How to Reach Kashmir

Getting to Kashmir is easier than it used to be, but the right route depends on your time, budget and appetite for travel. There are three broad choices: fly to Srinagar, take a train to Jammu or Katra and continue, or drive. Here is how each works.

By air: Srinagar

Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai and several other Indian cities. It is the quickest and most comfortable option, and the best choice for trips under a week. The airport is roughly 12 to 14 km from the city, around 30 to 45 minutes by road, depending on traffic.

Tips for flying in:

• Book early for May, June and the end of December, when fares rise and flights fill up.
• Winter fog and snow can delay flights; keep your first and last days flexible.
• Morning flights give you more time on your first day.
• Security checks are thorough; keep hand baggage light and your ID accessible.

By rail: Jammu, Katra and the Vande Bharat

Rail goes as far as Jammu and Katra for most travellers. Jammu Tawi is the main station, with trains from Delhi and many other cities. Katra (Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra) is about 50 km further and is the stop for pilgrims.

The big change in recent years is the rail link into the valley. A Vande Bharat service has connected Katra with Srinagar since June 2025, crossing the Chenab bridge and travelling through long tunnels. In 2026 the services were extended to include Jammu. A through train from Delhi to Srinagar was not running when we last checked, so most travellers still change at Jammu or Katra. Timetables, extensions and track works can change, so check IRCTC close to your dates.

Good for: travellers who prefer trains, those combining Vaishno Devi with Kashmir, and groups.

By road: the Jammu to Srinagar highway

The highway (NH44) runs for about 270 km through Udhampur, Ramban, the Jawahar Tunnel at Banihal and the plains of Anantnag before reaching Srinagar. In good conditions, the journey takes about 8 to 10 hours including breaks for a private vehicle. It can take much longer after landslides, snow, accidents or road works, and the highway sometimes closes altogether.

Practical notes:

• Start early and aim to cross the Ramban to Banihal stretch in daylight.
• Keep a buffer between arrival in the valley and any onward travel.
• Travel in winter only if you are comfortable with possible delays.
• Stop at Patnitop for lunch or an overnight if you want a gentler journey.

Comparing the options

Planning your arrival day

The first day sets the tone, so plan it deliberately.

1. Arrive before lunch if you can. A morning flight leaves time for check-in, rest and a first look at Dal Lake. An evening arrival means dinner and sleep, so do not plan sightseeing.
2. Keep the first night simple. A houseboat is lovely, but arriving tired and cold to unfamiliar steps and a lakeside transfer is harder than a straightforward hotel. Many guests prefer to do the houseboat on the second night.
3. Carry essentials in hand luggage. Medicines, charger, a warm layer, ID and a printout of your booking details.
4. Confirm your pickup. Your driver should message you with name and vehicle number before you land. Houseboat transfers often need a Shikara, so ask where your luggage goes.

Airport and station transfers

Prepaid taxis and private cabs operate from Srinagar airport and from Jammu and Katra stations. For packages, the driver meets you at arrivals with your name. Allow extra time on the return, since security checks at Srinagar airport are thorough and traffic into the airport can build. Aim to leave the hotel at least three hours before a domestic flight.

Travelling with children, elders or heavy luggage

The valley's roads are narrow, so a smaller number of large bags is easier than many small ones. Houseboats and some hotels have steps and no lifts. If anyone has limited mobility, tell us before we choose accommodation, and we will look at ground-floor rooms and vehicles with easy entry. On the highway, plan breaks every two hours, carry motion-sickness tablets and avoid heavy meals before long climbs.

A booking checklist

• Confirm the starting point and your arrival time.
• Check IDs for every traveller match the booking.
• Book flights or trains only after the dates are firm, but not at the last minute.
• Keep a buffer day before any onward travel.
• Save your driver's, hotel's and planner's numbers.
• Carry a postpaid SIM or arrange a local one.
• Keep screenshots of confirmations in case the network drops.

Choosing your pickup point

For most clients, Srinagar-to-Srinagar is the smoothest. If you are coming by train, or combining a yatra with the valley, Jammu or Katra makes sense. Our family holiday from Srinagar and the Jammu-to-Jammu tour show both models, and the Vaishno Devi and Kashmir plan joins them.

Before you travel

Check the highway and weather updates on the day, confirm your airport or station pickup point with your driver, and keep a copy of IDs and booking details on your phone. Mobile coverage works best on postpaid numbers, because prepaid SIMs from other states usually do not connect in Jammu and Kashmir. If you tell us your starting city and dates, we will suggest the route that fits.

Practical tips

• Flying into Srinagar saves a full day compared with arriving at Jammu and driving.
• Allow a buffer day between the highway and any onward flight or train.
• Check IRCTC for the current timetable of the Vande Bharat and its extensions before booking.
• Travel the highway in daylight, and expect delays between Ramban and Banihal.
• Carry a government photo ID; it is checked at airports, stations and checkpoints.