Pune
Pune, previously spelled in English as Poona, is a city in the state of Maharashtra in the Deccan Plateau in Western India.
It is the administrative headquarters of the Pune district, and of Pune division. In terms of the total amount of land under its jurisdiction, Pune is the largest city in Maharashtra by area, with a geographical area of 516.18km2, though by population it comes in a distant second to Mumbai. The city of Pune is part of Pune Metropolitan Region, which according to the 2011 Census of India, has 7.2 million residents, making it the seventh-most populous metropolitan area in India. Pune is one of the largest IT hubs in India. It is also one of the most important automobile and manufacturing hubs of India. Pune is often referred to as the "Oxford of the East" because of its educational institutions. It has been ranked "the most liveable city in India" several times.
Getting to Pune
Pune is a major transport hub of inner Maharashtra. It serves as the gateway for the numerous hill stations in the Western Ghats.
- 01Pune Airport
- 02Pune Junction CR
An above-average Indian station, it contains an information booth, an internet café, and a computerised ticket booking office.
- 03MSRTC Bus Depot Pune Station
This bus stand (next to the railway station and also considered to be the main bus stand) mainly serves buses on the Mumbai route.
- 04Shivaji Nagar
This bus stand serves buses for Vidarbha, Konkan, Marathwada and Northern Maharshtra.
Worth seeing
Pune is the cultural capital of Maharashtra. The Marathi film industry is also based here.
Things to do
Bird Watching: Enjoy boating and bird viewing in some of the city parks of Pune. Migratory parks can be viewed throughout the year in Pune. At the right time, you can see many migrated birds in the parks. Pune has a full calendar of events, ranging from classical music to rock concerts.
Where to eat
Pune is undoubtedly a great place to eat. Fergusson College Road and JM Road which runs parallel, are full of budget eateries serving delicious hot food at nominal charges. Almost all restaurants open and close at similar hours. 10AM - 11PM is usual. Of course, restaurant bars stay open till at least midnight. Misals are a Pune favourite, if you can stomach the spice in them.
Getting around Pune the local way
- Get aroundThere is a massive army of three-wheeled rickshaws.
- Get aroundSome prepaid rickshaw stands can be found at Shivajinagar, Swargate Bus Depot and Pune Airport.
- Get aroundAll rickshaws plying in the Pune Municipal Corporation limits are supposed to charge according to the meter.
- Get aroundIf they still refuse, walk away: there are plenty of other rickshaws on the roads.
- Get aroundIn fact, drivers of rickshaws that you flag down from the streets (if practical and possible) will often be more agreeable than those waiting in stands, who demand more fare.
- Get aroundNowadays, many auto rickshaw drivers try to charge extra for long distances or very short distances, or they refuse the fare.
- Get aroundIt is very common for rickshaw drivers plying between 11PM and 6AM to demand 1½ times the normal rates for the journey.
- Get aroundYou are advised to get this cleared with the driver before boarding the rickshaw.
From Wikivoyage: Pune, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Nikhilpaigude (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons.
