Getting around
Transport & Metro, Apps & Digital Life. 4 min read.
01Transport & Metro
Getting around Pune
Pune Metro is now running, the biggest transport upgrade in the city's history.
The Purple Line (from PCMC, the Pimpri-Chinchwad area, to Swargate) and the Aqua Line (Vanaz-Ramwadi) are open. The Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar line (Line 3) opens in phases from late 2026, starting with 17 of its 23 stations. Autos, Ola/Uber and PMPML buses cover every other route (app-based bike taxis are not allowed in Maharashtra for now). Many expats employ a driver for the daily commute.
What it costs
RIDE
Ola/Uber KP-Hinjewadi
₹350 to 550
one way peak
Pune Metro Lines (2026)
Purple Line, PCMC to Swargate
~17 km. Elevated through Pimpri-Chinchwad with underground section through Shivajinagar and Civil Court down to Swargate. Connects the PCMC industrial belt to central Pune. Fully operational by 2026 across the full alignment.
Aqua Line, Vanaz to Ramwadi
~14 km elevated east-west line through Kothrud, Deccan, Pune Junction, Yerwada, Ramwadi. Operational. Civil Court is the interchange with the Purple Line, making most premium Pune neighbourhoods accessible by Metro for the first time.
Line 3, Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar (PMRDA)
~23 km PPP project (Line 3); its first stretch passed the rail safety inspection in July 2026 and the first 17 of its 23 stations were due to open from late September 2026, the rest later; Civil Court is its interchange with the Purple and Aqua lines. When complete, this will be the single most important transport upgrade for Hinjewadi IT executives, a sub-30-minute ride to central Pune that currently takes 60 to 90 minutes by road during peak.60 to 90 minutes
Ticketing
Smart-card and QR-code based. Signage in English and Marathi. Maha Metro app for journey planning and tickets. Fares ₹15 to 40 typical.₹15 to 40
Day-to-Day Transport
Auto-Rickshaws
Metered, generally honest in Pune (more so than Mumbai/Delhi). ₹25 first 1.5 km, then ~₹17/km, 25% night surcharge. Refuse non-metered rides. "Bhau, meter laao" is the universal request.
Ola / Uber
Full coverage. Ola Corporate accounts via employer travel desk. Surge in peak hours and rain, keep both apps installed. Hinjewadi airport runs can be expensive at peak.
Personal Driver
The default for many expat families. A full-time driver (₹15,000 to 25,000/month) removes the stress of Pune traffic and parking, arranged via your building.
PMPML Buses
Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) runs the city bus network. BRTS (Bus Rapid Transit) corridors on key arterials. The "Chalo" app gives live tracking.
Driving & Licences
Visitors may drive on a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) with their home licence for up to a year after arrival. For longer stays, convert to an Indian licence at the RTO (IDP/home licence, passport, visa, FRRO and address proof). Traffic is assertive and lane discipline loose, most expat families prefer a hired driver.
Hinjewadi traffic is Pune's main pain point. The Mumbai Highway / Wakad junction at peak hours (8-10am into Hinjewadi, 6-9pm out) can add 60 minutes to any journey. Many IT employers run company shuttles from premium residential pockets (Aundh, Baner, Wakad) to mitigate. The PMRDA Hinjewadi Metro line, when complete, will solve it. Until then, employing a personal driver and adjusting your start time are the working strategies.
02Apps & Digital Life
Apps to install
Pune runs on phone apps, and your first week is much easier with these installed. Everyone takes UPI payments, even the smallest kirana (corner) shop or the Bedekar Misal counter. Download them before you arrive.
Transport
Ola / UberPrimary cab-hailing in Pune. Ola Corporate accounts via your employer's travel desk for Hinjewadi/Magarpatta routes. Both handle surge differently, keep both installed.
Maha Metro (Pune Metro)Tickets, route planning, smart-card top-up for the Purple and Aqua lines. Civil Court is the interchange. Fares ₹15 to 40 typical across the network.
PMPML ChaloLive tracking for PMPML city buses and the BRTS corridors, with route search and arrival times. The everyday bus companion across Pune and PCMC. (App-based bike taxis are currently not permitted in Maharashtra.)
Food, Grocery & Delivery
Zomato / SwiggyBoth cover Pune comprehensively. Delivery times 25 to 40 minutes across most neighbourhoods. Zomato Gold worth it for regular restaurant orders in KP and Kalyani Nagar.
BigBasket / Blinkit / ZeptoBigBasket for weekly groceries with scheduled delivery. Blinkit and Zepto for 10-minute instant delivery, both excellent in KP, Kalyani Nagar, Aundh, Baner.
Utilities & Services
MSEDCLMaharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co, Pune's electricity provider. Register on arrival for online bill payment and auto-pay. App is functional but the web portal is more reliable.
Jio / Airtel / ACT FibernetJio and Airtel both excellent in Pune, both offer eSIM. ACT Fibernet has strong coverage in KP, Kalyani Nagar, Aundh, Baner, Hinjewadi townships. 100-300 Mbps standard.
Practo / 1mg / Urban CompanyPracto for GP appointments at Ruby Hall, Jehangir, Sahyadri, Manipal Pune. 1mg / Tata 1mg for online pharmacy. Urban Company for at-home services (cleaning, repairs, salon).
Already moving with IKAN?
Your homes, dates and papers are in i-Navigate, IKAN's app for families. It opens with the email address your IKAN consultant has for you, then sends you a six digit code.
Open your move Not moving with IKAN yet? Write to relo@ikan.com and a consultant will reply.