India GOGetting around Chandigarh
In Chandigarh a cab is the default: the sectors are large and the distances between them are too long to walk. Uber, Ola and Rapido all work, autos are easy to find, CTU buses cover the whole tricity until about 10 pm, and the city has proper cycle tracks. The cards above rate each mode; here is how the grid works and what to know for each kind of trip.
Uber, Ola and Rapido
The distances between sectors are long enough that a car is the default. Drivers here strike from time to time, so keep a backup for the airport run.
CTU buses
Around seventy routes across Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula: a real network, not a formality. They run from about 06:00 to 22:00.
~₹20–50
Bicycle and Smart Bike
A rare Indian city with a proper network of separated cycle tracks, plus the Smart Bike sharing scheme with docks and an app. Here a bicycle is transport, not a sport.
Auto-rickshaws
They exist and they are easy to find, but the meters are mostly decorative, so agree the fare before you get in.
~₹100–150 for a short ride
On foot inside a sector
Each sector was designed to be walked end to end, with its own market and green strips. Between sectors the distances stop being walkable.
free
How the grid works
Le Corbusier's plan divides the city into numbered sectors, each designed to be walked end to end, with its own market and green strips. An address like "SCO 151, Sector 28" is read literally: the sector number tells the driver where to go, and the shop-cum-office (SCO) number finds the door. Inside a sector, walk; between sectors, ride.
Chandigarh runs into two other cities, Mohali (in Punjab) on the west and Panchkula (in Haryana) on the east. Together they are the tricity, and buses and cabs cross between them without anyone noticing the border. The airport is on the Mohali side; Mansa Devi, Chandi Mandir and Nada Sahib are in Panchkula.
Each way of getting around
Cab apps
Uber, Ola and Rapido are the easiest way to cross the city. Drivers in Chandigarh strike from time to time, so for an early flight or train keep a backup: a hotel car or a prepaid taxi. The UK Foreign Office advises booking through an app rather than hailing a car on the street, especially at night, and sharing your trip details with someone.
Auto-rickshaws
Easy to find, but the meters are mostly decorative: agree the fare before you get in. A short ride costs approx. ₹100–150.
CTU buses
Chandigarh Transport Undertaking runs around seventy routes across Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula from about 06:00 to 22:00, for approx. ₹20–50 a ride. The CTU site lists local, suburban and long-distance routes and the airport shuttle, and links to live bus tracking.
Bicycle and Smart Bike
Chandigarh is one of the few Indian cities with a real network of separate cycle tracks, and a public bike-sharing scheme, Smart Bike, with docking stations and an app. See bike rental in Chandigarh.
Stations, bus stands and the airport
Chandigarh Junction (railway station) is about 8 km from the centre; trains from Delhi arrive here. A cab or an auto into the sectors is the usual way on.
ISBT Sector 17 is the bus stand in the middle of the grid, where the Volvo coaches from Delhi arrive.
ISBT Sector 43 is the terminal for buses to Manali, Shimla and Dharamshala. Check which one your ticket names before you book a cab to the wrong one.
Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport (IXC) is on the Mohali side, 12 km from Sector 17. A prepaid taxi costs approx. ₹400–800, and Uber and Ola are usually cheaper; the airport bus into the sectors costs approx. ₹20–100 and suits light luggage. More in Chandigarh airport and the railway station.
After ten it is apps only
CTU buses stop around 22:00 and there is no night service of any kind, so plan late evenings around a cab. For trips out of town (Pinjore, Kalka, Morni Hills), a cab for the day is simpler than buses; see day trips from Chandigarh. For arriving from Delhi by train, bus or air, see how to get to Chandigarh.
FAQ
Does Chandigarh have Uber?
Yes. Uber, Ola and Rapido all work across Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula, and app cabs are usually cheaper than the prepaid taxi from the airport.
How much does an auto-rickshaw cost in Chandigarh?
Approx. ₹100–150 for a short ride. The meters are rarely used, so agree the fare before you get in.
How do I get from Chandigarh airport to the city?
By prepaid taxi (approx. ₹400–800), by Uber or Ola (usually cheaper), or by the airport bus (approx. ₹20–100). The airport is 12 km from Sector 17, on the Mohali side.
Which bus stand in Chandigarh has buses to Manali and Shimla?
ISBT Sector 43. The Sector 17 bus stand handles the Delhi coaches.
Can I cycle around Chandigarh?
Yes. The city has a network of separate cycle tracks and the Smart Bike sharing scheme with docking stations and an app.
Do buses run at night in Chandigarh?
No. CTU buses run from about 06:00 to 22:00, and there is no night service; after that use an app cab.
Sources (3)
Facts checked: 15 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.
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