full one.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Around Ludhiana Junction railway station
Budget hotels and dhabas; best if you arrive or leave by train.
Civil Lines and Fountain Chowk
Central, near Mall Road shopping, sweets and the bigger hotels.
Ferozepur Road and Gurdev Nagar
Mid-range and upscale hotels, close to malls and restaurants.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–3,000 (≈ US$18–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹3,000–6,000 (≈ US$35–70) excl. bed
- High
- ₹6,000 (≈ US$70)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 1 night × ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹4,500 | ₹9,000 |
| Auto-rickshaw across the centre, one trip1 × ₹150 · check | ₹150 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₹1,000 | ₹2,000 |
| Punjabi meal for two at a mid-range restaurant1 × ₹1,200 | ₹1,200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹1,740 |
| Trip total≈ ₹9,550 per person per day, bed included | ₹19,090≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights and long-distance trains excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Cup of chai | ₹15–40 (≈ under US$1) |
| Punjabi thali or dhaba meal | ₹200–500 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Chicken dish at a local eatery | ₹300–600 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Auto-rickshaw, short city tripAgree the fare first. | ₹80–200 (≈ US$1–3) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₹500–1,500 (≈ US$6–18) |
| Woolen sweater from a hosiery market | ₹300–1,500 (≈ US$4–18) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat: May and June can reach 50 °C (122 °F) — do not plan long walks midday.Summer heat: May and June can reach 122 °F (50 °C) — do not plan long walks midday.
- Winter nights from November to January can fall near 0 °C (32 °F).Winter nights from November to January can fall near 32 °F (0 °C).
- Agree auto-rickshaw and rickshaw fares before boarding; meters are rare.
- Chaura Bazaar traffic and crowds are the main practical hazard.
- Tap water is not for drinking; use sealed bottled water.
Emergency numbers
- All services (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- Police
- 100
- Ambulance
- 108
Pocket card
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Ludhianaਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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ਇਸ ਪਤੇ 'ਤੇ ਲੈ ਚੱਲੋTo this address, please
Emergency
- All services112
- Police100
- Ambulance108
Embassy
No embassies in Ludhiana; most are in New Delhi. The US, UK, Canada and Australia all have missions in Delhi — check addresses before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Auto-rickshaw, station to Civil Lines: ₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3), agree first (check)
- Train Ludhiana → Chandigarh: about ₹150–400 (≈ US$2–5), 2–2.5 h (check)
- Bus Ludhiana → Amritsar: about ₹200–350 (≈ US$3–4), 3 h (check)
Say or show
- ਸਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ — Hello / Good day (sat sri akal)
- ਧੰਨਵਾਦ — Thank you (dhannvaad)
- ਕਿੰਨੇ ਦਾ ਹੈ? — How much is it? (kinne da hai)
- ਬਹੁਤ ਮਹਿੰਗਾ — Too expensive (bahut mehnga)
- ਟਾਇਲਟ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੈ? — Where is the toilet? (toilet kitthe hai)
- ਇੱਥੇ ਰੋਕੋ — Please stop here (itthe roko)
Tipping: 5–10% in restaurants without a service charge; drivers and guides expect a tip.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ludhiana. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Feb–Apr · avoid May–Jun (extreme heat), Jul–Aug (monsoon) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LUH and IXC: last train and bus times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: railway station and Chaura Bazaar, Mall Road and Civil Lines, Ferozepur Road malls.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Punjab Agricultural University museum, Nehru Rose Garden, Rakh Bagh) and eat pages with last orders.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.