By air (most common)
Fly into Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport, Srinagar (SXR). Direct flights from Delhi (1.5 hours), Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and other major cities. Delhi–Srinagar is the busiest route — book early for holidays. Airport to Dal Lake hotels: 30–45 minutes by cab.
By road
Jammu to Srinagar via NH-44 (Jammu–Srinagar highway) is about 270 km and 8–10 hours depending on traffic and weather. Popular with travellers combining Vaishno Devi or Jammu stops. Banihal rail link connects to Srinagar by road from Banihal station. Winter snow can cause delays — check road status.
By train
No train station in Srinagar city. Nearest major railhead: Jammu Tawi. From Jammu, continue by road or shared cab to Srinagar. Banihal station on the Udhampur–Baramulla line reduces road time from Jammu side — taxi from Banihal to Srinagar is roughly 3–4 hours.
Arrival tips
Pre-book airport pickup through your hotel or operator (₹800–₹2,000). Mobile networks work in Srinagar; carry some cash for small vendors. Inner Line Permit is not required for Indian citizens for standard tourist areas. Keep photo ID handy for hotel check-in.
Indicative rates
| Item | Approx. rate |
|---|---|
Delhi–Srinagar flight (one way) | ₹3,000–₹8,000 |
Airport transfer to city | ₹800–₹2,000 |
Jammu–Srinagar shared cab | ₹800–₹1,500 |