How to reach Srinagar: Srinagar airport to Dal Lake is ~15 km (approx.), about 30–40 min; Jammu to Srinagar is ~270 km by road; ~4 h 50 min by direct Vande Bharat, about 8–10 h by road; Katra to Srinagar by train is ~3 h by Vande Bharat, about ~3 h. Tour cab for the city; shikara from the Boulevard Road ghats for the lake.
Routes
Getting around
Tour cab for the city; shikara from the Boulevard Road ghats for the lake.
Srinagar airport to Dal Lake
Srinagar airport to Dal Lake (Boulevard Road) is roughly 15 km, usually 30–40 minutes. On the way back, allow extra time: there are security checks before the airport, and vehicles and bags are screened. Houseboat guests transfer by shikara from a ghat on Boulevard Road.
Jammu to Srinagar
Jammu to Srinagar is about 270 km by road on NH44, typically 8–10 hours with traffic and weather. Since 2026 a direct Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat runs the route in about 4 hours 50 minutes, which is now the easier choice for most travellers. The highway can close after heavy rain or snow.
Katra to Srinagar by train
Vande Bharat trains run from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar in about three hours, since June 2025. Before boarding a valley-bound train at Katra, a security check is compulsory, so keep at least an hour. It's the easiest way to combine Vaishno Devi with Kashmir, and the trains are built for winter operation.
Arriving by train (Vande Bharat) & station pickup
Vande Bharat to Kashmir. Since June 2025 trains run into the valley on the Udhampur–Srinagar line. The direct Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat takes about 4 h 50 min; trains also run from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. Timings change — check IRCTC/NTES (139) before booking. Tatkal for AC classes opens one day before at 10 am.
Nearest station: Srinagar railway station (SINA), Nowgam.
Station pickup: Your driver meets you at the station exit with a name board and takes you to your hotel or houseboat. Allow extra time on the way back: there are security checks before boarding.
FAQ
Srinagar (SXR)
Rail reaches Katra and Srinagar; see the routes above.
Open year-round; airport security checks on exit/entry
Yes. Your driver meets you at the station exit with a name board and takes you to your hotel or houseboat. Allow extra time on the way back: there are security checks before boarding.
