Prepaid / official airport taxi · 35–60+ min to Hazratganj depending on NH-27 traffic
Where they are
One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
AYJ7.2
LKO7.6+0.4
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
AYJ6.8
LKO7.0+0.2
Food & retail
Best for
AYJ
Ram Mandir / Ayodhya pilgrimage itinerariesIndiGo domestic banks from DEL / BOM / BLR / HYD / AMDTravelers using prepaid taxis toward Ayodhya Dham
Watch out for
AYJ
No Priority Pass lounge product listed (PP airport page: no experiences)Pilgrimage peaks (Ram Navami / Diwali) can jam curb and securityScheduled ops are domestic despite international designation
AYJ · Ram Mandir pilgrimage gateway opened Dec 2023 with modern Phase-1 Terminal 1 — clear **IndiGo** DEL/BOM/BLR/HYD/AMD banks plus **Air India Express / Akasa Air / Alliance Air** pins; **Priority Pass lists AYJ but no experiences available** on research day.
LKO · Adani-operated Lucknow gateway at Amausi — March 2024 Terminal 3 is now the only passenger hall, DigiYatra on select domestic T3 departures, Red Line metro at the Terminal 2 campus, and two live Priority Pass / LoungeKey soft rooms in T3 (Adani domestic + Budweiser international). Still a single 2,744 × 45 m runway with CAT IIIB on 27 only, where the boarding-pass terminal letter and the live lounge pin both matter.
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
AYJ5.8
LKO6.4+0.6
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
AYJ6.6
LKO8.4+1.8
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
AYJ6.8+0.9
LKO5.9
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
AYJ3.8
LKO7.2+3.4
LKO
Lucknow / central UP trips where LKO is the ticketed airport (not VNS or DEL)Domestic IndiGo banks with DigiYatra enrolled into Terminal 3Priority Pass / LoungeKey holders using Adani Lounge (domestic T3) or Budweiser (international T3)Travellers who can ride Lucknow Metro Red Line from CCS Airport when Terminal 2 campus / train hours fit
No published MCT
LKO
LKO (VILK) ≠ VNS Varanasi ≠ DEL — wrong IATA is a multi-hour road recoveryTerminal 2 is metro/admin, not the passenger check-in hall — fly Terminal 3Metro fronts the Terminal 2 campus, not a sterile dump inside Terminal 3 securitySingle 2,744 × 45 m runway and winter fog — CAT IIIB on RWY 27 helps landings, not your city-side bufferAdani Lounge operator hours (03:00–23:50) disagree with PP/LK near-24h listings
Modern Phase-1 Terminal 1
Single new AAI plant with Ramayana-themed interiors — compact curb-to-gate walk.
Terminal cafe-scale, no PP lounge
Expect snack/cafe depth only — PP lists no AYJ experiences.
LKO
Adani Lounge (domestic T3, PP + LoungeKey)Budweiser (international T3, PP + LoungeKey)Terminal 3 integrated hallLucknow Metro Red Line (CCS Airport)DigiYatra domestic entry
Fog + a 45 m runway still own the buffer
DigiYatra helps domestic T3 entry; CAT IIIB on 27 does not shrink your city-side buffer.
Fly Terminal 3 — do not check in at T2
Official FAQ: one passenger terminal. T3 is domestic + international.
Adani domestic / Budweiser international if entitled
Two live T3 rooms on Priority Pass and LoungeKey. Operator hours beat aggregator mirrors.
